This is a long awaited and well deserved rant about the Universal MX-980 Remote control, and my experience with the multiple Universal Remote controls that we have in our house controlling our [intlink id="238" type="category"]Home Theater[/intlink], and component system. The Universal Remotes that we have are a little over a year old and have been a problem since we first purchased them from A Sound Decision.
When we had our component cabinet upgraded to accomodate the Theater room we had initially contracted A Sound Decision to do, we had to upgrade our existing remotes to the MX-980 in order to handle the new sources. All though A Sound Decision never completed the job we were fortunate enough to be put in touch with Entertainment Pros who completed the Theater installation and setup.
Universal Remote Control MX-980
Prior to Entertainment Pros being brought in to complete the installation and setup we had issues with the MX-980 Universal Remotes that A Sound Decision had sold us, two out of the five remote controls we were sold had issues right from the start. You could charge these things for 23 hours a day and pick up the remote off the charger, it would read “Fully Charged” and show a full battery and put up the very annoying Yellow “Battery Low” screen. I say it’s an annoying screen because I have seen so much of it over the last year and because it stops whatever process you were trying to complete with the remote.
Now I know when it comes to things like this people can over exadurate the situation, when I tell you that these remotes would be off the charger after a full night charge and be dead within 3 minutes I mean it. A Sound Decision replaced a couple of the batteries in the remotes thinking that was the issue, after that failed they than changed out the base stations which also failed. Due to the fact that the programming of the remote controls is typically the last step in the theater installation process, it was towards the end of my negotiations and dealings with A Sound Decision. To the point that the remote issue was never resolved before A Sound Decision stopped working on the job and we had hired someone else in.
Chip the owner of Entertainment Pros was nice enough to try to resolve our Universal Remote control issue free of charge by changing out the batteries and docking stations again, something he did as soon as he took over the unfinished project. As much as I appreciate Chip’s efforts to resolve our Universal MX-980 Remote control issues, the issues with the remote still exist.
I will end up having Chip replace the two remotes that have been giving us a problem for the last year, hardly something I want to do or I think I should have to do. The MX-980 is actually a very easy remote to use and functions very well when you have a working unit, however with the constant issues that we have had with the two remotes we have now, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone purchase a Universal MX-980 Remote Control. I will also cut Universal Remote a little bit of slack based on the fact that A Sound Decision should have probably provided better support for the product by getting a credit and exchanging the problem remotes, they were at least aware of the situation where Universal Remote Control has never been made aware of the situation to my knowledge.
What Would you do in this same situation? Have you ever had a situation like this or a bad experience with Universal Remote controls? Take a moment to leave a comment and tell us about it.
Related Posts
I recently had the chance to return to one of my favorite theme parks in one of my favorite cities. All though I wouldn’t [...]
Remember how last week we talked about having a weekly link dump ? Well here we are again a whole week later and it’s [...]
I’m going to try to fire this one off as quickly as possible so that you can focus on the video rant featured below. [...]
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Such a shame you had problems with what looks like a tasty bit of tech
I have a little experience in using multiple Universal Remote, but I think this is different from others, I want to try this.
I think the manufacturer want to made this with some more facilities and more user friendly, Is it right?
Twitter: extremejohn
Yeah it stinks, it's a giant pain any time you want to do more than just one function the thing drops dead.
ASD should have exchanged the remotes when the issue was diagnosed and then dealt with the vendor themselves. Shameful customer support.
I can certainly understand your situation. I am the owner of Total Control Remotes, specializing in advanced control systems, home automation, and remote programming services for clients (both installation shops and private customers).
A good part of my business is “cleaning up” after installation shops provide remotes that are improperly programmed or programmed in a way that the client has more trouble with the new remote than the half dozen they were using before hand. Often mechanical problems could mean that the inventory or distribution channel your installer goes through is bad, or is offering repackaged remotes to increase margin. Either way, your not getting the quality of programming or hardware you deserve.
I am happy to say that my business has solved a lot of problems like yourself, and have provided clients with the proper types of personalized and custom grahpical layouts that make it super-simple for the entire family. If there is anything you ever need, feel free to visit my website and drop me a line – http://www.totalcontrolremotes.com.
Remember, programming and remote automation are almost secondary to installation shops and being the last part of the process it usually get's rushed and lack of attention. In addition, most installation shops may not be there tomorrow which is why I support a good deal of business that has left the industry.
Kind Regards,
Vincent Bova
Vincent J. Bova
Total Control Remotes
Advanced Control Systems & Automation
http://www.totalcontrolremotes.com
Vincent@totalcontrolremotes.com
848-333-7337
I too had problems with the same kind of remotes and replaced them finally…
Yeah, I also tried MX-980, It's having much more functions with respect to the other universal remotes. I like to use it.
