Hi

I have been struggling for a month or so trying to get my MX-500 set up. The W.A.F. is a big factor. I realize that many functions of the IRCLONE-MX can be performed by some cheaper all in ones. I have copied some advanced codes via the 8810w and 2103. But my question is does the IRCLONE-MX
make the actual set up process easier. I guess it makes typing the labels easier, but over all is it something that will help a newbie get set up and running.

Let’s assume money is not an object. It is but let’s assume its not, would you guys recommend me getting one? Y or N and why or why not.

Thanks
Mark

If money is an issue, then patience and a One For All remote will get you there. The key is to plan where everything needs to go before you start. If you setting up macros, the same applies. Using one of these planners makes things easier to see before you spend time learning all of the commands. (BTW, the best way to setup your 500 is to learn all of the commands. It gives you complete flexibility. If you are trying to integrate the builtin codes with learned ones, you will have a bear of a time getting anywhere.)
Daniel's Excel spreadsheet is at [Link: remotecentral.com]
Guy Eitzen's Word based planner is at [Link: remotecentral.com]

As for IR Clone, I have been using it for several months and have been quite pleased. (One thing in IR Clone is that you need to use learned commands to exploit it's benefits. But since this is really not different than the preferred method for the remote alone, this shouldn't be a big deal for you.) IR Clone brings you several thing that the remote alone does not.
1st, it gives you a backup should your MX-500 ever get smushed or whatever.
2nd, it lets you copy/cut and paste remote commands (along with their labels) with a click of the mouse. So making extensive changes can be very quick.
3rd, since you can (and should) save different versions of your 500 file (using file save as), if you try something and decide you want to go back to the setup you had 2 days ago, you just call up that file a re-load it.
4th and maybe coolest of all, IR Clone lets you swap remote codes with others. This lets you get codes you need that someone else may already have (such as Sony TV direct video input codes (that aren't on Sony remotes)) and also lets you share your setup with others (you may have codes they need.)

Is IR Clone easy to use? IMO, yes. I'm far far far from a PC whiz. Once I downloaded it and played around a couple of times it became pretty intuitive. (I also have an MX-700 and I found it's software had quite a bit bigger learning curve than IR Clone.) Plus, since you are here at rc.com, you've got a built-in help database of fellow users... :)

(BTW, the best way to setup your 500

Han

Thanks for your informative answer.
A quick question on learning all the commands. If I have it right, I press the device of the oem remote that I am going to learn to the MX-500 and then just press a button on the oem and then press the corresponding button on the 500. What happens if there is no corresponding button? For example I have a Panasonic PT-40LC12 TV and there are some setup commands that don't have the corresponding button like the "viewing mode". The oem has choices like "cinema view" or "normal view". How do I simply learn those commands? Do I have to relabel something or set up a macro? or?

Also I do not plan to use any preprogrammed codes.

And it appears that an IRCLONE-MX would be cool to have but not necessary at this point?

Thanks
Mark

One of the things that IRClone allows you to do is to tweak your remote’s program to get it just right.
You are much more likely to do this when it is so easy and you can do it without risk of loosing you previous set-up. You are able to save various configurations as you try out new ones.
You are able to drag and drop learned signals from one key to another within a file (program) or from one file to another.
You can download other people’s files to see what they have done.
You can easily refine your macros to make them more reliable.
Using the MXLearn utility you can learn directly to the computer and you can analyze all your learned signals.
[Link: home.comcast.net]

IRClone has really enhanced my satisfaction with the remote.

Thanks Dundas

It sounds like a fantastic addition to the MX-500, however it also sounds like it does most of its handy work once the 500 is already set up.

I am ready to do that but would love someone to answer my previous question:

If I have it right, I press the device of the oem remote that I am going to learn to the MX-500 and then just press a button on the oem and then press the corresponding button on the 500. What happens if there is no corresponding button? For example I have a Panasonic PT-40LC12 TV and there are some setup commands that don't have the corresponding button like the "viewing mode". The oem has choices like "cinema view" or "normal view". How do I simply learn those commands? Do I have to relabel something or set up a macro? or?

PS I realize the suject line asks about the IRCLONE-MX. Sorry

That's one reason that there are LCD buttons. Plus you can put pretty much any function on any button you like (but putting them on the LCD buttons makes for better WAF-compatibility).

Yeah, as trockman notes, using the LCD buttons allows you to customize things as you want them. You are limited to 5 characters but for me (and all the other satisfied MX-500 users) 5 has proven to be more than enough.

For example, normal view could be "NORML" and cinema view could be "MOVIE" or "CINEM", "CNEMA" or "CINE".

As for learning, IMO, the manual does a reasonably good job of laying things out. The quick and dirty is that you might want to label things first, then learn to the 500. Once you're in learning mode, press and release the key to learn to on the 500, then press the OEM remote key you're learning. If the 500 got it, it will flash good.

BTW, there is no way to totally clear a 500 out when one is trying to learn all commands. But there is an AUX 155 procedure that pretty well clears it out (the labels would still need to be hand cleared but that can go pretty fast once you're on to it.) Do a search on this forum for it and you'll find the procedure.

Good Luck!

Has anyone been using the Beta Software of IRCLONE?

I wanted to check out the software for IRCLONE before I ordered one of the units and wondered if there is a big difference between the 2 versions of software?

Just didn't want to screw up my OS if the beta version is buggy.....I'm running Win XP Pro.

It's very unlikely a rogue program would "screw up" your OS unless it was doing something really dirty at a low-level (such as modifying NTFS partition information). The IRClone beta software is pretty good and I'm sure you'll have no problems.

As far as I'm aware, you can download the software on a trial basis and try it out. Download some .mx5 files from the RC MX file area and have a play. That should put your mind at rest.

Do you guys agree with that or do you think the IRCLONE-MX is something that will really help the initial setup easier?

I search all of the Component M5 Files and NONE matched any of my components. Do you think that should be a factor?

tase2: Nothing in the file area matches anything you have? Just curious... what are you components? Keep in mind that if a file has only 1 device that you can use, you can grab it only and disregard the other stuff.

A/V receiver: Pioneer VSX-D711

TV: Panasonic PT-40LC12

DVD: Panasonic RP62

HD Digital Cable Box: Motorola DCT5100 with an AT&T 200C Remote

What do you think?

If you can find the codes for those devices in the Philips Pronto file area, then you can use those codes as well. Check out the CCF2MX(2) tool on the IRClone website (www.irclone.com).

Do I need to buy the IRCLONE to be able to use that tool?

Also what about the question asked earlier:

"It sounds like a fantastic addition to the MX-500, however it also sounds like it does most of its handy work once the 500 is already set up.

Do you guys agree with that or do you think the IRCLONE-MX is something that will really help the initial setup easier?"

There is no doubt that Irclone was of great help with my initial setup. It would have taken (me at least) 6 times longer.
I was able to edit my macro mistakes fast and easily. Move my stuff around so that buttons were where I wanted them.
I originally was not going to get Irclone when I bought my remote. But it would not have taken me long to order it if I hadn't. And I consider myself above average when it comes to stuff like this.
I wouldn't be without it.
And I am considering buying an MX600 now, so all I will have to do is download my config to the new mx600. Couldn't be any easier.