I just finished downloading Daniel's review and figured before I got all excited why not call Universal Remote and see if it got released yet. I advised the person who answered the phone that earlier this week I was told it would be out this week. His reply was that it will be out in 2-3 weeks due to lack of stock and printing of manuals.

Hello, Pronto. Universal Remote just passed my patience's limits.

I finally gave up weeks ago and bought a Pronto. Couldn't be happier. The Pronto exceeds all of my expectations. Not only is it easy to program with Prontoedit but the large number of people already using the Pronto makes for lots of different ideas on how to use it, lots of different buttons/graphics and a lot support from other owners. So the release is still weeks away and then you still have to wait for the PC editing software and then the bugs to get worked out as they are found and then..... I am only sorry that I didn't order the Pronto two months earlier. After reading Daniel's review it didn't even give me a glimmer of regret that I didn't wait for the MX-1000.

I love to say I told you so, and I did predict this particular delay for the reasons they gave.

However, it looks like it may ship within a year of the original announcement! Huzzah!

Ron

I'm quite disappointed in this product based on Daniel's review. No useable contract control, only three usable colors, no software, small screen, no recharger option and I've waited 9 months for this! Should have bought a Pronto wayyyy back in March/April.

The screen size is a real killer. I expected it to be smaller but depending on how you calculate it is either 30% smaller (168 vs 240), 18% smaller (256 vs 320) or a whopping 46% smaller based on total pixels. I don't hold too many hopes for the PC software, it'll be delayed and delayed and ... Then look at thier web site, all they promise is archiving/restore. If they were going to produce Pronto like software, why have so much editing available on the remote itself? Seems like a unnecessary waste of resources and money, which most companies don't do. This is Mike Gifford's and URC's idea of the best remote available?

With only two advantages (4mb memory and joystick) and a long list of disavantages, I can't see anyone paying $219 (mx1000) vs $299 (pronto) street price. A huge 27% difference, wow! That along with URC's sterling reputation, means I'm off to buy a Pronto and anyone else I talk to.

Rob

You can't exactly base screen size on pixels -- for instance both the TheaterTouch and UCommand 616 have the same screen resolution, but the UC616 has a larger screen.

The best way to calculate is with square inches. The Pronto's screen provides 7.13 square inches of space. The MX-1000 provides 4.83 square inches, which is about 32% less. However, you must also take into account the increase in hard buttons -- which means you need to use the screen for less -- and the fact that the MX-1000 has a large user editable region.

Hardware-wise, the MX-1000 is great. I'm hoping the software will soon grow to match.

Sorry Daniel, but I can't agree with you on this one. All the screen size does is determine the size of each pixel. It is the total number of pixels that limit how much can be displayed. Otherwise known as screen realestate.

So a unusable fourth color and a broken contrast control makes for great hardware? You must be far more forgiving than me. But then it's not your $219.

Rob

Daniel says: "I'm hoping the software will soon grow to match."

The problem is that "soon" is not a term I will ever associate with this company. Too bad.

Rob: My goodness. You claim "It is the total number of pixels that limit how much can be displayed." However, that is not completely accurate, since a single letter could be 20 pixels wide or only 5. Having "more" pixels provides the benefit of allowing you to create smaller letters that are still legible, but additional pixels are also now required to maintain the same physical size of a character. Since we're dealing with a physically defined object -- your finger -- after a certain point the additional resolution can only be used to create "smoother" characters (which may or may not be easier to read).

For reference, the MX-1000 has a screen DPI of 80 x 111, while the Pronto has 104 x 103. So, if a letter is 15 pixels wide on the MX-1000, it must be 19 pixels wide on the Pronto to maintain the same physical size.

Since the resolution of both units is more than high enough for the size of the screens, all that really matters is physical size and how many usable buttons you could fit into that physical space, not how many pixels is required to display each button.

Other similar remotes also have problems keeping all four colors distinctive, so it seems to be a problem with these LCDs in general. As for contrast, I'm sure you noticed that I complained about the limited adjustment range in my review. But as I discovered and have already reported to this forum, the unit is able hardware-wise to provide a full rage of control. The limitation seems to be software imposed, which means it could be corrected. If? When? I have no idea. Finally, since all colors are affected by the contrast control, adding the "lost" range would have the benefit of lightening dark gray into a more visible state.

Overall, I'd say Daniel's review is very positive. Since I haven't been able to find an acceptable alternative to the MX-1000 over the last several months, I will probably stick it out and pre-order this unit now.

I hate rewarding this company for its aggravating lack of consumer sensitivity, but I don't want to punish myself with a remote that doesn't truly meet my needs.

HTM, you win this round.

It is September 9th - day two at C.E.D.I.A. - and we are expecting our bulk shipment of the MX-1000 within 10 days, and will be fulfilling all backorders by the end of the month.