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Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller | 
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| Brand: Monster
Category: CE
Buy New: See price in cart
New (33)
Rating:  18 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 12 x 14 x 10
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: MCC AVL300
Model: MCC AVL300
UPC: 050644312588
EAN: 0050644312588
ASIN: B000CQP5YS
Release Date: April 16, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | System includes MCC AVL300 Controller, and Monster OmniLink RF-IR blaster | | • | Extended control of AV components through floors, walls, ceiling, and furniture with MCC OmniLink | | • | Built-in Whole-Home control of Monster Central Lighting System dimmers and switches | | • | Controls multiple zones from anywhere in the home without need of custom integrated wiring and control panels | | • | Easy online-based Monster Central Lighting configurations for customized scenes, timer events, and advanced lighting controls |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The name Monster Cable is so synonymous with high quality and high performance. Monster Cable products are indispensable components for music lovers, audiophiles, recording studios, sound professionals, musicians, custom-installers and home theater enthusiasts.PRODUCT FEATURES:Controls multiple systems from anywhere in the home without custom integrated wiring and control panels;Easy online - based Monster lluminessence Lighting configurations for customized scenes and timer events;Simple, online, question - based setup of AV components and lighting through Monster Central website;Includes table top charging station and rechargeable lithium - ion battery;System A/B, Favorites, and two user - programmable buttons for added control features;System includes MCC AVL300 Controller, Monster OmniLink RF - IR bridge and blaster, and control link IR emitters;Extended control of AV components through floors, walls, ceiling, and furniture using OmniLink;Built - in "Whole - Home" control of Monster Illuminessence Lighting System dimmers and switches (sold separately).
From the Manufacturer
Monster Home Theater Controller AVL300 
Unique & stylish ergonomic design. |
Table-top charging station allows use of remote while charging the supplied lithium-ion battery. | The AVL300 Remote from Monster Cable has the capability to replace all of your existing remotes. Unlike other remotes on the market, the AVL300's Component and Activity buttons send multiple commands to multiple devices automatically, allowing true one-touch control. You can control even the most complex AV systems, and extend their functionality with the special feature buttons. The unique ergonomic design of the AVL300 features an intuitive layout of easy-to-read large tactile buttons. Thanks to the special illuminated backlit buttons, this remote is easy to read in the dark. 
One-touch control of any home entertainment system! | Easy to Use Best of all, there is no complex programming required to use this remote. Use your computer and the online setup wizard to easily configure home theater functions to create home entertainment activities. The Intelligent Monster Tracking Memory remembers what each component is doing, so when you switch activities your gear responds accurately. This functionality is easy enough for the whole family. You don't have to be a technophile to use the AVL300. Everyone from the kids to the babysitter can command home entertainment with ease! Convenient One-Remote Control and Functionality The AVL300 provides convenient one-remote control and functionality. This means that you can control multiple systems with one remote. Use in different rooms to control both local and main systems. With maximum versatility, the AVL300 easily commands all of your AV gear, even your room lighting! 
Monster Central Omnilink | 
Control Link Extender Set | Works Through Walls, Cabinets, and Floors Monster Controlnet Technology allows freedom to move around the house and never aim your remote again. Included Monster Omnilink extends operating range up to 130 feet. (Reception and performance may vary based on location of device, and environmental and structural conditions.) | Function Buttons The AVL300's large tactile function buttons allow complete control of your components. From basic page up and page down functions to Picture-in-Picture and surround sound/DSP mode switching, this remote has you covered. You can even get one-touch access to your lighting system! 
Get one-touch instant access to Monster Central Home Lighting System functions. | 
Control multiple systems for multiple rooms. | 
Quickly scroll through satellite and digital cable program guides. | 
Allows direct access to important picture controls like aspect ratio and PIP. | 
Allows convenient access to surround sound and DSP modes while listening. | Monster Central Control Monster Central Control is the world's most advanced remote control setup and information source. The web-based setup is fast and easy. The remote congfigurator walks you through your remote setup by simply asking you what home theater equipment you have and how it is connected. The exclusive online content ensures that you get the most from your remote and home theater experience. You can obtain easy-to-understand technical assistance and advice at Monster Central Control, plus important software downloads and updates. Make the best connections by downloading the Monster Connnection Guides for everything from PVR to iPod hook-ups. 
Web-based setup | 
Lighting setup | 
Online content | 
Connection guide | What's in the Box
Monster Home Theater Controller AVL300, long lasting lithium ion battery, tabletop charging system, Monster Central Omnilink, control link extender set.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
MCC AVL300-S July 14, 2008
Not being a techno wiz, I had someone program the remote for me. While it may be somewhat pricey, it does everything it's supposed to do, and I finally put away 6 other remote controls. What a joy to have this item on my theater armchair.
Thank Goodness For This Monster! July 4, 2008
My husband and I were about going crazy with all the remotes. We did not even look for a "one size fits all" because we thought we would have to spend a thousand dollars or more. Low and behold, I found the Monster when I decided to shop for one to give to my husband for this past Christmas. We have now used it for 6 months and we love it. It is definitely user friendly. This is the only remote we use. Be prepared to spend some time setting it up, but after all that, we have had only one issue with it: after we shut off the system subsequent to watching a DVD, when we go to turn the system on for just regular TV viewing, the right video number does not come on. We then have to turn the system off and then turn it back on. Everything is great after that. A minor inconvenience when we think about all the frustration we experienced with the handful of other remotes. We simply have not had time to reconfigure the settings and after all the reviews regarding the customer service, I am very encouraged to contact them and feel confident that this minor problem will be fixed. I highly recommend this remote.
