Universal Remote Control MX-810 Custom Programmable Remote Control with PC Wizard Software

Other products by Universal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 2.4 x 1 inches ; 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VT5COO
• Item model number: MX-810
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Remote Controls > TV Remote Controls

• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

The Universal Remote Control MX-810 - Fast Customization and Consistent Ergonomics in Every Room

Stylish and state-of-the-art, the MX-810 provides Home Theater owners and professional installers with dedicated, custom control over single-room Home Theaters or AV entertainment systems. It's an ideal remote for single-room Home Theater systems, as well as homes with multiple AV systems and more than one remote control, as each MX-810 remains dedicated to a single room's equipment, complete with a user-changeable label identifying the room.

Features a 2-inch Active Matrix color display

The MX-810 is also pragmatic -- as easy for owners to use as it is quick for installers to program, achieving a unique synergy of power and flexibility that automates and simplifies the operation of even the most complex Home Theaters.

Narrow Band Radio Frequency (RF)

Featuring Radio Frequency (RF) addressability and a bright, color LCD display, the MX-810's readiness for programming allows custom installers to put any command on any LCD page, and fully personalize the screen's iconography for any and every user. The RF capability also eliminates the need to point the remote at whatever it's activating, or even remain in the line of sight of any equipment. It can control components up to 100 feet away from locations throughout a home, even components concealed in cabinets or behind doors.

Built-In Versatility

With or without the MSC-400, the MX-810 is a powerful, versatile remote that revolutionizes the remote control experience for anyone who prefers a light, hand-held interface. The newest member of URC's family of Complete Control products, it delivers automation solutions for every purpose and superior entertainment for everyone who prefers to operate their systems as they wish, not as the equipment seems to dictate.

The MX-810 features a big, bright, active matrix LCD, larger and more vivid than comparable remotes, and a broad array of snappy, iconic graphics readable at a glance. It provides access to a vast array of custom control solutions, available free of charge on proprietary software online at the URC Control Room.

PC Programmable

The MX-810 is PC-powered, programmable by any Windows-compatible laptop or desktop computer with a USB port. An installer can set up the remote by connecting a PC, then following the instructions of an onscreen programming Wizard. This can be done in advance or onsite, with a laptop in the Home Theater being programmed. The laptop need not be connected to the Internet. The programming Wizard guides the selection of operating instructions for any combination of A/V components, in part through effortless access to the world's best library of professional control codes.

Color and Graphics

The MX-810 can also be customized with a broad array of graphic "themes," including one-of-a-kind graphics provided by the remote's owner. Installers can ask the remote for Help at any point in the process, and be guided to an answer through an intelligent, context-sensitive response process.

Once programmed, the MX-810's color screen labels the six adjacent buttons with whatever functions are needed at the moment. The labels for the buttons change based on what the user is watching or listening to. If a user selects "Watching TV," he or she will see a list of buttons useful for watching TV. If a user selects "DVD," the buttons will control the DVD player.

Easy to use, understand and program

Additional features include a motion sensor that automatically turns on the LCD screen when the remote is picked up, and a one-touch blue backlight that ensures the MX-810 can be used easily in dim or darkened rooms. A small integrated speaker optionally beeps in response to button pushes, indicating the remote has understood the instruction. A built-in time/date display, low-battery alert, rechargeable lithium ion battery, and a supplied USB programming cable further enhance its convenience and ease of use.

Power Plus Compatibility

Equally important, the MX-810 is fully compatible with URC's pioneering MSC-400 Master System Controller. The MSC-400 seamlessly harnesses the power of sophisticated home entertainment systems, providing installers with options and advantages not otherwise available. It offers triggered macros, RS-232 and relay control, video and voltage sensors, rock-solid Narrow Band RF and many more features — taming systems' complexity, while delivering unmatched flexibility, automation power, installation speed, and diagnostic capabilities.

The remote's addressability feature lets it communicate with a specific location or device, like the Master Controller, and comfortably co-exist with other RF remotes in a home, and AV systems in other rooms.

