Well, just in case someone else stumbles on this problem... You may or may not be able to consistantly talk to your MX700 with a laptop. Some (like my Vaio apparently) do not really meet the full RS-232 spec (or can not provide much power through the +5V). Works fine with a full-up PC, but some of you may have trouble with certain laptops. Of course if you really want to use your laptop, you can buy a converter (several kinds available). Just a FYI. Now back to trying to figure out what to do with all those buttons...

Obviously this holds true with any serial remote, like the pronto as well? How much are the converters?

Randy
www.BlueDo.com

Well, I hope that my laptop works when I get my MX-700. I don't own a regular PC.

Why would anybody design a programmable portable device like the MX-700 and then not make provisions to allow for programming by a portable PC???

(Would the fact that I can talk to a Radio Shack 15-1994 via a parallel interfaced JP1 cable be encouraging? )

This message was edited by HAN on 05/15/02 23:37.22.

I have been using the MX-700 for months with
nothing but a portable PC. I have had NO problems
with this. I do, however, have my portable
plugged into a wall outlet most all of the time,
perhaps it is a voltage level issue.

I have a Sony Vaio laptop and have had no problems with my MX700 remotes. I have tested Toshiba, IBM thinkpads and several other Sony Vaio's. None have any problems.

Well - just to catch up... You are all correct in assuming it's voltage related. A lot of laptops use 0 and 5 volts instead of the +/- 12 volts RS-232 specified for RS-232. I think even the ones that do this mostly will work (my Vaio works with a Auto-Tap but not with a HD-100). Brand won't help here. You might even buy two of the same and one might work (tolerances). Probably 95% will work fine. For those that don't, they mention Belkin USB to RS-232 have been tested, and www.bb-elec.com has a "line booster" for $50. If you spent all your lunch money buying the thing, you might even be able to get creative and use a couple of resistors to lift the ground a little bit. I didn't mean to get anyone worried (sorry about that). It just "could happen to you" (did to me). This is not URC's fault - I would blame the laptop folks, but they both have the same problem. Adding +/- 12 Volts means current wasted on something they usually can get away without (might be killer on those AAA's)...

Fondled one today. My distributor got just a few three-packs in (mine is still BO'd) It seems to be a darker color than the one I saw at CES Las Vegas. There were four boxes in the package, one having the software and downloading cable. The cable looks identical to the Pronto unit, with the exception of some kind of flux coil at one end. A simple continuity test will determine the pinouts. I have to say I am much more impressed with the look and feel this time around and can't wait to get my samples.

The programming manual at URC's website has an explanation of the pinouts.