I called URC for some information on my MX-500 to help control my A/V receiver.
The fellow I spoke with told me about the more advanced MX-450 and how it could do the job the 500 was not capable of (discrete codes). He said the 450 was so much better, easier to program, and was much more versatile. After speaking with him at length he talked me into a trade-up deal and said I would be much more satisfied with the 450. He assured me I would have no problem setting it up.

I have read through the manual to the point I almost have it memorized. I was able to go through basic setup and add my components without issue and they all work individually.

The problem I have is setting up an "Activity" like "Watch TV". To my dismay the owners manual says in several places "Your installer will have programmed the button you pressed to totally configure your system to watch or listen to whatever you selected. Now, the screen will change, and all of the LCD buttons will be reconfigured to give you full control of your system while watching or listening to your selection! Press either of the PAGE buttons to see any other available choices. When you press the MAIN button, you can see the most frequently used activities for your home theater."

Huh!? I thought I was supposed to be able to do that. Basically all I see when I press the MAIN button is the devices I added in Basic Setup.

What am I missing other than what has been omitted from the manual where it says "Your installer simply configures the remote for you..."? I know there are instructions somewhere, but URC did not send me what I really need. Is there a link to an "advanced/installers" manual, or is there something simple I am missing?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

Well, this should be interesting. You are going to have to program the "macro's"....the things that "totally configure your system......". I don't have a 450 in front of me, but I believe you press and hold the main button for about 5 seconds. Screen should change into a setup screen with multiple options. You will select "advanced" to get into "setup a new macro". I believe once you select this the remote will provide a little on screen help. Are you familiar with macro concepts? A basic example of  what we might do for the green power on for the "Main" page sets up the system to watch cable and listen thru the receiver:

TV power on
Receiver power on
Delay 4 seconds
We usually leave the cable boxes on so no power on for that in the macro
TV HDMI1 This changes the TV to the proper input
Receiver Cbl/Sat Changes receiver to proper input
Jump to Cable Page 1 Causes remote to goto page one of the Cable box device. Remote keys would then control the cable box (except for volume/mute - see below)


Tip, when doing your macros you are looking for discrete codes, especially for power on and power off. The "power command" is a toggle and changes the power state from on to off and vice versa. Discretes make your macros much more reliable - power on sends only the on command and will not cause the device to turn off, getting the system "out of sync".

You'll also need to setup volume control so that the volume/mute buttons control the receiver or appropriate device.

If all this sounds unfamiliar and/or overwhelming, you may wish to seek a programmer. You might be able to find someone on the forum who would be willing to contract for the programming. Some might even offer this type of programming support as a regular service.


I'm curious, did the URC rep understand that you were a customer and not a dealer?

Good luck

Thanks, JBC!

That was the trick. I guess the instructions assume an installer is setting up the device? Funny as the CSR knew I was an end user. I am usually pretty adept at figuring this stuff out. Between your suggestions and the 450's Feature Guide on URC's site I was able to get everything rolling.
One other question: How is it that the main screen in User Guide shows "Activities" and mine only shows the devices I am programming (Receiver, Sat, TV)? I want to show "Play Game" or "Watch TV" on the main screen. Should I be adding the activities in the basic setup or do they appear somewhere further on?

Thanks for the guidance!

On a 450, you set up all of your devices on pages 2 and later.  At that point, you go back to page 1. And make the buttons your activity buttons, then build your macros from there.