Got that, I just wondered about what they could've done to 'prepare' everybody.

I have finally realized here all you are doing is looking for validation from those whom you so openly despise.........CI's.

So here:

Rich_Guy...you are sooooooo smart, soooooo cool, soooooo awesome that you can do what I do for a living (as if). I cower in your being that minimizes my contribution to society.


Anyway, many of my customers cannot understand the concept of an input on a TV (an example). I provide a service they respect and greatly appreciate. Read above.

If anyone wants a reasonable analogy...realtor. I cannot think of one who is more grossly compensated for what one provides, nonetheless many choose for the expertise (read convenience) as opposed to money possibly saved.

yeah... there so many ways they could have gone about it better

Last try, I promise. :) The comparison was its harder to program a remote than learning how to use a computer. I disagreed.

Now if I wanted to debate you on the stand alone technicality you proudly pointed out that had absolutely nothing to do with what I was commenting on then let me remind you that if somebody had already bought a remote from some sleazy internet company that person must have had a grasp on using a computer in the first place. Your technicality is based on the fact that he would have to learn how to use a computer in order to program the remote which would invalidate my statement as a "logical fallacy". It seems that everybody but yourself got it, but we all see things differently. I understand that and am cool with it. Peace.

Hopefully Big Papa will tell you to chill out and you should take a break from the forum. Big Papa seems really concerned when people start taking this too personally. :)

Big Papa,

I fully understand what is going on. Read some of my posts. I own a distribution company that manufactures and brands product for fulfillment to many national retailers and wholesale clubs. In the past, we were dealing with the exact same issues as URC and many other manufacturers in the electronics industry. We wasted countless resources trying to control our products in a MAP pricing system. I can tell you that under a MAP pricing system, these problems will continue without fail as long as the internet exists and we all know that is not going away.

The programming services Ci's provide is a value added service and has nothing to do with the price of the remote. Their expertise is programming the remote and should be what they are compensated for. The profit made on the remote should be whatever the market forces determine.


You just admitted that it IS about the money. You don't want to have to compete with the unauthorized reseller and make only $25 profit on the remote. What is wrong with making $25 profit and then charging your hourly fee for programming? After all, this is what Ci's say they are providing that the low ball internet sellers can't.

The term "just about the money" explains why this whole problem exists in the first place. It's why URC has OVER distributed their product - MONEY. It's why distributors violate their contracts - MONEY. It's why unuathorized resellers exist - MONEY. It's why even an informed consumer will continue to purchase from unauthorized resellers - MONEY. It's ALWAYS about the money.

Yes, one reason for this is this is the type of customer who needs a CI (your customers) this does not mean this is the "typical" buyer for a HIGH END remote. In this day and age almost everyone has a computer and knows basic software... That is what programs these remotes a very basic software program.... Instructions tell people what inputs are, what discretes are, for those who do not already know, etc etc.... these remotes are easier to program than ANY remote I have ever used and I think it's a joke some people think they need professional programmers.

The typical person shopping for as HIGH END a remote as this knows quite a bit about his system, the typical person who hires a CI knows very little about his system, this explains why you think so many do not know these things. This is your market the inexperienced user who needs help.

P.S. I want nothing from any CI, I want URC to realize their mistake.

my customers would rather be playing another round of golf here in sunny california then having to worry about programming a remote, i would say that about 90 percent of my clients are the same and 10 percent try to learn themselves or just wont buy a remote.... nothing wrong with that.

Are you saying URC should just say screw it and not try to control thier channels because your company/industry failed at it? Were you selling a product that had such value added service?

The internet is not going away, and neither is URC or any of the other companies in our industry who do control their channels. Try to buy RTI, AMX, Crestron. What parts you do find are used, and the software is very hard to get. They succeeded, maybe URC will to. URC's problem is the cat is out of the bag and they have to put it back in.


It's about the differing level of expected support, as I just explained above. I'm not going to sell a $100 remote for 25% markup, that's insane. That barely covers shipping if one has problems, or if a client needs to send me one then I send it back. Makes me wonder how some of these guys stay in business... recover some warranty monies in their programming revenue?


It's clear to me I'm not going to be able to get through to you, since it's just about the money. The reality is, it's just about CHANNEL CONTROL. Then, the purchase of a remote doesn't end up 'just about the money,' which is the problem in the first place.

Actually, we deal with all kinds, including the clients know enought to be dangerous. We deal with it on bids and consultations;

"Why can't I just go to Costco and buy a plasma? Or, I can get it for cheaper off the internet!"

"Why can't you do HDMI distribution?"

"Why does my picture look so crappy? I paid you a bunch for this high end big screen TV and it looks like junk."

These are comments from smart people, smart enough to program an MX850 should they try. But, it doesn't sound like they understand our industry, does it?

Rich Guy, we're going around in circles. I don't believe most people know what's best for them when it comes to programmable remotes, and you do. Might as well save the server space and let the discussion move on.

Nah, he's cool. And funny. And right.

I agree with you about the funny part. :)

Well, one out of... three, isn't that bad.

I am usually 0 for 3 with my wife so I will count this as a plus.

Well this is one reason why I will never buy an RTI, AMX or Crestron, I like URC remotes and possibly would have bought many but not when they treat their customers like they just did. If they make amens to their customers fine but if they don't I won't be buying any products from them again.... personally I wish they would because I do like their products.

You keep comparing URC to company's like this who control their products, the problem is URC was not controlling their products so many customers bought them and these customers still deserve the same fully operational update-able software that was advertised when their remotes were bought. They should not now be made into second class customers which is what URC is doing to them. When URC stops making any updates to their software is one thing but to remove the feature for only some is not right and treating once happy customers very poorly. I was a very happy URC customer until they acted this way, now I am a very angry customer and probably won't be their customer again.