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Topic:
MX-1000 Release Notice
This thread has 20 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 09:33
Mike Gifford
Historic Forum Post
We will be receiving our bulk shipment of the MX-1000 touchscreen remote control in two weeks, and all backorders will be fulfilled throughout the month of October.
OP | Post 2 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 15:08
Cy
Historic Forum Post
If the remote is REALLY finished and you are just waiting for enough to ship out, why doesn't Daniel have a copy of the software yet so he can finish his review???!!! I'm not going to believe it is ready until it's here. I was told by a company employee two weeks ago it would be shipped by that Friday, when I called that Friday to confurm they advised it had been pushed back 2-3 more weeks. Unless Daniel can tell us that the software is as good or better than the Pronto, I'll buy the pronto 2mb version when it comes out which will still be sooner than the mx-1000.
OP | Post 3 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 16:33
Mike Gifford
Historic Forum Post
The software, which will be attainable through our website by the end of the month, does not affect the usage of the MX-1000, which already has the software within.

The sole purpose of the software on the website is for back-up purposes in the occurrence of the MX-1000 losing its memory. If the remote control loses memory, for example, while the batteries are out for over six months, you can obtain the software from our website.

OP | Post 4 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 18:31
GregoriusM
Historic Forum Post
So, the PC software will not be similar to ProntoEdit? It will have only the functionality already built into the remote? Bummer!

Greg :-)
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 20:13
Scott Amendolaro
Historic Forum Post
Thanks for the info on the editing features..

Looks like I am canceling my 2 pre-orders..
OP | Post 6 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 21:18
Scott Amendolaro
Historic Forum Post
Canceled .....

Now All I need to do is order a Pronto..


Daniel, didn't you know this about the software ??
OP | Post 7 made on Tuesday September 12, 2000 at 23:08
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Hmm, so far I've received very little about the PC software -- the sole bit of info being when I mentioned that I'd like a snap-to grid for easier placement of buttons, I was told the PC software would include one. Also that the ability to load custom buttons was not being offered "yet", meaning it could be. However I really do need it -- as mentioned in an email, my remote is currently sans program. :-)

I'll try to get more detail on the PC software. Don't be too quick to dismiss the MX-1000... I've seen a lot of remotes over the past few years, and this one has a lot of promise.
OP | Post 8 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 09:40
Scott Amendolaro
Historic Forum Post
Not to Dismiss it but for $225 with no editing features I might as well get the Sony 2100. What have they been doing for the past year?
OP | Post 9 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 10:32
Mike Gifford
Historic Forum Post
In regards to the MX-1000 software, I was incomplete in my explanation above. I was answering Cy's question in regards to normal operation of the MX-1000 and how you do not necessarily need the software online to get the remote control operable.

The software is used for back-up purposes, but that was an abridged explanation. The software online is also for pc-programming (via windows), and for any future upgrades.

The software should become available by the end of September, following the release of the MX-1000.
OP | Post 10 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 11:53
Cy
Historic Forum Post
But will we be able to input our own graphics like the pronto, or will we only be able to move buttons around and change names and such? Also will we be able to use discrete codes? Will the software have an emulator function like the pronto? Will we be able to have another person's setup and our own side by side so we can import part of thier's into our own? Or will there be a gallery function like the pronto? Also how much of the 4mb is available for us to use after the software is onboard? The reason I'm asking so many questions is that you only seem to give the information requested but nother more. What we all really want to know is how the mx-1000 will match up against the Pronto for custom programming. If it is close I'll wait for the mx-1000 just for the joystick and extra memory (if there is more than the pronto 2mb version) if not I'll get the pronto 2mb version as will alot of others here who are sick of the wait and the treatment we have received (being left in the dark) by your company. If we get snotty or rude we are sorry but we are trying to be patient.
OP | Post 11 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 12:03
Cy
Historic Forum Post
Also has anyone at your company read Daniels review and care to comment or clarify, and is anything being done on the contrast problem?
OP | Post 12 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 13:52
Bob Cab
Historic Forum Post
To Mike Gifford:
I have much the same set of questions as Cy (I bet you'll find a great number of people do). As Cy mentioned, most of us are comparing the MX-1000 and the Pronto. As "stand alone" remotes, they both have decent functionality, but it is the software/customization that is the main "value add" for the type of consumer who is the target market for these remotes. That's why there's so much frustration over the lack of detailed information regarding the MX-1000 software.

As Daniel stated, I don't want to give up on this remote because it is "promising", but the "promise" lies in the software. If things like discrete ir codes, and at least a fair amount of srceen customization is not part of the package, then I think both your company's marketing and sales teams are going to be very disappointed. Without good software, the MX-1000, in the eyes of the informed consumer, will fall from a possible "Under $300 Remote of the Year" candidate to an "overpriced, underdeveloped version of the Marantz RC2000". (Even the $25 Cinema 7 can accept discrete ir codes.)

Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to be snotty or rude. I for one, appreciate your participation in this forum because other than Daniel, you're the only source of any information we can get.

I truly hope you will be able to get some further software details, and relay them to us. Many of us will "stay tuned". It's just a metter of for how much longer.
OP | Post 13 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 14:11
Scott Amendolaro
Historic Forum Post
Also will the remote come with a PC cable ?
OP | Post 14 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 14:31
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Assuming the PC software operates like the on-remote software, you will be able to edit the entire screen except for the top title bar/clock and the very bottom.

Your use of "discrete codes" is a bit strange... you see, it's not discrete codes you're after, it's some way of entering specific IR codes from over the net. The Cinema 7's database is much larger than they themselves use, so it has the capability to use "advanced" codes. However if the Cinema 7 doesn't have what you need built-in -- either completely or via advanced codes (which can be often) -- there's nothing you can do except learn.

The Pronto allows you to enter in IR codes based on a specific hex format. What a few companies already have done is include Pronto -> their format converters in their software, since that format seems to be so popular already... the TheaterTouch has one, and I believe Xantech also has one. Since the format is so well understood, I hope URC will either have one or include one soon.
OP | Post 15 made on Wednesday September 13, 2000 at 15:10
Bob Cab
Historic Forum Post
As I understand it, "advanced" codes can be programmed into the Cinema 7 (as well as other inexpensive remotes) by pressing a button referred to as "the Magic Button", then entering a code (3-digit, I think), and assigning it to a button on the remote. Computer connectivity is not needed for the remote. You just need access to the web for the list of 3-digit "advanced" codes.

As for the Pronto, once you've downloaded the discrete codes, you basically perform a "copy", then "paste" the hex code onto a button.

I don't own either of these remotes, so if I'm misinformed, then please straighten me out.

So with the very little knowledge I have regarding discrete ir codes, I assume that to be able to have a button on the MX-1000 send a discrete video input selection to my TV (for example), it would be dependent on the software's ability to download the specific hex code, then assign it to a button (like the Pronto). Since there's no "Magic" button on the MX-1000, the use of discrete ir codes is a feature that can't be performed/programed by the remote itself, and is therefore "software-dependent".

How far off am I?
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