I wasn't saying something as vague as 'URC remote is more complicated than a computer.' You're not getting it.

Most computers you buy are fully configured out of the box, unlike a URC remote. If you want to build your own computer, you can, or hire somebody to do it.

I don't think URC remotes are more complicated than a computer on a technical level, that's absurd. But you're average joe can get a brand new computer working out of the box a lot easier than a URC remote.

You still seem to think that since remotes are so easy to program for you, that everyone has just as easy a time as you do. Most people don't have as easy a time as you.

Dude, get a thicker skin.

Dude, thanks for the suggestion. You may just want to put me on your ignore list if my posts are bothering you in some way.

I'm fine. You don't seemt to be on the other hand. I was merely suggesting you quit getting caught up in nothing. Your posts don't bother me, nobody's post do.

You, on the the other hand, seem to be a sensitive type. But if you're not and I'm mistaken, my bad. Just ignore me :)

No most people do not use their computer just as it comes "right out of the box" there is much more to setting up a computer than setting up a remote.

Also most people shopping for this high end of a remote are capable of learning the programing very easily, you are dealing with the customers that need to come to a CI and that is another category. Yes many people do need help and many do not need help. But to most it is a simple learning with a good instruction manual. I cannot understand why you think these remotes are so complicated to learn. Most people in these times work with computers/cell phones/software almost everyday, especially people seeking this high end of equipment, this is very basic stuff and has no need for a professional installer unless it is wanted by the purchaser.

Personally if my remote had come to me pre-programmed by someone the first thing I would have done was re-do the programming to the way "I" wanted it as my own, but that is just me. Most of what I read in the instructions I had already planned to do before I even read it, I thought this was the simplest to program most well thought out remote. Many high tech more complicated things are sold with only good instructions and the thought of professional installers is only considered for those few who need it and seek it.

Your powers of perception aren't as good as you think, Big Papa. But I do appreciate the genuine concern. :)

Well it seems I, and URC, don't agree with you.

The remote has has to interact with other peices of equipment that doesn't have 'plug n play' software. You purchase a Dell or similar brand name computer, that stuff is already set up and tested to work together. The AV world doesn't work that seamlessly.

You'll still be able to get your remotes, and the other people who want to price shop remotes will still be able to get them. They won't be able to get some of these MX series remotes, they'll still get the consumer lines though.

There has been conjecture that "bad" distributors are the source of many of these "unauthorized" remotes being sold on ebay and elsewhere. Others have insinuated that URC still profits when remotes are sold by "unauthorized" dealers, so what's the big deal. I myself have to wonder if the true problem lies within the manufacturing sites. It would not be the first time that an "overseas" manufacturing site distributes and profits directly without the OEM's knowledge. If this is the case then URC would not be profiting on the sale of these remotes. I have no idea if this is what is happening but it would help to explain URC's new software policy. It would also explain why they are putting forth such an effort to determine the source of these unauthorized remotes.

URC has enacted a new policy for reasons that many of us may never know about. I would have to believe that they reasoned that this policy would upset consumers but that other issues took precedence.

Btw I am a DIYER and have not needed a CI's support but have nothing but respect for CI's and wish them the best. I am sure with this new policy both authorized dealers and CI's have been, and will continue, receiving numerous calls with questions and looking for support. I am also sure that a number of these calls will be from upset consumers; good luck!

WOW you must be getting an awful lot less from your computer than you really could be! My computer is not plug n play, there is so much I have programed from the day I bought it. Believe me my computer and the knowledge to program and use it is so far beyond that of my URC remote I can't even begin to compare it.

You live in a different world than I do, my remote is a high tech remote, I love it's features (yes that includes Live Updates) but it is really a very simple part of my life it was very easy to program to get the most from my system. Discretes is not that hard a concept to understand,
Macro
Device
Discrete
Work Around
State
Delay
Alias
Jump
Punch Through
IR
RF

This is really not that complicated to learn! Also if someone does make a mistake there is not too much that can go wrong.

The company I work for makes very High Performance parts for competition as well as street engine and transmissions. We are world famous in drag racing and sponser races and cars around the world. Our customer service is very high we stand behind every product we make no matter where it was purchased new or used.
Our catalogs and service manuals stress that the BEST PERSON to assemble your motor is YOU. You will have a very hard time finding a mechanic who cares as much for his customers work as You yourself and we help many first time builders. Our parts are very expensive and if not used correctly very much can go wrong, resulting in possibly many thousands of dollars in damage. One of our street motors easily reaches $10,000 in parts alone. We also build motors and transmissions for those who do not wish to learn, this is less than 1% of our customers.

Programming a remote is not very difficult!!!

Rich_Guy:

How would you feel if your company outsourced some of it's parts to be built elsewhere, let's say Korea. The company that is manufacturing these parts for you is manufacturing more parts than you know about and they were selling them to other distributors for less than they sold them to you for. These other distributors are making money by selling "your" product, the manufacturer is making money, and you are stuck with all of the support from the people that bought from the distributor that got them directly from the manufacturing facility you used to outsource your performace parts.

