Getting started with Xsight and Nevo
Contents |
Introduction
The Xsight and Nevo model remotes are very advanced IR and RF remotes made by Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), the maker of One-for-all (OFA) brand and supplier to many OEMs, cable and satellite systems. With original list prices of $150-$250 US, and current prices of around $20 on ebay, they are arguably the best value of any universal remote available today, very similar in form and function to certain Harmony remotes at a fraction of the price. It can control any consumer IR device in existence. Universal Electronics Device Codes Database is the largest and most comprehensive in the world.
- Nevo C2 / Xsight Color - IR only
- Nevo C3 / Xsight Touch - IR and RF
Advanced features include:
- LCD display with up to 5 pages of 6 functions per page
- Fully backlit
- 15-18 devices (18 devices for Touch, C2 and C3)
- Rechargeable battery (Touch and C3 only)
- RF with 6 IR blasters (Touch and C3 only)
- Direct RF control of several home automation devices and HR20 series DirecTV receivers (Touch and C3 only)
- 72 favorites with icons and custom categories (Mom, Dad, Kids, Sports, News, etc.)
- Activity macros
- Device specific macros
- Variable hold durations
- Pronto hex import
- Custom devices and protocols
- Custom icon for any command
- Offline config with unlimited local file backups and versions
- IR signal analysis tools via Remote Master
- Convert learns to new device
- Programming via Remote Master on Mac/Linux/Windows XP/7/8/10
- Access to huge UEI database, Remote Central codes and JP1 database
Setup and Programming
Xsight and Nevo can be programmed entirely in Remote Master. Device configuration can be done entirely on the remote itself. Activities, Macros and Favorites must be programmed from a PC. If your remote came with a CD, DO NOT install it. The EZ-RC website and software used to program these remotes no longer exists. If you are running Windows 8.1 or greater, also apply the Xsight Color patch (mirror copy), or the Xsight Touch patch (mirror copy).
Remote Master is an alternative to the now defunct EZ-RC website. To use it, download and install Remote Master. Then connect your remote and download from it.
If you are new to Remote Master, please read the Tutorials and learn how to use it before you attempt to program your Xsight or Nevo with it. All JP1 remotes share much of the same functionality. But features unique to Xsight/Nevo are found here.
Here is the general work flow:
- The first time you run RMIR, connect your remote and Download from it (and save the .rmir file, in case you want to restore it later)
- Go to the JP1 file section and download the device upgrades you'd like to add. (Device model numbers usually don't need to match exactly since most models of a similar vintage within the same brand share most of the same codes).
- In RMIR, go to the Devices tab, click New, Open, then browse to the device upgrade file you downloaded from the file section and arrange the functions as desired on the Layout and/or Buttons tabs (click Page+/- to access each page of the LCD screen). Assign icons as desired.
- Click OK when done
- Assign device icons, button names and volume lock (volume punch through) on the General tab
- Create and edit Activities on the Activities tab. Assign icons as desired.
- Create and edit Macros on the Macros tab
- Create and edit Favorites on the Favorites tab. Assign icons as desired.
- Optionally manage and convert learned signals to device upgrades on the Learned Signals tab
- Upload to the remote
- Save often (you can save/load as many versions as you wish)
A Macro is simply a series of commands performed with a single button press. An Activity is a special kind of macro that also assigns groups of buttons to different devices, i.e., volume keys to a receiver, playback keys to a disc player, number keys to a cable box, etc. Activities are good for turning several devices on or off and selecting the appropriate inputs as well as assigning each group of keys to the appropriate devices. Macros are good for sending a series of commands to save button presses, i.e., if it takes several steps to toggle captions on your device, put all those steps in a macro and assign to a single button.
The Volume Lock settings on the General tab set the volume control device when a given device is selected. The volume device on the Activities tab takes precedence over this when a given activity is run.
Please post questions, bug reports and feature requests here. Development discussion should continue in the existing developer thread. If you are a beginner with RM and have general questions, please post those in a new thread or other existing threads if applicable.
Favorites and Icons
The Nevo and Xsight Touch and Color models have a favorites list feature. It consists of one master list, and several other custom lists which are a subset of the master list. Each favorite can have an icon (max 72x34, automatically scaled down if larger) which can be assigned in RMIR by double clicking the Icon checkbox. The best source for channel logo icons is iconharmony and there are more icons here.
Every individual function for every device can also have an icon. Devices and Activities can also have icons, but those are limited to a set of built-in icons.
The total number of icons across all favorites, profiles and functions is limited to 80 minus the 8 built in profile icons. If you find that you cannot add an icon, you have reached this limit. In that case, delete any unused or unnecessary icons.
Here is a dedicated icons thread with more info and links to other icon sources.
Win 8.1/10 Requirements
Certain registry settings are required in order for Xsight to maintain a connection in Win 8.1 and 10 which are detailed here. (Requires RMIR v2.10 build 5, or later)
Links to the official registry patches from OneForAll are posted below in the References section. Or you can simply follow the instructions in RMIR linked above.
