nygiants. . . the MX-500 did arrive. I don't recall if I mentioned this, but I actually purchased the Sony AV3000 also figuring I could test them both out. The MX-500 started off at a disadvantage because the wife-to-be has sort of gotten used to the AV3000. We both personally also liked the cool factor of the blue LCD on the AV3000.

To be honest, I thought the MX-500 was going to lose the battle and be sent back until last night. I think I initially set the MX-500 up wrong which was part of the problem. I sort of did a "delete/erase some functions but not all" thing instead of wiping it out 100%. Then, when I first programmed it, while I knew most of the buttons I wanted to add to the LCD, I didn't give much thought to which LCD they should go onto. I initially placed the more important ones at the top left. However, after using the remote I found it difficult to reach that button while using only my right hand to hold the remote.

Thus, I went back and started over (this time erasing everything) and set things up in a much more efficient/user friendly manner. The other thing I did wrong was I attempted to evaluate both remotes as I was programming and experimenting with them. I didn't actually sit down and "just watch T.V." and try to use them. When programming both, you NEED to look at them so I wasn't really "feeling" a difference between the two. However, last night as I actually sat down to watch T.V., I realized that now that I had programmed the MX-500 to my liking, I easily could work it with one hand (and quickly) and it felt very intuitive. When going back to the AV-3000, I quickly got annoyed with having to hold it with one hand and attempting to find the correct buttons with the other.

Well, I figured I'd give you the complete scoop but I now realize I should like put these thoughts in the HTM forum or write a user review. I'm throwing the WAF out the window on this one and giving the slight edge to the MX-500!

Now, I just have to figure out how to use it to work the X-10 lights when they arrive. I'd be interested how others set up the LCD labels on the MX-500 to utilize their lighting and scenes.

I haven't changed the lcd labels just yet for x10. I just use the preprogrammed channel up/down for on/off and and vol up/down for dimming. The Power button on the MX-500 turns "all lights on" and I found out that the mute button turns "all lights off". Frankly, I'm not sure how to program the x10 functions on the lcd buttons unless you have another x10 remote to learn from or PC interface. It's probably simple but I didn't look yet. I definitely want to do this so you can label each light you are controlling on the lcd screen.
Dumb question for anyone...I change the units with the numbers but they obviously only go to 9 on your standard number pad. how do you access 10-16 using the remote? is it as simple as pushing 1 and then a 6 to access unit 16?

You will need another remote to learn the upper numbers from. Speaking of scene's I have just put some into my favorites device on my MX-700, which works great as they are avalable from all devices.

Nygiants, my PCS light switches arrived Saturday and I successfully installed 2 out of 4 (the problem I had with the other two is a whole different thread). Anyway, I was pleased that controlling the lights worked :)

The one thing that I can't find it "all on." My power button does not work for this for some reason??? I'v got the "mute" all off working fine as well as the "volume" button dimming and brightening. The "channel" up and down also appears to turn the lights all the way on (if they are all the way off) and all the way off (if they are all the way on) but doesn't work either way if the lights are somewhere in the middle of brightness.

I also discovered that I can control both at once by hitting 1 and then 2 (immediately after hitting 1) on the MX-500. I've currently got the family set as 1, the kitchen set as 2, and will soon have another kitchen light set at 3. Hopefully by hitting 1, 2, 3 quickly I can control all three.

When I got my remote, I erased all the LCD labels and programming on the LCD so I hope that isn't making things more difficult for me (I can't recall what was on the buttons anymore).

Just thought I'd let you know where I am currently at in this X-10 experimentation. If you have any ideas (or anybody else does) about getting a button to control "all on" please let me know.

Chris