You would do something to stop all of this wouldn't you?

Also, everyone here is saying how easy their remote is to program, yet if I search back months or years they have asked MANY questions here on how to do something. Who answered their questions? That's right, CIs Now unless I can look back and see that you NEVER asked a question here, don't tell me these things are so simple.

Now I know EVERYONE here programmed their remote, then asked questions to make sure they were right, but they were done with their remote before they asked any questions! Nobody gets help here do they?

CIs and RemoteCentral.com are they reason many of you are able to circumvent the system. You come here and we kindly answer your questions on our own time which we are glad to do. If we weren't so happy to help we wouldn't be here. If we were not here, many of you may not have remotes that function as well as they do.



And JoePerri, thanks from me also for the kind words. It truely is this kind of feedback that keeps us coming back here to help people. You, sir, are truely a grateful and respectable person.

One thing I would not do is go after the consumer who believes he bought my product, I would go after the people who are illegally distributing my product.



No I have NEVER asked a question about my remote, I have helped a few people here and I have put a couple of my old remotes in the Market Place, but I can honestly say I have never asked one question about my remote. I did do my first programing before I received my remote with the software on URC's site. I also did the first programing before I even read the instruction manuals, I have to say i really did not need them, this remote was similar in design to the Sony RM-VL1000 I had for many years but OH so much easier to program!!!



I never had any need for help from a CI here or anywhere else myself but I respected them for what they did for others who needed them. I lost that respect when URC created this consumer trouble ridden policy and all the CI's liked to treat everyone who very legitimately purchased their remotes from an "unauthorized" source like thieves when it was these consumers that were being cheated of the software that came with their remote purchases. URC did this very poorly if they wanted this new policy fine, but it should have been started very differently without affecting current customers and with warning to future customers, not by recalling updates and leaving some without software at all


If a CI here helped me I would thank them, none have they only treated me as a thieve since I did not make my purchase from them. I am angry at what this policy URC has done to what was before only happy customers.

But that isn't what has happened. Even if I have a serial number, I cannot necessarily get what I paid for. Part of what I paid for (and yes to all the one tune singers here, I bought from an authorized seller) was access to the database with live updates.


I thought those were fancy coasters :-)


Shrink wrap license agreements. They basically all read the same. In my opinion, this is why software is so unstable. "This word processor you just bought, based on all the info on the outside of the box. If the software should fail to perform the advertised actions, in the first 30 days, you can return the software. Other than that, if the disk becomes unreadable, we will replace it after making you pay a ridiculously high price for a replacement disk. We guarantee nothing else. By the way, you have no other rights."


Actually, I've never heard of any computer part being denied warranty coverage because it would bought through an unauthorized source. You see, ATI, Nvidia, have this wild business model. They sell to anyone who wants to buy their product! End user, reseller, etc, they don't care. The boxes are shrink wrapped and sealed so that nearly any buyer can tell if the box has been previously opened. Then reseller can advertise any price, at whatever markup... wow, amazing.

Personally I think it's a shame I like URC's remotes but if this is how URC treats its customers I will never buy their products again. I am hoping they come to their senses but it seems like that may not happen, so I hope someone else comes along to start making a high quality remote before I need one again.

Is it me, or are we starting to compare URC remotes to car parts since it seems computers aren't the best analogy?

The computer/URC analogy is getting clouded because we can't stick to one aspect in a comparison. So, introducing car parts distribution isn't likely to go anywhere either.

What in the world?? Sounds like a democrat politician. The gov't will make the decisions for you because you are too stupid to know what is best for yourself. We will take care of you because we know our policies & laws better than you do.........

The manufacturer needs to concentrate on making great remotes, selling them, and taking care of their customers, period. They need to get out of the price control business. They collect their money and make their profits regardless of who sells it. The remotes should be sold to anyone and everyone at whatever price the reseller determines they should be sold for - this is free market competition and is good for the consumer, reseller, and the manufacturer. Contrary to what you might think, the majority of consumers know exactly what they want especially ones buying remotes at these price points. It could be recommended on the box, advertising, instructions, that professional programming is recommended, (not required) and that some consumers may have difficulty understanding how to program this device. If you need help programming, they can call 1-800-PRO-GRAM and be referred to an Authorized Custom Programmer to get assistance at a reasonable charge.

General service questions, warranty issues, etc. should be handled by the manufacturer.

As long as the consumer knows what they are getting and knows what to expect, there is not a problem. It's really not that complicated. The current system is a failure and will just get worse as the internet continues to grow. Especially when the consumer can now type in "MAP pricing" in Google and discover how anti-consumer such a pricing policy is. No matter how you spin it, the average consumer looks at this system as a collaborative effort to screw them out of more money.