HARRISON, NY, Nov. 13, 2007 — Universal Remote Control, Inc., the leader in control system design and manufacturing for home and professional entertainment systems, has earned CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards for its MX-810 and MX-980 Remote Controls, two new models that will be exhibited at the 2008 International CES in January.
The prestigious Innovations Awards recognize the most innovative consumer electronics products in the industry, and have become a hallmark signifying the best-designed products in consumer technology. The MX-810 and MX-980 bring new levels of programming sophistication to the operation of Home Theaters and A/V entertainment systems, advancing the state of the art while making custom remote controls easier than ever to set up and use.
The MX-810 Remote Control
The stylish MX-810 provides Home Theater owners and installers alike with dedicated, custom control over single-room Home Theaters or entertainment systems. It’s ideal as well for homes with multiple A/V systems and more than one remote, as each MX-810 remains dedicated to a single room’s equipment, complete with a user-changeable label identifying the room.
The MX-810 is as easy for owners to use as it is quick for installers to program, achieving a unique synergy of power and flexibility that automates and simplifies the operation of even the most complex Home Theaters.
It features Radio Frequency (RF) addressability, a bright, color LCD display, and a readiness for programming that allows custom installers to fully personalize the screen’s iconography for any and every user. The RF capability also eliminates the need to point the remote at whatever it’s activating, or even remain in the line of sight of any equipment. It can control components up to 100 feet away from locations throughout a home, even components concealed in cabinets or behind doors.
Equally important, the MX-810 is fully compatible with URC’s pioneering MSC-400 Master System Controller, which seamlessly harnesses sophisticated entertainment systems to provide installers with options and advantages not otherwise available, including triggered macros, RS-232 and relay control, video and voltage sensors, and many more features,
With or without the MSC-400, the MX-810 revolutionizes the remote control experience for anyone who prefers a light, hand-held interface. It delivers automation solutions for every purpose and superior entertainment for everyone who prefers to operate their systems as they wish, not as the equipment seems to dictate.
The MX-810 is PC-powered, programmable by any Windows-compatible laptop or desktop computer with a USB port. An installer can set up the remote by connecting a PC, then following the instructions of an onscreen programming Wizard. This can be done in advance or onsite, with a laptop in the Home Theater being programmed. The laptop need not be connected to the Internet.
The MX-810 can also be customized with a broad array of graphic “themes,” including one-of-a-kind graphics provided by the remote’s owner. Installers can ask the remote for Help at any point in the process, and be guided to an answer through an intelligent, context-sensitive response process.
Once programmed, the MX-810’s color screen labels the six adjacent buttons with whatever functions are needed at the moment. The labels for the buttons change based on what the user is watching or listening to. Fully programmed, the MX-810’s powerful 32-megabit flash memory can customize controls for up to 24 activities on eight LCD pages for each of 24 different devices, for a total of 384 pages.
The MX-810’s built-in IR signal is effective at a range of 30 to 50 feet, depending on room conditions. It converts to RF “No Rules” Operation, with the addition of URC’s MRF-350 or MRF-260 Complete Control RF Base Station, both of which extend the remote’s range to 50 to 100 feet, and eliminate the line-of-sight requirement.
The MX-980 Remote Control
The MX-980 is a powerful wand-style custom control that enables professional installers to more quickly and efficiently customize and automate sophisticated Home Theaters and whole house A/V systems — while empowering their owners to handle them as naturally as a race car driver hugs the road.
Ideal for homes with one or more A/V systems, the MX-980’s unique synergies automate and simplify operation of even the most complex home systems. Its highlights include a big, bright color LCD display, an open programming architecture, Narrow Band RF capability, and seamless integration with other control devices.
The MX-980 also integrates more strongly than other remotes with URC’s MSC-400 Master System Controller, which delivers unmatched flexibility, automation power, installation speed, and diagnostic capabilities. However, with or without the MSC-400, the MX-980 provides automation solutions for every purpose as well as superior entertainment.
The MX-980 is programmable by any Windows-compatible laptop or desktop PC with a USB port. The port provides access to a vast array of custom solutions, available free of charge using URC’s proprietary Complete Control Suite programming software, available online at the URC Control Room.
The MX-980’s unique OpenArchitectureTM PC Editor provides professional installers with new solutions to the age-old problem of automating a central system as well as local TVs, cable or satellite receivers, and even local surround systems in secondary rooms like bedrooms and offices. Using the MX-980, installers can simply select an appropriate solution for each equipment location.
The MX-810 and MX-980 remotes are both packed with practical, additional features, including a motion sensor that automatically turns on the display when the remote is picked up and refreshes when it’s moved, and automatic blue backlighting to ensure each remote can be used easily in darkened rooms. A small integrated speaker optionally beeps in response to button pushes, indicating each remote understands an instruction. A built-in time/date display, a low-battery alert, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and a supplied USB programming cable further enhance ease of use.
The MX-810 and MX-980 Remote Controls are available now from authorized URC dealers at suggested retail prices of $399 and $599. They can be seen with URC’s other outstanding products in Booth 21535, South Hall 1, Las Vegas Convention Center, and in the Innovations Plus exhibit at the Sands Convention Center, Jan. 7-19, during CES.
The Innovations Design and Engineering Award is based upon descriptive materials submitted to the judges. CEA did not verify the accuracy of any submission or of any claims made and did not test the items to which the awards were given.
About Universal Remote Control, Inc.
Headquartered in Harrison, New York, Universal Remote Control, Inc. is a world leader in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of high-quality remote control devices. Since its establishment in 1991, the company has become highly regarded by consumers and professionals alike, and won numerous industry awards. It supplies millions of remote controls each year to consumers around the world through four primary distribution channels: consumer retail, custom professional, subscription broadcast and OEM.
Over the years, clients have included many leading high-end audio and video manufacturers, and consumer electronics and subscription broadcast companies, including Adcom, B&K, Bright House, Cablevision Systems Corp., Charter Communications, Comcast, Crestron, Denon, Faroudja, Harman/Kardon, Klipsch, Krell, Lexicon, McIntosh, Motorola, NCTC, Rotel, Parasound, Polk Audio, Time Warner Cable, Toshiba, Xantech and Zenith.
Universal Remote Control products are manufactured in Asia and North America in factories that meet rigorous CE, ISO 9001, ETTS, IQNET and TQM certification requirements. For additional technical information, please visit www.universalremote.com.
