Universal Remote Control MX-500 Remote Control

Works better than it looks

By JeffreyF  Feb 20, 2003 | 4 out of 4 found this Universal Remote Control MX-500 review helpful

After using a Sony AV remote for a few years I was used to a touch screen. This one has all hard buttons. Aesthetically, its not as appealing. However, after using it awhile, I realize I can see the buttons so much better than on the touch screens, e...xpecially if small print is a problem for you. The backlighting is excellent and you can see the labels in bright lighting as well.The ease of programming in this device is unbeatable. There are several buttons that can be programmed for macros. It has apush button jog wheel that makes it compatible with any device such as a Sony TV that has a 4-way plus enter type button design.The pre programmed codes are only partially usable since there are so many codes for every manufacturer and but I recommed learning the buttons individually after editing the labels on the 10 buttons for each device plus the already labelled buttons (power, mute, menu play, etc.)All in all this is an extrmemly easy to use rmeote that does anything the more expensive universal remotes do. The only feature you dont have is a touch screen---who needs that anyhow. They just look better than they work. Read more Less

Finally one that really does it all.

By Peter  Apr 15, 2005 | 3 out of 3 found this Universal Remote Control MX-500 review helpful

Pros: Easy to program. Easy to use. Easy to navigate. Very strong signal.

Cons: After one month of use I have found none!

I don't think I've ever reviewed anything were I was unable to come up without any Cons. This one is a first. At first glance the size and the magnitude of buttons appears intimidating. But then, as soon as I programmed my first codes for TV... and Satellite receiver into it, it all started to come together and make sense. My remote control graveyard welcomed it’s latest arrival, the Kameleon remote that I finally gave up on; And luckily I was still in time to take back the Harmony. On the MX-500, the uncluttered large screen uses an easy to read large font. This is one remote that I can use without putting on my reading glasses. However, even without looking at the screen I know exactly what every one of the 10 soft keys does at any given time. I’ve yet to see an LCD display that can be read in dim lighting, with or without the backlight, and this one is no exeption. Hey, maybe I did come up with a Con. However if the room is dark enough (which normally it isn’t), the backlighting works well.. The programming of devices, buttons, macros and labels all becomes very intuitive. Even though my memory is far from good I can program anything I want now without going back to the manual. ....Something I was never able to do with other remotes. With the MX-500 the most difficult part of programming macros is figuring out exactly what a macro should do for me. It helps to first think it through and write down the steps, in their proper sequence, on a piece of paper. The actual programming then becomes the easy part. The buttons all have a great tactile feel and good spacing so that it would be hard to press the wrong one by mistake. The signal sent from the MX-500 is stronger than any I’ve used before. It’s a pleasure to not have to aim the remote precisely at the target which of course also allows the macros to execute well while the remote is pointed only in the general direction of the devices. There are more detailed reviews to be found elsewhere, so that I won’t need to get into all the great details. Suffice it to say that, for the first time ever, we now have only 2 remotes in the Family room. (The second one is strategically placed so that someone else can also get to the mute button when the loud commercials come on). I've never had to use Support for this remote but gave Support the benefit of not knowing otherwise and therefore five stars. We’re now controlling TV, Sat receiver, Cable box, DVD recorder, Stereo, CD player and Tape deck all with only one remote. The search for the mother of all remotes has ended. Read more Less