Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation
by Universal Remote Control, Inc.
|
List Price: Our Price: $89.98 You Save: $50.01 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $49.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation
Customer Review: Finally, a universal remote that truly is universal
Summary: 5 Stars
I've made several tentative forays into the world of "universal" remotes. All have disappointed for one reason or another. I was convinced truly universal remotes were only the playthings of fabulously wealthy people who could drop hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line model.
Not so. This remote IS universal. Well, universal for the 6 components I want to control, two of which are "off-brand" DVD players (Oppo and Protron).
Drawback: The library of codes is so outdated that I wasn't able to program any of my devices using them. It recognized my Sharp Aquos TV only after the tedious process of searching code by code.
Perk: It learns from other remotes so easily that I was able to fully customize button placement from the beginning, rather than seeing which buttons the manufacturer thought should be which and having to decide to change them or not. I only had trouble teaching it one function, my JVC receiver volume. Customer service was friendly and helpful. The fix was as simple as trying different distances between the two remotes.
I was able to program all the essential TV and DVR functions onto one page, so the only reason to change components is for DVD watching. Very nice!
Unlike the other remotes I've tried in this price range, the LCD buttons are fully editable. I was led to believe this feature was also only available in higher-end models.
Sure, the Logitech Harmony is much prettier. It also sounds more complex, and the more complex you get, the more potential problems you have. The MX-500 isn't as high-tech, but it definitely gets the job done, which is all I want. Actual universality!
Slightly off-topic, in reading reviews for this remote I was struck by how many users made comments in the vein of "So simple even the little lady can use it!" While this is true, I have to wonder what kind of space-age consoles they were using before that eluded the intelligence of the average woman. Perhaps if they gave her a chance to touch the remote once in awhile, it would remove some of the mystery.
Customer 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.
Customer Review: The remote that they just can't kill.
Summary: 5 Stars
Although ostensibly discontinued many years ago, they never actually stopped manufacturing this model remote. For good reason!
I bought my first one almost 10 years ago when the price was close to $200. I bought a couple more 5 years later. I like the idea of having 2 setup identically via the clone feature since mine has extensive customization. And I got another 2 just now after being surprised that they are still available and at such an amazing price. I will pack them away in case the buttons ever give out on my current ones.
The good reason I mentioned above is that this remote really got it right and even after all this time it does not seem to need much in the way of improvements, so sophisticated was its original design.
What I really like is that it is very easy to maneuver by touch. I rarely look at it. I hate the current move to touch screens with no tactile feedback and unneeded complex features. It is particularly handy with my TiVO.
The learning functionality is superb in case you have to fine tune settings or if your device is not in the database. Once you do it a couple times it is very easy and logical. At that point you will understand why there are so many rabid fans of this remote who refuse to use anything else.
I won't go into another extensive review (the definitive ones have already been posted).
It does require a little study of the manual to grasp all the subtle features but a little forethought in understanding the functionality and planning the setup and customization is a valuable thing to do. To that end I will just recommend that you read the very extensive review at remotecentral website and also the FAQ at universalremote (manufacturers website) under discontinued professional products.
By the way, I would not be put off by this being a "discontinued" product. The manual is thorough (you can get a PDF of it at the universalremote website for review before purchase). All in all a truly great IR universal remote and at this price a true value.
Customer Review: GET THIS REMOTE!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
After the TiVo, this has to rate as the second greatest invention ever to hit the home theatre scene! Very well built, feels solid, nice anti-slip rubber coating, ample sized buttons, and well laid out. One of my main gripes when I spent $4k on a new Sony Plasma was the tiny remote where some of the most used buttons (like the previous channel jump) were way undersized and unergonomically located at the very bottom of the remote. This remote puts the most used buttons in the center where you don't need to readjust your grip every time.
An absolute snap to set-up. It literally took me 15 minutes to completely program this remote for my entire system:
Sony KDE-42XS955 42" WEGA Plasma
Harman Kardon AVR 335 7.1 Surround A/V Receiver
Toshiba RS-TX60 160 GB TiVo Series2
Sony DVP-S7700 DVD Player
Sony SLV-N900 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
Technics 5 Component Stereo Deck
The preprogrammed codes worked for 99.9% of all the required functions on my devices. The only two incorrect/missing functions I've found so far were the disc tray open/close on the DVD player and the Stop playback on the TiVo. It took maybe 30 seconds each to program those in the "learning" mode from the original remotes - ouch, hurt me some more! ;-) I'm sure I'll find a few more missing functions now and then in the future as I test out the rest of the functions, but programming is so easy I'll probably be eager to find one just so I can program some more!
I researched many universal remotes before buying this one and saw quite a few with fancy, color LCD screens and other Bluetooth Do-Dads that sold from $500 to $1500! Give me a break! Unless those others can also perform some kind of illicit sex acts or, at the very least, help the kids with their homework, I can't see what could possible justify shelling out that kind of money (other than maybe bragging rights for when the In-Laws come over to visit) when this remote will do everything and then some for a fraction of the cost. Like I said - GET THIS REMOTE!!!
Customer Review: Fantastic. Period.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this thing for over 3 years now and it continues to be perfect. Totally excellent. My girlfriend got this for me as a gift and I still praise her for it.
Solid construction, excellent surface coating, durable buttons, just an overall well made product. Its been dropped countless times, rolled over on, sat on, you name it and the thing laughs it all off.
I have never had any problems programming it, and its worked fine with everything Ive tried it on. I never use the pre-programed codes, I always program in the functions myself matching it up with the original remote so I can set the buttons up as I please. I just like doing it that way better, not that the other option doesnt work fine. I have my own layout that Im used to and so program to fit that.
I have used this with 3 different televisions, 4 DVD players, 1 VHS, 2 Home Theater Systems, and its worked fine with everything, programmed fine off the remote from each, never a single problem.
Battery life depends really on what kind of batteries you use. Cheap ones get me about 3-4 months with what I think most would call moderate to heavy use. Good batteries go longer - about 6 months I'd say. The batteries I have in now are Panasonic brand (which I would have thought were average quality at best) but I cant remember when I put them in. Has to be a good 4 months ago and they are still working fine. I dont use the light much at all though, since I am so used to the settings that I can work them in the dark easily.
One of the few things Ive gotten over the last 5 years that I havent ended up having some sort of complaint over.
If this one ever does break I hope the model is still being made because I wouldnt hesitate to buy a replacement. And it doesnt shock me seeing that years later this one is still on the market - its a good product.