Actually, the only other programmable remote I have ever owned is a MX-700. That is why I first programmed the 900 without the Listen and Watch activities split. I was used to one Main window.
In my MX-700 set up I had Page 1 be the Devices page, but with two functions. A quick tap and you simply went to the Device page. A press and hold (which you could do on the 700), and before it went to the Device page, it would change all the inputs to correspond with the Device you press (TIVO, DVD, VCR, etc...). Page 2 of the Main page was my "Startup" macros (i.e. Watch Tivo with sound throught the Receiver (TIVOA, or Watch TIVO with sound through the TV (TIVOT), or Watch DVD, etc...)
After my previous posting, I change my configuration to have both Watch and Listen activities, but with the Startup page being a separate "Device" button from both the Main Listen and Watch pages. So when I walk into the room, I can start any activity in two button clicks. I still have both the main Watch and Listen buttons serve same two purposes as before. A quick push goes to the device page, and a push and hold switches inputs before going to the device. The family is used to this set up.
It is actually fun, trying different configurations until you find one that works best. I am a IT guy (programmer) by training, so I enjoy it. I also try to have my set up and layout be the efficient as possible. Meaning have what we use the most, be the fewest button clicks away.
I am just about done with my set up, so I will be posting it in the files section soon. I already have my MX-700 set up there from a few years ago, under Mark Burkhart's MXF.
In a previous posting, I encouraged all MX-900 owners to post their set up file for other to review. It is a great way to get ideas. For instance, there is one MX-900 file already posted (Mitch Wayman's). I got the idea of a seperate "Power" Device/Page that is dedicated to the descrete Power On and Power Off codes for all my devices. This is not a totally needed page, but was fun to add and will be used in the future. Just another way to power mutlple things off and/or on instead of going to each Device page. Before anyone comments, I already have multiple Power on macros (Startup page) and my main Power everything off Marco on the Off button.
On November 16, 2006 at 20:07, 8ate8 said...
I still don't know why the two of you are using the Listen
to store your devices. Have either of you ever programmed
an MX850? You get one 'Main' button. That's it. If you
need somewhere to store the lesser used commands of a
DVD player or CD player, store them on the other pages
of the device. Use Page 1 to store your primary commands
that you use all the time, and pages 2-whatever to store
everything else. There's no need to have a completely
seperate "activity macro" take up a spot in the watch
section. The remote is meant to be entirely activity programmed.
If you need access to just the device, you go to pages
2-whatever of that device to have the rest of the commands,
not to the listen page.
I'm guessing you both are ex-Harmony users. The world
of URC is different. There's no need to seperate activity
and devices when you can easily just access the device
by creating a push-and-hold macro, which you've all ready
done, Jester.
The 'Watch' and 'Listen' buttons are there so Joe Anybody
can pick it up, and decide what they want to do. Do they
want to "LISTEN" to a CD or "WATCH" a DVD? That's why
they're both there. Not so you can store devices.
