Hi, and thanks in advance to anyone that can help me.

I recently purchased an MX-850 remote for my home theater system, and am frustrated at the difficulty I am having in finding information on programming it. The "user's manual" that came in the box is quite brief, and the online information is incomprehensible to me. And no, I am not completely stupid! Of the devices in my system, only the cable box and the television have files already in the remote database. My receiver, dvd player and cd player are not listed. I would prefer not to have to "learn" commands, so I am looking for any sort of help in finding the information to be able to program these devices. If anyone knows of a basic primer on the subject, I would appreciate hearing about it.

Here are the components in my home theater. I am on the road right now, and this list is done from memory, so some model numbers are escaping my feeble memory.

Toshiba 57HDX83 TV
Marantz SR7300OSE A/V receiver
Motorola DCT5100 digital cable box
Toshiba ??3107 dvd player
Sony ?????? 5-disc cd player

Regards, Mark Kappes

Try similar model number from the database or look in the MX-700/800 or Pronto files section of this website. Also, download the programmaing manual if you haven't already done so.

Mike
www.SurfRemote.com

Mike,

Thanks for the thoughts. I was hoping to find what I needed without having to resort to a "kludge" solution, but it seems that that is the only way to get there. I have the programming manual and was reading it, but I am not clear on how some of this stuff works. I was hoping there was some sort of "Remote Programming 101" guide so I can at least understand some of the terms. I guess brute force is the way to go, if I don't want to pay someone to do the programming for me.

The reason every model number is not in the IR database is that many manufacturers don't change anything from model to model, so very often, a similar model number will give you everything you need. Also, the OEM remote model numbers are listed in parenthesis next to the product model number, so that's another thing to check.

The URC remotes are made for custom installers to provide (along with programming) as part of a custom HT installation. As a result, the only documentation aimed at the end user assumes that the remote's already programmed. URC maintains an authorized dealer system to make sure that you have that help from your dealer.

That being said, we can help with any questions here.

This message was edited by Surf Remote on 05/05/05 11:26 ET.

Mark,

If you follow the "Program" menu, you will have success. Take your time and just go one step at a time. When I first started out, I found it a little overwheling because I had to jump right in, but if you take it slow and focus on each part, it will get done faster than if you jump back and forth.

If the preprogrammed codes don't work for you, try the learn method.

Let me know if this helps at all.



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

Mark,

Keep in mind that learning is not a bad thing. Every configuration has at least a few learned commands, and some have many. Even the cable boxes I do, Motorolas, are ready to go from the database, but for some reason the ENTER button next to the numeric keypad does not have anything on it. I always learn that one in.

You will also see that some devices may have 3 or 4 pages of LCD labels/commands associated with them. For most clients I drag them around until I just have one page of the most useful commands for all but the a/v receiver. In the example of the cable box, the LCD may only have PAGE -, PAGE +, FAV, and if the box supports it, REC and DMAND.

Sometimes the IR database has another model very close that will give you most of what you need. Learn the extra few that you need to round it out.

If you had to learn a full device it still wouldn't be a bad thing!