I am seeing this Universal remote first time, I think It's better to change mine into MX-980, Thanks for the post.
Twitter: extremejohn
I was talking to a friend of mine James @mmapunk (twitter) and he was saying that Universal Remotes is usually pretty good with their return policy. Makes me wonder why ASD didn't just hanlde it if it's that easy, but I guess I might give them a ring and see if they will do anything to resolve the situation. Replacement at this point is clearly a must.
Twitter: extremejohn
I would have to agree, but in today's day and age all companies seem to have a different view of what Customer Service is. Thank you for commenting
Twitter: extremejohn
Vincent thank you for taking the time to write a comment. I would have to agree, when it comes to the custom programming of remote controls a lot of people and companies claim to be able to offer all kinds of solutions and in many cases can't even get the system off the ground. Pretty sad actually.
I couldn't be happier with the way that Entertainment Pros programs remotes, they did a great job of cleaning up the mess that was left behind and making the system exactly what I wanted it to be. I actually have them coming back (hopefully this week) to install another DVR Box as well as a new Samsung 58″ Plasma to replace one of my LCD screens.
i need to know how can i do to set up a remote control universal model mx 3000 , somebody help me,
Twitter: MMAPunk
Hey John,
This is one of the replys I got from Universal remote control. If you don't here from them give this guy a call.
Dear Ed Jones,
We appreciate you contacting us in regards to this matter. We work hard to ensure that we always provide the highest quality customer service that we possibly can and will make certain that this customer receives assistance. Also, thank you for supporting our products. If you ever have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Joe Salvatore
Technical Support Manager
Universal Remote Control, Inc.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue
Harrison NY, 10528
914.835.4484 x326
914.835.1826 f
Twitter: extremejohn
Thats awesome man thank you for taking the time to get this article over to the people at Universal Remote, I do have a follow up that I will be posting here over the next day or so. I will also keep you posted how it goes with Universal Remote after I get in contact with them, thank you again that was really nice of you.
I think setting up of a universal remote control needs some tech knowledge, So I usually call some experts for doing it.
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
Twitter: extremejohn
@ethanhawk Im glad you found something useful in this article about the Universal Remote MX 980
I have had 2 mx-980′s for 1 year now, the batteries are just now starting to lose thier luster and will go yellow on me in about 1 hour instead of the 5 hours it used to take. time for new batteries I guess, I do love the remote, the motion sensor backlighting is awesome
Twitter: extremejohn
@Stevie Boy I love the backlight sensor it comes in very handy, who knows maybe the batteries supplied by A Sound Decision were already juiced which created the problem.
I have the same issue – it’s randome too. It is as if the batteries have developed some memory.
Twitter: extremejohn
@Viktor it has actuially started happening to one of my other Universal remotes (same as the one I wrote about), such a pain at this point.
@Viktor I wish my batteries would develop a memory and remember that they shouldn’t die!
@Bob,
I finally got new batteries for mine. Universal sent me 2 on warranty and i found some for $ 3.99 on ebay. Serch for the Fuji camera FP60 batteries.
It solved all of my problems. I have a few spare now !!
I have to agree with you. The MX980 is the worst waste of money I have ever made.
John this control looks really great I need a new universal remote and I really want one could you advise me please on where to get one from I am fed up with the cheap ones as they break within a month and the cost is not an issue but its an anoyance
This is but one example of a touch screen remote control that can and will take charge of up to 18 components contained in your home theater system. There are many with touch screen capability that are easy and relatively comfortable to use right from the outset.
.-= David@Buy TouchScreen Remote Control, Purchase Touch Screen, controls´s last blog ..Disclosure =-.
mx-980 is definitely one of its kind, but i just found out that iphone has a new getjet for universal remote control. I own an iphone and this has been one of the best getjet by iphone! Its really convenient and eliminates the hassle to carry a remote control, even a Universal remote control.
While the MX 980 has some nice features, the fact that the company will not supply to end users the software to configure the device makes me wish that I had never wasted the money on it. My dealer went out of business (Tweeter) and now I either have to sink more money into paying someone else to configure it for my next upgrade or move to a device that is properly supported. After contacting the company, I got a form letter saying “Unfortunately our software is available from our dealers and distributors only.” If you are comfortable configuring your own system, I would avoid this product and company.
I purchased batteries for my MX-3000, MX-980 and RTI remotes from Total Control Remotes. They also did a great job of programming them. If you need batteries, they can definately help you – very knowledgeable and great customer service. I called them on a Sunday and they worked with me.
Jimmy Bell