eplebnista
Lifer
- Dec 3, 2001
- 24,123
- 36
- 91
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
GF bought me a 550 for X-Mas. best gift in many years.
With one button press, it sets up TV for my GF (no speakers
), TV through system, Blu Ray (PS3), CD, HD DVD, etc. awesome little device.
And BB had them for $50 a week before Christmas. Got mine as an early gift
With one button press, it sets up TV for my GF (no speakers
), TV through system, Blu Ray (PS3), CD, HD DVD, etc. awesome little device.And BB had them for $50 a week before Christmas. Got mine as an early gift
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
It should definitely be able to control the STB. as long as the others have IR, or some way to implement IR, the Harmony should be able to figure it out. smart little bastards, they are.
It glows whenever I walk near it...I think it's becoming sentient :shocked:
destrekor
Lifer
- Nov 18, 2005
- 28,799
- 359
- 126
Hey, this Harmony remotes.... can they tackle one problem I haven't been able to?
Here in our apartment, we have a rather unique setup... two tv's side by side so we can watch or play what we want for the most part.
Major problem: one tv is a Sharp CRT, and my tv is a Sharp LCD. Both apparently use the same damn code, as both remotes work for the other, and programming the cable remote (device buttons on top) to control the tv, none of the Sharp codes work besides one or two, and either works with neither tv or both at same time.
Makes it interesting playing a game and someone wants to change the channel on the other tv and doesn't aim it right... oops.
Hell, could I even get a Harmony to try and cooperate with two different tv's? Only the LCD is hooked up to the receiver and all devices go into it. Only bummer is the PS3.. but I like the PS3's BD Remote so I might keep that, or get a cheap USB IR receiver for it.
Here in our apartment, we have a rather unique setup... two tv's side by side so we can watch or play what we want for the most part.
Major problem: one tv is a Sharp CRT, and my tv is a Sharp LCD. Both apparently use the same damn code, as both remotes work for the other, and programming the cable remote (device buttons on top) to control the tv, none of the Sharp codes work besides one or two, and either works with neither tv or both at same time.
Makes it interesting playing a game and someone wants to change the channel on the other tv and doesn't aim it right... oops.
Hell, could I even get a Harmony to try and cooperate with two different tv's? Only the LCD is hooked up to the receiver and all devices go into it. Only bummer is the PS3.. but I like the PS3's BD Remote so I might keep that, or get a cheap USB IR receiver for it.
I bought a Harmony 520 for $30 a few weeks ago and I'm not terribly impressed. I guess it's because it can't do what I want it to replace me doing by hand.
When I got my 42" Philips TV, My MCE remote wasn't able to learn it, so I couldn't turn it on/off. So we've been turning it on/off by hand at the TV. The problem with this TV is that when I'm watching MCE, there's something up with the volume where it's really low on the HDMI input. So I have to turn the TV up to 90 or so to listen to TV on MCE. Then, when I switch to my XBox, I have to turn the TV way down to to 30-ish or the 360 is way too loud. The Harmony can't do this automatically so I still have to get up and lower the volume and switch inputs by hand.
Take in to consideration that it's also not a great MCE replacement remote and I'll probably pull the batteries on it and go back to the Microsoft MCE remote by the end of the month. Maybe when I have more stuff, like a reciever, it'll come in more handy, but I doubt it. All my video playback, including dvd/blu-ray will be through the HTPC and then the XBox will likely be all I have for a long while.
When I got my 42" Philips TV, My MCE remote wasn't able to learn it, so I couldn't turn it on/off. So we've been turning it on/off by hand at the TV. The problem with this TV is that when I'm watching MCE, there's something up with the volume where it's really low on the HDMI input. So I have to turn the TV up to 90 or so to listen to TV on MCE. Then, when I switch to my XBox, I have to turn the TV way down to to 30-ish or the 360 is way too loud. The Harmony can't do this automatically so I still have to get up and lower the volume and switch inputs by hand.
Take in to consideration that it's also not a great MCE replacement remote and I'll probably pull the batteries on it and go back to the Microsoft MCE remote by the end of the month. Maybe when I have more stuff, like a reciever, it'll come in more handy, but I doubt it. All my video playback, including dvd/blu-ray will be through the HTPC and then the XBox will likely be all I have for a long while.
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
- 111,892
- 31,410
- 146
should be able to. my 550 will recognize different devises, and you can name which is which yourself. When you set-up different activities, you can have one activity to run on one of the TVs, and another to turn on the other TV.
