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Monster AV100 -- Don't even bother unless...
This thread has 4 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday January 31, 2007 at 15:43
santler
Lurking Member
Joined:
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April 2003
5
Don't even think of wasting your money unless you are ready to

(a) change internet explorer settings to minimum security

(b) turn off all windows, Norton/MCafee, etc., etc. firewalls

(c) disable your router's firewall

(d) and, once all that's done, schlep your computer directly to whatever's on the other side of the router and plug it into that appliance.

Once you have that perfectly naked and unprotected access to the internet Monster's software will work. Not before.

After three hours of trying stuff my tech support helper told me to return the product to the store. "It's not for you," he said.

UPDATE: At home, no problem with similar firewalls and virus protection. Now trying software.

Last edited by santler on January 31, 2007 19:00.
Post 2 made on Thursday February 1, 2007 at 12:07
jlet
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2004
2,631
e) You also need to buy some Mon$ter cables dipped in flux capacitance oil to improve electron slipperiness.
H659, H680, SA8300HD, TH-50PZ850, AVR-X4000
OP | Post 3 made on Thursday February 1, 2007 at 13:59
santler
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2003
5
ADDITIONAL UPDATE: OK, communication established, first draft of remote create with a few puzzles and problems. Took up too much time this morning talking to tech support that didn't know the product or the software. Their attitude: "you can't get there from here, sorry."

Then I accidentaly solved the problem (sending an AV PRESET command to my NAD prior to changing the input) by fiddling with the software.

Tonight I update the remote and see if the changes work.
OP | Post 4 made on Friday February 2, 2007 at 10:01
santler
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2003
5
Okay, here's the semi-final verdict:

1. Software is nonintuitive and at points quite misleading (e.g. "Do you need more than one command to turn this device on" refers not to powering on/off but to switching to the device.

2. Technical support people don't understand the software or the product. Polite short emails requesting specific information don't get answered.

3. If you have a really simple system -- for example, one easily controled by a $35 Radio Shack model -- this will work just fine for you.

4. If you have anything more complicated, forget it. The online software takes LOTS more time to use than basic offline remote control programming, and, most important --

5. Once it is finally programmed, it turns out the remote is completely unreliable. Inputs get switched sometimes. Devices get turned on/off sometimes. You wind up feeling like a complete idiot, with a tiny help screen telling you to manualy turn everything off or switch this or that on to solve the problem.

Just write the same words on a 3 by 5 note card and you save $300.

I normally don't return things, but this puppy is going back to Circuit City.
Post 5 made on Thursday February 8, 2007 at 18:40
DVDmaestro
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2007
7
I can understand your frustration. But I have the AV100 and have NOT done ANY of the things you described to get on their site and update my Monster. As far a 'intuitive' is concerned I have found the Monster site much easier to use than the Logitech site.

Further, I find the AV100 remote FAR easier to use with a more logical layout and far better unit construct.

I cannot begin to guess why you had those issues with getting on their site. My firewall, virus protection, and ALL my other settings remained unchanged.

I hope you will find the AV100 worth the effort. You can read my review on the Monster elswhere on RC.

Good luck,
DVDMaestro
SciFiMonster - AV100 - Verizon Fios - Pronto TS1000 -


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