I'm about to purchase the MX-980 and MRF-260 but I have a couple of questions before I go ahead.

First of all I have already read the sticky so I know what I'm getting into. I also read the CCP programming manual (more like glimpsed over it).

The person I will buy the remote from is giving the software as well (so that part is covered). However, I'm buying the MRF-260 from someone else.

So my first question is what software is required to program the MRF-260? When I read the CCP programming manual it did mention the RF base station, so I'm assume it’s same software as the remote.

Second question, both MX-980 and MRF-260 use USB cables right? There is no proprietary cable? I ask this because the MRF-260 will not come with the USB cable.

Third question, I went through the files section on this website but I couldn't find some of my devices there. So is it possible to teach IR command to the CCP software kind of like how you do on the Logitech harmony remotes if you have original device remote. If not where does one get the IR codes from if they are not on this website or the software database?

My last question is probably the most important. In the harmony remotes when you select an activity the remotes turns on the devices for said activity and sets the inputs etc. But when you switch to a different activity the remote is "smart" enough to know that it must not turn off all the devices from the previous activity and only turns off the devices that are not needed in the next activity. Now I'm assuming this kind of thing can be programmed into the MX-980. Am I correct in that assumption?

BTW, I'm currently using the harmony one and my home theater has evolved so much that my harmony cannot keep up.

The only thing you will do for the MRF260 is select the RFID, which is a wheel on the unit itself, with s small provided flat blade plastic screwdriver. You do not download into the base station.

In CCP, you will slect whcih base station you are sign and assign that same RFID in the software. And assign which components (devices) in your system will out put on which port of the MRF260.

Yes you can teach IR into remote, via the remote and the software. The remote will need to be hooked up to your PC with the USB cable and you will teach the codes with the factory remote into the MX980 (which actually imports it into CCP on the fly after each command is learned).

There is no "smartness" to CCP. It doesn't figure out anything for you like Harmony did. You have to program everything the way you want it to behave. Which is what most of us programmers prefer. I dislike it when software tries to make choices for me. I prefer to set up all my macros and programming myself...as do most of my colleagues on this forum.

Good luck, there is a bit of learning curve. I suggest you read the CCP programming manual once you get the software installed so you can follow along going back and forth between the manual and the software.

Also, you will need to solve the active sync issue for a MX980. If your PC is Windows 7, you will need to do a little research on how to get active sync installed on your PC, as I don't believe it will install from CCP. Maybe others can chime in as to the accuracy of this statement..I might be wrong. I am still using an XP machine to program all my remotes. Active Sync is required to connect to the MX980 with CCP. Alos required for a few other URC remotes (MX3000, MX5000, MX6000, MX950 are what come to mind)

Here's the link to the activesync fix [Link: remotecentral.com]

As far as your question about the remote knowing what devices are on/off, you'll need to read the section on Variables in CCP. This is where you set a variable (a value) within the Macro string that tells the remote something is either on or off. For example, when you turn the TV on, you set a variable that will say TV is ON in the macro string. This now means TV is ON = True. So when you're running a different Macro, say you switch from your DVR to your Blu Ray player, it'll know that if TV is ON = True, skip the TV turn on step and just change the input and power on the Blu Ray player. Quite simple once you understand the concept, but you'll need to read the guidance and try to fully understand it, then try it out in CCP until you get it to work. The MX-980 is a bit more complex for beginners, but if you have a Programming background you will pick it up. CCP is just a GUI based programming language for setting up your remote. It uses variables and if/then/else statements, which are easy to understand after you practice it a bit. Good luck!