Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this question (or if it is a proper question to ask).

I would like to get a MX-980 (would be very over kill for my system, but I like the idea of the customizable Icons and graphics) or from what little I've seen maybe even a MX-780 (haven't seen much on it yet)

I would want to program it myself, but I don't know if it would be something that I could just pick up and do all by myself. I talked to the one dealer in my town and he doesn't provide the software to customers, so would have to look else where.

What I was wondering is if it would be appropriate or would any dealers/programmers even do what I'm looking for. If I where to get a 980 and pay for programming (as I understand it usually around 100 dollars for an hour), but instead of programming the remote have him give me a quick overview/tutorial on how to properly use CCP and get the most out of it. I know that they wouldn't be able to show me everything you could do with CCP, but I was hoping that they could at least give me a good starting point. Would that be unreasonable or even legitimately considered?

Thanks

 A dealer isn't going to give you CCP or a tutorial. CCP isn't something that you can learn in an hours time.  Do yourself a favor, hire a pro.

I wouldn't make that blanket statement. Some dealers would be happy to provide it, with the understanding that URC will not offer support to him, and he would have to pay the dealer for support anytime he needs it. Its just a matter of finding a dealer that is local to him who will provide the software and training.

I have been through a similar situation. I bought an MX900 and MSC400 from a brick and mortar dealer going out of business. He provided me the software to program it. I learned how to use the software from the help guides included. I use a combination of IR and RS232 to control several components of my home theater.

Having done this, I can say I like to tweak the program occasionally and sometimes make changes when I update one of my components (usually a new blu-ray player). So, I am glad I have the live update software.

However, I can also say that there was a rather steep learning curve to the whole thing, and if I were to contemplate a new remote system, I would stick with URC to avoid learning a different system.

I would only recommend doing this yourself if you LIKE spending the time and effort to do so. If you find it tedious, life is too short and hire a pro.

You're absolutely right.  Why would I expect a CI to protect his livelihood when he can trade it for the opportunity to make a quick buck.  

I'll rephrase my statement, I wouldn't give it to you.  But I do hope you get your issue worked out.

Because there are some people that are going to DIY it no matter how good the CI is or how little they charge. I am one of them. I WANT to DIY it and I do so and found a dealer who has sold me 7 URC remotes (MX-3000, 980, 900, 810 and 880x3 plus and MSC-400) He provided me the software. I am loyal to him. Now that I have the CCP, I could get any future remotes I need off ebay, but I won't. I will go to him.

So while I am not putting his kid through college, I am contributing to his livelihood. You never know if that one remote you sell to someone might turn out to be more than a single remote sale.

Why are CI's so afraid of giving software to people who aren't going to be their "clients" anyway?

Because then the clients who "aren't going to be their clients anyway", give it to their friends who "aren't going to be there clients anyway" and so on and so on.

Then we don't have any clients period.  

There is a reason URC doesn't sell their products to the general public.  It's because they don't want you to have them until we program them.  

Lastly, I doubt you're seriously contributing to your sources livelihood, because he's probably selling them to you for the same or a few bucks more than he pays for it (you're not paying full retail). 

Gotta look at the big picture.  

Basically some of the CI's feel they can't compete in the market place based on their own merits and yell and scream at their suppliers that they won't support their line unless they protect it.

On the flip side, URC expects the people who sell the Remotes to support it, but they mostly just want to move a lot of hardware.

So you end up with this wonderful situation where some of the CI's are selling remotes on the "black market" due to the demand generated by DIY'ers/hobbyists, others screaming about the first group, and URC just trying to keep everyone contented enough that the end users don't bug them with questions, but still benefit from the higher volume of sales.

Oh, and the DIY'er/hobbyists stuck in the middle and often insulted, for just wanting to buy and use a decently designed remote control.

Well, they should not be doing that. I have not.


So then why do they allow dealers to make decisions on whether or not to give out the software? They could easily try to lock it down like Crestron, AMX or RTI.


I think URC sees the big picture, although not as clearly as either side would probably like. They understand that they make great remote that is easy enough for skilled DIY'ers to program and do not want to lose those sales. As for the price I have paid, no it is not retail, but it is not as low as I could have gotten them off ebay.

I'm not going to get into another debate about this as it's been done to death on the site. I just wanted to state that some will offer him what he is looking for.

I will say that I have been asked a couple of times if I offer the software. I explained that I could provide it, again with the understanding they will not receive support from URC and I would have to charge if they need my assistance. Just the fact that I was open to giving them the software was enough to gain their trust. In each case, they did not push it further and to this day have still not asked for the software.

Back to the op's question, the site was founded to share knowledge about remote controls, IR codes, and setups.

Plenty of people (including CI's) will help you if you have reasonable questions.

You might even find someone to train you in use of the s/w via the board for a fee.

But you shouldn't hop in to it unless you're willing to invest the time, and any experience you may already have with setting up programmable remote controls, or other programmable interfaces would be a big help.

IMO, the MX-900 is a lot easier to configure, and runs for months on a set of rechargeable batteries. The lack of a fancy graphic display is in many ways a bonus - and you won't be looking at the display so much once your fingers learn where to click.

I just revisted programming my home MX-980 as I added another TV to my main viewing area / sports bar hangout. But I must say I absolutely LOVE my 980/350 combo and the power of CCP and these products. The initial CCP learning curve can be challenging and even when you revisit programmed files it can take some time to remember what you did and why (whether right or wrong) but it's like riding a bike. And again the flexibility and power is awesome! Good luck to the OP and if you have some technical and computer skills it doesn't take long to figure out if you are patient.

+1 Very true.

I bought my set-up from a CI and learned CCP myself. He came over to my place and played with my MX-5000 which I programmed. His reply was he wished he had the time to do what I did with my programming; but his customers just won't pay for that kind of setup! It would be to expensive!