I've had the MX-700 for a long time and I have been very happy with it. If I could stay with that remote and it supported my components I would be very happy.

Unfortunately, I have upgraded my PC (the software doesn't seem to want to run under W7) and, more importantly, I'm not sure I even have a serial output any more. HTM seems to not like home users any more. Just an impression I got.

I've upgrade enough components that I'm keeping most of the individual remotes handy now and it is getting to be a mess.

So, I'm looking for the closest, ergonomically and functionally, remote I can find to the MX-700. I like having mostly buttons with the LCD display.

I believe I paid around $300 for the remote, so lets use that as a starting point.

IR only would be fine.

Samsung PN59D8000 plasma
Tivo Series 3
Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi
Oppo BDP-83
Samsung 3D Blue Ray (a promo that came with the TV along with 3D glasses)

I've got the HDMI going directly to the TV as the Pioneer Elite could only switch 1080i and was having trouble syncing to the TV.

So, I have to switch HDMI inputs on the TV and audio inputs on the Receiver.

I liked the way I could code the MX-700 on my computer. I looked at the harmony one but it seemed limited to the web interface and I'm not sure how I would code specific waits and anything I would have to do to "tweek" the coding.

So, thoughts would be appreciated. I haven't shopped for a remote in years and I feel I am far down the power curve on knowledge.

Thoughts and pointers would be appreciated.

So, maybe there is another solution.

Is there programming software available that I can use with the MX-700 that works under W7?

Does the unit use a standard serial to RCA connector? I have a cable. Is there any way to tell if it would work?

There's still a MX850 available from URC.

Your best bet is to use a Keyspan or IOGear Serial to USB adapter. Others have claimed to get theirs to work, but these definately work. The MX-900 would be a big step up, is more powerful programming wise than the 800/850 and costs basically the same and uses standard USB. The 850 most resembles the 700 and is serial. All should work fine on Windows Vista/7.

Sorry for being dense, but there is a lot of information on this forum to cover.

The 850 or even the 900 look great and seem to be very similar to the 700 that I like, or liked when it was programmed, but won't I be in the same boat? I'll have a remote with no software support. If I had the software couldn't I just program the 700 that I have?

I feel like there is some background here that I don't quite understand.