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Just ordered an MX-890...
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 23:24
agdodge4x4
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I talked myself out of the MX980 based on the 890 looking a little more refined and having some familiar hard buttons like record. Im not the only one using it.

Is there any major feature on the 980 that I can't do with the 890?

Ive started reading the manuals and playing with the software. The software isnt bad, but the manuals are pretty poor, so itll take some tinkering to figure it out. To start, if I want to do something simple as 'Watching TV', it will require turning on the TV, DVR and AVR. I assume that will require a macro, yes? Also, it will be possible to use all of the buttons on the remote for the tv, except the volume buttons, which will be required to control the AVR volume. Doable?
Post 2 made on Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 23:35
JoeFlabitz
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Best bet, hire a good programmer and buy a RF base station...
Post 3 made on Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 23:58
Duct Tape
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the biggest feature that the mx980 has over the mx890 is graphics capability.  it takes longer to customize the 890, and graphics need to be stored in specific folders before you are able to use them in a file.   it is easier to do custom graphics with the 980.  the 980 can also display animated gifs, while the 890 does not.  

the 890 also takes quite awhile to download a file compared the 980.

i like the feel of the 890 though.  we have replaced the 980 with the 890 as our entry level remote for our installs.


yes you will need to program macros, and yes you can use the Punch Through section of the programming to make the volume buttons use the commands from your AVR.
[Link: facebook.com]
OP | Post 4 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 07:02
agdodge4x4
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Cool. Thanks for the info.

[quote]Best bet, hire a good programmer and buy a RF base station...
[/quote]

Yes, I know. But if I do it that way it costs more, and I don't know jack about my equipment. It may take me longer, but it will be done correctly, to my liking, and considerably cheaper. Plus, I learn something along the way and get to take some pride in my system rather than just saying "yeah, I had a dude put it in". Thats just me. :)
Post 5 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 07:36
kdp99
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143
Having set up a few URC remotes (850,950,3000 but not the 890), I found the best route to be:

Stage 1
Forget about Marcos and punch through, take three devices (AVR, TV, and in my case the 'source' I use most SKY), and set up each of these as a seperate device with all the buttons I use from the originals.

Stage 2
Test Stage 1, put the orignal remotes away and use the MX890 as 'three remotes in one' for a few days and fix any bugs.

Stage 3
Add punch throughs (probably only such that Sky and the TV devices use the AVRs volume).

Stage 4
Set up a simple 'boot macro' for sky, the basics are:
Turn on TV
Turn on Sky
Turn on AVR
Set TV to sky input
Set AVR to lowish volume
Set AVR to sky input
jump to Sky page on 890.

This is not hard, but you will need to experiment with delays between commands, etc.

Stage 5
Have another play with the remote and after this you will have a much better idea of what else you want and can do. You can use the Sky macro etc as a model for other devices.

Best of luck, its good fun, if you enjoy this sort of thing !
OP | Post 6 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 12:21
agdodge4x4
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Thats EXACTLY what I was thinking about this morning. I just have to figure out how to do stage 1. LOL.

For me, Dish, AVR, and TV. Those would be the three.
Post 7 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 13:12
kdp99
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Stage 1
Pretty much the same for all URC remotes

Add each device
Use database inside the software to find either your device, or a similar one (does not need to be exact as makers use generic codes)
Assign this to the devices you have added.
Download to remote from sware
Test each device, a few functions may be missing from the orignal remote, but these can be learnt
Post 8 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 13:18
OneRemote
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89
I created a thread on AVS Forums with a sample file attached as a download for the MX-890 and MX-780.

You can use that file to get some idea of what a working system looks like and then can either modify that one to work with your setup or create a new file on your own.

I'm not a pro but after having a bad experience with one, I decided like you that it would be better to do it on my own and learn how this stuff works. Teach yourself to fish, and all that jazz.

Here's the thread: [Link: avsforum.com]

The download file is in the first post and will auto-install the example file and graphics. You can ask any questions on there if you want -- other DIY guys can help out also.

Good luck!
OP | Post 9 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 15:34
agdodge4x4
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So how does this work? Once I get each device programmed in, then, when I push the button for that device, the entire remote accesses those codes for just that device and operates only that device? So, when I want to control tv, I push tv, and dvr, push DVR, etc?


