Universal Remote Control MX-850 IR/RF Aeros Remote Control

by Universal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007N5XPW
• Item model number: 8062
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

The MX-850 PC Programmable Aeros Remote Control by Universal Remote Control allows you to program up to 20 different components, program up to 50 favorite channels, memory offers up to 912 potential macros with up to 190 steps each, and features a smart memory back-up feature that can store programmed memory for up to 10 years. Includes MX-850 Windows-based PC editor software that contains over 1500 different brand/model code sets, and enables custom program design. When used with optional MRF-300 or MRF-250, the MX-850 offers expanded RF capabilities with an extended range up to 100', RF routing to allow independent control over an array of identical components, and operation of up to 15 different equipment locations. Uses 4 AAA batteries (Included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars BE READY TO SPEND $$$ ON PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMING, March 10, 2007

By 

G. P. "GAP" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Remote Control MX-850 IR/RF Aeros Remote Control (Electronics)

Are you kidding me? The people touting this remote must be professional programmers hoping you will unsuspectingly buy it (like I did) and then have to hire them to program it. I consider myself somewhat tech savvy, but this is ridiculous. If you want to do it yourself, start by downloading the 72 page programming manual (That's right - 72 pages). The programming manual for the MX-850 is intended for professionals (they actually talk about getting the client to approve the cost of reprogramming whenever the cable company makes channel lineup changes). If you can figure out the programming manual, then you have to download the programming software (if you can get it on the internet). Then you realize the device is not USB compatible (Is it 1998 all over again?). So then you have to go out and buy a $35 serial port to USB converter, install the software for the converter and hope it works. Then the fun really begins when you try to navigate the software and get it to communicate with the remote and do what you want it to do. I previously owned the MX-500 which was easily programmed from the remote itself. The product description for the MX-850 is deceiving in my opinion because it makes it sound as if the remote is easily programmable. It is not. Unless you don't mind spending the money to hire a professional, I'm with the other reviewers who say this remote is far more trouble than it's worth.

UPDATE: OK, I've calmed down considerably after working with this remote for a week. I was able to download the programming software off the internet (URC still restricts software updates to authorized professionals so you will not be able to automatically install IR codes for the latest equipment). Be prepared to spend some time learning how to program the remote yourself, but it can be done. It is a very nice remote once programmed. Tactile feel is great (I would stay away from touchscreen remotes). The new center select button is a huge improvement over older models. After having used the remote for awhile, I would change my rating from one star to three. I would still stay away from this remote unless you have the knowledge and patience needed to program it using the URC software. And to the reviewers who resort to name calling and giving higher ratings only to counteract opinions of others they don't agree with: grow up.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good home theatre solution despite some setup quirks, November 26, 2008

By 

George Powers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Universal Remote Control MX-850 IR/RF Aeros Remote Control (Electronics)

I just replaced our family's much-abused MX-700 with a new MX-850 and made it work just fine despite some initial difficulties. For the benefit of other buyers, here's my experience.

First off, there's the software, which is not included in the box. You have to visit the universalremote.com site, and download it. To do that, you have to register your name etc. and your MX-850's serial number. Pretend you're a "professional" not a "consumer", go to the professional support page, and find your remote. Next to it there's an option to register and download. The trick is the serial number, which is on two stickers under the batteries, but does not work when you plug it into the form in the obvious way. I found a tip on some support forum that worked for me: Select "K" from the dropdown, and enter the second sticker's number in both fields. I'm not sure which part of this voodoo is significant, but entering both numbers from the stickers definitely didn't work. This is bizarre, and demonstrates a strange inconsistency in this company's support for a mostly fine product. At least they should explain this on their download page.

Next there's the serial data cable, which is included with the remote, though not noted on this Amazon listing. I have an old PC running XP with a serial port on front that I used to program my MX-700 a couple years ago, but it no longer communicates with the remote, probably because the PC has become misconfigured in some obscure way. So I gave up on that PC and tried an even older ThinkPad T20 running Windows 2000. That worked great, and I was able to download my old MX-700 setup onto the new MX-850. I really love the way they preserved compatibility even if the design and interface are showing their age.

After refreshing my memory with their weirdly-constructed tutorial program, I was able to change the TV model to our new Sharp Aquos, and fix the macros for that set. The software seems pretty current, and had a model close enough to our new one that the IR codes work. I didn't have to research any obscure IR codes since the provided codes do the job, even for tricky stuff like power-on and input select.

So my recommendation is to buy the MX-850 if you need a home theatre remote with macro features, have access to a PC with serial port and a clean Windows install, and are comfortable with rudimentary programming concepts, like you'd use in a spreadsheet program. Note that getting the required programming software is a gray area, and I can't promise that URC won't slam the door on us prosumers.

By way of comparison, we originally had a Philips Pronto, which worked, but I hated the touch screen, and it eventually died of a broken screen after cruel abuse by our kids. They weren't kind to the MX-700 either, but it still worked after I found all the pieces and put them back together. Like virtually every remote ever made, it wound up with duct tape holding on the battery door.

I would rate this product five stars if they would switch the programming cable to USB, clean up the registration process, make the battery door from titanium, and spiff up the design a little. And letting you program from a Mac wouldn't hurt, but let's not get carried away.

39 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No update, no software no new equipment remotes, August 6, 2006

By 

Jack L. May (Foster City CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universal Remote Control MX-850 IR/RF Aeros Remote Control (Electronics)

Universal Remote has changed it policy to force you to spend lots of money to hire a professional installer to program the universal remote.

They no longer provide the programming software or access to the codes for the latest equipment. Approved dealers have to supply software and remote codes. Amazon is not approved and a lot of approved dealers have no idea how to support the remote.

Find a universal remote from some other company that is not hostile to consumers