Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation
by Universal Remote Control, Inc.
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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 |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Universal Remote Control MX-500 10-Device LCD Viewscreen Remote Control with Joystick Operation
Customer Review: The Absolute Best for ReplayTV
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this remote several months ago and can't imagine watching TV without it. I have tried so many universal remotes, and this is definately The One. And you can't beat the price! Put all those indivdual component remotes into storage--you won't need any of them again.I use the MX-500 to operate a Daewoo plasma, Pioneer A/V receiver, Samsung Directv receiver, Zenith DVD player, ReplayTV and Lutron lighting. All of this works on cue, no problem, and can be activated with the press of one button. I walk in to the den, press a button labeled M1, and my lights do down, my audio/video equipment turns on, and the remote is left in the mode that I want it. I doubt I could be happier with any remote regardless of price.
The initial setup was somewhat lengthy but fun. The remote is fairly easy to customize if there is no pre-set code for one of your components. I ended up making changes to the pre-sets anyway. The programming and editing options seem endless, yet basic configuration for the non-techie is straightforward.
The huge plus for me is how well the MX-500 integrates ReplayTV. In fact, it is the only universal remote (that I have found) that matches up button for button.
Also, a word about signal strength: A lot of the remotes that came with my components didn't seem to put out a strong enough infrared signal....so you would have to hit the button again or hold it down until it got through. Not so with the MX-500....it emits a powerful signal that works first time, every time. We hid some of our components behind a black fabric screen built into our entertainment center, and the signal gets through no problem.
The MX-500 is not only the best universal remote, it may also be the best overall electronics value on the planet.
Customer Review: Best Universal at Any Price
Summary: 5 Stars
Before buying the MX-500 I tried many remotes. I bought and returned the 1 for all Kameleon.(Far too confusing and not enough buttons.) I then bought and returned the Sony AV 3000. (Again, not enough buttons, no way to label those that are there properly and a touchy touch screen.) I then tried the Phillips Pronto at a dealer. My God - how many screens do you have to go through to find the one you need?I finally started doing some research on the Internet and decided to try the MX-500. Every once in a great while someone hits upon a design that is so simple and elegant that you wonder why nobody ever thought of it before. The MX-500 is one of these classics. I won't go through all of the things it does so well which other reviewers have eloquently described except to say that I have been able to program every command from every remote I have in such a way that I am able to know which button does what and to access them all quickly. I can also, for example, go to the VCR device and control some necessary TV functions (such as changing the TV input) from the VCR device. And I don't have to guess which button to press because it's clearly labeled. In fact, the MX-500 is easier to use than some of the original remotes which it replaces since some of them had tiny or confusingly placed buttons.
The MX-500's display is crisp with excellent contrast even in dim room lighting. If you have even a dim lamp on anywhere in the room you will be able to read the display. I never use the backlight. In fact,if there's anything bad to say about the MX-500 it's that the backlight is useless except in very dark surroundings.
In short, I think this is the best universal remote AT ANY PRICE.
Customer Review: Use the LEARN function !
Summary: 5 Stars
My advice: skip the process of entering numeric codes for your devices and use the learn function. For each device, you just point the original and the MX-500 at each other and the MX500 'learns' each button press one at a time. Then, you can build macros (sequences of button presses) simply by turning on 'macro' mode and just press the desired buttons in the order you want them executed.
Overall plan:
1. Set up labels for each device using the EDIT function. This doesnt capture any commands, just identifies which devices are available and how they appear on the screen. Examples BLURAY, TV, ROKU, PS3 etc.
2. For each device, use the LEARN function to capture each button press on the original remote, one at a time. Dont forget the number keys. You can go back later and add 'learned' buttons if you forget one.
3. Next step is a bit tricky. If you have a home theater audio system, you probably want the VOLUME control on the MX-500 to go there, regardless of which video source is playing. To do this use the PUCH THRU feature, in which you choose a button like VOLUME and then choose where you want it to come from (your audio receiver). The TV sound can therefore be muted.
4. Final step, create POWER ON and POWER OFF macros by using MACRO mode to simply press the correct sequence of buttons for each devices. Tip: some devices take time to power up, so come back to them.
Example: AUDIO-ON, DVD-ON, TV-ON, DIRECTV-ON, AUDIO-DIRECTV, you see I came back to AUDIO allowing it time to settle down.
5. You can also MACRO any of the main buttons example I have a button labeled 'HBO' which does the following: AUDIO - DIRECTV, DIRECTV - Channel 500.
Customer Review: The Best on the Market!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this remote about 2 years ago. I had a pretty good Home Theater setup, with all the components to go with it. After seeing reviews on Remote Central and other places, I decided to spring for the approximately $100+ cost of this device. It has worked flawlessly, controlling just about everything I have: DVD, Receiver, VCR, and TV. The MX-500 fits the hand very well, has very tactile buttons that are easy to find, and has a pleasing blue backlite that shows all controls when needed. It even has the capability of adjusting the amount of time the light stays on! The LCD screen displays what component you are using, and has multiple pages for each device. The one minor gripe I have is the 'Enter' button is all the way at the bottom of the keyboard-kind of a strange spot for a button that gets so much use.
For my second TV in our bedroom, I purchased a Sony VL900 Universal for about half the price of the MX-500; thought I'd save some money (the original failed, of course). Big mistake! The Sony started losing button functions after just a few months. Should have bought another MX-500 to begin with. I will be doing that shortly.
For those in need, the MX-500 is just about as good as it gets. Ergonomically sound, easily visible, relatively easy to program, and very flexible, the MX-500 is the one Universal Remote I recommend over all others. Learn how to use it properly, and you won't be disappointed. The most important thing here is reliability - it works over the long haul.
Customer Review: Great Remote! Does everything you need!
Summary: 5 Stars
This remote is incredible. It does everything you need to do at a very reasonable price. The remote is a bit bulky, but it feels comfortable in your hand. This remote controls just about every brand of device you can own. I had no problems setting up this remote to control my receiver, tv, satellite/dvr (used dvr setting), and my vcr. There were a few controls on my dvd player that the remote would not contrl, but I was able to use the learn function to program the remote for that command. I love the punch through command, which allows you to control the volume of the receiver, no matter which device the remote is currently controlling. The LCD screen is easy to read and the button layout is good. The indiglo light on the remote is located on the side of the remote, which is easy to activate in the dark. You can even customize the LCD screen options. Another great feature of this remote is the ability to use macros. This allows you to do several things simultaneously with the push of only one button! For example, I used a macro key to turn on my receiver, the dvr to live tv, and my tv with one push of the button. I used another to shut down the dvr and turn off the unit, along with the tv and receiver. This remote is amazing and well worth the price you pay. My wife, who is technologically challenged, said the remote was easy to use once I went through the setup with her. All in all, this is a great buy. Do not look any further for your all-in-one home theater remote!