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Topic:
MX-890 Redesign?
This thread has 10 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Friday August 13, 2021 at 22:36
MysteryGuy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2013
9
I have an old MX-890 which has served me well.

I'm looking at current ads. for the MX-890 and some of the pictures show a different design than my old remote (and the picture still shown at the URC website for an MX-890).

Was there a design change?

The alternate version I see has replaced the 'words' on some of the buttons (including "REW" "PAUSE", and "FWD") with symbols. So "||" instead of "PAUSE" for example.

The placement of the text on the "MENU", "GUIDE", "ENTER" and "INFO" buttons around the "SEL" button seems a little different as well.

Thanks;
Post 2 made on Saturday August 14, 2021 at 17:43
Mikejl
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2003
45
On August 13, 2021 at 22:36, MysteryGuy said...
I have an old MX-890 which has served me well.

I'm looking at current ads. for the MX-890 and some of the pictures show a different design than my old remote (and the picture still shown at the URC website for an MX-890).

Was there a design change?

The alternate version I see has replaced the 'words' on some of the buttons (including "REW" "PAUSE", and "FWD") with symbols. So "||" instead of "PAUSE" for example.

The placement of the text on the "MENU", "GUIDE", "ENTER" and "INFO" buttons around the "SEL" button seems a little different as well.

Thanks;

 
Are you sure you're not looking at a picture of the new MX-790?
OP | Post 3 made on Saturday August 14, 2021 at 20:56
MysteryGuy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2013
9
You can see it at [Link: avsforum.com] as the center remote in the pictures.

I wasn't sure if this was a newer model, some international version, etc.
Post 4 made on Saturday August 14, 2021 at 21:06
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
2,586
Yes, there was a running change for the MX-890.
I do not know the exact date this happened but it was just a few years ago I believe. Most of the remote you find on eBay are all still the old style.

In addition to the font/symbol changes on the remote, the bigger change was the back lighting of the buttons. They supposedly made the backlight brighter for the buttons - which they desperately needed. The old backlighting was pathetic, WAY to dim. But I have not had one of the newer MX-890 in my hand to see this for myself.
OP | Post 5 made on Sunday August 15, 2021 at 11:36
MysteryGuy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2013
9
I just got my MX-890 order (meant to replace my well loved MX-890).

As it turns out, even though I thought I was getting the 'old' style, I received the new style. So far I've only had a short time to try it out, but overall I'm very disappointed in the new color screen.

> They supposedly made the backlight brighter for the buttons...

It looks to me as though there is more 'shine-through' area on the real buttons, so that seems true.

As far as the color display is concerned, it seems to me that its viewing angle is much worse than my old MX-890.

Looking 'straight on' at the screen seems similar, but already less legible with the blue/white color combo.

Moving on to 'lower' viewing angles (as you might get pointing the remote at the equipment when using the IR capabilities), the contrast gets worse and worse much faster than the old MX-890.

The Red/white button color combo seems to hold up better, but is still worse. (Same for other color combos).

I tried adjusting the brightness on both but could never get the new display anywhere as good at holding up to viewing angle changes.

I did not see a contrast setting anywhere.

I'm not sure how much of this is a result of the old one being aged, but I don't remember the old one ever having this much of a viewing angle issue.

I wonder if the display is better on the last batch of 'old' design ones (or if the screen change was already present on the later original layout ones).

I have some pictures showing my old MX-890 next to the new one, but so far it looks like it won't let me add them to my posts here... (They pasted o.k. but trying to actually post the reponse complained about the size being greater than 65K. Trying to post a single picture that was only 50K didn't work either though)
OP | Post 6 made on Sunday August 15, 2021 at 12:28
MysteryGuy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2013
9
I think I uploaded pictures to imgur at [Link: imgur.com].

The pictures show the old MX-890 on the left, and the new one on the right.

(They're not the best but do show the image change as the viewing angle changes from low angle to medium-low to head on).
Post 7 made on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at 00:52
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2004
2,586
That is very interesting. I have not heard of any changes for the LCD screen but your pics clearly show something is different going on.

I haven't sold any MX-890's since the MX-990 came out. It isn't much more and has a better feel (both holding it and button pressing), and better back lighting overall. Plus the larger screen and extra buttons.

But for the used market, 990's are not as common yet. So I see the appeal for the MX-890 on the used market. You can pickup some units in good condition for really cheap once in awhile.

I'm kind of excited for the new MX-790. The old MX-780 was such a disaster! Total POS remote! With the 790, I'll have a more entry level remote to sell again.
Post 8 made on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at 12:53
AVGregg
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
June 2006
314
Just change the button text to black
OP | Post 9 made on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at 22:20
MysteryGuy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2013
9
Thanks for the suggestion. Using black text does improve the legibility (although I like the White/Blue combo better on the old one).

It's still disappointing that this is just working around a poorer screen.

(I didn't provide pictures for how the new one looks when looking down from 'above'. But that's even worse...)

I wonder if the degraded screen came about with the new layout version, or if the last 'old style' ones still have a better screen.

Last edited by MysteryGuy on August 18, 2021 11:31.
Post 10 made on Wednesday August 25, 2021 at 15:24
phillyc
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
February 2003
18
Maybe you have a defective unit.

No degraded screen here. My 2021 MX-890 (with "new" buttons) is just as clear and sharp as my 2019 version. From any angle.  (OTOH, I also have a 2013 version which has a terribly degraded screen -- dull and washed out colors.)

(Can't post a pic because I got the same error you did.)
Post 11 made on Tuesday September 21, 2021 at 23:18
bivman
Junior Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2021
3
Hello I also have a URC MX-890 that needs to be programmed. Does anyone software that I can download or know someone that can program online.


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