Although touchscreen remote controls are capable of providing the ultimate in system power and customization, they may not be for everyone. Some people still prefer old-fashioned physical buttons, the kind that can be used in the dark or without looking. Many inexpensive hard buttoned remotes are available, starting at just a few dollars in cost, but one of the most popular models for power users has been the $189 USD MSRP Home Theater Master MX-500, which we reviewed earlier.

The makers, Universal Remote Control Inc., have since come out with a new complementary version of the MX-500 targeted to (and only available through) a specific segment in the market: custom installers. Although technically not available in retail stores, this powerful model can still be bought online.

A while ago we brought you news on the future release of the Home Theater Master MX-700 – a computer programmable version of the MX-500. Although the MX-700 looks very much like the MX-500 with a serial port, it’s much more advanced. Coupled with MX-Editor (and its SideKick!), the MX-700 offers control of 20 devices, hundreds of macros and thousands of preprogrammed or learned commands. Think you can handle this kind of power?

Check out our full MX-700 review!

Later this week, at the CEDIA show in Minneapolis, Universal Remote Control will be offering free training seminars with Eric Johnson for the MX-700 and SideKick remote controls. Attendees will receive a free MX Editor Programmer’s Kit, which includes a PC programmable SideKick remote control. For more information or to sign up, click here.

Current MX Editor users will find that a new version 1.05 of the software is available via “Live Update”.

[ Talk about the MX-700 ]