I currently have a Universal Remote Control MX - 850. Love the thing but it seems to have lost its connection to my Stereo Receiver. Had someone from Best Buy (Geek Squad) come by to take a look and they basically told me that the MX-850 is out of date and they could not fix my problem. I am smart enough to realize that Best Buy and Geek Squad are barely even second rate but I was kind of in a pinch. After making the mistake of being talked into the MX-450 I made the decision to return the piece of junk 450 and do a little research before jumping in. Not going to list the issues of the 450 as I think some of them may have been casued by the programmers incompetance.

Below are the specs of the equipment I am looking to control:

Components Controlled by Remote:
Pioneer 50" PDP5045 Plasma TV with Media Receiver PDP-R05U
Motorola HD/DVR QIP6416-1 Cable Box (Verizon Fios)
Sony DVP-NS501P DVD Player
Yamaha RX-V2700 AV Receiver
Nintendo WII
Quad Sub-Woofer (Yes it is controlled via remote)
IPOD Doc - connected to my Yamaha Receiver

Macros Needed:
Watch TV
Watch DVD
Play WII
IPOD (Not sure if thats a true macro but considering the menu shows on the TV maybe it is)
Listen to Radio

As I stated above, I truly loved my 850 and think it might actually be able to be fixed but maybe I can get some money for it another way. In the research I have done, I think I have limited my choices down to the following:

URC MX-980
URC MX-5000
Phillips Pronto 9400

If I can hear some recommendations for which remote I should go with as well as some on where I can get a fair deal I would appreciate it. I am also looking for someone to program it for me. Not sure if this helps, but I do have the RF equipment from my 850 but not sure I can use it for a new remote. The RF entenna is a URC RF 150 and it has the IR attachment as well. Thanks in advance for your help.

Sorry, I should also add that I live in Westchester County in NY as that is probably important as i am looking for someone that can program a new remote. Thanks again in advance for all of your professional guidance.

Not that I am getting 100's of responses but I thought I should mention that I was led on to a different group of remotes that I am now looking into. My final choices are now:

URC MX-980
RTI - T2C
Nevo - S70

Can I please get some opinions on which one would be best? I understand there is a cost difference between them, but I first want to pick the best remote. Thanks

Any of the remotes you listed will work for your application. I cant comment on the availibility of nevo software but RTI is dealer only and URC has an option where the seller can opt to give it to you if they choose. Translated.. it means you buy your URC remote from someone willing to give you software and pass on the others.

The RTI T2-C is a very nice remote but a little bit bulky for my hand. The MX-980 is a perfect fit. The T2-C has a touchscreen the MX-980 has 'soft keys' like the 850.

BTW.. the 850 is my favorite remote. I wish they would have updated the hard buttons and released it under MX-850v2 :)

The MX850 is still a current remote in URC's line-up, and is still supported in their stand-alone programming software.

Are you planning on having it programmed professionally? I ask because you do mention the Geek Squad thing earlier.

The RTI you will not be able to program yourself; the S70 you can probably get the software however it has a rather steep learning curve, and CCP for the MX-980 probably isn't going to be that much easier. These aren't anything like a Harmony or even the MX-850 if you did that yourself.

I am not to concerned about the software as I am planning on having it programmed by a professional.

I have also eliminated the Nero as an option. I am now down to the URC-MX980 and the RTI T2C. I am just trying to figure out what a fair price for the RTI and the processor. Anyone have any ideas on that?

What processor are you looking at with the RTI??

RP-1, RP-6(if still available), ZRP-6, XP-8

Interested in 2 way?? or just 1 way

the MX980 is one way but several base units as well
MRF350 and MSC400

The RP-1 as I am trying to keep cost down and dont think I will need more than that.

MX980 + MRF350 should cover it with one DH emitter.