That makes sense. After a button press fails I point it right at the box and it always seems to work when I do that.

Things are looking good! It looks like they might have got it fixed this time around.

There is another somewhat minor but annoying problem that I addressed early on here and with URC. When you enable the battery warning on the remote and set it to warn you at 5% battery power remaining and the remote reaches that point it flashes "Low Battery or "Battery" (can't remember which one) at the bottom of the LCD screen. Usually within another few button presses after the battery warning message the remote goes ape sh#$t.

The LCD back light comes on and starts flashing on and off and it starts beeping on and off. Sometimes it also runs through it's self test right after the battery warning and then it starts it's LCD on and off/beeping on and off routine. There is no way to stop it from doing this other then to pull the batteries out. I've had three MX-900s and they have all done this.

I haven't been able to verify if the latest beta (1.10.093b) has fixed this problem or not. I put fresh batteries in mine right after the .092b version came out. I'll be watching to see if this is still a problem in the current beta.

I HAVE noticed that the IR is more directional on the 900 than the MX-500 to 850 series. I don't know if is the physical plastic window that is narrower on the 900 or the IR power itself.

Daniel hasn't done an "IR Power" test in a long time.

Time for another test........... and a few reviews......... and that CEDIA movie......... and........ Daniel, are you listening? Are you slacking again? (He knows I'm kidding about the slacking, kids!)

FYI: LiveUpdate now updates to a new version. Hopefully this is the new version.
I guess I know what I'm doing as soon as I get home :-)

It has the proper version numbers so I'm assuming it is the same as the last beta release, which I have been using with good success.

So far so good! :-))

Its great when us non-CI users can help debug a major problem with a URC remote, isn't it? I'm just glad I was able to get a copy of live-updatable software since my remote came without a serial number (got it from my (apparently) non-authorized seller).

FYI - For those of you who don't have the live update version of the software, .093 is now available from URC's website:

[Link: universalremote.com]

I've regained trust in my MX-900. Before the recent firmware upgrade, I couldn't trust that it would work when I pressed a button. At first with the new firmware, I still didn't trust it but now after a few days my trust is back. Funny what a difference that level of trust makes even though the MX-900 was only missing the occasional button press before.

Hey......... your uni remote is what controls everything in your HT system. You WANT to trust it. When you get that trust back, you seem to get trust back in your whole system.

It's like wondering if the steering wheel on your car is going to work every time. The car hasn't changed......... just whether you can control it properly or not. When you get that control back, you remember why you bought that particular car!

That's why we love our universal remotes, when we have them properly configured. It puts US in control of our HT & A systems!

You had only the "occasional button" press problem before. I had every 2 or 3 buttons presses that went bad. Now, I only have the occasional miss by the way I push the button........ not the firmware's fault.

I still wish the buttons weren't so much alike. But, as I said before, a few months with it as my main remote should do the trick!

Yes, I agree, the buttons are not quite as ergonomic as on my old MX-500. I even like the buttons on my Comcast remote better, but it can't control my whole system the way the MX-900 can. I'm starting to get a feel for the buttons but I have to hunt to press the right one. For instance, when going for the Info button, I feel for the Exit button and then move one up and to the left to get the Info button. On the Comcast remote I can pretty much hit the Info button directly.

Yeah, after 5 years of using an MX-500, 600, 700, 800 and 850, it's hard to get used to a new button layout. I do like having the chapter skip buttons available on the hrad buttons though.

Same here. If it was me, I'd change the Guide, Info, Menu, Exit buttons to be the same format as on the MX-950, which are circular, but I would have them larger than on the 950, and keep the rest of the remote the same, including the Skip + and - buttons that I use very often, as Mike said.

Could also just sell it and buy an 850...

Practically speaking, what does the 900 or 950 do for you that an 850 doesn't?

Variables would be nice, but they're really a kludge and break down in a multi-remote environment, or even if someone just manually controls a device.

Macros on any key would also be nice, but can be emulated with hidden screens and shortcuts.

Watch/Listen just seem to be an extra key to smash.

On the other hand, with the 850 you get a better key layout. You do lose SKIP FWD and SKIP BWD, but I put these on the lower right hand soft-keys and can use them by touch. You get the simplicity of being able to use rechargeable AAA batteries which last for months....

Help me here. Why'd you guys buy the newer remotes? :)

The MX-900 can handle up to 40 devices with 40 pages per device. Plus the Before/After feature when programing macros. I also like the in hand feel of the remote over the MX-700/800/850. I have small hands with short stubby fingers and it's a bit cumbersome when your trying to reach the buttons on the upper portion of the 700/800/850. I also think the 900/950 looks cooler then the 700/800/850.

I will say that I really miss the Gem Stone buttons on the 700/800 remotes. I wish they would bring those back.

Typically, I only use power variables when the 950 is the only remote that's used. You definitely don't want someone using another remote in such a situation, especially if you're using it with a projector. Then, a power variable is a safeguard to someone turning on the projector too soon. That would be tough to stop with an MX-850.


Why? Just think of it as two MAIN buttons. It's really no different than that. Plus, the two independent macros on a single button enable you to have a single button that can either change the activity (ie: Watch a DVD) or simply go to the device (with a Go To command push-and-hold macro).

I tend to agree with Mitch about the gemstone buttons. Always liked the feel of those. ;-)