Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Custom Installers' Lounge Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
URC MXHP-H500 and MXHP-R500
This thread has 6 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday July 20, 2017 at 08:52
Mogul
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2010
1,164
A URC sales rep gave me a quick overview at a dusty last week and I found it an intriguing solution...I'm interested to know how it fares in the real world.

Has anyone given this combo a go?
"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." [Sir Henry Royce]
Post 2 made on Thursday July 20, 2017 at 15:34
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
2,586
There are at least 2 threads about the URC MX Home Pro. Search is your friend:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

[Link: remotecentral.com]
Post 3 made on Thursday July 20, 2017 at 19:11
slobob
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
225
It currently has serious limitations, and serious potential....
I just did a two room BASIC system and here are the issues I have found:

If you have smart devices (IP controlled) they show up outside of the "Entertainmnet" button, likewise all other devices must reside with in the entertaiment area. So an extra button step, no biggie you say, however- IP devices do NOT show up on the APP, and the much touted "now playing" feature shown in the training cannot jump to the IP devices (and while you can make dumby buttons in the entertainment area, you can't jump to an IP device).

The system I set up was Sony TV (IP), Yamaha AVR (IP), Roku (IP), Sonos (IP), DTV (IR), sony dvd (IR). So with this simple system, th eremote was spliot into two areas (home screen and entertainment) and while the remote integrated the IP devices (Roku / Sonos) well, neither would show up on the app..... frustrating.
If you make dumby buttons for the APP, they show up on the remote and lead to confusion...
I see this becoming either a major issue, or if they (URC) make a few tweeks, a major plus as more and more things are becoming IP control. In my system at home I have a 100% IP controlled system, so as it stands today I couldn't use the app at all!

The cloud based editor works well, but navigation and labeling are a bit odd, just will take a short while to get familiar with the nomenclature. The instructions and options for setting up as a dealer, and user (customer) are a bit hoakey, and could be labeled MUCH clearer. Note: Make sure you get all the correct info for the customer and SPELL everything correctly. YOU CANNOT EDIT once the system is activated. I suggest that the customer use a gmail or other cloud address and not their ISP provided one, as emails cannot be edited in the future.

The "jobs list" and room/device templates are only visible in their respective areas (and not too intuitive at that) as there is no standard file tree structure.

Remote updating and editing is a breeze...

LOTS of potential, but as it stands, just barely above DIY in my opinion.
OP | Post 4 made on Thursday July 20, 2017 at 23:18
Mogul
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2010
1,164
On July 20, 2017 at 19:11, slobob said...
It currently has serious limitations, and serious potential....
I just did a two room BASIC system and here are the issues I have found:

If you have smart devices (IP controlled) they show up outside of the "Entertainmnet" button, likewise all other devices must reside with in the entertaiment area. So an extra button step, no biggie you say, however- IP devices do NOT show up on the APP, and the much touted "now playing" feature shown in the training cannot jump to the IP devices (and while you can make dumby buttons in the entertainment area, you can't jump to an IP device).

The system I set up was Sony TV (IP), Yamaha AVR (IP), Roku (IP), Sonos (IP), DTV (IR), sony dvd (IR). So with this simple system, th eremote was spliot into two areas (home screen and entertainment) and while the remote integrated the IP devices (Roku / Sonos) well, neither would show up on the app..... frustrating.
If you make dumby buttons for the APP, they show up on the remote and lead to confusion...
I see this becoming either a major issue, or if they (URC) make a few tweeks, a major plus as more and more things are becoming IP control. In my system at home I have a 100% IP controlled system, so as it stands today I couldn't use the app at all!

The cloud based editor works well, but navigation and labeling are a bit odd, just will take a short while to get familiar with the nomenclature. The instructions and options for setting up as a dealer, and user (customer) are a bit hoakey, and could be labeled MUCH clearer. Note: Make sure you get all the correct info for the customer and SPELL everything correctly. YOU CANNOT EDIT once the system is activated. I suggest that the customer use a gmail or other cloud address and not their ISP provided one, as emails cannot be edited in the future.

The "jobs list" and room/device templates are only visible in their respective areas (and not too intuitive at that) as there is no standard file tree structure.

Remote updating and editing is a breeze...

LOTS of potential, but as it stands, just barely above DIY in my opinion.

Very good info...Thank you for taking the time to convey so much [useful] detail! I cannot fathom why IP controlled devices wouldn't show up in the ap...I thought that was the POINT of this control system...?

Last edited by Mogul on July 21, 2017 07:22.
"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." [Sir Henry Royce]
Post 5 made on Friday July 21, 2017 at 13:52
slobob
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
225
You're welcome...
The other fun thing about the app, is the nested launcher (jump to the roku remote for instance) is just that- it launches the native app (roku / sonos/ etc...) but does none of the automation. you could have simply chosen the native app instead of launching MX, then the nested app. Whats the point? To add insult to injury, there's no way to go back to the MX app from any of the native apps. This isn't hard, IOS already does this between mail/browser links and even notifications!
The funny thing is that when MXHome launched, it was sold as only needing the hub and a smart phone- no we know that's a lie. This definitely wasn't ready for prime time.

Like I said, this system has LOTS of potential. If they'd make a few small tweaks like allowing for direct page jumps to a IP device, and allowing us to nest the IP devices in the entertainment page (or get rid of the thing) and bring the app in line with the remote (IP devices shown and the ability to launch and recover from native apps) and this thing has some real power. It's fast and the cloud updater is awesome....I'm even willing to overlook the lack of Serial and dismal editor.
OP | Post 6 made on Friday July 21, 2017 at 18:01
Mogul
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2010
1,164
I do not understand how this made it to market with such basic limitations...Bizarre.
"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." [Sir Henry Royce]
Post 7 made on Friday July 21, 2017 at 18:21
slobob
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
225
Easy- we're BETA testing for them, and they're seeing how much Tech call volume it generates to see if its going DIY or worth while to add more resources to upgrade to a more complete solution. Don't forget, they just did a major overhaul of TC and I'm sure they're deciding on weather or not to open it up to limited distribution or not. They told me $30k in sales annually to go direct, and my market just won't support that. I could lie, get set up, then deal with renewals next year, but that's not how I roll. I gave MXH a go, I see the potential, but will be using pretty much ANYTHING ELSE for now. Keeping my eye on it though.... I believe it's sooo close to being a good product.

As to the direct thing, what pisses me off is that once they opened it up to distribution, and systems were installed, they've effectively cut us off from supporting or upgrading the current systems in place. And since MXH isn't truly scaleable, it's not a real substitution.
I get the issues with dealer support of the distribution channel, but all they really need to do is either offload the tech support to the partner distributors (making an increase in their operating expenses, thus making them more selective of who they setup) or make more selective training sessions. The ones I've gone to were populated with such a mix of integrators, Alarm guys, Electricians, designers and interior decorators, that just getting through the training day was arduous. Most have problems getting their computers to work and load the editors, let alone being able to follow along with the course and have meaningful discourse with the instructor.... Some basic aptitude needs to met.
Iv'e programed all URC product, RTI, Pronto, AMX, Lutron, Vantage and a host of others, but because I'm in a small market I can't get TC. I understand the support call volume issue, but the 4 times I called on TC, 1 was a booboo on my part when swapping out a loaner remote (since they wouldn't advance exchange for a DOA unit) in the software, and the other three were found glitches in their editor.

Rant off..

And I still really like their stuff and can see where the future is going with the cloud editors...


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse