So I have a large project in a resturant with 7 TV's and 7 Sat recievers. Sounds simple. Add a device until you are populated.

First I have RF problems..IR is going out but no RF.

Then I download the new suite and all HELL breaks loose. Seems as though URC does not attach a new version of Active Sync with the suite, and I have to go to Microsoft and go through all that crap to bet the remote to communicate with the MX 3000.

THEN...I am trying to add IR codes to the devices but I cannot see the remote model # because in the "preprogramed IR codes" the window is cannot be expanded. Thus I see the make and model of the device, yet I can only see a truncated line of the remote's model. The guys at URC should be ashamed! The WINDOW SHOULD be EXPANDABLE!

Then....oh here is a good one.

I attach a make and model to a device. Find the correct model and save, Moments later the device does not work. Go back into the preprogrammed page and the WRONG model # is highlighted, thus making the device inopperatable. The software is crap!!!

This is nuts! and calling tech support is worse! I spent more time on Windows issues. Damn it, I have a brand new computer, XP PRO and no other application has prblems.

I am done with the week and am havng a beer and will be spending the weekend looking for another remote company. I have programmed over 300 of the URC's, so I am not a newbie.

What is up with this company? Should I consider RTI.

DAMN I am tired and sick of issues with control. I am so sick of the promises made and then, all I get is RF/IR problems.

I need a drink!

three letters: RTI.

I feel your pain, I've been there, but I promise you, life is better once you switch.
I'll have a drink for you as well.

Come talk to us at the RTI forum. We'll help you get started.

Yes..those 3 letters have become our best friend. the other 3..URC caused us the pain its causing you

I'll agree with tippy-tie...come see us in the RTI forum. I think you will be happier

RTI is a great product and we started selling it after several URC issues; ebay, RF ad nauseum...

But you know what? There's room for both in our world. In many cases URC works great but some times, like in the case of pre/pro/amps etc an RTI is the way to go.

Let's face it, the 850 is about the damn perfect remote for most people. T2-C is cool too, but for most $10K systems a $1400 remote (T2-C, RP-1 & programming) is a budget buster. You can accomplish the same thing for half the price. I'd rather see my clients spend an extra $700 on speakers or a better rcvr.

URC has made huge progress in their RF. I do not want to hear people whine about how the MRF 250 sucks. If you're a pro, under no circumstances should you be spec'ing anything less than a mrf 300/350. The 350 is every bit as good in RF as the RP-1 with addressing and POT adjustments!

As much as I've bitched about URC in the past, appologies to Hank et al, they still make a great product.

Brian

And one last thing. URC's database smokes RTI's and when you pick up RTI, that's the thing as a business man and programmer you'll find most frustrating. Oh! And ya gotta buy a learning tool! But it's all worth it.

Would never buy URC. RTI for all installs.

I spent a lot of time on the RTI site. I need to buy one Monday and try it out on my system.

However I am concerned about the IR database for RTI.

Also, I need to know that the RF portion of the system does not have the same problems as URC. Their RF just SUCKS and even with the new RF 350 ......it is horrible.

Any advice from you good folks on what I need to know about RTI and RF?

RTI makes a great product, but I've got to be honest. I've done a number of sports bars with URC and had no problems. The last one was 12 tvs, 12 sat receivers and a DBX zone pro (RS-232). We used the MSC-400 with an MX-3000. This was a big place, we had great distance and no RF problems at all.

Do you guys really rely on the database provided with the remote?

I always end up creating my own database and work from there. Granted, I steal bits and pieces form various databases, but I do not depend on them at all.

I think most of you know what I use, so I will leave this out of the URC forum. lol

Ditto! Eric, shoot me an email on the DBx zone pro, I;ve been wanting to try one out and am curious of your opinion.

If all my clients could afford it, maybe me too. But not everyone can afford, nor would want to pay for it. Hell most of my clients freak-a-deak when they see the cost of an 850/350/prog. combo.

RTI basically requires you to create a DB by learning codes. Which can suck becasue many time, as we all know, there may be discrete codes in the product but not on the remote. I truly beleive that RTI would gain WAY more market share by having a better DB.

I like both, I think they both have their place.

With the availibilty to all the codes out there I have not found it a problem to come up with my own data base. I did this when I primarily did Prontos as well. And I almost never used their database either, programmed well over a hundred of them by now.

When bring up control systems do you bring along the options? I have done almost a T3 a week with a processor and you know what that adds up to. With a several more in the pipeline.

Whatever you use, you need to sell it for what it really is. A control system, not a remote control.

True Roddy, As much as I champion better speakers, etc I should probably re-examine my presentation of "control options". I have defaulted to URC out of habit over the years and still do (smack me). I'm in the office now working on a quote and damnit if I didn't spec URC again.

We just put a T3, T2C and T4 in the showroom (and still integrating, waiting on the Xp8 for final setup) so this should change things. My programmer likes it and he said he's heard of a "mega list" for codes somwhere but can't find it. Lemme know if you know where it is, email please.

Out of respect for URC we should keep RTI out of it here. Later!

Hello all and many thanks for the comments.

I am going to get an RTI peice tomorrow from the distributor and really learn how it works and what it has to offer. I am concerned about an IR data base, but I need to do something.

I am sorry that I really bashed URC I have done over 200 800/850 and scores of 3000's and the 900's and for a basic no RF system they are good. But the minute you add the RF...AND the minute I downloaded the complete programming suite, lots of problems occured.

I agree, the cost of a URC (or RTI for that matter) scares the heck out of my customers, and when you top it off with problems in the field, there must be something better.

I will only do a Harmony in a simple system ie: a bedroom..TV and cable box.

There must be a remote out there that is PC programmable, with no RF issues, with a price tag that won't scare off customers.

Again, since we are on the URC board, I kind of feel bad that I bashed them. But they need to know that there is so much frustration and lost money due to what I beleive are problems with a product that should have been resolved long ago.

WEll, I am back at it tomorrow and hope that all will be better with a fresh mind.

Thanks guys.....you are are very good people and I appreciate the help.

Bob

Didn't mean to get this out of the URC realm. Remote knowledge and pratices should transend from maker to maker.

Bring out your best control system (whatever brand that may be) and let the client see and feel it. If you start with the entry level it is much harder to upsell, if you start at the top model and they are into their toys the product will usually sell itself. Also makes a mid level product an easier sale.