Harmony 880 Official Thread. For all info and FAQs [Text View] - Page 8

Bob Pariseau

01-28-07, 11:07 PM

59 pages, it is a long read!

I am considering upgrading from my Sony Remote Commander RM-AV2000 to the Harmony 880.

However, I am a victim of the Comcast 3412 DVR HDMI/DVI firmware 16.20 problem: in short, I have to power off, and then on again, my Comcast DVR in order to get the "snow" to go away, and the picture to appear.

Do any other victims of this firmware issue have the 880?

Will I be able to add this on/off switch to my "watch TV" setting on the 880?

At the end of the day I really just want one remote, the 880, and nothing more. I would be frustrated to no certain end if I had to keep my comcastic remote out just to use the power button to cycle the 3412.

Anyone suggest a good online site with good pricing on the 880 right now?

Thanks in advance.

Obviously getting your Comcast/Motorola box fixed is the best answer, but failing that, YES, the 880 can come to your rescue.

During the setup of each Activity there comes a point where it tells you here's the list of devices participating in this Activity and what it is going to do to get them set up on the way in to the Activity and also on the way out. It will ask you if this is all correct, and one of the options it offers is to add additional commands.

Select that option.

Then you can add commands to any device participating in the Activity either on entry or exit of the Activity. In your case you will want to add a pair of Power Toggle commands to the Comcast box on entry. You may also need to adjust the Power On delay in the delays section of the Harmony's device setup for the Comcast.

------------------------------------------------------

By the way, those Comcast boxes really do work better if you leave them powered on all the time so that they don't have to power on to do scheduled recordings for example.

In the troubleshooting section for the Comcast device, one of the options you'll have is to adjust power settings. You can tell the Harmony that this is a device you want left on all the time. When you set that, the Harmony will assume the box is on and won't automatically try to turn it on and off as you enter and leave activities. Your pair of Power Toggle commands (as above) will still work.
--Bob

gaterose

01-29-07, 09:14 AM

I hope this question hasn't been asked as I have searched the forum and couldn't find an answer to my question. I have a Minka Aire ceiliing fan which uses an RF remote, the fan is hardwired into the system, so there is no switch to control it other than the remote. I also have a harmony 659, the harmony site has a listing for my fan, but since my remote is IR it obviously doesn't work. Is there anyway i can control my fan with this remote? if not does anyone know what remote (harmony 890?) can do this without being one of those huge tablet PC looking remotes? I have searched the logitech site and other sites but none specifically say they will control ceiling fans and i don't want to spend $250 on something I'm not sure will control the fan when i am already happy with my H659.

SAAudio

01-29-07, 10:04 AM

TheMoose

01-29-07, 05:00 PM

Well I had my first glitch, the remote just died on me!
I pushed buttons, removed & replaced the batt, put it in the charger & plugged it in to the USB & still only got a blank screen.
I called CS & was surprised that I got to talk to an actual person in no time at all.

Problem got fixed by removing batt & plugging it into the usb & then replacing the batt (I found out that's how you reboot it)

It was a quick & painless first contact with a CSR.

I'm only about 20 pages in to reading all the posts in this thread but I thought I'd give Logitech an atta boy!

dennya

01-29-07, 06:01 PM

BenJF3

01-29-07, 06:19 PM

I know that I had major issues with a 720 and had to return it. I ended up getting an 880. When I logged in and did an "Update Remote", it put all my settings into the 880. Weird thing is that I had all 24 favorites with icons in the 720 and I still have all 24, but can only access 2 pages or 16 in the 880. I'm not sure if this is a glitch caused by the fact that the 720 has 6 soft buttons and the 880 has 8 soft buttons.

TheMoose

01-29-07, 06:31 PM

My 2.5-year-old 680's starting to flake out (random reboots), so I figured I'd go ahead and upgrade to the 880.

Does the software allow an easy remote upgrade? Can I take my existing profiles I created for the 680, change my remote type in my account, and then download them to the 880?
Yes you can transfer all the info to a 880.

Go to the Logitech site & log in,
Go to Settings/my remote/change/880 & the programs will switch over to your new remote.

Edit
Opps, I had this question open while I was talking to Logitech about a diffrent problem & after we were through I asked them your question but some one beat me to it.

svsneo

01-29-07, 11:01 PM

So I've had my 880 for awhile now and I love it, esp helps with the g/f. The only thing I hate is where the off button is located and how easy it is to hit it and turn everything off accidently. It doesn't fail that about once a week I will move a bit get the remote stuck in my blanket and next thing I know click, click, click, everything turns off.