Custom programming a complex Home Theater is one of the most challenging aspects of an audio/video installation. Setting a Theater system to play a DVD with just one button, for example, can require programming a macro that instructs the screen to lower, the lights to dim, window shades to close, the projector and sound system to turn on, and the DVD player to start, while also making sure the cable box and iPod dock are turned off. The MX-810's compatibility with the MSC-400 makes such tasks easy for installers to program and easy for clients to use.

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Technical Specifications

• LCD Size: 2-inch Active Matrix color LCD
• Size: 8.9 x 2.4 x 1 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 6.9 ounces (with battery loaded)
• Learning Capabilities: Standard frequencies (15kHz to 460kHz)
• Memory: 32 Megabits of Flash Memory Total, 28 Megabits for User Configuration, 24 Activities on 8 LCD pages for 24 devices for a total of 384 pages
• RF Frequency: 418 or 433 MHZ (Narrow Band)
• Range: Up to 100 feet when used with MRF-260, MRF-350 or MSC-400 RF Base stations
• IR (line of sight): Up to 50 feet with fresh batteries
• Power Supply: Lithium Ion rechargeable (battery included)

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Product Description

The Universal Remote MX-810 is a full featured remote control with a color screen. It is programmed via PC Wizard Software and can be used with the MRF 260 which makes it RF controlled. This means you do not have to aim the remote at the device to adjust the settings.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good price, but beware of factory support policy, February 20, 2008

By	Robert Spofford (San Rafael, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The price advertised here is very attractive, but anyone contemplating it should do some research on Universal Remotes' VERY aggressive limitations on support. URC has been focusing their business more and more on professional installers and high end dealers. If you buy this remote from anyone but an authorized dealer you will get one download of the programming software from URC. You will NOT be able to get updates for software improvements or codes for new equipment, which are available only through authorized dealers. You also won't get any warranty service from URC if anything goes wrong. (Neither Amazon nor the dealer they're representing here are authorized URC dealers.)

This policy is obviously pretty controversial among the Home Theater and enthusiast crowd. You can find lots of yelling about it in the various forums. So far, however, URC is hanging tough.

You can find the relatively short list of authorized online and B&M dealers on the URC website. They all charge around $400 for the MX-810.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Remote - Dreadful Software, January 19, 2008

By	Gary A. Donahue - See all my reviews

For the record, I'm a bright guy with years of programming and audio experience. One of my pet peeves is user interface (UI). It's rarely done well, and when it's bad, it's utterly frustrating.

I'm a huge fan of URC, and have an R7 that I've used for years. I eagerly ponied up the cash for the MX-810 when it came out.

The remote is sexy as all get-out. It's a beautiful remote. The buttons are great and the screen is very clear. The auto-on when you pick it up is beautiful. The physical remote gets 5+ stars.

The software is dreadful though. It gets zero stars. It's designed as a wizard so it should be easier to configure. It's not. First you have to figure out how they want you to think - then you'll make some progress. Even then, doing things like nesting macros or adding lines in the middle of a macro can be all but impossible. A "browser" feature is included to (in theory) give you lots of control, but even that is painful to use.

This remote could be a real home run, but the software makes it a real dud. At $400 retail, there is no excuse for this software. If URC updates the software with something that has real power, or even gives some sort of scripting interface, then I'll re-buy. As it stands, I can't recommend the investment. It's sad too. It really is a beautiful remote.

GAD

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Remote is Great! Software, not so much, April 10, 2008

By	George McIntyre "Geo108" (Flint, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I did a lot of research before choosing this remote, and it got the nod over others in the same class, because the button layout is much much better than the offerings from Logitech. The rechargeable battery is great, although I was tempted by the "charging cradle" with the Harmony.

I fully agree with the others that have said this is a great, sexy remote, but the software is very flaky. If you have patience and tenacity, go for it. I spent 5-6 hours over 3 days getting the macros to work just the way I wanted, but the software was infuriating.. Having done that, I'm very happy with how this remote works, and the WAF (wife acceptability factor) is high.

The remote gets 5 stars, but the difficult-to-use software brings this product down to 4.