Hello,

I have a pretty basic system that I am planning to control with an mx-810 paired to an msc-400. I want the gear in a closet, and figured the msc was worth the extra cash over an rf repeater for the long run.

I have a tv, ps3, xbox, avr, hd-dvd player, tivo and an hdmi switch that I need to control.

The question is, what can the msc-400 do that I am not thinking of? I will set it up to run all the macros from the msc, also have a separate set of macros that trigger the appropriate setup when the ps3 or dvd players are turned on using voltage/video sensors. I am sure there is more cool stuff to do, any suggestions?

Thanks, Matt

[QUOTE=capitolm94;15089975]all you have to do is google "msc400setup.exe" , or whatevermodelnumbersetup.exe[/QUOTE]

Considering the above advice you provided over at AVS. I have to ask if you tried googling "msc400-cool-stuff"...?

:)

For someone to post all the applications you can use the MSC for, would take quite a while. You be better off to dream something up and then post asking if it can be done.


Seems to me, you may want to take your own advice, and seek out pro help, if you want something quickly. I'm assuming from your posts here and on AVS that you haven't had the equipment all that long. I'm sure you can figure out the endless bells and whistles if you put your head down and think about it. Otherwise this is a good example to you on why URC considers this a pro unit and trys to encourage CI involvement installation/programming.

Half the fun as a Diy'er is figuring it out for yourself.

Thanks I will. I am a graduate student, which means time to burn, and no money for custom installers. Guess I will indeed figure it out.

Hey, I'm not saying that you can't get a helping hand if you need it. It's just options and scenairos really are endless. Maybe not endless... but you get the point.

A MSC IMHO is way too much for a single room set-up like yours. If you were routing sources to different locations I could spout of some ideas off the top of my head.

Gotcha, I figured it was overkill. I plan to have a more complex setup(hopefully a small dedicated theater room) in the next couple years, so investing in an rf-350 now then having to get the MSC later seems wasteful.

So is this scenario doable: Central closet w/ tivo, ps3 and sources in it, then independent volume + source control in each room (assuming my avr is capable of it)?

definately doable... (assuming you're not limited by AVR)

Pretending you have the equipment to do so. You can route source to any room you wish, and track/switch with the MSC. Pause a movie you're watching in the livingroom with the local remote, and resume in your bedroom using another. With the right equipment in place the MSC will have you tinkering for a very long time.

Keep in mind not every URC remote is compatible with the MSC.

Have fun...

Thanks. Ill be using it with the mx-810.

Since you bought the MX810, I'd use the 400 to make sure the equipment stays in the power mode you wanted. The 810 uses activity tracking to turn on/off equipment so when it gets out of sync, it's a pain to use. If you haven't purchased the 810 yet, I'd highly recommend buying the 880 instead. It looks like the 810 but would be a better match for the MSC400.

Agreed. Trash the 810 idea if you're going to do an msc-400...you will outgrow the 810 quickly.

In answer to your question. If it can be controlled via IR, serial, contact closure the msc is up to the task. If you need serial feedback or the ability to control multiple devices from multiple controllers at the same time and need more processing power, look elsewhere. That being said, the msc at this pricepoint for its intended market is perfect.

So I have not gotten the 810 yet, but was under the impression that the MSC helps overcome most of its shortcomings. What does the 880 give me other than page jumps and use of the mx-editor rather than wizard?

Variables, nested macros etc. can all be programmed thru the msc, making the 810 a pretty/cheap front end, as far as I know.

I am sure there is something I'm missing here, thanks for the help.

I agree with the other posters. It doesn't make any sense to invest in an MSC-400 and then pair it with an MX-810. At the very least, you should go with an MX-900. The MX-810 simply won't give you the flexibility you'll need, and if it does, then there probably wasn't any reason to get an MSC-400 in the first place.

OK, it certainly sounds like you all agree that the 810 is no good. What is the issue with it though? Any specific things you gain from, for example, the mx-900 you mentioned?

As I stated earlier, the 810 is an activity tracking remote.
It tries to keep up with the power state of your devices and turn them on/off as needed.

The MSC-400 has actual sensors to track when a device is on/off and respond accordingly. Since the sensors are much more reliable than an activity tracking remote, you should use the MSC400 for tracking and macro execution. It's a much more reliable setup than the 810's method. That eliminates the only advantage of the 810.

The 880 looks like the 810, but is not limited to activity tracking and can be fully programmed using the standard MX-editor style software.
The MX editor allows for additional customization and personalization far beyond the wizard interface used with the 810.

You will have a more reliably system and a more adaptable system using the 880 than the 810.

BTW: Multi-room setups are NOT 810 friendly, so that's another reason to skip it in this setup.

Cool thanks, seems like 880 is indeed the better choice.

CapitolM are you really the guy on AVS trying to make sure everyone downloads URC's software illegally. It seems a bit of a slap in the face to the informed dealers here whom you are thanking.
That is very Machiavellian of you.