[ctviggen]

You can easily program your own codes (well, at least in a Pronto you can).  You just have to know what the symbols mean. 

[brj]

Sorry for the delayed response, guys - busy week.

It appears that others have answered the discrete code question, so I'll just address the software.  Roughly a day after I ordered the remote, SurfRemote sent me an email with a login and password to download the software.  I've done this, but don't have the remote yet and thus haven't tested it.  (I had the remote shipped elsewhere, and thus won't have access to it until the 21st.)  They change the login and password "from time to time" to prevent unauthorized downloads.

I'll post results sometime later this month after I have the remote.  Hope that helps!

[TomS]

Well, that sounds quite interesting. I have several diy devices with an RC5 receiver, and I am always searching for a 'device' whose codes I can use to avoid interference between all the different devices. BUT if I could program a button with a specific hex code in RC5, like: my diy DCX2496 level control, vol up would be 13 hex, I can make up my own code scheme. I'm sure technically it is trivial, but mostly when someone announces a "programmable remote" they mean that you can download device code sets from the 'net. But that's not what I want. Do I understand this correctly?

Jan Didden

Yes Jan.  The Pronto (probably others) can send any hex code string you want to the device, either learned or hand entered on the PC software.  They are quite expensive though.

One way to try it out is to download the software from the Phillips site and play around.  There is a complete software emulator builtin to get a feel for how it would work if you had the device connected.

You'll have to register for downloads at http://www.pronto.philips.com/ or go to http://www.remotecentral.com and do a search for prontoedit NG

Tom

[brj]

Please let us know if you are able to get the full version of software. I've pretty much settled on the MX-850 also, but I'm concerned about URC's software policies and want to make sure I get the full functionality, not a crippled version.

I can confirm that the software supplied from SurfRemote is the full software, at least to the extent that the "live update" capability is present.  I don't think they are going to win any software awards, but it doesn't look too bad.

Now to hunt down codes for the Mitsubishi M-R6030 receiver and the Kenwood DP-M107R 6-disc CD player...

[Philistine]

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=mx700

Check out the site in my last post:
If the codes exist they'll be here.

[ctviggen]

Well, I just ordered an MX-810 with RF module, which was only slightly more expensive than the Pronto TSU-3500 by itself.  I'll let you know how programming goes.

[brj]

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/files/rcfiles.cgi?area=mx700

Check out the site in my last post:
If the codes exist they'll be here.

Sorry, Philistine, but I should have mentioned in my last post that I had already looked there.  The "Mitsubishi" category doesn't even include receivers, and the "Kenwood" category lists a single CD player that unfortunately doesn't match the DP-M107R.  I've downloaded the most likely batch of "general" codes for each vendor to the remote and will try those when the opportunity presents itself... while continuing to search on-line in the meantime.  If none of that works, I'll see what I can have the MX-850 learn from the OEM remotes.

ctviggen, let us know how you like the MX-810.  I considered that one for its color LCD and USB connectivity, but went for the 850 instead for its simpler layout and bigger buttons.  For my own use later this year, however, the 810 looks like it might be a contender.

[Philistine]

If they're not on the site then it looks like it's back to learning mode as you indicated.  Not to problematic, just takes longer.

[jqp]

Picked up the Harmony 520 from Radio Shack for $79 for Christmas present for the brother in law. Anyone know about this one?

[ctviggen]

ctviggen, let us know how you like the MX-810.  I considered that one for its color LCD and USB connectivity, but went for the 850 instead for its simpler layout and bigger buttons.  For my own use later this year, however, the 810 looks like it might be a contender.

I will let you know.  I had a hard time buying this one, because some of the reviews of it haven't been good.  But that's mainly the software, which apparently has a "wizard" that installers don't like.  It's also not that useful for more than one system (or a system with a second zone).  For my purposes, though, I need a single system remote that's wife and grandmother friendly.  I'm hoping this fits the bill, and the price for the remote and nicest RF receiver was better than most places had just the remote. 

[Dan Driscoll]

This isn't really necro, the thread was just a little dusty. 

In case anyone missed the announcement, Harmony (Logitech) announced a replacement for the 880, it is called the Harmony One at CES. It looks very interesting, a higher resolution touch screen LCD and best of all, bigger and easier to use hard buttons. The buttons on the 880 were why I was planning to go with the MX-850, but this calls for a re-evaluation. Hopefully it will be in stores soon so I can give it a try.