but...but...but yet......they are.

That's what these brain surgeons, whoops I mean highly educated I.T./SW engineers can't figure out.

URC allows them to have access to the SW. They don't have to, but they do. Then these guys bitch and moan because of it. Sure they'll say "no it's that they won't let us update the SW", but they should be thanking URC for the opprotunity that they have no right to expect in the first place.

RTI shuts the door on the enduser before they even know that one exisited. I'm really starting to think RTI's decision with their policy has nothing to do with protecting dealers but to actually prevent the negative p.r. these knuckle dragging intellectuals spew about URC. A company that allows them the opprotunity to diy.

...and what do you think it means...? ...or what do you want it to mean?


It's not, you're a fool. Educated yourself....


URC can have it any way they want. If you have a problem with it, buy a Harmony. The regulars here would appreciate it

Not entirely true. URC has basically closed the door on DIY. While still possible, it is pretty difficult, especially as more and more product will only work with CCP with no standalone editor. The truth is that these days, URC doesn't provide the opportunity to try. They used to welcome the DIY community. Now they've kicked them to the curb. That's why there's so much venom directed at them, the DIY community feels a little betrayed ... URC was perfectly happy while it grew its business to a certain point to embrace DIYers and then turned their backs on them.

RTI doesn't get the abuse because there's no argument to make. They've never embraced the DIY community so there's no reason for people to feel betrayed or experience the impact of a sudden sea change in policy.

Note ... I am not debating the policy, that's a completely wearisome exercise, simply giving my perspective on why URC gets so much heat directed at them.

Regardless of whether it is the CCP or the stand alone mx-editor the solution is the same. Just buy your remote from an authorized dealer willing to provide you the software.

Doesn't this belong in the software thread?

I’m amused this problem keeps going, with URC’s stupid marketing policies still missing the point.
I too am a qualified programmer and, I bought my MX 980 about a year ago. I must say I got virulent responses from professional MX 980 programmers when I said I’m perfectly qualified to program the device but was upset with URC’s treatment of customers such as me.
On the matter of dealers doing the wrong thing by selling the unit to people who don’t understand the complexity, and the comment that this is the dealers fault for being incompetent, I respectfully disagree. There are five dealers in my greater metropolitan area, who are “authorized URC dealers”. I need a second unit and have been checking with them. None of them know about the URC’s policy that they must supply the software to the customer and are responsible for verifying that they can program the unit. Not one, not even the dealer from whom I purchased my original unit. When I purchased the original unit this dealer didn’t know about the policy and I had to inform them of it. Since I’m a good customer and they know about my technical skills they gave me the software. Even they have forgotten. If URC’s policy were rational and focused on a “smart” end goal they would train the dealers to manage the situation without pissing off customers. They don’t seem to be competent to do this.
If URC were actually responsive to customer needs they would alter their policy. Charging for technical support for non-authorized programmers, and/or noting this in large print on the unit’s box would do the trick. The fact is they want it both ways. You can buy the unit from web suppliers for reduced prices so if their marketing plan is to keep programming exclusive authorized programmers they would not allow sales through discount web dealers (authorized URC dealers). Don’t tell about gray marketing, these sources are authorized and offer full warranties. The fact is they want both customers but provide a solution to customers like me that does not develop loyalty to their brand.
On the matter of paying for technical support I would, of course, never do it because I know about this great site. I was an original Pronto owner way back when, and my early difficulties were resolve quickly by posters on this site. The MX 980 program came up no muss or fuss. I finally switched from the Pronto as my wife hates the LCD touch screen (she likes the MX 980).
Finally three points:
1.Paying someone to program the unit is not ever in the cards for me as tinkering with my Home Theaters and the MX 980 programming is my hobby, it’s the whole point.
2.When the MX-980 becomes a less than stellar solution (due to competition) I’ll not purchase anything more from them. They have not engendered any customer loyalty with me, and I’m a universal remote aficionado and early adopter. A good marketer I would think would want some loyalty from customers such as me.
3.The developers (engineers and designers) of the MX - 980 deserve kudos, it remains one of the best designed units on the market (marketing faux pas aside).
Keith

How are you qualified? Have you attended any of URC's programming classes?

