I have a new Toshiba M35x-S161 notebook. No serial port. I was hoping to use it in front of my TV to program the MX-850. What to do?

Found there is an easily availible adapter. Can't figure out how to delete this post!>!>!

This message was edited by abmarsh on 03/23/05 08:51 ET.

It would be nice if HTM would start putting USB interfaces on the remotes. The serial port will be a rare find on laptops very soon. Without USB support, it requires an additional $30 purchase of the USB-Serial adapter and the installation of many times buggy device drivers to support it.

I wouldn't want to be stuck trying to program the remote on a computer (desktop) that wasn't within viewing and infared distance of the TV.

HTM, are you listening?

Serial ports are also becoming a thing of the past on desktops as well. All the more reason for HTM to go for USB connections.

This is one issue that has totally baffled me since I first bought 2 MX-700s a year and a half ago. I upgraded both to the MX-850 the first 2 weeks they came out and I was certain that HTM would make these brand new remotes USB capable, but to my surprise, they still stayed with Serial. It was even more of a surprise because they had already used USB with the MX-3000.

It's not only Laptops that don't have Serial Ports any more, I bought a new top of the line Compaq desktop computer in August and it doesn't have a Serial Port either. I decided to buy a Serial Card because every time I used the MX Editor with the Belkin Serial to USB adapter I had to re-boot the computer.

Is there any chance that they will be able to make the existing MX-850 remotes USB Capable in the future, perhaps with a software download?

Based on the current interface, I don't believe that's possible. Until they actually change case and internals of the MX-850, there won't be any direct USB connectability. The 950 will have USB and I would hope the next generation of the 850 as well. It's certainly been requested enough times.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

I use an adapter from a company called ioGear, and I have never had a lick of trouble on anything that I have had to adapt. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I've used the IOgear and had problems with programming both URC and Meridian equipment. I don't know if it was a software problem or what, but I switched to the Keyspan adapted and it works perfectly.

Keyspan and belkin are the urc recommended devices. i personally use a pcmcia card adapter and have had ZERO probelms. The belkin would stop working if the pc went into sleep mode or the screensaver came on.

I've always used Belkin and will probably begin selling them soon, since this is an issue we all must face.

Anytime it stopped working, all I had to do was unplug it and plug it back in, then everything was fine. But those events were few and far between.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Online Programming

Been using the Keyspan for about 1.5 years. Lets me talk to tsu6000s and now the 850. (Every so often an old client wants a change on the 6000 so you have to keep the adapter in the bag.