Ok, I have both an MX-700 and MX-800. Sometime soon, I'll probably need to pick-up another URC remote for a 3rd zone. Given the release of the 950, I was looking into it as a possible replacement for my primary zone. I've looked through the manual, peeked at the programming editor and scanned some of the threads here about the MX-950. It has a few things I like over the 700/800 but I do have a few questions.

Obviously, the additonal device support, backlight color option and sounds present some interesting possibilities. What I'm not clear on is something like the activity macros. Currently, I actually use 2 device spaces for the same device in some cases on my existing remotes. One is to jump to the device's control buttons and the other is to perform a macro to switch to that device input on my plasma and processor, power on the device, etc, then jump to that device's buttons.

Given the activity nature of the 950, you would assume that all devices listed would usually be associated with a switching macro (although I know you don't have to do that). Is there a way you can have a button combination to just jump to that device without the macro sequence first? I remember doing this on my original Pronto but I didn't think you could with URC remotes. By the way, if you can with even the 700/800 and I somehow overlooked it, I'm an idiot and please feel free to rag on me for it ;-). Since the 950 supports so many more devices, doing the double entry doesn't cost you as much (losing 1 device spot out of 255 vs 1 of 20). However, it would be nice to be able to do this with just one entry.

I know the variables feature helps with this, but I often switch from one device's page (not actually switching to that input) to anotherand don't want to wait for the macro delay. Additionally, pretty much all of my devices have discrete codes for critical functions, so I wouldn't use variables much in the macros for device switching.

Speaking of variables, what are some creative uses for them? If you have discrete codes for things like power, inputs, stretch modes, listening modes, etc what else could you use variables for? Sometimes the usefulness of items like this are limited only by creativity, I'm asking because I have none of my own. ;-) Along those same lines, what have people come up with for creative uses for the sounds feature?

I've also seen mention of back and ahead buttons as a "rocker" in their ability to support 2 functions (like chapter skip -/+ and REW/FF). Are we talking about a quick press vs hold down or does the button have a half press sensitivity and an all the way press sensitivity? I just map chapter skip to the channel up/down buttons now but this would be an interesting alternative if it was the latter of the 2 above.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

Ok, forget the rocker question. I just figured that out by playing with the 950 editor some more. The real question is how it functions in your hand. Does it feel natural to quickly and easily distinguish between the 2 actions with your thumb without looking down?

A mini Magnolia AV is opening up this week in my local Best Buy. I've taken a peek behind the construction plastic and they had most of it setup and I spotted a few URC remotes on display. I didn't see the 950 but I hope either them or HiFi Buys will have one in store in the next few weeks so I can test out the feel.

Variables would allow you to program something like this. I'll use the DVD device for example. Pressing the DVD button would:

System off - The whole sytem powers up with the proper delays to allow time (?20 sec) for the plasma warm up. Many displays and some audio gear need time warming up before you can send IR commands to them, for example to switch to the proper input. In the meantime it displays messages or entertains you with graphics/ sound while everything is setting up in the background.

System on - Goes to the DVD page and nothing switches.

Now Holding the DVD button for 2 seconds would:

System off - Turns on the DVD player and opens the drawer so you can get that rental disc you need to return without powering on the system.

System on - Everything switches to DVD inputs and DVD settings occur with no power up delays so it is very seemless.

Hope this helps.

Bob

Interesting use of variables there. I can start to see how they could be used beyond accounting for states to increase the number of functions a single button can have. Definitely critical for non-discrete coded components though.

I knew I could use the push and hold even on my 700 to differentiate between just jumping to the device page vs. switching inputs, but I didn't think my wife would really like that idea. Of course, sometimes she forgets to keep the remote pointed at the IR eye now to let the macro run its course and switch inputs so maybe a push and hold isn't a bad way to solve both issues. I'll have to ask her if she think that would be more or less confusing.

What got me thinking is realizing the other day just how much device jumping I do. Unfortunately, my situation is one that probably doesn't have a great solution. At the root of the problem is that I have several sources feeding 3 displays in one general area (family room and kitchen/breakfast area). Those displays are often all on at one time and sometimes display 3 separate sources.

I know, a Crestron/AMX situation could work wonders here but there are 2 other considerations. First, my wife and I love Tivo and LCD remotes are no substitue for hard buttons. Yes, I know the Crestron folks have an MX remote you can use with the system, but it seems silly to setup a Crestron control scheme that is only operated by an MX. The real benefit to a Crestron system would be easy management of multiple displays from one panel that you couldn't do as easily with an MX. Second, I have 2 children under the age of 3 so using a panel at this point in time wouldn't be a good idea (my one year old loves getting her hands on my MX-800 and my laptop whenever she can).

Maybe I just need a better way to organize my devices while still giving me the quick switching ability. I'll have to think about that a bit. Perhaps I could use a device slot or 2 to organize certain often used functions or even come up with a few more well placed macros for common sequences that I find myself going through over and over. I might not even need the 950, although the coolness of it definitely has my interest. ;-)

In general I try not to use push and hold buttons with our customers. They are just not intuitive. Usually, I use them for enthusiasts which want access to areas that they don't want other people to stumble across accidently.