So my question is, is there a setting to change so that it asks me to confirm an off command? Sorry if it's been asked before, don't have the patience to read through 60 pages tonight.

Thanks.

fgarriel

01-30-07, 01:55 PM

I know my receiver has the ability to jump to a specific volume level.
I *don't* know if this ability is possible through a remote.

What I'd like to do is set an activity to start the A/V receiver at a certain volume. For reasons I don't understand or know, CDs sound *MUCH* louder than DVDs when using the same DVD player.

tokerblue

01-30-07, 02:07 PM

fgarriel, does your original remote have a button that will do that? If it does, you can add commands at the start or end of an Activity that will send that "discrete" command.

For example, I have my 880 send a 7.1 Analog Off command to my Marantz SR7400 receiver whenever I leave the SACD Activity. This way, it will never toggle the wrong command.

steve053

01-30-07, 05:06 PM

.....my question is, is there a setting to change so that it asks me to confirm an off command?

Interesting thought. My 2 1/2 year old if forever picking up the remote and every onece and a while ppfffit - everything turns off.

Please post back if you find an answer.

Steve

wdkerbow

01-30-07, 05:22 PM

I have often thought that a child lock feature would be nice to have on any of these remotes. Similar to the way our cell phones do the key lock timeout thing....

provenflipper

01-30-07, 11:34 PM

I'm having trouble controlling my 8300HD with my Harmony 880. The remote lags really bad. I will press a key and then a few seconds later the command will happen. I know it has to do something with the timings and delays. I was wondering what settings you guys are using to control the box as close to the way the OEM remote works as possible.

Thanks.

ChristianZane

01-31-07, 12:59 AM

put the middle timing mode (can't remeber what it is) in the menu on "0"

tokerblue

01-31-07, 08:33 AM

I'm having trouble controlling my 8300HD with my Harmony 880. The remote lags really bad. I will press a key and then a few seconds later the command will happen. I know it has to do something with the timings and delays.
- There's a sticky at the top of this forum on setting Delays and Repeats.

steebo777

01-31-07, 03:06 PM

I just picked the 880 last week and spent a couple hours programming it exactly as I want Saturday. It works perfect, and I really enjoy using it as opposed to my old Sony 2100 remote. A couple small issues I have with it:

1. The screen looks really washed out on the remote. After searching this thread and other places, I don't think there's an option to change it at all. Can anyone confirm?

2. I have one button ('Browser') off of my Oppo 981HD remote that I have tried many times to learn on the 880 unsuccesfully. The button doesn't seem to be in the Logitech database either. Any ideas on why the remote is not learning the button?

3. I know my receiver has the ability to jump to a specific volume level.
I *don't* know if this ability is possible through a remote.

What I'd like to do is set an activity to start the A/V receiver at a certain volume. For reasons I don't understand or know, CDs sound *MUCH* louder than DVDs when using the same DVD player.
I would love that as well. I have a Denon AVR-2802, and as far as i know, there is no way to go to a certain level or number for the audio. Is there any way to do this?

Thanks everyone for the help!

svsneo

01-31-07, 03:48 PM

Interesting thought. My 2 1/2 year old if forever picking up the remote and every onece and a while ppfffit - everything turns off.

Please post back if you find an answer.

Steve

I have often thought that a child lock feature would be nice to have on any of these remotes. Similar to the way our cell phones do the key lock timeout thing....

Glad to see I'm not the only one who would like a feature like this. Anyone have any ideas that would be close to this?

VisionOn

01-31-07, 04:07 PM

It would be a fairly simple thing to implement. Logitech would just need to add a power-off confirmation screen using the integrated assistant.

It will never happen of course.

sulfuric

01-31-07, 10:39 PM

Has anyone had any luck programing this remote with the sony str-da4es? I'm having all kinds of trouble with it. Mostly with the inputs. Any feedback would be great.

jmystikcfl

02-01-07, 08:25 AM

Morning all

I just got this remote a little more than a week ago and have been nothing but impressed. Having tried out the Sony RM-AX4000, I think I like the Harmony approach a lot better. I have 2 minor issues with it thus far, one with my SA8300HD DVR, the other with a Psyclone component A/V switch.