 Major hassle - does not consistently work May 31, 2008
I have programmed and reprogrammed this device to watch TV, DVR, DVD with a stereo for sound. I choose the radio signal option instead of the infrared and it DOES NOT WORK with any consistency. My family no longer uses it. I have been on the phone with support at Monster. They are nice but the problems do not get fixed. It works for awhile for some things and then other times it just doesn't turn the volume up, turn the TV off, etc.
After about 12 hours of time spent on it over a few days, I have come to hate the thing.
 The good and the bad after six months May 27, 2008
Hi, let me preface this by saying I also have a Phillips Pronto Pro TSU6000 remote. It is a similar but more expensive unit than the Monster. Many of my opinions are based on comparing the two devices. They differ considerably with both having strengths and weaknesses. I've owned both of them for over six months now. I suspect a lot of the people saying this is the 'best remote ever' have not tried anything else in the same price range.
Overall I'm pleased with the AVL300. It is very feature rich. The inclusion of an RF module is an example. With the Pronto RF is an expensive option.
The physical size is also nice. The Pronto is much bulkier and cannot be operated with one hand. It also slips out of your hand easily and you shudder when the $600 device hits the floor. Conversely the Monster is easy to grip and many of the functions can be accessed using only one hand.
The Pronto makes extensive use of 'soft' keys whereas the Monster does not. By 'soft keys' I mean the touch screen rather than actual buttons. It sounds cool and high tech but is over rated. Pressing the touch screen is by nature imprecise. You don't get any tactile feedback so you often miss the key you want and hit the wrong one. The Monster uses true buttons AKA 'hard keys'. It's much easier to tell when your finger is on the button and far less error prone.
The software for programming the two devices is vastly different. I won't try to go into all the details here but here are some highlights.
The Pronto software is very powerful but requires considerable technical savvy. You have to create the entire user interface for the touch screen buttons and panels from scratch. You also have to manually create all the macros to turn on groups of devices. It takes days to setup a moderately complicated home theater. On the bright side there is a big user community that shares what they have created. That can give you a big head start.
The Monster software is wizard based and guides you through the process. The basic setup is pretty straight forward and easy. While it still requires time and technical savvy it's nothing like the Pronto. Fine tunning things is more challenging. Also, the list of home theater components they support is remarkably extensive. They have the codes for just about everything it seems. They have game systems, lighting controllers, stereo components and even had the codes for my Escient Fireball media server. Not having to learn codes from the original remotes saves so much time. One disappointment is they don't take full advantage of discrete codes. These are special codes for A/V devices that typically can't be accessed via the OEM remote but do exist. The discrete codes are huge assets when controlling home theaters.
The software is not without issues. First, it is very slow and clumsy. For example when you click the forward and back button in the wizard there is a noticeable delay before anything happens. Also, you frequently have to go back to the very beginning when configuring multiple settings and devices. It gets tedious. The software could be more intuitive as well. Worst of all you always must have a live internet connection and login to their site to configure the remote. What the heck is that for?? You can't even change the text label on a button without logging into the web. Maybe that's why it's so sluggish going through the wizard.
I hate the charging base for the remote. The remote doesn't snap into the charger it just lays loosely on top. It's very easy to not get it seated properly, or knock it out of position. When that happens obviously it doesn't charge. Many people have reported problems with it.
As compared to the Pronto Pro I would say the biggest strength of the Monster is the hardware. The greatest weakness is the software. It needs more customization capability and an 'advanced mode' so that I don't have to go through the wizard all the time.
Last but not least I have to mention that my unit broke. It recently decided it was not going to charge at all anymore. The support people at Monster were very helpful and I'm in the process of getting it replaced.
Happy remote controlling!
The best remote out there April 29, 2008
After using this remote for a while I'm finally ready to post a review. The reason it took so long is because it also took me a while to set it up properly. Once I got it working though, it delivers. I'll share some of my experiences and see if any of them help you decide.
First of all, the remote is used to control several AV components, including a Blu ray player, AV receiver, video projector, music server and more. All of them are concealed inside a closet with wooden doors, so having an RF (radio frequency) remote was mandatory. Out of the box you get the Remote, an RF extender (called Omnilink), cables and software. The remote looks great, except for the center select button which feels very cheap and feels it will break easily. Installation is quite easy, and after you plug in the remote, the setup program will completely guide you adding each component and setting up different `activities' for you to use. For Example, if you set up and activity called "Watch movie", you will control de DVD player, receiver for volume without having to switch back and forth. Sounds easy right? So far yes, but chances are, you won't get it right the first time, so you will have to go back and redo some settings, or even customize the buttons to your needs. Whatever the reason, every time you choose update be prepared to spend about 10 - 15 minutes in front of your computer. Another feature is the built-in help from the remote: it ask you basic questions of current connected equipment and fixes the problem for you (e.g. Is the Cable Box on?, is the TV set to HDMI 1? Etc).
One of the nice features is the ability to control lights wirelessly. Of course, this comes with an extra cost, and you will find yourself adding around 100 extra for each dimmer you choose to add. Granted that you probably spent a fair amount of money in the home theater itself, its something you don't want to miss out. After adding each dimmer, you will have to add it with the software and can choose different light settings (% of light you want to dim).
If any problem should arise, you can always reach tech service and they will help you out. I consider myself tech-savvy, and I still had to call. Fortunately my problem was an easy fix but was not listed in the help files. After spending time you will learn to fix problems yourself, but I guess the ultimate objective is that anybody in your household can use it without needing help.
In summary, this is an awesome remote once you get all the settings right, but it will take you a while to get there. Four stars it is.
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