Just as the subject states - what are your immediate thoughts at seeing the MX-3000, regardless of OS, price, etc.?

Ergonomics.... buttons.....overall appeal, etc.

... Greg

From the CES page:

Home Theater Master MX-3000 Dynamic Touch Screen Remote Control System featuring State of the art color graphics, One- hand ergonomics and IR+RF. The most powerful yet from Universal Remote Control.

Notice "one-hand ergonmics", so this remote can't be that big, I would assume.

... Greg

I don't know, Greg. Still a lot of "ifs" until I see one up close.

Mike
www.surfremotecontrol.com

It looks almost exactly like a video game controller pad. I'm not sure thats the look they were going for (or should go for), but they achieved it. Because of this, it doesn't look as elegant or sophisticated as the competition. It is big, and needs to look better sitting on a table. Just my opinion, of course.

It requires two hands to use, which is okay in a conference room, but less desirable for home theater. Not a deal-breaker, though. They should make sure it can be easily used without picking it up first, as it looks rather large.

I think they should add four buttons around the joystick pad for Menu, Info, Guide, and Exit. People are used to this, and it works well.

Looks like they went for appearance rather than function on the left side with the volume and channel keys. They are much too close together, and should be more traditionally shaped. The mute key looks like it is in about the right place -- nearby the volume keys.

Hard button transport keys are a must as well. Without them, the Tivo/Replay folks won't be happy at all. Neither will the video on demand pay per view users. I'm a bit surprised they left them off. What about adding a second joystick pad on the left side where the channel/volume keys are now and using that for transport control? They could create standard volume and channel keys below it, and still get that clean, symmetry effect they were going for.

In this price range they are going to have a really tough time competing against their already established competitors like Celestron. Still, consumers at this level tend to go with whatever the shop provides, so it is certainly not impossible for them to succeed here.

Should be interesting to see Daniel's review when he gets hold of the finished version.

Sean

I agree on both counts.


I agree. Just because it's a touch screen doesn't mean we should have to sacrifice these frequently-used functions.


I agree. It looks cool, but ergonomically weak.



Absolutely!!!!



I think this is exactly the right approach, though I think I'd probably prefer to see the transport buttons under my right thumb. The arrow keys could be below the transport buttons, since they would probably be accessed less frequently.

It will be a cold day in .... Before I spend that amount of money on any remote. No matter what it can do, or what it looks like. Pocket PC's sell for less, and in the real world have more use, than just one thing. Unlike a remote, which is only a remote unit. PC's gp way down in price, yet remotes are going way up..... Maybe DELL is in the wrong business..:)

My immediate reaction? After my experience with the MX-1000, I'd never buy another URC remote. In my mind, they don't have the software expertise to make a product like this shine. The MX-1000 was a very good physical design, crippled by poor software both on the PC side and in the remote's firmware.

The MX-3000 will be competing against devices with very competent software support at this price range, and in my experience URC has neither the skill nor the commitment to make a project like this succeed, regardless of how good the physical design is.

I'll go with a device from Crestron or Philips next time around. Both have already proven themselves to be very capable in this arena, and at a price point close to or less than that expected of the MX-3000.

Steve

2 words: Hard Buttons! :)

like Mike said, not enough info yet (not even size)
but from the pic, I would have to agree that it is probably a two hander, but it looks cool.

I don't think OS is important, price (I guess it works as a cut-off) but what can be done with the editing SW is an extremely important part of the design, and ergonomics.

The reason I asked the question is that I'll be seeing URC at CES and will want to ask them about it. See if the design is set in stone, or whether any mods can be made before production.

Production is many, many months away anyway.

I'm all for adding Guide and Info on the right side.

Transport buttons could be along the bottom.

I think the VOL and CH will be easy to use.

Interesting that it's called a Dynamic Entertainment System. Dynamic? What does that imply?

The release info does say one-handed, so I'm assuming it sits on the table beside your chair, because I can't see using it with one hand (unless of course it is so small it wraps around your wrist and you use the other hand to control it. Hmmmmmmmmmm.........)

But, we don't know what all features that are going to be incorporated, or if it is just going to be a touchscreen remote... period.

But, I have to say that I like the ergonomics and look MUCH more than the iPronto.

Now, if the OS and Editing Software gets it right, we're in business.

... Greg

Nope, I'll pass. Touch screen is just not for me. I think the MX-800 may very well be the last remote I will buy for quite some time. Probably. Well, maybe then.

The MX-700 is just about perfect for my needs and wants, and RF will be the icing on the cake.

:-)

That's a good one, Arjen. :o)

Well, Arjen tested the waters with the MX-500 - loved it - then URC went and pulled a fast one and came out with the 700 - so Arjen bought one and loved it - then they REALLY pulled a fast one and didn't tell Arjen they were coming out with the 800 with RF.

Good marketing, I'd say!

If you can sell 3 remotes to every customer, you're doing good!

LOL

Yes...or maybe that customer has some addiction issues...hmmm...

:-)