And I shall be reviewing any of my recent posts to friends, and on AVS and such recommending the URC product for a home theater. I will tell them to go get something they can use.

And I sure ain't a newbie. See that Founding Member in my sig?

Do we really have to go down this road all...over...again??? Hasn't this subject been beaten to death sufficiently already?

rosariorose9

Nope, people still want and need their software, people still want their "Live Updates"

Until everyone has them it won't be settled.

Some people don't even know about these forums, they bought their remote years ago and now they can't figure out how to get the software they need to reprogram their remote. Many people for many reasons were affected by this, many people were hurt and many more were inconvenienced.

Yes some people are "over it", also some people are just finding out about it and some people are just trying to make their remotes work.

I got over it. My 2 sons and I were all looking for remotes at the same time. I was looking at the MX900, my youngest was looking at the mx900 with rf and my other son was looking at the mx3000. Luckily before we bought anything URC changed their policy. I bought a Harmony and although it's somewhat limited, it does the job. My younger son bought the Harmony with rf and is happy as a clam. My oldest son is waiting for the 1000 before he makes a decision. Incidentally I have used a Pronto for many years and never called tech support. My sons both have electrical engineering degrees and are used to programming control systems. I don't think that a remote would be much of a problem. I'm sure that Logitech loves URC's new policy.

What is wrong with URC wanting to limit there distribution and choose to sell their top remotes and provide the software to CI's. Isn't it a companies or individuals choice to give or sell their product to who they choose? Or do they half to sell it to everyone and give their software to anyone who wants it? Last time I checked we live in America where we can still make our own decisions.

In my business there are jobs I do not want. I am also going to limit the size of my company. Are you going to rip me because I do not jump at every phone call I get?

GWHT1,

No problem. Don't sell me anything.

But if you sell me something based on having software with updates available, and then decide to cripple my software, like Microsoft only allowing some sort of service person to install Service Pack 2 on my PC, then I will be in your face until you fix that problem.

I believe that I just might file a little claim here in Maryland for damages. Only cost me $20 and URC is going to have to send someone to court. The only recompense I will ask for is the refund of the price of my remote. Want to guess who the judge is going to side with on this? I love small claims court.

No hoops, no only the latest software with no updates, none of that. I bought based on updates and expect updates.

Now off to the search engines to find the CEO of URC as the defendant.

This would all be fine, it is there choice. But URC needs to control their distributors in order to make that choice.

Too many customers already have bought or can buy these remotes to remove the software. If this is how URC wants to be sold they should start this policy with a new line and control it's distribution.

I have no problem if Ford wants you to buy their new cars only from it's authorized dealers, but I don't know of anyone else selling their new cars. URC did not control it's distribution with these products, it's too late for this policy now. It needs to be done differently or not done at all.

I love this fallacy... that URC will only sell these "top remotes" and only provide the software to CI's. If you buy this remote at tweeter, they'll supply you with a link at which to get the software that can perform live update. The sales person will also likely tell the buyer about this site.

If anyone has a right to be upset, it would be Daniel. He's the one that URC is using to provide most of their tech support!! He's the one paying for the bandwidth. By the way, Thanks Daniel!!! This board is appreciated, along with your work in maintaining it.

I will agree, Thanks Daniel you created a very nice and informative site for the remote buyer and enthusiast.

I do not care if anyone buys their remotes authorized or not, but buying from the links on this site will help Daniel pay the bills for this site so remember that when shopping for your next remote and give Daniel a little support.

Daniel has always been a standup host here. Let me post that I was hosting files for the TC1000/IRIQ because there were too few for the regular file area on this site.

I do the same for my clients that want it.

Since the poster is a newbie and hasn't answered any of our questions or commented on any of our advice, I'd have to guess he just posted to stir the pot.

I asked about going to the website with his serial number to get the s/w and no reply. Now we are back into this debate in which we should all just agree to disagree and stop posting redundant arguments.

This guy either is a shill to reopen the debate or he needs to get down to business and answer some questions. If he wants to get up and running it can be done and we can help. Another argument thread, and all help will scatter.

Peace. Love. Electronics.

Hey Tom,
I DID respond. Someone asked if I thought I could figure out the remote and I said I do software development. All I want are the tools to make the thing work: the MX Editor with update capabilities. I need the update portion becuase of firmware upgrades by URC.

The reason I have not weighed in on this thus far is becuase some people are offering answers great answers but many are offering religious-like sentiment on both sides of the equation.

BTW, the analogy of buying a Ford truck is a poor one. A more accurate analogy is buying a TV, VCR, a Game Boy or an Xbox. I would never have thought to check warranty issues with these products and never have. We are dealing with a consumer electronic product, not a cypher box that will devulge national security secrets.

As I said in the original post, I appreciate URC's position but I just don't understand it. They have a revenue opportunity for those of us who got screwed by buying their product from an alternate source...something I did UNKNOWINGLY. I think as a business they should do a fee-for-serivce secnario 'a la' the open source sofware business but they choose not to. That is their prerogative.

So the bottom line is this:
If I can not get a copy of the MX EDITOR with update capabilities my only recourse is to sell the MX-3000 on ebay and wait for the Logitech Harmony 1000 to be released on October 6th. I rarely buy 1st generation electronic products but I believe Logitech 'GETS IT" as a consmer electonics provider whereas URC is acting like a company with a limited vision. And. as I said in my original post, they are protecting their channel partners, but I believe that in the consumer electronics market, it all about selling units and lots of them. And winning hearts and minds is also a plus.

OK, your first reply only stated what you did for a living. I still want to know if you've tried to download the s/w by using your serial number. That will get you running just fine.

I have commented and repeated myself that you don't need updates every day, week, or month. I rarely do an update and I sometimes do a handful of URC remotes in a week. That's because manufacturers don't change codes often and the previous year's model is JUST FINE for codes. I am not kidding you.

Sometimes a manufacturer will add a new command, like Sony TVs with video 7 or video 8. That won't show up in an update for awhile, so most guys like me just go to Remote Central and pull it from there, where the topic has already been covered. If you wait for updates to make your remote sing, you are not understanding the process fully.

I am not the only CI that doesn't care about live updating his software. It is just not necessary as often as these many threads would make you think. Also, whatever brand you program, you MIGHT get a bug in the new update, therefore I am content to let the newest version "prove" itself before I do make an update. The remote I do most in URC is the MX850. I've done one update this year.

The live update feature is highly overrated and seriously blown out of proportion in these threads. I mean SERIOUSLY.

This is my procedure when I do a URC remote:
1. Look for the device in the database. Usually takes care of it.
2. Need a command or even a full device? LEARN the commands into the remote and we're there in 5 minutes.
3. Need a discrete command? Go to RC and look for posts where someone has probably already dragged it up.
4. Still not there? Post a request for the command you need.

I believe that Live Update would not save me from steps 2 thru 4 in most of my cases. There's no way an online database is going to be so responsive that EVERY model is there AS SOON AS it is introduced.

Although I will certainly qualify this and say that it is MY OPINION and feel free to disagree, I do however believe it is quite accurate.

PEACE. LOVE. ELECTRONICS.

My remote was unable to control or learn codes for my Motorola Moxi cable box/DVR until these unique codes were added with "Live Update". So don't tell me it's overrated, my remote would be of no use to me, unable to change channels or operate any DVR function if it were not for the "Live Update".