The remote uses a built in database that works very nicely

In the end you'll have a solid, well built remote that can do everything you want it to, and won't be obsolete as it is potentially adaptable for any new devices you might buy in the future**********************************************************************************************************************Update 7/21/2012I have had this remote now for 8 months

has some heft to it(compared to my old remote) and feels well built

However, I must also say the IR light must be very bright because I can aim at the ceiling (~14' tall) and all the commands work perfectly!I recommed this to anyone that wants a very well built and good looking remote that likes the ability to tinker a bit.

The good:The MX-450 is well built and feels good in the hand, which is typical of URC products

I returned this and purchased the Logitech Harmony Ultimate One, got it programmed for basic use (using my computer), quite easily within about 30 minutes, and then with use, modified the programming another few times, for maybe a total of 90 minutes, including custom Macros, and it works very nicely.

: If you can read the directions and figure out how to program a Logitech Harmony remote at some basic level (and especially if you have already done so), you can read the directions and figure out how to program this one and probably in less time.

I have many Logitech Harmony remotes, and they are MUCH easier to program

After researching universal remotes, it seemed like the major players in the universal remote industry are Logitech Harmony and Universal

I initially had a Logitech harmony one remote for about a

Boycott this product till they come to their senses.

Harmony makes a good product, but this one is just that much better

.. Gave it 5 because it has worked for me but there are better products on the market now.

This is sad that this company provide so little support to this MX-450 product, since this could be a great consumer product if it had a freindly software package included

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

Who in their right mind would do business with a company that only takes the money but has no customer support

Then having received no return call, I called the URCi Technical-Support phone number, where I was met again with a recording, this time prompting me for (via telephone keypad entry) to enter a number to select "Technical Support" or "Customer Support" or "Parts Support" departments, etc

Universal Remote Control Inc does not have a publicly accessible technical support or customer support service, at least that I've been able to find, using their published, for the purpose, telephone numbers.

, please enter '1' for tech support, '2'...etc" after which I again pressed '1' on my keypad, and the message repeated, so then I tried pressing '2' for their Customer Support department and the error message repeated, I then pressed '0' which caused the system to go directly into an un-named voicemail after which the phone disconnected

but I promise that once "your lightbulb" turns on, you will love this thing as much as I do

And you get a extra remote in the bargain (although the RF20 macro capability is a bit limited and its basic programming mode requires wasted time guessing through many possible codes from each munaufacturer, but the RF20 can learn from other remotes if you have a lot of spare time to program each key separately)One great thing about this MX-450 controller was that the "basic programming mode" worked super

once setup, the thing works really well, and with the macros you can do basically anything you want with it.

But the remote itself works really well once configured, and that's the most important thing to me

One thing I'll mention is that when changing out the batteries, it does NOT lose your memory of the macros and codes you programmed

However, I must also say the IR light must be very bright because I can aim at the ceiling (~14' tall) and all the commands work perfectly!I recommed this to anyone that wants a very well built and good looking remote that likes the ability to tinker a bit.

Very durable, nice looking, and they give you more options for control than a

The Harmony is sleeker looking and it does have a recharging base which is very nice, but it is cheaply made and it doesn't last.

If you are looking for a new universal remote that you can program to do pretty much anything from lowering your automatic shades, dimming the lights, starting up your home theater, or just looking for a remote to replace all of the remotes for your TV setup, this is the one

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

, please enter '1' for tech support, '2'...etc" after which I again pressed '1' on my keypad, and the message repeated, so then I tried pressing '2' for their Customer Support department and the error message repeated, I then pressed '0' which caused the system to go directly into an un-named voicemail after which the phone disconnected

I have not tried contacting URC tech support as I have read that this is for pro installers and they will not help end users but I have also seen reports that they have helped with minor questions

Now I've written URC's tech-support department via their Tech Support e-mail address and I've not received any replies, not even a robot reply

Instead of being transferred to the Tech-Support department, after depressing '1' on my phone keypad, I received a verbal message, saying, "I'm

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

once setup, the thing works really well, and with the macros you can do basically anything you want with it.

Although a Logitech Harmony, or other IR repeater setup may be overall inferior to a professionally URC installation, but you can do-it-yourself and you will save big bucks now and in the future

Advanced setup/MacrosMaster on/off for all devices from the Main Screen

12 volt triggers, how to setup networks from scratch (including port forwarding and dynamic dns server setup), how to retro-wire homes or businesses, what an ohm is, how to setup and configure a matrix

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

When The Logitech codes did not work on my transporter, I had to program it manually, and their awful interface deleted my new device, and instead, with no warning, let me erase the original Sanders codes

This is necessary if you find a code set that works power but not say input just teach it the input button from your original tv/receiver remote

Write it down on a piece of paper and make sure to locate and test all buttons required for the proper code

If for some reason your codes aren't working or you can't get it to

These two buttons, will index through a 'channel' table which may have as many as 100 favorite, random number channels, that I select from my TV provider's channel package

For example, one of our favorite channels is 1124, yet when I push the buttons for 1124 it can take multiple times (up to 6 to 8 attempts) to get to the right channel.

Setting up the "Favorite channels" is also easy and pretty much self guiding on the LCD screen.

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

Note that you can NOT import a background picture like the product page shows, though there are various built-in button/icon graphics available as well as a bunch of popular channel logos for the Favorites list

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

In fact, the buttons won't light up until the screen goes dark.

The LED screen is nice, but I'm not sure it is better than the always on LCD.

The color graphic screen is very nice on this remote and you can customize the icon used for your DVD/satellite box/TV on the customizable macro buttons

In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote.

The buttons seem a little more solid and substantial when pressing on it

As much as I dislike the cheap physical quality of Logitech's Harmony One, the touch screen, and the clunky programming software, Logitech gets the basic design and functionality of modern remote controls right: state-awareness, good button layout and form, and good visibility.

Make sure to check that the button/function you are looking for isn't a soft button on the 2nd or 3rd page of the remote screen

Their name is printed right on them and they are considered hard buttons

You can have up to eight pages of six functions each on the LCD section plus the hard buttons for up to 85 functions per device (this unit can control 18 devices)