At least, I think it would work...As long as you initially enter separate model numbers, I assume the remote will eb able to treat them as separate devices.
The Blue Wave USB IR converter for the PS3 works well with the Harmony 550 and others, at only $20. The only thing it can't do is power the PS3 on or off--I don't find this necessary, anyway, as you have to physically put a disc in anyways (it also can't eject, but same applies). Actually, you can turn off the unit through the PS3 menu now, so the Harmony can do that. There is an option that will allow you to turn it off with Harmony, but it starts at 100 and is an RF converter unit. I don't think the +$80 premium to add the power-on option is worth it.
You do have to tinker a bit to get the remote to work properly with the PS3, but it does work quite well. The Harmony works much better with the Comcast motorolla DVR than does the buggy remote that Comcast provides--that in itself was worth the 50 bucks paid for the 550.
Pliablemoose
Lifer
- Oct 11, 1999
- 25,195
- 0
- 56
You're doing it wrong, I use mine to control MCE, if it doesn't control what you like, use the software app and customize it to meet your needs.
using sequence programming you can add a few volume clicks up or down, switch input, turn on other device, and adjust its volume clicks up or down a few notches. seems doable to me
MichaelD
Lifer
- Jan 16, 2001
- 31,528
- 3
- 76
:thumbsup: Great minds think alike. I love my 880. Logitech does a pretty good job of keeping their database up-to-date; there's a very high probability that you'll find your component in their database. The Logitech remote does a really good job of mimicking the factory remote's main functions. And what's not copied over by default, you can always "teach" the remote.
My 880 is currently replacing FIVE remotes...not to mention about a dozen key presses on said diff remotes just to watch tv/watch dvd/listen to CD/etc.
Combine it's "takes the place of x-number or remotes" value with it's "HELP" button, which basically says "What's not on?/switch to proper input?" and sets it properly, and you've got an invaluable device!
Best money I've spent on my HT yet.
Kyle
Diamond Member
- Oct 14, 1999
- 4,146
- 11
- 91
I've used the 880 for a couple years now...for the most part I love it- with some (somewhat) minor gripes.
-The charging base is ridiculous- there are times that it takes literally 5 mins for me to get the remote and base to "match" and start charging - this is after cleaning the contacts on the charger + remote etc...so annoying.
-The tilt sensor (turns on the backlight when remote is picked up) stopped working multiple times, requiring me to log in to the setup website and turn off then back on the tilt sensor to fix it. This last time, nothing seems to fix it. Think it's finally completly broken.
Other than that though it is really easy to use/update...that Logitech One remote looks slick, hadn't seen that before
-The charging base is ridiculous- there are times that it takes literally 5 mins for me to get the remote and base to "match" and start charging - this is after cleaning the contacts on the charger + remote etc...so annoying.
-The tilt sensor (turns on the backlight when remote is picked up) stopped working multiple times, requiring me to log in to the setup website and turn off then back on the tilt sensor to fix it. This last time, nothing seems to fix it. Think it's finally completly broken.
Other than that though it is really easy to use/update...that Logitech One remote looks slick, hadn't seen that before
I said it wasn't a GREAT replacement MCE remote. My big gripe here is that the Start, Live & Recorded TV and Back buttons are way up on the remote, away from the d-pad. On the main MCE remote all of these buttons are grouped around the dpad because they're used more often. It's an awful big stretch on the 520 and since it doesn't backlight automatically, until you learn which buttons on the LCD correspond to which function, you're looking at the LCD screen and then having to fiddle for the glow button because you can't read the LCD screen. I'm learning, and can hit the buttons now from memory but my wife learn these things quite as fast and it's still a big stretch, even if you have large hands. It just doesn't feel right, but that could also be a learning curve from using the MCE remote for 4 years.
Yes you can, but understand this is over 50 'clicks' of the volume control and you have to have the remote pointed at the tv the whole time. I tried to set this up a couple of times. I got all the clicks in, but when I hit the 'Play XBox 360' Activity button, it would switch inputs to the 360, start the 360 and freeze on trying to change the volume. It would sit there at 'keep remote pointed towards the tv' and meanwhile the 360 has already booted up and made it's loud-ass noise to wake the neighbors (and wife
) at 2am. I have to pull the batteries when it does it. Then, I've got to set up another activity separate from the 'Watch TV' actvivity, something like 'Stop Playing 360' or something, to change the input back and raise the audio level back up to 90-ish. Honestly, it's just much easier to stand up and do it while i'm getting the controller or putting the controller up.I understand that this situation is a little bit odd and that most people don't have it. It's not even a bash against the remote, it's just that they're not really as programmable as I had hoped for. Now if the TV had some way to manually punch in a volume amount, I think it would work a lot better. Great little remotes, but overkill and not flexible enough for my needs. That's probably why I never bought one to begin with and had to wait until it was dirt cheap on an ebay sale before my curiosity got the best of me. If I had bought it at Best Buy, I would have wrapped it back up and returned the weekend I got it. I'm only out $30 now and it may come in handy at some point in the future, so it's all good.
