I 2nd the motion for switching the Volume and Channel buttons.. what a blunder!

If the engineers start making the changes that everyone is requesting, how far back will this push the release of the MX-500? I thought this was supposed to be on sale in late Dec/early Jan.

I doubt that the physical button changes could be made..... other than reversing the channel and volume buttons....... but the rest is in the programming. So, although the physical parts of the remote are no doubt already set in stone, the programming isn't. Once the programming is finished, it doesn't take long to burn the eprom with it and then finish assembling the physical parts.

So, our input is important. The engineers are looking at this thread. And I would rather wait a little longer to get what the users want.

There are many who waited a year for the MX-1000, and they are selling like hot cakes!!! Why? Because the extra time was put into making it the remote it is. Let's try and do the same with the MX-500, even if it pushes it back a little. We know HTM came through with the MX-1000, which is a unique remote in the field, and will come through with the MX-500, which will also be fairly unique and fill a perfect gap in the URC lineup.

So, hang tight people, and keep the suggestions coming in!!!

Greg :-)

Meantime, we'll just teach the volume buttons to act as channel buttons, and vice-versa... ... Mike

Couldn't you just program one of the 10 buttons on the primary screen to change the keypad to control that component without including a macro?

I don't quite understand your suggestion Ron. As far as I can tell the primary screen is a list of all the devices in your system. I want to be able to control any one of my 7 components (+ any others I add later) either with switching the source on the receiver + TV, or without switching, easily, without resorting to kludges like covering up the IR transmitter with my hand before hitting the button. How is programming one button going to be able to accomplish that? There are times I am watching a DVD, where I don't wish to interrupt my viewing, but I do want to rewind and set the timer on my VCR. Or maybe I am watching Tivo, while simultaneously dubbing some CD tracks to minidisc, and want to change discs on the CD without interrupting my show.

The Marantz RC2000, Pronto, and Sony RM-AV2100 all do provide a way to do either easily, with the Sony using the method I suggest (hold down to send the macro), which I think is best for the MX500. I notice that Daniel also suggested the same in his initial response to the thread.

My other wish for the macros is that they run a lot faster than the min .5 second delay between commands on the MX1000. I'd prefer configurable with .25 second increments. The ability to enter codes for discrete input selection not found on the OEM remote would be killer for these device macros as well.

Hmm, actually the channel/volume buttons are in the same order as those on the RM-AV2100... but still I'm not sure why they'd change from the MX-1000's arrangement.

Some of this may already be possible, or has been mentioned above (too sleepy to read it all:) And some of this is not exactly crucial, just a nice-to-have or general ideas for future remotes.

- Macros should be able to change device mode
- Delays in macros
- Macro interruption
- Activate backlight and give beep from macro
- Adjust repetitions/sustain of IR signal per button
- Specify per button if backlight should come on. Same for beep.
- Advanced codes support
- Learning to each button
- Massive learning memory bank, complete overkill please. That will be just enough.
- Ability to display a custom label on LCD for each button (upon button press)
- Current device indication
- Display date and time
- Forget punch through, if we can do it with advanced codes or learning and have plenty-o-memory
- Each button: different function for press/double press/press-and-hold
- Each (!) button can function can be single IR command or macro
- Write a little Windows based program that can capture the IR commands from the MX-500 via an infrared port, to backup and restore the programming.
- Powerful IR beam, wide angle horiz&vert
- Adjust LCD contrast
- Adjust backlight sensor
- Motion/tilt sensor, ability to specify what happens upon motion (LCD on, backlight on - only if dark)
- Voice commands
- Built-in reading light (a stretch)

I'm grasping now. This is where built-in telephones start making the list.

Stephen

Simply program a LCD button in either a primary or secondary screen to only change the keypad to the device you want to control. Do not include a macro or input commands.

Ron

Some great requests here - in a perfect world...

Anyway, changes I would make to button assignments (using graphic at URC's website as a model) -

reverse the Guide and Menu buttons (Menu should be on right)

move Pause to 12 o'clock position button, aren't Play and Select the same thing?

move PREV CH button to where Pause was

make TV/Vid button where PREV CH was

Thanks people! Keep the requests coming. I will be summarizing the ones so far and forwarding them to HTM.

Greg :-)

Ron,

You keep on saying that I should program "an" LCD button to change the keypad to "the" device I want to control. You aren't getting it. There isn't just ONE device I want to control without switching. I want to select ANY device. That can't be done with just one button; I'd have to use one button for each device. There aren't enough LCD slots if we go by your paradigm; one set of device buttons that sends macros and a different set that doesn't. If we go by my/Daniel's preference (hold down to send macro, tap to not send it), there are plenty and either operation is rather easy. What is your objection to this?

Stephen

I have no objection to your approach providing that it can be done without causing a one year delay in the remotes availability and causing it to cost alot more.

My point is simple, If the way it is programmed now provides for two commands being able to be sent when depressing a main screen LCD button, then if they can allow a couple more the remote will be significantly more powerful and therefor useable. Period.

Does it solve all of your problems? No. Does it become an affordable remote that the family can use without two weeks of intensive training? Yes.

Ron

Wow guys . . .

I've been looking for a universal for months and months . . .

I bought an RCA RCU810 a little while back. I thought I had found the perfect remote. Greate layout, all the buttons I need, cool blow glowing buttons . . . NOT ENOUGH MEMORY.

I don't really want a touchscreen remote . . . so I've been searching and searching . . . The Radio Shack and All for Ones also don't have enough memory.

I was finally stuck between the Sony RM-VL900 and the Home Theater Master SL-9000. The Sony lacked enough extra buttons and backlighting . . . and the SL-9000 was missing the transport keys.

So I decided to wait a bit . . . suddenly the Home Theater Master MX-1000 comes out. Its got a nice joystick and more real buttons than most touchscreens . . . I was interested, but couldn't swallow the cost.

I think you finally hit the nail on the head with MX-500. All the functionality of the SL-9000, but with a much better layout and the added joy of transport keys.

You guys rock . . . I've found my remote!!!

BTW -

I hope the illumination is in a nice blue like the RCA RCU810.

Also, reversing the volume and channel buttons would be nice.

IMHO, I think the location of the volume & channel buttons are fine the way they are (That's the way my Sony URC has 'em). The location of the Previous Channel and Mute buttons are fine, too.

By the way, is there a physical button for TV/Video? There doesn't appear to be one from what I can tell. Probably too late to fix it, but for those of us with multiple video sources, it would be a help.

Krunch