On December 4, 2013 at 13:12, kdp99 said...
Stage 1
Pretty much the same for all URC remotes

Add each device
Use database inside the software to find either your device, or a similar one (does not need to be exact as makers use generic codes)
Assign this to the devices you have added.
Download to remote from sware
Test each device, a few functions may be missing from the orignal remote, but these can be learnt
Post 10 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 15:44
cb1
Select Member
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September 2002
1,663
Make sure you use discrete codes, that way it will work right, every time!
why have a nice system if you cant operate it, program the remote the right way the FIRST time!
OP | Post 11 made on Wednesday December 4, 2013 at 22:53
agdodge4x4
Long Time Member
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27
On December 4, 2013 at 15:44, cb1 said...
Make sure you use discrete codes, that way it will work right, every time!

What is a discreet code and how does it differ from a regular IR code that is specific to my device make/model? You mean like Record, Skip, Exit, etc?

Last edited by agdodge4x4 on December 4, 2013 23:20.
Post 12 made on Thursday December 5, 2013 at 01:19
dalto
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435
On December 4, 2013 at 15:34, agdodge4x4 said...
So how does this work? Once I get each device programmed in, then, when I push the button for that device, the entire remote accesses those codes for just that device and operates only that device? So, when I want to control tv, I push tv, and dvr, push DVR, etc?

You certainly could do this. This is the most basic form of a universal remote. However, I would argue that using something as powerful as the MX-890 this way would be something of a waste. Everyone sets up remotes differently but the was I like to do it is think out it from a functional or activity perspective.

If you look at the main menu of a remote I have setup the buttons will say things like "Watch TV", "Watch Movie", "Play XBOX", etc. When you click on one of these buttons you get everything setup and ready to handle that function.

For example, when you press "Watch TV" my remote would do the following:
  • Turn on the TV and AVR if they are not on already.
  • Turn on the DirecTV box
  • Change the inputs on the TV and AVR to the appropriate settings
  • Drop you into a device that has the controls for directv with favorite channel buttons and the avr's volume controls punched through.
This way, an end user of the remote doesn't really have to worry about how it all works.  They just pick the remote up and watch TV.  The fact that the audio is coming from the AVR is completely transparent to them.


On December 4, 2013 at 22:53, agdodge4x4 said...
What is a discreet code and how does it differ from a regular IR code that is specific to my device make/model? You mean like Record, Skip, Exit, etc?

A discrete code is one which performs a single direct function.  The most common types of discrete codes people are looking for is power and input control.

For example, good components will have discrete commands for power which means that there is a single command that turns power on and a separate command that turns power off.  The alternative to this would be a power toggle where the power state is reversed from the current state.

The use case for this is that you don't always definitively know the power state of a device.  If they have discrete power than would can always safely send a "power on" command.  If the device is already on than sending this command won't hurt anything.  With a power toggle if you just send a generic power command and the device is already on you could inadvertently turn it off.
OP | Post 13 made on Thursday December 5, 2013 at 11:34
agdodge4x4
Long Time Member
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November 2013
27
You certainly could do this. This is the most basic form of a universal remote.
However, I would argue that using something as powerful as the MX-890 this way
would be something of a waste.

I would agree, but I think the previous poster's idea was to use this as a means to get me started. It will serve to make the remote functional, and serve to familiarize me with the software. Nothing is better for learning that succeeding, so if I dove into a macro it would probably be pretty discouraging. I have FULL intentions of using the remote exactly as you have described in the end.
Post 14 made on Monday December 9, 2013 at 12:55
Control Remotes
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Yes, I know. But if I do it that way it costs more, and I don't know jack about my equipment. It may take me longer, but it will be done correctly, to my liking, and considerably cheaper. Plus, I learn something along the way and get to take some pride in my system rather than just saying "yeah, I had a dude put it in". Thats just me. :)

If you plan on taking this up as a hobby, then that's good and you probably already have a time commitment expectation. You're going to spend some time on it. There will be trial and error. The best advice I can give you is to follow the "Program" menu and understand what everything does by trying it out to see the results on your remote. It may take you a few days or weeks, depending on how much time you're able to commit, but it sounds like you will enjoy the challenge!

If you decide you want some relatively inexpensive programming, feel free to call me. I'm always happy to help.



Damon
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
Post 15 made on Tuesday December 10, 2013 at 10:10
gwstudios
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On December 3, 2013 at 23:58, Duct Tape said...
the biggest feature that the mx980 has over the mx890 is graphics capability.  it takes longer to customize the 890, and graphics need to be stored in specific folders before you are able to use them in a file.   it is easier to do custom graphics with the 980.  the 980 can also display animated gifs, while the 890 does not.  

the 890 also takes quite awhile to download a file compared the 980.

i like the feel of the 890 though.  we have replaced the 980 with the 890 as our entry level remote for our installs.

yes you will need to program macros, and yes you can use the Punch Through section of the programming to make the volume buttons use the commands from your AVR.

+1


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