We've used Universal Remote Control for some time now. We gave up on the MX-800 because the RF gave us too much trouble. The MX-700 is great and the programming is easy. The new models set for shipping in 1st Q '05 (I think) are VERY powerful. The programming is mostly the same with a few neat additions. The IR database is constantly being updated, and tech support is good. We've used Sonance, Xantech, and Audioplex IR systems - all with their share of problems, especially with Plasmas. Niles has a new plasma proof IR receiver (MS200) which we've used a few times and has been successful so far. The true test will come Thursday when we put the thing on a 63" plasma (and I mean ON it). It also comes in black, white, and silver, and the silver matches Fujitsu plasmas almost perfectly.

Although we've had problems with URC's RF systems, it looks like the newer ones for the MX-3000 might have worked out the problems. In fact, they've got some pretty cool stuff coming out for RF control. We just ordered our MX-3000 to test, but I went to training on it and it looks very solid. We were excited to get one in to test (and hopefully get rid of Prontos for good).

(and hopefully

Amen to that

Braivhart give it another shot to the MX-800. Be sure that the firmware version is 3.5.

I've had massive RF problems with Lutron dimmers, and have found no workaround.

I agree with rhm9 and QQQ, I HATE prontos...
I hate how the third largest consumer electronics manufacturer allows buggy products to hit the market and forces us to debug them at our exppense and wait for software and firmware updates to be posted that compensate for their poor R&D.
I would have to agree that the Intellicontrol is a reliable piece, but I like the RTI better these days. Back in the day, the choice was Intellicontrol or the Lexicon 500T (later, the 700T) These were made by RTI and their new line is considerably more powerful than anything short of Crestron or AMX and the hard keys for transport navigation, volume and channel are a lot more useful than the ones on a pronto or Intellicontrol. The biggest bitch about the old RTI, range on the RF device, is improved now with the addition of the RF repeater system where you can add repeaters to extend the range throughout the property to anywhere that you can get a piece of IR wire or CAT-5. Works great.

Side question... is there decent resolution of the level of IR picked up on those testing cards?? I have always used the flashing emitter to test for random signal of stray light interference on an IR network, but I know that some systems are super noisy to the point of unreliability, but the noise in the lines is still below the threshold where the LED gets triggered.

Hey,

The suggestion of replacing a 480-80 with a 480b-00 worked again for me. I also found in this particular system that light hitting the components was definitely the culprit as well (480b-00 still picked up the slack). Xantech makes MS1 covers to block external IR but god they look ugly on equipment. I'm thinking of actually taking out the light as it isn't really needed there (guess I better get customer approval first).