Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation by Universal Remote Control, Inc.
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Digital camera reviews of Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation
Digital camera Review: 4 Years and going strong
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned the MX-500 for over 4 years. This remote can operate any IR device made. This being said, the MX-500 can be tricky to set up, but after a few devices are entered, you will get the details down quickly. I have used the MX-500 with numerous home theater set-ups, and I just add new devices as I get them. This remote "learns" from your other remotes, by far the best way to ensure that the functions do what you want. This thing takes 4 AAA batteries and goes through about 3 sets (12 batteries) in a year.
On the upside, the remote seems to be nearly indestructible: My family has dropped it more times than I can count and my toddler even put it in the toilet! After drying it out and putting in new batteries, my MX-500 came back to life (it even retained the programming!)and it still works like a champ.
On the downside, Universal Remote is very customer-unfriendly. They have decided only to sell to "authorized" home theater companies and the like. If you buy their remotes from anyone not "authorized" you will likely never get one iota of help from them. Avoid any of their remotes that require PC software (the MX-500 DOES NOT need this) and you can program them yourself. If you buy a PC-programmable remote from an un-authorized seller, they WILL NOT send you (or help you with) the required software and you will have a very expensive paper weight.
Digital camera Review: A rare product: easy to use, versatile, and inexpensive!
Summary: 5 Stars
After much research, I decided on this remote mostly because of the reviews it received. Here's what I needed to control from it:
- TiVo (most important to me!)
- Primary DVD player (Sony)
- Secondary DVD player (Cyberhome - it decodes PAL ;-)
- Cambridge SoundWorks Surround Sound Receiver/Amp
- Two Sony 400-CD linked jukeboxes
- Marantz receiver
- Comcast Digital Cable box
- JVC TV
- JVC VCR
That's a total of 10 devices! Most programmable or learning remotes capable of independently controlling 10 devices are over $400 or so, and most of them feel terrible in the hand and require touch-screen interaction (something I can't stand - I much prefer tactile buttons!). So, the MX-500 seemed a perfect fit...
...and it was! Rather than bore you with lots of text, here's the "bottom line" summary in bullet point format:
* This remote is a DREAM to set up. If your original remote codes aren't already in its database, the MX can "learn" them in a jiffy. After one hour, all 10 of my remotes had been programmed in. After another hour, I had set up all my multi-function "macro" keys. That was it - just 2 hours!
* It has very good macro support! This is the ability to assign multiple commands to one button, so for example I have the "Power" button turn on all my usual devices, set the receiver to "TV", put the TiVo into its main menu, all with only one button! And if I want to watch a DVD, I just press another macro button and my DVD player starts playing, my TV switches inputs, my surround sound comes on, etc...it's just WONDERFUL!
* The ergonomic design of this remote is second to none. I rarely even look at the buttons now, since my hand instinctively knows where things are. Suck on that, touchscreens!
* During a movie watching in the dark, I can easily see the remote with the backlight switch - very useful.
* The range and power of the IR transmitter is jaw-dropping - it will transmit through blankets and bounce off walls!! It's insane!
* The remote is built like a remote should be built - it feels indestructible! Other remotes of mine feel like they'd break if you shouted at them - not the MX-500!
There's only one single complaint I have with it: to get into the editing screen, you need to hold down two keys for three seconds. Why three? It feels like forever, especially since you need to edit and re-edit when first setting it up. Once you're done programming though, you'll never have to deal with this niggly detail again ;-)
I've already told dozens of my friends about this remote, and those that have seen it in action have already placed orders for it. You will not be disappointed!
Digital camera Review: Almost perfect universal remote
Summary: 5 Stars
This remote is very good. I had purchased a Sony universal remote for about 1/2 this price and it didn't hold a candle to this device (backlight didn't stay on long enough, buttons on the remote weren't in line with LCD text in display, etc.)
But Universal got it almost perfect on this unit. It's extremely easy to set up. The instruction manual is pretty complete (although some of the instructions are just a little confusing and causes you to have to think about it but you get it figured out.
The only device that was a flop was my Scientific Atlantic Cox DVR Box. When I put in the automatic code that worked, it had very few of the commands pre-configured. But not to worry, they make it VERY easy to change labels and for it the learn the code from another device.
Don't hesitate to get this unit. It is wonderful and I just bought a second (and Amazon's prices were the lowest I found.)
Pros:
* It works great either with automatic codes or by learning codes.
* Buttons and LCD text are in-line.
* Easy to use and works great.
* Really easy text entering.
* Backlight can be manually turned on and you can set it to stay on a reasonable time (up to 99 seconds).
Cons:
* No function that would automatically turn on light everytime a key is pressed. (You can manually turn it on by pushing a button on the side but an option to have the backlight come on on a keypress would be nice.)
* Kind of big and bulky (but it's "okay..")
* The backlit screen is VERY easy to read in total darkness but when there is a little light, it becomes hard to read. So you end up with this area between a room with no light (when the backlight works great) and when the room has a little light (where it's hard to read with backlight on and hard to read with it off). This is a little bit of a pain, but in practice, shouldn't really hinder loving the unit.
* Only 2 pages of commands for each device. This "should" be enough but a third page would have ensured always having enough, even on multifunction devices.
Digital camera Review: Almost perfect... I give it 4.5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
OK - I checked all the reviews before purchasing and everything that is said about this little puppy is true.
* It works!
* It controls all kinds of components / devices
* The learning and punch-through features are cool, quick and powerful.
* It is relatively easy to use but has complex features
* Feels good in the handle - feels like high-quality
But there are some key shortcomings (that assuming the Harmony remote works) might make you consider the Harmony remote.
1) More space to name/describe a component or function - The remote limits you to six characters or so -- perhaps pre-2004 six characters or so to describe a function would be OK but with today's complex functions this is a shortcoming.
2) More pages should be provided - each component can contain two pages worth of commands - I have seen other models by the manufacturer and these remotes have up to six pages. I know for $100 bucks or so you cannot have the world but three pages seems to be a minimum.
3) No defined 10+ key -- for skipping to say, track 15 on a CD/DVD quickly (sure you program a key to be 10+ key but all the other keys are suited for other purposes. This may seem like nit picking but wait until you are in the middle of a CD/movie and want to skip ahead quickly. You will then remember this review. ;-)
Truthfully I cannot say enough good things about the remote - one of the best purchases for our home entertainment. You will not be disappointed - I just want to inform you of all the features & limitations the product offers.
Enjoy!
Digital camera Review: Awesome All in one controller
Summary: 5 Stars
At first I was confused on how to program this controller but all you need is your old controllers to program it with. You simply select the device you wish to program and press the learn key and start programming your buttons. It is awesome! It works great with all my components, tivo, receiver, dvd, etc. You can even program it to shut all your components down and turn on in the correct order. It is Definately worth the money. My husband (who is stubborn :) loves this remote. I would Definately reccomend it!!!