PDA

View Full Version : Logitech Harmony Universal Remotes



SicEmBaylor
12/30/2008, 07:08 PM
I got one for Christmas, and I've been trying to get it set up today (I just got back to Waco last night). This thing is a little quirky, but I finally managed to program all the custom buttons just the way I want them and everything works to perfection EXCEPT none of my devices switch to the proper input channel on startup the way they're supposed to. For example, my TV is suppose to go to HDMI1 when watching TV and automatically switch to HDMI2 when I want to watch a movie. The damned thing just won't work! Ugh!

I'm about to give up and just resign myself to having to manually switch it every single time.

OklaPony
12/31/2008, 11:28 AM
I've programmed 5 or 6 of them with all different brands and ages of components and rarely run into an issue. What kind of equipment are you trying to control?

yermom
12/31/2008, 12:00 PM
if SicEm gets this figured out, i'm so buying one

soonerboomer93
12/31/2008, 12:01 PM
I got one for Christmas, and I've been trying to get it set up today (I just got back to Waco last night). This thing is a little quirky, but I finally managed to program all the custom buttons just the way I want them and everything works to perfection EXCEPT none of my devices switch to the proper input channel on startup the way they're supposed to. For example, my TV is suppose to go to HDMI1 when watching TV and automatically switch to HDMI2 when I want to watch a movie. The damned thing just won't work! Ugh!

I'm about to give up and just resign myself to having to manually switch it every single time.

this is the danger you run into, when you buy something smarter then yourself

IB4OU2
12/31/2008, 12:24 PM
I got one for Christmas, and I've been trying to get it set up today (I just got back to Waco last night). This thing is a little quirky, but I finally managed to program all the custom buttons just the way I want them and everything works to perfection EXCEPT none of my devices switch to the proper input channel on startup the way they're supposed to. For example, my TV is suppose to go to HDMI1 when watching TV and automatically switch to HDMI2 when I want to watch a movie. The damned thing just won't work! Ugh!

I'm about to give up and just resign myself to having to manually switch it every single time.

Wow! It's almost as easy as changing a tire.....or reading a map.

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 12:38 PM
It's possible that if the problem is mainly cropping up from the TV being off that either it tries to switch inputs before the TV is on or before it's responsive. If it's that, move the switch order down or introduce a delay before it tries to switch.

Had my Harmony 880 for a couple of years now and love it.

SicEmBaylor
12/31/2008, 03:18 PM
It's possible that if the problem is mainly cropping up from the TV being off that either it tries to switch inputs before the TV is on or before it's responsive. If it's that, move the switch order down or introduce a delay before it tries to switch.

Had my Harmony 880 for a couple of years now and love it.

I got it figured out last night. A delay was the issue. My TV takes about 8 seconds to start up, and the remote was sending the input command instantaneously before the TV was fully on. It works to perfection now. :D

The only other issue I'm having, and it's a very minor one, is that the volume control tends to "get away" from me. It's VERY sensitive and at times I end up blasting the volume when I just try to increase it a couple of notches.

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 03:23 PM
Toldja.

Harmonys are a bit notorious for those kinds of problems. Another good one is powering up components in the wrong order so the HDMI handshake doesn't occur.

Don't get me wrong-love my Harmony and they're great remotes. Just a bit frustrating when those issues crop up.

Glad you got it fixed.

yermom
12/31/2008, 03:40 PM
so i guess i have to buy one now :D

any thoughts on these two?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_596ONE/Logitech-Harmony-One.html?tp=608&tab=detailed_info

this one's a refurb, sometimes that scares me, and other times not so much. i can't tell with this one

http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4183764&SRCCODE=LSCMPUSA&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=Es5Ekr9eEBk-x0mRknyTvELxefrZGhneTA

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 03:44 PM
Those 1000s are pretty sweet. Couldn't tell at first glance whether it has RF control. If I went back and did it over I'd get one with RF so's I could put all the AV equipment in a closet and hide it from view.

OklaPony
12/31/2008, 04:39 PM
Harmonys are a bit notorious for those kinds of problems. Another good one is powering up components in the wrong order so the HDMI handshake doesn't occur...
Hmmm... I bet that's what's going on with my mom's new upscaling DVD player, I never thought of that. What is the correct order?

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 04:55 PM
Depends on the device, but usually you want the TV on first.

OklaPony
12/31/2008, 05:46 PM
Depends on the device, but usually you want the TV on first.
This is a Sharp Aquos TV and a Samsung DVD/VCR.

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 06:09 PM
OK, try making sure that the TV is powered up completely before turning on the DVD player. If it works when you do that, it's a handshake problem.

Handshake is where the display broadcasts a message to the DVD player "I'm HDCP comlpliant!" while the DVD player broadcasts "Are you HDCP compliant?" If the DVD player broadcasts and gets no response from the set (because it's not broadcasting yet) it'll decide no tickee no washee.

Cam
12/31/2008, 07:14 PM
I've had Harmony remotes for years and love them. They're so easy to use that my wife doesn't have any issues with it. Hell, my 6 year old already has the basics figured out.

Sic'em, with the Sharp's, you've got to assign the proper input sequence. I ran into the same problem you had with HDMI a couple of weeks ago when we got a new DVD. Using an 8 second delay is way too long. You'll need to set up your input instructions like this: <Input> <Input3>. Set it like you would need to push 2 buttons to change your input device on your tv. Then you'll have to assign the input devices to numbers in the Harmony set-up tool.

