The only difference seems to be in the Sunfire codes. All the other codes and programming seem to be identical between the two (in respect to the last version of the MX500). So when you do a factory reset on the Sunfire remote, the Sunfire codes will be the default for the Audio.

Hopefully the new/old MX-500 he is getting will solve the problem. The newer revision manual has the Sunfire codes in it. If the original V.1 didn't have Sunfire codes listed in the manual, then the remote wouldn't have had the codes either. I can't remember how you even update an MX-500's firmware (if possible) to the newer version.

I'm not sure if I understand this correctly but first I hit "main" and "ent" to access the setup menu. then "P-Pro", then "TGIII" which is the selection that my Sunfire is controlled under on the Sunfire remote, then "TGIII" again where it takes me to the code enter menu, then I tried all the codes, 001, the ones in the back of the MX-500 manual, the additional Carver codes, and I just hit up and tried each one a bunch of times just to see if they would work. I'm not sure if there's a way for me to test individual button codes on the MX500. Should I try a factory reset on the MX500? I'm not sure how to do it but but maybe that might help?


That's crazy! I don't use and abuse my remotes, just on/off, volume up/down, and once every few years I'll access the OSD for my receiver to change some settings.



I'm going to buy an 850! I notice they're branded as Aeros/Orion, is this the one you're talking about? They look almost identical to URC housing. Once I buy an 850 which software do I need to download to code it?

Fingers crossed! I would love to update the firmware on this MX-500. How do I even check the firmware version to begin with? And I don't know how I would connect to this to update the firmware either.

There is a 6 PIN connector in the battery compartment. That is where the factory would upgrade the firmware and load it. But there is no consumer way to use it.

There was a hack called IRClone-MX a long time ago. It allowed you to custom program a MX500 from a PC. But that device & software has long been lost on the internet. You can still find the box once in awhile but without the software, doesn't do you any good.

OH!! You shouldn't be doing this on your old remote for the same button. You probably can't overwrite the programming on that device button. Either create a new "device" on that remote or just try on your new to you 500. And it sounds as if you missed some steps in checking the 3 digit codes. With the receiver on and pointing the remote at the receiver, enter the 3 digit code and see if the receiver turns off. If it does turn off, press the power button to see if it turns back on. If so, then save and exit. Once exited, try the other buttons under that device.

I posted a couple eBay links to what appear to be new/almost new 850's above. The software can be found here on RemoteCentral - again I posted the link above. There is a Live Update function within the software to get new codes in its database but alas it hasn't been updated since around 2011 and now is considered an obsolete and no longer produced remote.

Orion branded ones are older. You need one that is labeled Aeros. Again see my links above in Post #11 and no neither are mine.

There isn't any way for a user to update the 500 firmware or database. Even if you could, I doubt those files are still available.

I definitely tried the 3 digit codes with the receiver on and remote pointed towards the receiver in P-PRO mode with TGIII selected. Is there a different mode to enter codes? Should I be trying a different selection instead like TAPE or DVD or just hitting the power button?



Ok will check out the links and buy Aeros!

I know the connector! There's always one pin missing on the corner right? One of the ones on my Sunfire remote looked oxidized a bit so I tried lightly scraping it with some rubbing alcohol and contact cleaner.


Well hopefully this Sunfire coded MX500 just works and I can clone it. I should be arriving tomorrow. Crazy that I can't save these codes in a file somewhere

Should I be trying a different selection instead like TAPE or DVD or just hitting the power button?

The Tape and DVD are just labels. On the new to you 500 you can test one of those or label a new unlabeled button on the Main screen. I think we've determined that the menu & #3 buttons on your old remote don't work since they didn't work for your TV and Sunfire so coding a new Main button there still won't get you the Menu & #3 working. The label has nothing to do as to which codes to use. You can label the button anything you want within 5 characters.

Update: my newly coded MX500 arrived just now and none of the buttons work on my receiver. I checked, they all successfully transmit, I see purple lights for every button when pressed, I even tried “learning” just the menu button in hopes that would work and it didn’t. When I learn the volume up and down on my other MX500, volume up and down stops working, whereas when I learn volume up and down from my Sunfire remote, it works fine. What else can I do to trouble shoot this? Should I factory reset my receiver? Will that do anything? Clearly these remotes can learn buttons and they take the code just fine, I don’t know what else to do

So far 3 remotes, cloning shows “good” but newly cloned remotes do not work for some reason. Learning the buttons works though.

Well, if NONE of the buttons work with the receiver for your latest remote, I'd try to send it back for a refund if they advertised it would work.

He’s been trying to help me get things working for a week now so I’m sure that won’t be an issue. He just tested an MX-350 cloned from a Sunfire remote and it worked fine on the ultimate receiver. I’m so confused at this point. I need a Sunfire remote to manually learn all the keys and maybe I can clone that remote to a few backups just incase this happens again. Also going to try the MX-850 and coding that if I can figure out how to do it and get everything working properly

1) I was looking in the files section here and that software for the MX-500 is there. But I think at this point in time, that's a deep rabbit hole that is going to lead to nowhere. I wouldn't recommend doing that.

2) I did some digging. The old MX-500 only has those 3 IR code sets for Sunfire. But in the PC programming software for RTI, URC, and others, there are a least 4+ IR code sets available. It could be that missing code set is the one that works your receiver.

3) Someone posted back in March that the NXG software didn't work for their MX-850. Not sure if it was because of their hardware (not using the correct USB to serial adapter or maybe the settings....). But it is something to consider before purchasing an MX-850. If you can't get the software to work, it becomes a paperweight.

4) I checked a URC MX-450 I have stored in a box and it does seem to have all the codes sets for Sunfire in it. The MX-450 is a modern version of your MX-500. I see 2 on eBay right now for $35 delivered. The MX-490 (the one URC told you to get) is the newest version that just came out. Not going to find those used yet.


Before you cause yourself to much of a headache, I would recommend grabbing one of those MX-450 from eBay. It's a more useful remote than the old MX-500 these days, with a modern button layout. You are already somewhat familiar with how it programs (and the on-screen makes it even easier). And at only $35, its a cheap way to see if it works or not.
If that doesn't work, then we will brain storm from there. Got a feeling it will work thou.

So the guy sending me the 350 told me "URC pre programmed database with Sunfire code 344 installed which controls the Ultimate Receiver and TGP III units". So I guess this was not cloned and he just tested it and it works with an Ultimate Receiver so hopefully this works with mine!


Interesting. And I would have to find that weird 5-6 pin terminal cable to usb or whatever they used back in the day at URC. Another rabbit hole hahaha.


I've read a lot of people having connectivity issues on these but all of them had to do with the wrong cables being used. I'm talking to someone who might still have the original cable or I just spend a little more ($50-$60) and buy one that comes in the box on eBay.


I'm open to an MX-450 but URC told me the 490 I need an authorized dealer with special software to code. Would that be the same for the 450? Or is this something I can just do at home.

The MX-450 & MX-490 are 'program-on-remote' style (similar to the MX-500). There is no software to program them. So the person from URC you talked with, only passed the 'fogging up a mirror' test.
There is a piece of software from URC, to backup the file from the remote. So you can have a copy to load onto another remote without having to reprogram a new one (It's the modern version of cloning). But you can't program anything with that software. It is only to backup the remote.