Troubleshooting
- If the remote won't learn, make sure you are aiming at the bottom of the Xsight/Nevo. The learning eye is not at the top of the remote like most other JP1 remotes.
- If you can't remove the Assist buttons in your activities, then you need to update the firmware on your remote. If your firmware is not the latest version, Remote Master will prompt you to upgrade it.
- If your remote won't download, upload or stay connected in Windows 8/8.1/10, you need to perform the registry patch in the previous section.
- If your remote is unresponsive, try the reset instructions here.
- If none of the above work, you can rebuild the memory in the remote and so remove any corruption by performing the following steps:
- Connect remote with the USB cable.
- Open RMIR and load the .rmir file of the setup before you had any problems. Do NOT try to upload it to the remote. Just load it into RMIR.
- Open the "Advanced" menu and select "XSight operations". This opens a sub-menu. On that, select "Format and rebuild XSight file system...".
- You should now have a message with some information that asks if you are sure you want to continue. Click the "Yes" button.
- The progress bar at the bottom of the screen will now say "REBUILDING FILE SYSTEM". This will take a few minutes. I have just done this and it took 2 minutes on my PC. After one minute it only reached 15%, but it speeds up after that. When it finishes, it should give a message saying "Reformatting and rebuild complete" and showing an OK button. Press that button.
- Now press the Upload button on the toolbar (or select "Remote > Upload to remote" from the menu bar if you prefer). You will get the usual message saying that an upload overwrites what is in the remote and asking if you want to continue. Yes, you do. Your setup should now upload to the remote without any problems. When the upload finishes, you can disconnect the remote from the PC
FAQ
What's the difference between the Xsight Color, Xsight Touch, Nevo C2 and Nevo C3?
- The 18 device Xsight Touch (URC-8603 or AARX18G) is identical to the Nevo C3, and the 15 device Color (URC-8602 or ARRX15G) is identical to the C2 except that the C2 has 18 devices. The Touch and Color are the same except that all Touch models are 18 device, add RF capability, rechargeable battery, charging base, slimmer/lighter design and touchscreen. The on-screen functions on the Color are accessed via buttons along the sides rather than direct touch. The URC models are OneForAll brand in Europe and the AARX are Acoustic Research brand in the US. C2 and C3 are Nevo brand worldwide. The first Xsight model was introduced around 2009 and discontinued around 2011.
- The RF capable Xsight Touch and Nevo C3 require a base (with 6 included blasters) in order to be used in RF mode (ARRE433B or REX-433). Without the base, the remote can still be used in IR mode or in RF mode for HR2x and H2x series DirecTV devices and certain RF home automation devices.
- There are two other similar, but more limited Xsight models, the 12 device Plus (URC-8620 or AARX12G) and 6 device Lite (URC-8610). These are physically smaller and have only a 3 line LCD where each function is accessed by using an up/down rocker switch to select.
- Finally, there is the entirely unique Monster Revolution 200. It is not to be confused with any other Monster remote and is the only one that used EZ-RC. It is essentially two different controllers in one. It is described as providing Home Theater (AV) and Lighting Control and these are entirely separate functions. The AV support is broadly similar to that of the XSight Lite, supporting 6 devices together with Activities and Favorites. The big difference from the XSight Lite is that it can ONLY be programmed with EZ-RC (and now, of course, RMIR). There is no built-in IR database and no means of programming it from the remote. RMIR (as of v2.05 build 2) provides a complete replacement for EZ-RC support, including firmware upgrade. The Lighting control, on the other hand, can ONLY be programmed from the remote. EZ-RC has nothing to do with this functionality. A detailed manual is provided on disk about this programming. This is Z-Wave control; for those like me who have no idea what this means, the glossary in the manual says "Z-Wave uses reliable, low power radio waves to control all aspects of your home wirelessly: lighting, climate control, safety and security, home entertainment, energy conservation, and remote monitoring".
What are some of the special features of Remote Master?
- It gives you direct access to every aspect of the remote configuration.
- Save/load/edit/create any number of devices or remote configurations off-line and edit them whether your remote is connected or not.
- Load any of the thousands of devices in the JP1 file section.
- Download new devices from UEI on the Simple Set website and convert to Xsight/Nevo format.
- Convert learns to new devices which results in perfect signals and uses less memory.
- You can use tools like IRScrutinizer to analyze pronto hex codes and build your own devices from them in RM.
- Runs on many platforms (PC/Mac/Linux) and does not require a browser.
How is Xsight different from other JP1 remotes?
- Xsight has an LCD (controlled via touch or buttons depending on the model) for up to 30 additional functions per device or 72 favorites with custom icons. This is a major advantage as additional functions can be logically organized and clearly labeled. On a traditional JP1 remote, additional functions would have to be memorized or documented on a "cheat sheet" for reference.
- Xsight includes a USB interface cable, so it is not necessary to buy or build a JP1 cable.
- Xsight has no "keymoves" like other JP1 remotes since you can assign any function from any device to any button in the Device editor. This takes the place of keymoves.
