Instead of settling on the MX-450 I may want something more challanging. If I was to purchase the MX-880 at an authorized dealer will it come with the required software to program the unit? I see Amazon sells a few of URC's remotes and I'm trying to find out now if that is a retail distributor place. One of my old friends who I haven't spoke with in years is an A/V guy, but would feel a little weird calling him for a wholesale price if the prices are that much different.

I'm looking for a good review on the 880. More interested in what kind of keys/buttons feel like. Are they soft, gem, rubber, stuff like that. I feel like poking my hands through my screen to feel the textures.

do a search in this forum for "authorized dealer" and you get all the info you'd like about the topic.

take the time and use the URC website to find who the online authorized are.

The more I read, the more confused I get, but I'm trying to work it ou.

I've read if you don't buy from au dealer you only get one download of the software with no updates.
I've read if you do buy from au dealer you get updates but always have to go through the dealer to get them.
I've read if you don't buy from au dealer you have a doorstop.

How does URC control which installed PC gets the online updates or not? The more I read, I've been getting a little more confused. Trying to my best to get through what is true and not true. There are several au dealers in NJ I may visit and see if they know. This state is known for good customer service, but inflated retail prices and scams. Just trying to be careful that's all.

If you buy from an AD who gives you a copy of the updateable software, you are good to go. The software has an update feature and you can update it on whatever computer it is on. No dealer intervention required.

If you need to go to URC to get the software, and depending on the remote, you might not get it, then you have the non-updateable software.

If you don't buy from an AD, or buy a remote that URC won't provide the software for (not exactly sure which, but usually the newest ones), make sure you know how to use a torrent search or will have a doorstop.

In very simple terms:

Authorized URC dealers choose whether or not they want to share the editor software with their clients. If you want to program the remote yourself, talk to your dealer and confirm that he will provide you with a copy of the editor along with your purchase. He is authorized to do that.

I don't know how many times and in how many different threads this exact thing has been stated.

I kinda figured if I encouraged him to try a search he would have found one of those instances.

Thanks for all the replies and information. I was lucky to be able to create an account on the URC Control site and get what I need. I do feel sorry for the person who goes there, picks up the remote likes it and then buys it. Dealer doesn't say anything to him when he buys it. I'm glad I knew previously from when I had my MX-700 and remembering how URC removed updates on that software.