Does anyone know if the LCD buttons on the 500 are macros? Specifically the main screen has a device listed beside each button. When the button for a device is pressed, can a macro be included that sets the proper input on the receiver and also select an input on the TV?

Thanks

Ron

From their website:

"Macro Operations-

Offers the following two types of macro operations: M1, M2 and M3 buttons - sends out up to fourteen commands each.

Ten device buttons - Can be programmed to send out both
power on and audio input command."

So, no macros on the LCD buttons. If they could, it would vault this remote into the straosphere!!!

- Greg :-)

Per Greg's post above (and the web site), the device buttons can be programmed to send out both a power and an audio input command. So, how is that actually implemented? For example, does one press of a device button activate that device's buttons, and a second press change the audio input as is done on the newer SL-9000's?

Also, I'm assuming that the Power command can actually be any command, such as your TV's discrete video input command. I'd much rather have AllOn/AllOff power macros than tie the power command to the device button, especially for those devices without discrete On. Otherwise every time you changed to that device you would cycle power. Anyone have any info on this?

- Scott

Scott: Mike Riley and I are compiling a list of questions that includes yours, and will try to get some answers from HTM.

EVERYONE: Please add your questions to this post and hopefully they will reach HTM. Mike and I will also include your questions in our emails to them.


Scott: I had exactly the same concerns.

I would like to see this:

First push: Selects device
2nd push: Selects input
Hold down: Selects device and sends out user macro... useful when you want to hit "DVD" and then have your whole system set up for DVD viewing.

As far as I'm concerned, you should be able to select the device on the LCD (one push)and then push the main power button to turn it on.

Also, I'd like to see the ability to have "user macros" on the LCD screen. When you view the pic of the 500, you notice that the MAIN page also has a second page as well. What is on it? The remote can only control 10 devices, and supposedly a press of the device button takes you to the first of that device's pages, so what is on the 2nd MAIN page?

We hope to find this out and lots of other questions.


... Greg :-)

Could be the second page is a "favorite devices" page, like on the MX-1000?

Daniel: I can't find a reference to the "favorite devices" page for the MX-1000 on the site. Or is this a user configured dealy?

What would a "favorite devices" page do? If you can only have 10 devices, of what importance is another page? I'm confuzed!! :-/

Also, as you mentioned in the MX-1000 review, the 60 favorite channel buttons which can store up to 14 steps can be used as plain ol' macros.

So, I would like the 20 favorite channel buttons to include a full 14 steps on the MX500, thereby allowing the user to implement them as favorite channels or macros, instead of only the 4 steps they have now.

Greg :-)

If this can't be done (my original question), this remote is no better than a One for All which cost alot less. Why is it so hard for these remote control manufacturers to get it right?

Ron

Ron -- the specs claim it can set power and input. I have no idea how that is accomplished -- via a whole macro, or just a 2-step macro.

Greg -- it's a specific function, but one you only find out about by buying the remote or reading the review. :-) It's simply a way to reduce the clutter of devices you don't need on a daily basis... I honestly don't know if that's what page 2 is for or not.

Yes, I agree. Make 'em real macros. But remember that they're on their own pages and can't be mixed about the remote (yet).

All questions and answers and wish lists should be directed to this thread. Mike Riley and I are in contact with Home Theater Master to get questions answered and to see if there is still some time to get some refinements added.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Greg :-)