Home Theater Master MX-800 remote

AndyGwis · May 2008

Anyone have one of these remotes? They are the newer version of the MX-700 and predecessor to the MX-850s sold by Universal remotes.

I purchased one recently on a whim and wanted to see if someone here had experience programming one themselves. Seems to be pretty user friendly; I've alread downloaded the "manual," software, and video tutorial.

I don't have the serial cable for it, however. Anyone have an extra or know where I can get one?

This is similar to the B&K SR 10.1 that comes with the B&K 507 and Reference 50s.

Thanks!

Marty913 · May 2008

AndyGwis wrote: »

Anyone have one of these remotes? They are the newer version of the MX-700 and predecessor to the MX-850s sold by Universal remotes.

I purchased one recently on a whim and wanted to see if someone here had experience programming one themselves. Seems to be pretty user friendly; I've alread downloaded the "manual," software, and video tutorial.

I don't have the serial cable for it, however. Anyone have an extra or know where I can get one?

This is similar to the B&K SR 10.1 that comes with the B&K 507 and Reference 50s.

Thanks!

Andy,

I have three of the MX-700's and I do like the programming part. I also have a spare (well, not being used anyway) serial cable for the MX-700. I assume it's the same one as the MX-800. Send me an email or PM with your address and I'll get it in the mail.

Marty

Fallen Kell · May 2008

I have a MX-800. Best physical button remove I have used. It simply "works", and is very fast, unlike the 3 Harmonys I have tried (the Harmonys have such a long delay from when you push the button until it sends the correct IR signal that you may think that your TV/equipment didn't see the signal, and so you press the button again, only to then have the first press actually happen, and then after another delay, have the second press occur, which then will potentially screw with what you just did).

I will tell you this now, if you didn't get from an authorized dealer, you probably won't get the correct software for the remote. You will have the older software which no longer connects to the updated database of equipment codes. This may not be an issue, but it could be. Also, the MX-850 programming software will work on a MX-800 remote.

Again, I love this remote.

Marty913 · May 2008

Fallen Kell wrote: »

I have a MX-800. Best physical button remove I have used. It simply "works", and is very fast, unlike the 3 Harmonys I have tried (the Harmonys have such a long delay from when you push the button until it sends the correct IR signal that you may think that your TV/equipment didn't see the signal, and so you press the button again, only to then have the first press actually happen, and then after another delay, have the second press occur, which then will potentially screw with what you just did).

I will tell you this now, if you didn't get from an authorized dealer, you probably won't get the correct software for the remote. You will have the older software which no longer connects to the updated database of equipment codes. This may not be an issue, but it could be. Also, the MX-850 programming software will work on a MX-800 remote.

Again, I love this remote.

Agreed, a great remote (even my older 700's). I bought mine on EBay a few years ago and did receive the original software. However, when attempting to "register" to receive any newer versions the website won't accept the serial numbers. Probably exactly what you said although the guy I bought them from claimed to be an authorized dealer. Doesn't matter to me since I program all the codes from scratch and codes for a lot of stuff is on www.remotecontrolcentral.com. Still, it may be an issue for a lot of people.

My only complaint (wish) is for better battery life but a small price to pay.

mantis · May 2008

I owned the mx700, then 800, then the 850 and currently the mx950. The mx980 came out and the more I use it the more I like it. I also love the Mx900 which I believe is a fantastic remote.

All there remotes are top notch and problem free. Which is why I personally and professionally love them

I probably have an extra one laying around. Email me if you can't get it done.

Dan
Dmantis20@aol.com

AndyGwis · May 2008

Thanks guys. Marty, I'll take you up on that cable offer if it still stands. I PM'd you. Thanks!

Others, stand by for some more questions as I try to tackle the programming of this beast. If my technical abilities amounts to setting my alarm on my cell phone, texting, and typing on the forum, how far can I get with setting up this remote?

unc2701 · May 2008

I've got that one or an 850... can't remember. Works great, but it got supplanted by my B&K distributed system. The software has a learning curve, but it's more or less identical to the B&K software.

AndyGwis · May 2008

I've got the remote, I've got the latest software from both Universal remotes and B&K. Looking through the two, they seem identical, except the Universal remotes software is much more up to date. It even has commands already in its database for all my 2-channel gear, which is great! Might get a second universal for that system someday.

Have you guys used the serial port or a USB/Serial adapter to hook it up to your PC? I remember serial ports to be very finicky with accepting outside hardware from the old days. . . nulls and all that. Anyone have issues with either hookup type?

AndyGwis · May 2008

So, found out one of my co-workers has this remote as well. He grabbed his serial cable at lunch (he has a mx-700, but that shouldn't make a difference).

I've tried to go from PC Serial to cable to remote, and from PC USB to Serial Adapter to cable to remote and can't get it to COM either way.

Any ideas? Bad remote, bad cable? I've checked my hardware device manager, and my system seems to be set up correctly.

unc2701 · May 2008

check the manual for the speed, bit and parity settings for the remote? My B&K wallplates auto detect, but that remote might not...

AndyGwis · May 2008

So, after total frustration yesterday, I had all but given up on this remote. Couldn't get it to synch with the serial cable I borrowed. Low and behold, a package arrives at work today, and it's the cable from Marty (thanks again, buddy!). Get home, hook it up, works!

I had already set up most of the IRs yesterday, so today just plugged it in, downloaded, and 2 minutes later, every component in my place (probably 15) works perfectly! No programming has been done, just simple clicking with the editor.

I can't believe how awesome this thing is. I can finally throw out all my remotes. My parents have a Harmony, and while cool, it doesn't compete with this. I'm buying many more and going to pre-program them for my family members for Xmas.

Thanks to everyone for the help, especially Marty! Can't believe I used to hate universals. All that button pushing and trial and error with the cheapos is for the birds.

AndyGwis · May 2008

Just won an MX-700 on sleazebay. I'm hoping to have one of these for each system. It's great to they store so much information. I can literally just plug in the new one, download my entire house/apartment onto it, and then the remotes are pretty much interchangeable as they'll work for any and all of my systems.

Great remotes. . .

WilliamM2 · May 2008

I have a MX-800. Best physical button remove I have used. It simply "works", and is very fast, unlike the 3 Harmonys I have tried (the Harmonys have such a long delay from when you push the button until it sends the correct IR signal that you may think that your TV/equipment didn't see the signal, and so you press the button again, only to then have the first press actually happen, and then after another delay, have the second press occur, which then will potentially screw with what you just did).

All you had to do was set the delay to 0ms. For some reason the defaults are as high as 1500ms. My Harmony responds instantly after doing that.

Home Theater Master MX-800 remote

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