I have a couple questions regarding the TX-1000.

1. Can you change the layout of the buttons to something besides a 2x4 pattern (12 total)? For instance, can I make a 2x2 layout (4 buttons total)?

2. It says the buttons can have text up to 6 characters, does this include the Activities labels?

3. Are the ON & OFF button on the top of the remote used only for the remote power, or are programmable? Do I need to hit ON to turn the remote on? The off button would make sense to turn off all of the equipment AND the remote (if that is how it works).

4. How is the remote with batteries? There isn't a plug on it to use with rechargable batteries is there?

Thanks,
-Jason

1. The screen is fixed in its button positions and sizes at 3x4 spaces. So you could do 2x2 if you had to, but it would simply involve leaving the other buttons empty (and lop sided)! :-)

2. Yes (they're shown on the same buttons so have the same character restrictions).

3. They're fully programmable like other URC remotes. The "LIGHT" button can be used to specifically turn the remote on.

4. Although the screen is larger I suspect that the increased power draw is minimal over URC's other LCD models. However, using the larger backlight would probably drain things quicker (sorry, I don't have a TX-1000 to confirm). And no, the TX-1000 and MX-900 don't have rechargable battery capabilities (although there's nothing to stop you from using your own NiMH cells...)

1. I think the answer is no, but what I was looking for was combining button to make a larger button...

2. OK

3. great, thanks

4. Yeah, that is an option, but I would need to remove the batteries from the unit to do so, which is what I was trying to avoid.... but I guess other things with this remote are enough to out-weight this downfall.

That won't really work; the buttons are spaced somewhat apart and as far as I can tell are also individually outlined. This isn't a graphical display.

1. You can't combine buttons to make a larger button. The screen is fixed in the 3 x 4 arrangement. The only thing you could do is put identical IR codes on adjacent buttons and put a TWO - WORD "button" name such as DENON POWER using two buttons, but they would be so far apart that the user wouldn't necessarily associate the two as being one button.

So, really, the answer is no, you can't combine buttons.

I do have a TX-1000, so if you have any other questions about it, feel free to ask.

Greg

So with some of the other graphical displays you can change the size of the buttons (like the MX-3000)? I really want something touchscreen, and I want to be able to name/arrange my own buttons... but I'm somewhat on a budget (~$400) and a MX-3000 isn't an option. The Harmony 1000 was looking good until all of the reported problems.

This remote does everything that I want, it just lacks some graphics that only I see. I don't think I can justify waiting and saving the additional $500 for some color graphics that I'm going to loose interest in over time....

GregoriusM - How is the battery life?

Battery life is great since it uses AA batteries and I have my LCD set to turn off after 20 minutes. It isn't used on my primary TV but still gets used 5 times a week or so, I haven't changed batteries in the last year.

As Ericjb said, battery life is great. I use NiMH in all of my stuff, so I don't worry about batteries at all.

I leave the LCD on since it takes very little power.


The TX-1000 is also a great table-top remote that you can easily use sitting on the table beside your La-Z-Boy chair! :-)

It is NOT a one-hand hand-held remote. If you love to have a hand-held and grab it in that way, then it's not for you. But, that's why they made it! It's a 900 for those who want a two-hand or table-top remote, or one that sits on your lap, and for that, it is perfect.

It's also extremely hard to lose between the cushions of the couch!

If you really NEED graphics, then this is not the remote for you. If you don't really NEED graphics, then this remote has so much going for it that I'd seriously look at it.

I've used an MX-900 extensively, which has no graphics at all, and have loved it. Graphics are wonderful, but are the be-all-and-end-all, which is also why you see custom installers put MX-900's in a great portion of their installations. It just works well and is easy to use. Well, the TX-1000 is just a different form factor of the MX-900.

Let us know if you get one, and how you like it, and post in the User Review section too.

Greg :-)

Greg, sorry to bother you but on my TX-1000 how do I add a page to a soft button on the "Watch" screen?