Hello,

I am considering adding a new remote MX-6000 or 5000 to my theater setup and also add URC serial control as well. I am already using serial control through my home automation software (UMPC touchscreen serving as remote for RS-232 and IR) but I am considering ditching that software for my theater hence my questions.

Does the URC 400 include pre-configured RS-232 files for the following equipment?
- Panasonic AX100
- Panasonic Plasma
- Onkyo NR-905
- VideoStorm CRM84
- Denon 2310CI
- Sony 777ES

Also, since I am only using MX-850s for remotes in other areas of the house, I am not familiar to the new software for each of these three device offerings from URC (the MX-6000, MX-5000, and MSC-400).

If I do make a purchase of one of these pieces, I will buy through an authorized dealer to assure that I have access to the software (including future releases) and support. However, it would be great if there was an evaluation or trial version of the software so that I could determine if the interface is worthwhile in my application. You know, 'try before you buy' type of program. I have some concerns because my home automation software (MainLobby) is so robust that I know I will be taking a step back in terms of functionality so I want to be sure that I will be happy or at least truly appreciate perceived step backwards.
A big push for me is to simplify my approach to controlling my equipment. While my home automation software and touchscreen looks great and gives me dynamic updates, is totally customizable, and uses hundreds of variables and tracks devices status via RS-232 (not light sensing stickies), I have to double wire everything as my other TV locations use URC remotes via RF only. Therefore, if I buy a another URC remote, I can remove a whole set of IR cables to my equipment rack. While I will give up some flexibility, I will make some gains in the simplicity of the setup and improve upon the WAF if I use a MX-5000 in my theater.

A couple more quick questions:
- Does anyone know if the MX-6000 will be a true 2-way device when the next RS-232 controller is released from URC (MRX-1)?

- Since I already use a MRF-350 in combination with my MX-850s, can I use the MRF-350 for 6 IR outputs in combination with a 400 (5 serial and 6 IR?)?

- I saw on the forum that someone was able to get their MX-850 to work with the MSC-400, is that commonplace now? I would like to not have to replace the two 850s currently used in my house.

Many thanks!
T.Wells

Depends on what you mean by "true 2-way". If you are talking "true" like Crestron, with the ability to write your own drivers, then no way. However, if you mean "true" like the Philips and Nevo, with the ability to get feedback from certain other products with prewritten drivers, then yes.


Yes, you just need to change the RF address on each unit to ake sure they are different.


Yes you can, the newer narrow band receivers are compatible with the older wide band remotes.


You are welcome.

Yes, my meaning of "true 2-way" was in the Crestron sense. That did not stop me though from moving forward as I purchased the MX-5000 and MSC-400 the other day.

Thanks again,
T.Wells

A bit of clarification. There is no guarantee that the older remotes will work with the new narrow band receivers. Many people have had great luck and many of these older remotes do work but I have seen a few that don't work reliably, and I've seen a few that worked perfectly for me, but when the homeowner would take the remote from me and use it, it was spotty at best.

I don't know what the actual numbers are for narrow vs non-narrow band remotes, (it's 418Mhz ish) but I hope these arbitrary numbers make it easy to understand.

Non-"narrow band" (or wide-band) remotes mean that the remote will emit a frequency in this general range, lets just say between 1 and 8. But the narrow band receiver, trying to eliminate interference, will only accept a frequency between say, 3 and 5. If my older remote puts out closer to say 2 or 3, it isn't going to be picked up very well by the narrow-band receiver, if at all.

It is true that the new narrow-band remotes will work with older receivers because those receviers are less picky about the frequency.