Their tech support used to rock before they were bought by Logitech. Now, it takes them 24-48 hours to get back to you and they rarely do what you ask them to. You're better off just making changes and testing it on your own.

BudSooner
12/31/2008, 07:26 PM
Those 1000s are pretty sweet. Couldn't tell at first glance whether it has RF control. If I went back and did it over I'd get one with RF so's I could put all the AV equipment in a closet and hide it from view.

I had to re-read this, I thought you DID put your equipment in a closet...I was gonna ask about how many feet of HDMI cable you used and the cost of it.
My wife and I were discussing this, but i'm not sure about doing it due to price.

SicEmBaylor
12/31/2008, 07:35 PM
I've had Harmony remotes for years and love them. They're so easy to use that my wife doesn't have any issues with it. Hell, my 6 year old already has the basics figured out.

Sic'em, with the Sharp's, you've got to assign the proper input sequence. I ran into the same problem you had with HDMI a couple of weeks ago when we got a new DVD. Using an 8 second delay is way too long. You'll need to set up your input instructions like this: <Input> <Input3>. Set it like you would need to push 2 buttons to change your input device on your tv. Then you'll have to assign the input devices to numbers in the Harmony set-up tool.

Their tech support used to rock before they were bought by Logitech. Now, it takes them 24-48 hours to get back to you and they rarely do what you ask them to. You're better off just making changes and testing it on your own.

I have a Vizio not a Sharp, but the input method is very similar so I tried what you suggested and that works much much better. Spek!

The harmony's software gives you choices for 3 or 4 different types, but mine is something of a hybrid. There are individual buttons on the original remote for the TV/AV/Component/HDMI etc. but you have to press each of those buttons multiple times to get to the proper input. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Now, I can control this badass setup in universal remote type style. :D ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/SicEmBaylor/66d9464e.jpg

soonerboomer93
12/31/2008, 08:03 PM
*dies a little inside*

SicEmBaylor
12/31/2008, 08:11 PM
*dies a little inside*

Let go of your jealousy.

Cam
12/31/2008, 08:12 PM
Cool. Not sure why I thought you had a Sharp. Oh well, glad it worked.


I have a Vizio not a Sharp, but the input method is very similar so I tried what you suggested and that works much much better. Spek!

The harmony's software gives you choices for 3 or 4 different types, but mine is something of a hybrid. There are individual buttons on the original remote for the TV/AV/Component/HDMI etc. but you have to press each of those buttons multiple times to get to the proper input. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Now, I can control this badass setup in universal remote type style. :D ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/SicEmBaylor/66d9464e.jpg

Frozen Sooner
12/31/2008, 08:25 PM
Heh. OK, I may need to post a pic of my setup later.

SicEmBaylor
12/31/2008, 08:30 PM
Heh. OK, I may need to post a pic of my setup later.

I bet you it isn't as beautiful looking as mine. ;)

bluedogok
1/1/2009, 06:14 PM
Those 1000s are pretty sweet. Couldn't tell at first glance whether it has RF control. If I went back and did it over I'd get one with RF so's I could put all the AV equipment in a closet and hide it from view.
We have one of those at work with a 65" Sharp Aquos and a MiniPC in the conference room and the other components back in the server room, we have a lager (1/2" x 1") IR receiver mounted under the LCD with the blasters running into the server room. It would have probably been too far away for RF to work in our case.

I have been thinking about getting one for home to make it easier for the wife to do something other than watch the DirecTV. I tried one of those Kameleon remotes a few years ago but it just wouldn't work with some components and died after a week.

Cam
1/1/2009, 06:49 PM
If my 6 year old daughter can figure out how to go between watching tv and dvd's with the remote, then your wife shouldn't have a problem. Breakdown and buy one, you'll love it once you get it set-up.

RacerX
1/1/2009, 10:22 PM
I had to re-read this, I thought you DID put your equipment in a closet...I was gonna ask about how many feet of HDMI cable you used and the cost of it.
My wife and I were discussing this, but i'm not sure about doing it due to price.

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

yermom
2/7/2009, 09:04 PM
finally got mine working with the PS3

i had bought one of these (http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/8896714/reviews.htm), which has a ****ty remote, but provides an IR eye so you can kinda fake it out like it's a PS2 and manually learn the buttons that don't work right

bluedogok
2/7/2009, 10:44 PM
Since the PS3 operates with a Bluetooth remote it is a bit of an oddball for universal remotes. There are a few companies that make IR-to-PS3 remote receivers like the Schmart Stuff - PS3IR (http://www.schmartstuff.com/). I plan on getting one when I finally get a universal remote.

olevetonahill
2/8/2009, 12:59 AM
I have a Vizio not a Sharp, but the input method is very similar so I tried what you suggested and that works much much better. Spek!

The harmony's software gives you choices for 3 or 4 different types, but mine is something of a hybrid. There are individual buttons on the original remote for the TV/AV/Component/HDMI etc. but you have to press each of those buttons multiple times to get to the proper input. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Now, I can control this badass setup in universal remote type style. :D ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/SicEmBaylor/66d9464e.jpg

Any body else see the Fail in this Pic ?:eek:

Frozen Sooner
2/8/2009, 01:38 AM
I bet you it isn't as beautiful looking as mine. ;)

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/Froze_02/Stuff009.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/Froze_02/Stuff010.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/Froze_02/Stuff011.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/Froze_02/Stuff012.jpg

And here's a picture of Steve doing some mild domination of Ted, apparently:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/Froze_02/Stuff008.jpg