I think 2 or 3 MRF 250/300's would solve many of the problems with your MX-800. You could make a screen that could change channels on all your displays or do certain functions on various devices from one device. It would also solve your wife not pointing remote during the macro process.

BTW, my 3.5 y/o has used an MX-3000 for an augmentation communication device due to his speech problem. He had it for a year and a half and used it everyday and took it to school. It has its fair share of drops and it still survives. Thankfully, he doesn't need it anymore and is being reprogrammed for other duties;-)

Bob

Interesting post Bob. I tried using the MRF-200 when I moved into the new house. Local RF interfernce made using it a bit unreliable, however. That's when I went the IR repeater route and it has worked out well except for my wife's now and again miscue.

I've used a few shortcuts on devices to issue common commands to another device. Many of us use the volume punch throughs of course, but I also found a use for having display stretch mode commands on my DVD device page for differently formatted material. Thankfully, my plasma has discrete codes for each mode. I haven't tinkered with my setup in onths so it's probably time for me to revists and try a few things out.

By the way, if you don't mind me asking, how was your son able to use the 3000 to communicate? My son is autistic so I have personal experience with his speech delay. He has been seeing a speech therapist for 6 months and is now also in a school for autistic children. Thankfully, he's on the mild end of the spectrum so the outlook is good. Given the rapid progess he's made with his speech, the therapists haven't needed to go the sign language route route but I have seen alternative communication methods used for other children.

Jeff

I use variables on an MX3000 to do automatic 'page jumps' back to the currently selected device (DVD player for example) after you have performed certain functions. This makes it possible to have 'subpages' or 'dialog boxes' that appear when buttons are pressed BUT return you to the last page you were on when you are done.

This way you can have one 'lighting page' or 'utilities page' or 'audio setup page' that can be accessed from any device, and return you to those pages when you are done.

RobZ

Rob,

Another interesting use of the variables. If you wouldn't mind going into greater detail, how do you set something like that up? I'm still trying to understand how the variables get programmed. I've looked at the 3000 programming manual, but it's a little confusing as to where you should put them in a macro and which value in the variable to use.

Jeff

I never managed to reprogram my kids for any duties. That must be a clever piece of coding!

The MRF-300 is a better solution for RF with the external antennas. Also, you can interface the 300 with repeater systems so you may only need one.

I programmed the MX-3000 with over 3000 symbols/ icons that he could navigate and most of the symbols say the word associated with it when pressed. Although some can be used for building phrases and don't say anything initially. Another use of variables! If you are familiar with the Dynavox, PRC, talking boards etc. you get the idea. It doesn't do text to speech but the PocketPC version I'm working on does.

The MX-3000 has been great in that it has a great form factor and is easy to carry compared to the others. Plus it could still control all the systems in the house although I had to password some of them;-) The commercial communication devices are very bulky and heavy, not suitable for young kids. Also, The commercials units are very expensive and cost prohibitive for many families. With younger children insurance companies and school systems are reluctant to pay for these devices. I'd like to eventually make on a cartridge for a Leapster or Nintendo DS that would be easy to carry by kids, socially acceptable and affordable.

Thankfully, his speech is improving to the point where he would rarely use the 3000 now. He still needs a lot of speech work but at least he isn't relying on a device anymore. Which has put my programming of other devices on the back burner for a little while.

The only disadvantage to the 3000 was its volume. It was OK around the house but was tough to hear when he used it in the car. I've played with the newer ones with speakers on the bottom help but the improvement was only slight. The Pocket PCs have the same problem but at least you can add an external speaker to them. With a few minor modifications URC could probably cross market this device and sell it for 5+ times as much. I hope they wouldn't raise the price that much if they cross marketed it but it is currently 90% as functional as the commercial units for 1/10th of the price.

Bob

Yeah, kids are tough to program;-)

Jeff, if you send me an email. My email is in my profile. I'll send you over a very easy sample of variables so you can look at them in the MX-3000 editor.

Bob

Bob,

I may have to check out the 300. My repeater system is a Niles unit so I'll have to look into whether it can work with the 300. Thanks for the tip.

That's pretty cool what you've been able to do to create your own communications device. I always think that there are lots of cool things I could do with my various gadgets, but I'm never creative ebough to really explore. Of course, necessity is the mother of invention so perhaps this little task I have at hand will spur some good ideas.

The 300 will work fine with the niles. And you are absolutely correct, necessity is the mother of invention.

Bob

Any links to info on how to interface the 2? I have a Niles MSU480 using 2 of the sensor inputs (1 TS100 and 1 MS200) and a handful of the flashers (MF1s and MF2s). So, I'm not sure if I can cascade the MRF-300 into the MSU480 via an available input or just connect the flashers directly to the MRF-300 and remove the 480. Of course, if I switch to using RF on the MX-800, I guess the IR repeating I was using the MSU480 for would no longer be useful (or could it still be helpful in the system)?

Jeff

Jeff,

I'll explain later got to run now. But, it is possible and the 480 would probably still be useful if you have more than 6 flashers.

Bob