I would like to buy an MX-890 remote and program it myself.

URC won't allow this because I am a customer. So how do I become someone who URC will let program the remote control? What do I have to do? Can anyone advise?

I thought with CCP it was up to the dealer whether or not to give you the software. I know TC is strictly dealer only.

Any dealer who isn't a complete scam artist will give you a copy of CCP to program the remote you buy from them.


Send me a private message and I'll let you know which reputable URC dealer I've dealt with over the years.

You're an idiot. Really. If you think a line that is and will never be available to end user, just like C4, Savant, AMX, RTI, Crestron and all other pro level control/automation systems is a racket simply because an end user does not have access. Also your COMPLETELY ridiculous comment that a dealer is a scam artist if they won't provide software. URC made it clear that the path of support for an end user that gets software from a dealer will be that dealer. I don't have time to even eat lunch OR dinner some days, I certainly do not have time to take phone support calls for someone that is stuck in how to do some basic or not so basic programming. I don't NOT hand it software to screw a customer, I don't do it simply because I don't have time. And for that you call me a scam artist?

A dealer who sells someone the remote without the software is a scammer. If you don't provide the software, then you'd better not sell the remote. It's pretty straight forward. I'm assuming you're as up-front and uncouth with your customers, in that vein you're not scamming. That way they'll know what they're getting into.

There are plenty of dealers who aren't up front. And there are plenty who are polite and straight forward who will sell the remote and provide the software with the understanding that they are not a front-line support hotline - just like any other business that sells anyone else's product.

CCP line is easy to set up and any difficulties seem to be by design - the software paradigm is abysmal. It's definitely not something ready for prime-time and the general public that can barely set up a Harmony, but that doesn't mean there aren't millions of people and monkeys out there that can have it licked in an afternoon.

I've been using URC products for almost 10 years, but I still don't respect the company nor do I respect dealers with chips on their shoulders. Been here on this forum for over 13 years and not much has changed in that respect.

I visit very now and then and immediately become depressed at the sad state of the remote control and consumer automation industry. Just like going to CES every year and walking around like a zombie because everyone is just showing the same boring crap as the years before.

Now you contradict yourself. You state that any dealer that sells the remote better damn well provide the software. You also say in the same post because I am upfront about how it works that it is ok.

I can tell you that exactly 0% of the clients I sells remotes to are capable of programming one. It's of them still call them clickers. I have one who can't get herself off of call them gizmos. I sell them a tool to make things easier. That tool is comprised of a shell which we program which when combined becomes the easy to use took to control their system. These same people need to be made aware that their phones are not on WiFi and eating up data to which they reply the bar shows signal at the top. Cellular signal,not wifi, to which they need to have it explained what the difference is. My clients don't want the software, they want me to come program when programming is needed, and come fix things when fixes are needed. They pay me for my services and everyone is happy. Nowhere in that process do I scam people. Nowhere in that process do people feel scammed. But according to your description, I am a scam artist. Maybe you should ask my clients what they think, pretty sure you'll find a strong argument on my behalf.

So what do you call companies that make you go thru days of training before giving you the software? Most companies except for URC and RTI have moved to a subscription based configuration software. If the dealer gets cut off or gets fired that’s the end of the software. Crestron, savant, C4 have all moved to this type. Quite frankly it’s how the programming software should have been from the get go.

You sir are an idiot and a scam

Nice edit but luckily I quoted your original comment for everyone to see

Gave the software once to a client who was a "programmer". The phone calls that followed after every time he screwed it up was unbearable. Never again.

I only ever had one client ask for the software. I gave it to him with the understanding that URC would not take his calls direct and that I would charge for every call related to programming.

There's no need for name calling.

Although I can certainly understand a company's desire to avoid tech support surrounding this sort of thing, I am computer competent and told my dealer I would not bother them with questions surrounding programming the MX-890. they still will not allow me to program myself.

That said, I do expect there to be some basic guidance manual (like received with the late MX-350 or MX-450). Or why not make a youtube video explaining how to do some basic programming items? My point is simply that not all customers are incapable of doing it. How do "dealers" become qualified? Could I not attend the same "training" as a dealer and learn how to do the programming, even if there is a charge for the training? Again, my point is that there are avenues for customer programming that won't involve support calls and shouldn't have to require being a dealer.

CCP has a steeper learning curve than the 350/450 remotes. Most dealers take a day long class to learn it. This will not get them proficient but will get them started. There are also online tutorials for CCP only available to dealers, That would take about a day to do them consecutively. If one goes to Cedia they could probably get into a URC class pretty easily but local classes are only available to dealers. CCP does have help guide built in. But other guides and resources like graphics are only available on the dealer website.

Total control initially required dealers to take a 4 day course and an initial purchase of several thousand dollars. I think they relaxed that a bit but I am not sure. URC stated that this software is not to be given to consumers where CCP it is up to the dealer.

If you want a 990 there are online dealers that sell it, Just make sure they provide the software. I know some do provide the software and some charge for it and provide it on a disc or thumb drive.

The physical ergonomics of the MX-890 is much preferable to that of the MX-450, this my reason for wanting the MX-890.

What advantage does the CCP offer over the MX-450 programming that make it worth all this headache?

Do you have a business license, reseller certificate, reach minimum annual numbers, store front, anything? Because you will need at least a couple of these at minimum to become a dealer. Name calling, funny. Did you not read the part where he called myself and every other dealer a scam artist for simply following the rules set forth by the company we have a long lasting business relationship with? Did you read the part where he called any dealer that uses the higher end automation line clueless who don't know how to run a business? No? Ok then. Perhaps take in everything said before said it was not warranted to call a spade spade.

The funny thing is I used to help out many people on this forum. I created some tutorials and posted. I would send software to those in a bind. I would look at files when inexperienced folks had trouble and got stuck and would send back the fixed file. I have even programmed complete remotes for average john doe's that come here that were simply stuck. I don't do that anymore because of the barrage of people that find it is perfectly ok to call me and others like me all kinds of names that are not warranted simply because they could not get the software, which is NOT a dealer problem but a manufacturer problem.

I do not approve of you being called names. There's no need for name calling of anyone.

I am sorry to hear that you no longer help people because of those negative experiences. That's terrible your generosity was not better appreciated. I agree, it does sound like URC could manage this a lot better resulting in more profit for them.