HTM is announcing an entire lineup of new remotes at CEDIA!

Here's an all-new remote that Mike mentioned in another thread that looks very interesting, the Aurora!



The estimated date of this new remote is 2005, first quarter. It's 9" x 2" x 1" deep (approximately) and has two new large buttons - LISTEN and WATCH are very unique - press WATCH "to see a list of what you can watch on TV in your system", or press LISTEN "to reveal a list of what you can hear on your system". From there, a macro is enacted to setup the system for that activity. This image gives you a better idea of the sort of things that will accomplish, and the ease with which you can control your system using this remote:



The LCD allows up to 11 characters per line, and the remote is touted to control up to 255 devices. Like it's big brother (the MX-3000,) the Aurora remote comes with a memory-free Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack. As you can see in the picture above, a charging base is also part of the package, and the base has a nice battery level display, in addition to providing "an attractive place to store your Aurora when not in use." Of course, the system includes RF capabilities for whole-house control.



Another new remote is the Orion, a new take on the MX-700/800:



This remote can control up to 20 devices, is PC programmable, and looks to be (more or less) the MX-700/800 with the URC-series' thumbpad center button, and a dark color.



Next up is the Omega, which is essentially (again, more or less), the MX-500/600 in a different color, and with the new thumbpad center button.




Finally, the Osiris is a close relative of the URC-200:



It can control up to 10 devices, and has no PC programming abilities.

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In addition to the new remotes, a new RF base station, the MRF-300 has been announced, which uses up to three wired external antenna units (RFX-150). Talk about extending the range of your RF-extended remotes!



A lot of new and exciting stuff to be sure! In the coming months we should get more and more details and some firmer pricing and availability information. New products often have tentative information that is subject to change, but we're optomistic and as always, URC has kept both programming and using the remotes in mind with these new models.

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David
www.BlueDo.com

This message was edited by www.BlueDo.com on 09/08/04 11:08 ET.

Very cool stuff. Hopefully some uplift capability for devices/macros from earlier models would help current customers.

Also any availability info on the MRF-300/RX-150s?

This message was edited by rudolpht on 09/08/04 00:48 ET.

I may spring for an Orion, just to get away from the buttonless thumbpad on my 700 (and, for the color)... -JW

There are a couple of inaccuracies in the above descriptions, so I'll let you know the specifics after CEDIA (along with more complete information);

or if someone else who attends CEDIA receives the brochure describing the remotes, they may post the corrections before me.

Greg

This is unbelievable. Instead of adding the Chapter Skip buttons back to a newer version of the MX-700/800, URC is instead eliminating them on the MX-500/600?!?! Looks like it might be time to switch to the new Harmony 676.

I don't see the problem. For the DVD page map out the CH-/+ as chapter skip, and CD page map out to skip tracks. Then for TV/Sky map out these as channel change. I use a activity layout, not device based so it's no problem associating TV channel change, because the actual channel adjustment is active for activities "Watch TV", "Watch Sky", "Watch VCR" where you do need to change channels.

That doesn't help for PVR use, nor is it intuitive for DVD or CD use (where the "|<<" and ">>|" symbols are the world standard).

I can't believe they didn't put on track back and forward. This makes it hard on the customer somtimes. It would be nice if the MRF300 works better than its predecessor.

Mike

now this exactly what I was looking for in an earlier thread I posted. But unless the Orion or the Omega can do something more than the mx-700 I have, all I want is the thumbpad to replace the one on mine.

Looks like I'll be trading up to The Orion from the MX-700 - ONLY because of the center of the thumbwheel. I do like the new flashy color, however. Any idea on price points for the entire line?

For someone like me who has an MX 500, MX 700 and MX 800 and uses all of them, is there a compelling reason to upgrade any?I just bought the 800, so unless there is something other than a cosmetic improvement upgrading doesn't seem to make sense.

Offering an upgrade for the center thumb pad would sure be a welcome option! Send it in, pay a few bucks, get a new thumbpad?? Any chance???

Very nice looking remotes! Will the Orion be able to learn toggle bits correctly? Variables and USB connectivity would also be welcome additions. Any word on a street date? Thanks...

Greg

Yeah, as others have said, I love my MX-800 but I sure do hate that #*%@! thumbpad, especially after using the uber-cool MX-1000 joystick for several years. I, too, would love to be able to send in my MX-800 and get that replaced with this new one with a center button!!!

Any chance of that, all you URC-heads??

I will ask about thumbpad upgrades.

I will also ask about the parity bit learning ability.

I will also report on how the thumbpad actually works in real life compared to the URC line and the current MX line.

Any other questions that you want me to ask? I will actually be working the URC booth, so I can get about as much info as anyone.

Greg

Any news on the MX-1500?