I'm a software developer with a simple home theater room and I'm looking for a nice remote control that has PC programmability and RF (for the components in the closet).

I've actually ordered an MX-810 but after reading the comments and this site and looking at the screenshots of the software, I'm beginning to get worried that I might have ordered the wrong remote.

I certainly don't need any fancy macros or anything like that, but I currently have a JP1 programmable remote (costs $20) and it also me to do very complicated macros and other advanced stuff that I don't think I can do on the MX-810.

I think the MX-810 will do everything I need, but as a software developer I hate being limited in what I can do.

Regardless, I'm only 27 and recently graduated from college so I don't exactly have a large income (hint: it's under $50,000) so upgrading the MX-980 is quite a bit of money.

(Currently I found the MX-810 + MFR-350 for $329.99 and upgrading the MX-980 will costs $110 extra, which is a lot for me)

Does anybody have any advice?

I think you need to ask yourself some questions.

1. How often are you going to program your remote?
2. How complicated a setup are you going to have?

If you are not going to be programming it very often and you do not have a highly complicated setup than why not stick with the MX-810?

3. How much is it going to bother you that you may need to make some minor sacrifices in terms of layout?

If it a huge deal than maybe you spend the extra money.

Frankly, as a software developer, the MX-980 will be a better toy.

That being said, the MX-810 is a great remote and I suspect you will be able to do what you need to do with it.

I too have a background in software development and have recently purchased a MX-810. It is a serviceable remote and while the software still has some issues it is not as terrible as some of the posts would make it seem.

While the MX-810 software has gotten more than it's share of negative reviews, it really isn't as bad as it's been made to seem. Yes, like any new software, it has it's share of problems (something I'm sure you can understand as a software developer). The biggest complaint, though, is that it doesn't work like the other URC MX software. For someone who really knows they're way around programming other URC remotes, the wizard is probably a slow down. For the rest of us, it's actually a very nice application. With a little creativity and the Universal Browser that's built in, you can accomplish most anything you'd want to do in a "simple home theater."

I also had to choose between the 810 and the 980. Price wasn't really a big deal for me, but I chose the 810 mostly because I much preferred the physical design compared to the 980 - it's a nice size, the button layout is great, etc.

With that said, I think you'd be happy with either one.

I agree with the previous two posts....the 810 is very nice (best layout in my opinion) and the software isn't that bad once you get used to how it (the software) works.

$.02, Roger

Funny, I went through the exact same battle as you. I however would upgrade to the 980 (looking back becasue I currently own the 810). If you are already thinking that you made a mistake, that will never go away and you will always want something more. There are differences between the two and if you want complete control over how your remote will look and act I would go with the 980. Also if you are already spending a good amount of money on a remote why not spend the extra cash and be completely happy. Just my 2 cents.

(I opened mine so pretty much out of luck, but it might find its way into the bedroom if I feel like wasting some more cash and getting the 980.)

It may be a matter of the great new color graphics but if not ... have you considered the MX900. I'm sure you could get a great price with the release of the new remotes and IMHO you only lose a little sizzle.

The 900 is truly are fantastic remote! I have a friend who just got his whole house professionally done, and they hooked him up with four 900s. If they are using 900s in a $50,000+ installation, you know they must be some pretty hard core remotes. :)

Forgot to mention, I have designed, developed and lead IS projects for years. I would never be satisfied with a remote I could not fully control and for only $110 more I'd go with the 980. I would always regret that I compromised because of the extra money and effort.

Thanks for all of the replies...

I'm really leaning towards the MX-980 now. I've e-mailed my dealer and am asking if they can send me out a MX-980 so I can play with both the MX-810 and the MX-980 and then return whichever I don't like. I'm not sure if that's going to be OK, but I'm not sure how else I can compare the both of them.

I think the MX-810 will do everything I need for _now_, but if I upgrade to a more complicated setup in the future, the MX-980 will still be useful whereas the MX-810 might limit me...

This is a big decision for me, heh. Thanks for all of the advice!

i remember being almost stressed when i was making my first expensive remote decision. just remember this isnt a life commitment, you'll be upgrading in a couple years anyway!

i just got the 980 and am VERY pleased with it. the button layout wasnt ideal for me, but with all of its flexability it doesnt really matter as i can assign commands anywhere i like. i always liked the layout and look of the 810, but i didnt want to experience ANY limitations in programming as i tend to get pretty complicated with my set up. i also prefer the feel and spacing of the buttons on the 980.

