Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Macro Remotes

LOL!!!

When I saw the title of the thread, I figured I was in for some abuse. Like Jack, I have evolved to an MX-700 and MX-850. The 850 also has RF capability (get the more expensive RF component - more dependable).

Tom mentioned how powerful the MXs are. I set up a device on my MX called "SWICH". It consists of (one button) macros that switch everything (tv, VID, audio, on, off - whatever) from where you are to where you want to be without additional human intervention. (I'm sorry, I said "you". What I REALLY meant was my wife!! )

Example, watching satellite and want to watch a DVD instead. "SA>DV" button turns off the satellite tuner, switches the TV to the DVD VID, switches the receiver to the DVD audio, turns on the DVD and opens the tray. You, excuse me - my wife, only needs to put the DVD in the tray and hit "Play". Never did I need to leave the computer room and go down two flights of steps to do all the switching during the whole process.

Cheap at 10x the price.

MX-850 is no brainer. The only downside is that I can't find any discrete codes for "wife". The two I am REALLY interested in are volume control and off.

I recently got a Harmony 670 and also like it a lot. It is a bit of a pain scrolling through all of the commands for my receiver if I want to adjust levels, so i usually keep the receiver remote available, too. I bought it more so my roommates had less of an excuse for leaving the tv on, or the stereo, or the dvd player...

I’ve been using the MX 850 for a couple years now (thanks to Ray). It will literally do whatever you need. It all depends on how patient you are and just how creative you want to be with macros.

If you do decide to go with one of the RF / MX remotes make sure you upgrade to one of the base stations that allow for adjustable IR flasher output. I’ve had to get pretty creative with tape and my pen knife to “mellow” out the IR signal. Some of my components are pretty sensitive and the flashers can overwhelm them. One method to compensate (if you don’t have the adjustable base station) is to put a piece of tape with a very small (just right) hole in the tape. Then stick the flasher to the tape. If you can imagine, this can be a down right pain in the but.

I keep telling myself I need to order a new base station, but nothing seams to stay on my EQ rack for very long, so I just deal with the problems as they come up.

Does anyone know the difference between the MX-800 and MX-850? (Besides $230 )

It's largely cosmetic, Geno. The 700 and 800 are older models, the 850 is newer.

There is a slight difference in the feel of the buttons; the lettering on the buttons are different fonts; and the back-lighting is different. On the 800, the buttons themselves and the screen light up with a greenish glow. On the 850, the lettering on the buttons (not the buttons themselves) and the screen light up with a lighter color.

The "select" button in the middle of the joystick is a completely separate button on the 850. On the 800 it's a part of the joystick itself. Other than that, the remotes pretty much do the same thing. Because of these differences, the 850 is slightly more user friendly. Only you can decide if that is worth extra dough.

Thanks for that detailed breakdown, Ajax! So, the software is the same, then? They should both be able to control all the same devices, right (including the ability to control certain lighting systems)?

I believe so, yes. I use my 850 to control my x-10 lighting, and I used my MX-700 to do the same. I'm pretty sure the 800 will do so as well. If you lighting system has a remote, you can "teach" the MX remotes. If, like the X-10, your lighting doesn't have a remote, many .ccf code files are available at Remote Central which can be used with the HTM software's Universal Browser. Codes for lighting systems with remotes are also available at Remote Central.

Where I work we usually will install a MX-900 and MRF basestation for a clients system, they are easy to program and work quite well, However my biggest complaint is that they are not rechargeable like the logitech units are. And they will run the batteries down even if you dont use it because the screen stays on all the time. Ive been using the MX800 i think it is... came with our B&K reciever, and its pretty good. However the RF capability would make life easier for people who dont understand you have to point the remote at the gear vs the projection screen

That said, If you get the MRF basestation you can hide all your gear away, and yes the IR emitter eyes are my second biggest complaint because they usually do fall off over time.

Of course if you wanted to spend the big bucks you could get something like an AMX or Crestron control system. A little overkill for a simple HT system though

Oh yeah, I hate the tx-1000. Yeah its cool and i would love to have one (for free) but its akward to use. You need two hands.

Mary - I have been married for 36 years. My wife is a walking discrete code dispenser.