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After a file has been selected the software displays a tree view of devices and pages along with a preview of the original page and, once a button has been selected, a list of stored commands. Simply drag-and-drop a command from the Universal Browser window to the MX-950 button of your choice. The target key will have its label changed to a shorted version of the original key's name (even if you didn't want it to). Finally, once a file has been selected for importing it will smartly remain open throughout multiple editing sessions until a new one is selected.
The universal browser is quite useful, but could use some further refinements. There's no way to paste a Pronto hex code - which has become the industry standard method of representing infrared codes in text format. Something as simple as wanting to insert the discrete power hex codes for a device will require users to download and install ProntoEdit, create a new file with buttons containing those codes, and then import the resultant CCF file into MX-950 Editor. As well, the browser can't deal with other popular remote control file formats such as new Pronto PCF files, or CML files. Finally, if it doesn't like a particular command - for instance if it's a Pronto database code or a link to another button - there is nothing to indicate this in the browser; the drag-and-drop process just won't do anything.
5. Nearly infinite macros.
Macros, the fifth programming stage, tie everything together. The MX-950's macro capabilities have come a long way since the first MX-500. Now, every button on the remote can hold a full-length macro with up to 255 steps. Three different types of macros can be used: normal, press and hold, and variable.
Normal macros are what you're probably used to - push the button and the macro simply transmits. Press and hold macros are slightly different in that you can assign two macros to any single button: one that will transmit when the button is pressed normally, and another for when that button is held for the specified amount of time (1 through 5 seconds). This is an improvement on the old MX-800 trick of adding a delay to the beginning of a macro to make it a push and hold, although I would like to see additional hold times in the new version (I prefer a 0.5 second hold time). Finally, variable macros will transmit one of two macros depending on the state of a particular variable. We'll cover variables in-depth shortly.
A macro's sequence of commands is created through a combination of the "Record" button, which lets you navigate the remote using the file tree and Simulator and add any number of commands from other devices, along with several specialty functions shown at the top of the macro recording window. These functions include adding a delay of 0.1 through 30.0 seconds, adding a page jump, inserting a sound, changing the original button's text, modifying a variable, or transmitting any number of commands from the preprogrammed database. Once added, steps can be easily dragged around the list.
It's also possible to lengthen the time a particular command is transmitted with the "Repeats" option, which normally defaults to 3. So, if your television or projector requires a long hold of the [Power] button to switch on or off you'll be able to easily automate this - although you may have to play around with the repeats number in order to figure out the proper hold time since MX-950 Editor doesn't automatically calculate this. Repeats currently only work for preprogrammed codes, but I'm told that they will be added to learned commands shortly.
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