There's nothing wrong with the MX-810. This aint no harmony; it is a very powerful remote. I also had a one for all remote that I programmed with a JP1 cable. With the exception of having 2 macros on the same button (short press vs long press, which I can't see doing since I like to make my remote idiot proof), anything I could do with the JP1, I can do with my MX-810.

It just takes some time to get used to the software quirks. As a software developer, you'll have no trouble.

Can some of the more experienced CIs give some good examples of things the MX-810 could not do, that a user would want to do in a 1 room home theater? I'm not talking multi-zone stuff and we already know you can't have more than 1 macro on a single button. Plus, I also know that you can't really mess with the OFF button, but in a single room setup, I'd imagine most people would be okay with that.

My view is that my MX-810 is great for now. If I ever really need a more complicated remote (doubt it), than I'll either upgrade to touchscreens all over the house, or get something like an MX-980 and use my MX-810 in my bedroom. It may not be super customizable, but do you really need it to be?

I'd also be interested in hearing examples of situations the MX-810 can't handle in single room installations.

By the way, there aren't any "trade-in" programs from URC are there? (eg. if I spend $300 on the MX-810 and later want an MX-980, it would be nice to send in the old one and get $150 credit or something...)

I faced the same decision a few weeks ago and went with the 810 and so far have no regrets. The dealbreaker for me was the layout, and having a hard "record" button, as well as the Devices/Activities logic (I love that). I don't like the Watch/Listen logic at all and don't understand why they would even do that.

To me, Watch/Listen is much more intuitive to the average user than Devices/Activities. In fact, the "Watch" and "Listen" buttons are the main reason that I upgraded both of my 850s to 900s. When someone comes into my house who hasn't encountered an MX-900 before, they almost never have a problem operating my complex system without any assistance. Of course, my ingeniously programmed macros don't hurt. :)

I owned an MX-810 and programmed it to do exactly what I wanted with my single room setup. Then I bought the MX-980 and programmed it to do the same. I spent a few days with each to guage my feelings before deciding to return the MX-810 in favor of the MX-980.

My thoughts:

The layout on the MX-810 is better in my view with bigger buttons for the most used activities. Though a RECORD button is not an absolute must, it does make life a tad bit easier especially if you don't want to program a separate remote button. More of the buttons on the MX-980 are the same size, and they are not as easy to read. I've gotten used to it, but the MX-810 gets my vote overall for form factor.

The build quality of the MX-980 is better than the MX-810. It's not a night and day difference, but the subjective feel of the two devices is noticable. The MX-980 just feels more solid. FWIW, I think either remote will last a long time if not abused (dropped, thrown, kicked, stepped on, etc.)

Programming the MX-810 was not exceptionally difficult, though the software does not allow you to get into the "guts" in quite the same way that the MX-980 allows. With the MX-980, you can do almost anything--and what you do from a programming perspective is extremely transparent. With the MX-810, the software 'wizard' that helps you set up activities is doing a few things behind the scenes that you don't seem to have any control over--or at least no direct visibility to. This makes it hard to 'tweak' since you don't necessarily know HOW it's doing what it's doing. You won't have that issue with the MX-980--if you don't tell it something it won't do it. And if you do, it will--end of discussion.

As for the WATCH/LISTEN vs ACTIVITY/DEVICE debate--I think that's up to the individual. I personally prefer ACTIVITY/DEVICE as that seems a more logical way of doing things in my household. I choose to WATCH A DVD or LISTEN TO A CD as an activity, and I want access to each DEVICE individually. To resolve this dilemma with the MX-980, I put all the activities under WATCH and included a programmed DEVICE button on the main WATCH screen. LISTEN is used for a HELP function (ON/OFF) for each device. The flexibility of the MX-980 makes almost anything possible. You can't do this nearly as easily with the MX-810.

When it was all said and done, I thought I might regret taking the MX-810 back to the store--as I said I had it programmed perfectly and liked the help function (which I've replicated on the MX-980), the layout, and the overall functionality. The MX-980 however provides transparency, extensive functionality, and overall comfort level to manage almost ANY configuration that it is hard for me to imagine a better remote. I am so happy with the MX-980 that I feel like someone will have to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers.