I decided to try and get used to using my MX-700 on a daily basis instead of my MX-500. I like my original MX-500 better than my GS2, but I've been using the GS2 to get a feel for the thumbpad. (I hate it!)

Anyway, since the MX-500 GS2 and my MX-700 have almost an identical thumbpad feel, I decided to try using the MX-700 as my main remote.

It took me a few days to get used to the different button positions, but after that...... I've decided I like the MX-700 MUCH BETTER.

If they can get the thumbpad feel about 30% lighter, so that you don't have to push so hard (hence the greater chance for it to wobble) then the MX-700 will be one awesome remote.

And the software is great! Drag and drop macro editing is cool! Macros on all buttons - you'd be surprised what you can do with that, even if you only use a 2-step macro on some buttons.

And the "jump to page" feature is great in some places.

I could go on.

I just didn't give myself enough of a chance to work with the hardware itself. Now that I have, and am starting to set it up just the way I like it, I have to say that the MX-700 is a MUCH better remote.

Just my thoughts! Your mileage may vary!

... Greg :-)

Edit: Of course this all comes at a much higher price! The MX-500 is still one great remote!

This message was edited by GregoriusM on 03/29/02 00:37.32.

Hmmmmm...Greg has dusted off his MX-700 making it his daily commuter, and is rehoning his software skills too. This can only mean he is preparing himself to assist people with real MX-700's in their hands. I predict an April 1st announcement of availability!
..or I'll be an April Fool! :-)
Come on Greg, next week, huh?

You *hated* the GS2 thumbpad and it's the same thumbpad. Since that is the heart of the remote as far as usage goes I find it difficult to believe you suddenly like it ... Or maybe I am just an overly suspicious person? ;) Do you now prefer the GS2 over the original?

I smell Greg becoming a salesman for URC and the upcoming 700 .... on the payroll Greg? :)


Bigdog


P.S. - tounge in cheek post above for those that can't tell ;)


This message was edited by Chris Armstrong on 03/29/02 11:16.46.

I like the hidden fonts. :-)
I think you're a little off in your prediction however. ;-)

BigDog: The thumbpads are almost identical, and I still hate it on the MX-700. But I do like the layout better, and the customization is great!

This is a user's opinion, not an HTM salesman's position.

And I know your post was tongue-in-cheek, I just wanted to make it clear that I still dislike the thumbpad. I just like the MX-700! :-)

Ken: Looks like you'll be an April Fool! LOL

... Greg :-)

Hey geez...thanks for stirring up our appetite Greg....rub it in our face that WE don't have one, will ya?

;)

Yea, stirring up my appetite for something I CAN'T AFFORD by someone who gets them for free!! BAH! :p

Seriously, it's more remote than I'll ever need, the 500 fits me like a glove. I'm glad to hear it's a great product. No surprise as URC rocks (and so does Greg).

Bigdog

Who says I get them for free? Hardly!

... Greg :-)

Hey Greg,

Forgive a newbie question, but its obvious you have connections in order to "dust off" your 700. How do you get those remotes? Are you a dealer, or do you work for HTM?

Thanks!

Phil

Phil: I do beta testing (both hardware and software) for HTM and therefore receive my remotes at a reduced rate.

I am not a dealer. I do not work for HTM. I do however like their products and send my opinions on them to HTM.

______

By the way, I received the latest MX-700 today (Saturday, March 30), and the thumbpad is MUCH better than the one I had. It wobbles much less than the one I had. However, I still feel it needs to be 30% lower in the bezel and have 30% less effort required to press both SELECT and up/down/left/right.

Remember, these are all my own opinions.

You are in for a surprise on the LCD screen, by the way.......

..... when compared to the great screen on the MX-500 GS2, which in itself has a slightly yellower, brighter screen than the original MX-500's, as mentioned in Daniel's update to his MX-500 review. The MX-500 has always had a GREAT backlight.

_________


P.S. I LOVE having macros on all of the LCD buttons. I have Digital Cable, and don't need the TV on for the 40 music channels.

So, my CABLE DEVICE button macro turns on the TV, digital cable receiver, my audio receiver, and selects the input.

Macros on the LCD buttons, including the POWER ON and OFF buttons are typically immediately sent out. In order to get into a DEVICE without the macro being fired, you must hold the MAIN button and the DEVICE button at the same time.

But, due to a request of mine, they wrote the software so that if you put a delay at the beginning of a macro, the macro won't fire until you hold down the button for the prescribed delay (the way the MX-500 works now, only you control the delay time).

Thus, I have the above macro on my CABLE device button with a .4 second delay. This allows me to go in and out of the CABLE DEVICE without firing off that macro. A very short .4 second hold allows me to fire it off. Much better than the 1 second hold on the MX-500, but it still allows me to go in and out of the DEVICE without the device's macro firing off.

Inside my CABLE DEVICE, I have an LCD button programmed for MUSON (Music On), which doesn't turn on the TV. It only turns on the Cable receiver, the audio receiver, and selects the input on the audio receiver. Then I use my favorites to select my music channels. This way I don't have to turn on my TV just to listen to music on my digital cable receiver.

Are you still with me?


I've given my feedback to HTM on the software, but the cool part is that the software can be upgraded with new features as the users request them.

A great remote!

... Greg :-)

Edited for spelling, although I'm sure I've missed one or two! :-(

This message was edited by GregoriusM on 03/30/02 22:55.48.

ROFLAPMP!!!

-- robm (MX-1000 owner)

Greg, I agree with Arjen. You are blatantly rubbing this in our face..you lucky dog, you!

You say: "You are in for a surprise on the LCD screen"

Question 1: Is it a good surprise or a disappointing one?
I mean, like is it a whole new color or what? Surely you can tell us!
Question 2: Since you obviously have the version that is going to hit the streets...April 1st I do believe....what is the actual color of the case?
Greg, I know you can squeeze out a little more info. -Ken ;-)

robm: Now that is funny!!! (and true!) lol..but I still have hope for HTM coming through with all we wish for re: MX1000.





This message was edited by Ken on 03/30/02 21:47.38.

Good stuff. Thanks for getting that user definable macro delay in there:)

While there may still be possibilities for feature requests.....any chance they can add the capability to make a button (or last step in macro) sustain the IR signal?

Keep rubbing BTW :-)

I get the first part of that, but the APMP eludes me.

Rob. It is already well documented that URC has not lived up to expectations when it has come to the MX-1000. But, the MX-700 was designed with software in mind. (Poet Greg).

You can't compare the two.

I think the last two are "My Pants". I'll let you figure out the other two. ;-)