I still don't think you're smelling what we're stepping in.

The buyer's (the general mass market) had choice before, in the various offerings through different channels of MX remotes. That was bad for URC, bad for CI's, and very importantly, bad for many of those buyers, even though they didn't know it. It was great for guys like you.

Some of the more advanced remotes need to be more tightly distributed, not easier to get like before. You should still be able to get them, but I don't think they should be available to every Tom Dick and Harry on fleabay. They can buy the 'consumer grade' remotes that are still very powerful.

You merely have to go through different channels now, but you'll still be able to get them.

I don't think the general market consumers know what's best for them, so they shouldn't be making the choices. That should be URC because they know their product.

Honestly, after programming many different remotes in my life I have never found an easier one to program than the MX series.

I think it's pretty easy too. But we're technoids, geeks. Some people can figure it out, some can but after a bunch of teeth gnashing and tech support phone calls. With better channel control, the consumer remotes stay with the right people, the MX series will stay with the CI's/Remote guys and the avid DIYers. I think that's healthy for everyone.

By having MX series distribution go through CI's, the CI's/Authorized Sellers can qualify the avid DIYer with some questions. DIYer gets remote he wants, but he can still do it all himself. Sounds like a good idea to me. The DIYer might have to pay more because there's another layer of distribution, but it will be better for everybody as a whole. Part of the problem is the CI's and the guys online pay the same price for the remote, but the level of expected support by average end user isn't comparable.

I realize some un-Authorized sellers might have still been doing a good job of support. Yet, I have to ask if it was proper for some of these guys to be selling a product such as an MX850 to just anybody out there. I don't think an 850 should be price shopped so hard, that's not the kind of product you should be selling at Walmart and such.

If you're selling a lowest price product, it has to be a lowest common denominator usage, in this case the complexity of set up. I don't think this remote qualifies as 'lowest common denominator' ease of setup and use, althought relatively speaking it's easy for most of us here at RC. I don't think this product should be available to just anybody who wants to buy it, it's a little too complex.

I think URC is doing the right thing by trying a little harder to control their channels.

What is going on? Civility prevails? People agreeing to disagree? I guess all that remains is to see what course URC takes.

I rarely post on this site except to ask questions regarding the two mx850's. I guess I can be considered a DYI since I am not a custom installer. I bought my first 850 upon recommendation from a friend and by accident bought from an authorized dealer because at that time I didn't know the difference. Because I did not want to pay for programming, the dealer only helped me with a couple of basic questions. I did ok based on downloading the mx editor and playing hit or miss. Then I stumbled on this site and I was in DYI heaven. Here was a bunch of experts who were willing to answer my mostly inane questions in a very friendly and thorough way, even downloading files to me. ALL THIS FOR FREE. My second 850 and other gadgets were bought from Damon, who is one of the most patient and one of the best.

Just my two cents, but in my book the CI's on this site can say just about what they please because they give away thousands of dollars of free advice each week to DYI's like myself. Their actions and helpful ways speak louder than any words or opinions they may say to offend. I am not a** kissing just calling it as I see it.

A grateful DYI
Joe Perri

From what I've seen on this site, it appears that without an authorized computer operator, most users are unable to get the full benefit of their computers. For this reason, HP, Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc will all begin only honoring warranties and updating software of systems sold through authorized computer operators. ( This is for your own good, as it means you will actually run spell and grammer check on all your messages before you send them.)

HP, Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc. understand that you may be able to buy their products brand new, sealed in the box, but you will be unable to obtain Critical Updates or Repair of your system, even though the manufacturer and seller have obtained their money!

Doesn't the above sound ridiculous? This Is What URC Has Done.

Buy any one of the above mentioned PCs on eBay and call the manufacturer for support. You will get none, 0, zilch! Do you know why they won't support it? Because you didn't buy from an authorized reseller.

You will get windows updates as long as the copy of windblows is legit. Call Microsoft for support, you won't get any from them except for the 75$ per hour/per incident billable to your Credit Card! You MIGHT still get updates but no support. If Micro$oft wants to give away free updates that is their choice but don't try to hold EVERY manufacturer to that because most don't. Try getting updates to your crestron product once, call Crestron monday morning and ask them for the newest f/w for your touchpanel and let us know what they say.

P.S. Stop with the analogies none of them hold any water.

I've never actually needed to phone for support(this is for real. I'm not "rubbing" anything in.) but I did just by a new Dell desktop.

I purchased it from.................DELL!!

I compared prices on ebay and they seemed lower until you factored in the $49 shipping for the computer and the $70 shipping for the screen.

Del offered free shipping and a free 19" lcd upgrade and they were $12 higher. Big deal!

I spent the extra $12 just so I would know who I was dealing with if it had a problem.

I also recently bought a Dell too. Guess where I got mine... from DELL!!!

I, like many here, fell I shouldn't ever need support but I am still not going to take a chance at getting burned. I paid a little more to buy from an authorized dealer. No hipocrisy from me, I practice what I preach!

This entire discussion is astonishing to me. Like these remotes are explosive devices or something.

For crying out loud, who in their right mind would pay $200 (or more) for a remote if they didn't at least *think* they could program and support it themselves? If they guess wrong, and they can't, that's the chance they took, and they will accept that. They'll hire someone to do it, or they'll put the remote on a shelf, but they won't die from the experience.

Do some of you actually think that people need to be saved from themselves by stopping them from purchasing something they want?

JOEPerri,

Thanks for the kind words.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say.....

"Glad we could help."

I hope your happy with your 850('s).

Mike.

Let us know whenever we can help. Your kind comments make us glad to be of assistance!!

BTW, I just bought a Dell from Dell, too. I want some help if I need it!

Try to get warranty help on a brand name computer with a serial number scratched off, or from an 'ABC' company on the internet. Good luck.

When you buy a new computer, you get CD's with software on them. Many of the software apps have serial numbers, and just about every one has a user's agreement with regards to rights and such. Just like URC.

Then, many people can't configure their own computers. Or they may not want to. Just like a URC. Yet, if you go shopping on the internet for parts from a manufacturer of computer stuff and buy it from an unauthorized source, would the manufacturer warranty or support it?

It's not just about saving them from some impending doom. It's also about reducing tech support needs from URC.

In the small booklet that comes with an MX 850, it says right inside the front cover 'This remote control was Custom Programmed for you by' and leaves a line for writing, likely for the name of the programmer.

Then, it says "for questions about your Custom Programming call' and leaves another line, probably for the name of a company.

Then, it says "Custom Programming of a complex home theater and/or a multiroom system is one of the most challenging tasks within an audio/video installation. It involves an intimate knowledge of how the components interact and exact details on the proper sequences for control."

"Only a professional custom installation company has the requesite experience and training to quickly and effectively customize a remote control for true automated operation."

Hey, nobody is going to die over this, but if you want to buy one, you should know how to use if first. It's easier to qualify and support people with a closer personal relationship than some faceless internet site.

The things you are comparing are copies/pirated imitations, what we are dealing with is 100% genuine URC, but URC cannot control its distributors so it punishes its customers. Most of these remotes do still have the serial numbers.

Yes URC should also include the software on CD packaged with the hardware and licensed to that unit ! When this new policy started many received their new remote only to find no software included and none available online either. WOW thanks URC