Originally posted by: bearxor
I said it wasn't a GREAT replacement MCE remote. My big gripe here is that the Start, Live & Recorded TV and Back buttons are way up on the remote, away from the d-pad. On the main MCE remote all of these buttons are grouped around the dpad because they're used more often. It's an awful big stretch on the 520 and since it doesn't backlight automatically, until you learn which buttons on the LCD correspond to which function, you're looking at the LCD screen and then having to fiddle for the glow button because you can't read the LCD screen. I'm learning, and can hit the buttons now from memory but my wife learn these things quite as fast and it's still a big stretch, even if you have large hands. It just doesn't feel right, but that could also be a learning curve from using the MCE remote for 4 years.
Yes you can, but understand this is over 50 'clicks' of the volume control and you have to have the remote pointed at the tv the whole time. I tried to set this up a couple of times. I got all the clicks in, but when I hit the 'Play XBox 360' Activity button, it would switch inputs to the 360, start the 360 and freeze on trying to change the volume. It would sit there at 'keep remote pointed towards the tv' and meanwhile the 360 has already booted up and made it's loud-ass noise to wake the neighbors (and wife
I understand that this situation is a little bit odd and that most people don't have it. It's not even a bash against the remote, it's just that they're not really as programmable as I had hoped for. Now if the TV had some way to manually punch in a volume amount, I think it would work a lot better. Great little remotes, but overkill and not flexible enough for my needs. That's probably why I never bought one to begin with and had to wait until it was dirt cheap on an ebay sale before my curiosity got the best of me. If I had bought it at Best Buy, I would have wrapped it back up and returned the weekend I got it. I'm only out $30 now and it may come in handy at some point in the future, so it's all good.
I had the same situation with the xbox/wii. Not sure if it's available for the logitech guys, but what I would do is make the tv turn on, turn receiver on, adjust the volume however many clicks, switch to xbox on the reciever, and THEN turn on the xbox last. Once I am in the "Play xbox" activity the OFF button is customized for each activity and in this one it reverses the procedure: Turn off xbox, turn off tv, adjust volume on receiver, turn off receiver.
Basically I'm saying that order of operations is important in your macro setup.
I have an 880. When I bought it (2 years ago) their software was HORRIBLE. I'm talking an absolute F for Fail. I bought it around xmas, and the servers were down for like 2 weeks. Once it did work it bricked the remote. After getting it all working I was very pleased until the next time I had to update something when it deleted the programming on the remote and didn't save it to my profile, thus having to set everything back up, again.
My volume up and down buttons are starting to wear out a bit (have to push them harder than usual). Also, the lcd somehow got burned in which I thought was unpossible.
Overall I'd say it's ok. A fantastic idea, but the execution could be better.
My volume up and down buttons are starting to wear out a bit (have to push them harder than usual). Also, the lcd somehow got burned in which I thought was unpossible.
Overall I'd say it's ok. A fantastic idea, but the execution could be better.
pnad
Senior member
- May 23, 2006
- 405
- 1
- 0
I don't care for the peanut shape of the 880. I got the 720 (880 features 550 style)
Used it for about 2 weeks now and LOVE it.
I had two concerns:
Battery life - no biggie, last for nearly 2 weeks on a single charge with heavy use.
DVR control - not too bad 8.5/10 compared to the original ScientificAtlanta remote.
Used it for about 2 weeks now and LOVE it.
I had two concerns:
Battery life - no biggie, last for nearly 2 weeks on a single charge with heavy use.
DVR control - not too bad 8.5/10 compared to the original ScientificAtlanta remote.
Twofootputt
Senior member
- Jan 2, 2004
- 676
- 0
- 76
After dealing with my 4 remotes the week before Christmas, my son-in-law sent me a 550. Definitely the bomb! One try for setup then one more for tweaking so far. Works everything I've got no trouble.
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