- Xsight does not and never will have an extender. This means no extender capabilities like toadtog or calling macros from within macros.
- Xsight has many extender features already built-in: unlimited length macros, device specific macros, pauses, key group mapping and enough devices so that multiplexing isn't needed. It also has enough LCD buttons that long, short, double, shifted and double shifted buttons aren't needed either.
- Xsight is activity based. This means the Xsight has a special class of macros that includes key group mapping for mixing the functions of different devices and handling channel lock and volume punch thru. However, Xsight activities differ from Harmony activities in that after the activity macro runs, the remote ends up in a specific device mode with certain key groups mapped to other devices as desired. In this sense, an Xsight activity is simply a macro plus key group mapping, not a mode of operation per se, like a Harmony activity would be.
- Xsight Touch can natively control HR2x, H2x series DirecTV DVRs and receivers as well as many home automation devices directly via RF without needing an RF base or IR blasters, making it a truly universal RF remote
- Xsight has guided, interactive device code setup on the remote. This means if you want to use Xsight without activities, to set up the remote, you simply look up the brands of your devices on the remote itself without having to look up any codes or connect to a computer.
- Xsight favorites feature is greatly enhanced over other JP1 remotes. Rather than just a few favorites executed sequentially by a single button, Xsight has up to 72 directly accessible favorites on the LCD with custom full color icons and optionally grouped into several custom categories.
- Xsight Touch has a rechargeable battery and charging base.
- Xsight has a huge amount of memory. Rather than a few kilobytes, it has a few megabytes for devices, macros, learning and icons.
- These remotes have been discontinued since 2011 and as such, the material used to create the rubberized feel on these remotes is aging. It may be desirable to remove it using a solvent or similar product.
How does Xsight compare to similar Harmony remotes?
- The Xsight Touch RF remote is very similar to the Harmony 900 and Xsight Color IR remote is very similar to the Harmony One, 650, 665 and 700 in terms of button layout, ergonomics and features. Both are PC programmable, activity based, backlit, learning, have a step-wise help facility, and have favorites and icons. Like the 900, the Touch is RF and has a rechargeable battery and charging base. Like the 650/665, the Color is IR only and uses standard AA batteries. But you can use rechargeable AAs (Eneloop type batteries are highly recommend).
- The biggest difference is that Xsight does NOT have power and input state tracking like Harmony. This means for TOADs (devices that have only power toggle and input cycling commands), Xsight cannot remember those states. In activity macros, devices could toggle off when it was intended for them to toggle on or go to the wrong input. But, if you are able to use discrete power and input commands, this doesn't matter. With discretes, the power and input states will always work correctly. This can also be an advantage in systems using HDMI-CEC control which normally interferes with Harmony state tracking.
- Key advantages Xsight has over Harmony are:
- 6 functions per page
- Hard Red/Green/Blue/Yellow buttons (Harmony One lacks these)
- 15 devices (18 devices for Touch, C2 and C3)
- Native RF universal remote control for home automation and some DirecTV receivers
- 72 favorites with custom categories (Mom, Dad, Kids, Sports, News, etc.)
- Editable activity macros
- Unlimited macro length
- Variable hold durations (great for turning TV vol to zero with one command)
- Pronto hex import
- Custom devices and protocols
- Custom icon for any command
- Offline config with unlimited local file backups and versions
- IR signal analysis tools
- Advanced programming via Remote Master on Mac/Linux/Windows XP/7/8/10
- Access to huge UEI device database, Remote Central codes and JP1 database
- Key advantages Harmony has over Xsight are:
- Power and input state tracking
- Access to Harmony device database
What is the latest firmware and how do I get it?
- The latest firmware version is 1.3.32 for Xsight and 1.3.33 for Nevo (Home -> Settings -> -> About) and is available in Remote Master. If you are not running the latest, Remote Master will prompt you, and you can perform the upgrade from there.
How can I factory reset my remote?
- Go to 'Home'
- Hit settings'
- Scroll to the last page
- Hit 'Reset' ONCE
- Type '981'
- Screen should change from 'Reset' to 'Factory Reset'
- Press Factory Reset
Buying the Nevo
- Nevo C2 / C3, Xsight Color / Touch: You can buy the Nevo C2 / Xsight Color on ebay (shipped worldwide from China) for under $25, other models for more: (eBay Search)
Other Xsight Models
There are also a few other Xsight models, the 6-device Xsight Lite / Plus / Uno, aka, URC-8610 / URC-8620 / ARRX06G. Like the other models, they have an LCD screen, but it's limited to 3 commands at a time, accessed by scrolling and selecting one at a time. They also have a USB port and works with Remote Master and may have a black or silver bezel around the screen.
References
- Xsight_Disassembly
- Xsight Manual (mirror copy)
- Xsight thread at AVSForum
- Xsight review at RemoteCentral
- Icons and Logos
- Remote Master
- Win 8/10 Connection Patch from OneForAll (mirror): Xsight Color, Xsight Touch
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 connection patch
Note: All Xsight Color/Touch info also applies to Nevo C2/C3.