Don't you mean "closed thread"?

CCP wasn't meant for DIY'ers. Enough said. I'm out, rack me!

Oh... I haven't attended a "certified class." That must mean I don't know what I'm doing?

10 bucks says most of the CI's who've set their customers' RF IDs to 0 have taken the "classes." And, did it stick? Do they *really* know what they're doing?

I've written 8 books on the software package that I specialize in. And, the last time I attended a "certification class" was about 8 years ago. Most of the "certified class" attendees can parrot the 15 points that are covered in that class and, other than that, have few clues about the real-world application of the software. And, BTW... I never have, and never will, advocate that the vendor of the software I specialize in pull it from the general market and only distribute it through "certified professionals."

Now, I'm programming my new MSC-400 with my MX-980, my MX-850, and my MX-350. My "took the classes" CI hasn't a clue about my particular environment or requirements and actually asked me to e-mail URC directly with a question that I eventually figured out for myself. So much for the "classes."

The sooner we all stop the BS and just admit the obvious here, the sooner we'll all be able to move forward:

Some CI's here feel the way to ensure business is to not allow their customers to program their own remotes, whether they really have the capabilities or not--and URC knuckled under to them. Ultimately, do you *REALLY* think the way to ensure your successful future is to hold your customers hostage? Or, will the true path to success be continued real-world knowledge and high-quality service?

GPeck has got it correct; we don't need a class for this thing. As a programmer proficient in C+++ and experience going back to the Rockwell PPS8 machine code (preceded the Intel 8080 and Motorola 6800) the MX 980 is trivial. URC’s marketing policy remains stupid and the MX 980 is still a well designed unit and I’ll drop URC in a NY minute as soon as a competitive unit comes on the market.
Keith

OK, one last time.

URC's policy is that an Authorized URC Dealer, at his/her option, may pass over the updatable software. So it's pretty simple if you ask me, unless you are inclined to buy from outside URC's authorized channel of distribution, which will void your warranty.

OK, since we are being honest here lets talk about who this policy does and does not effect.

Any prospective consumer who wants to purchase one of these remotes can easily find an authorized dealer who will sell them the remote and provide the software. So if you want one you can get one fairly easily.

URC has demonstrated many times that if you buy from an authorized dealer and that dealer goes out of business they will typically provide you the software if you call them and explain the situation.

So, who does that leave.

1 - People who buy their remotes on ebay or via other unauthorized channels. URC has no desire to support these people and they are not alone in this. Many other manufactures refuse to provide support or downloads to people who acquire their hardware through unauthorized channels. URC is not alone in this.

2 - People who buy from installers who won't provide them the software. While I certainly don't agree with this business practice the one to blame here is not URC but the dealer themselves.

3 - People who buy equipment in the used market. In my opinion, these are really the only people who get screwed.

In the end, the URC's current policy protects them from gray market sales and empowers their dealers to enact their own support policies. Consumers on the other hand continue to have the ability to acquire the software from reputable authorized dealers. Since many other manufacturers in this space do not allow consumers to have the software at all. I am happy to be able to program these remotes at all.

I find it amusing that so many people call URC's policy stupid. From what I have read so far from diy'ers that call the policy stupid, have the software.

I don't get where the problem is. If you were to buy one from me and ask for the software, I would give it to you. However I won't teach you how program it. If you are capable of doing it, no problems.

Like I said before, be glad you can what you can get.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!!!

I don't get why all the complaints either. We're the same way. If you want the software we'll give it to you. Just don't be upset when you screw things up and we charge you to fix it!!! I'll answer simple questions on how to get "started", but that's about it. If you don't like it, buy the MX-810 or a Harmony. Those are the "consumer" lines.

If you have the software, why are you complaining?

Oh look, a birdie!