1. I have 2 activities set up with the SA8300HD, a Watch TV, and a Watch TV HT which is for watching TV through my Home Theater Receiver. When I'm watching TV normally through the TV speakers, the HDMI audio is what I need, but when I watch through the HTR, I need the audio switched over the "Dolby Digital" output (or coaxial for those normal people out there.) I have yet to find a discrete code to switch the audio output. The only way that I know of to switch it is to go into the settings, press A to get advanced settings, scroll down to digital audio, move over to the choices, select Dolby Digital, press Enter, then Exit. A lot of steps, but if I want to get 5.1 out of it, that's the only way to do it. Has anybody found an easier way to do it, or has anybody actually programmed their Harmonys to switch into and out of Dolby Digital audio output? If so, how well does it work?

2. With the Psyclone switch (PSC01, the new revision with the discrete codes for each of the 4 inputs) I can reliably get it to power on and power off, but when going into any activity that uses it, it will not switch inputs. I programmed the discretes off of the crappy little credit card remote that came with it, and they work in the device mode just fine. I set up the device to use the discretes as opposed to the toggles (InputNext and InputPrev) in the Harmony software. The Help key doesn't doesn't work, it just says "Verify the A/V switch is set to the correct input." I've increased the Interdevice delay a few times, I'm sure it's not the power on delay as it does the same thing whether I'm turning it on for the first time or just using another activity. It shouldn't be the interkey delay either, as there's only 1 key to press, and it's not hitting it.

Thanks for all the help, I've always gotten great advice from the members of this board (especially on my KD-34XBR960 TV :D )

JayMan007

02-01-07, 09:16 AM

Morning all

I just got this remote a little more than a week ago and have been nothing but impressed. Having tried out the Sony RM-AX4000, I think I like the Harmony approach a lot better. I have 2 minor issues with it thus far, one with my SA8300HD DVR, the other with a Psyclone component A/V switch.

1. I have 2 activities set up with the SA8300HD, a Watch TV, and a Watch TV HT which is for watching TV through my Home Theater Receiver. When I'm watching TV normally through the TV speakers, the HDMI audio is what I need, but when I watch through the HTR, I need the audio switched over the "Dolby Digital" output (or coaxial for those normal people out there.) I have yet to find a discrete code to switch the audio output. The only way that I know of to switch it is to go into the settings, press A to get advanced settings, scroll down to digital audio, move over to the choices, select Dolby Digital, press Enter, then Exit. A lot of steps, but if I want to get 5.1 out of it, that's the only way to do it. Has anybody found an easier way to do it, or has anybody actually programmed their Harmonys to switch into and out of Dolby Digital audio output? If so, how well does it work?

You could connect your STB by 2 methods... HDMI & Component and switch the inputs for each activity. I'm not familiar with the SA8300HD, but I have my Motorola connected via HDMI, Component, Coax (digital) and L&R Analog.
So for "Watch TV", you could connect Component & L&R analog, and for using "Watch TV HT" you could use HDMI (disable sound if possible) and Optical to your HTR.

tokerblue

02-01-07, 10:42 AM

2. With the Psyclone switch (PSC01, the new revision with the discrete codes for each of the 4 inputs) I can reliably get it to power on and power off, but when going into any activity that uses it, it will not switch inputs. I programmed the discretes off of the crappy little credit card remote that came with it, and they work in the device mode just fine. I set up the device to use the discretes as opposed to the toggles (InputNext and InputPrev) in the Harmony software.
- I would try adjusting the delays AND repeats. If it works in Device mode, but not in an Activity, the Psyclone switcher may be seeing all the extra commands and is having a hard time figuring out what to do.

jmystikcfl

02-01-07, 10:51 AM

jmystikcfl

02-01-07, 10:53 AM

tokerblue

Okay, that's the 4th mysterious timing setting. I can't seem to find it, though. I'll reread the sticky at the beginning of the section. If I remember right, it has good directions on how to to get at the various settings.

JayMan007

02-01-07, 11:03 AM

JayMan07

That's a good idea, but not really an option in my case. I actually have the component video already run into my DVD recorder (have to use the component b/c the stupid box won't pass a widescreen signal via s-video or composite.) I've also thought of using the old HDMI -> DVI -> HDMI and using the second stereo audio output to the TV trick. That way I could always keep the box in Dolby Digital mode. But I've noticed that the HDMI audio actually sounds a little clearer and I get better response out of the built in sub in the TV.

I understand that... that is one of the reasons I went to a Universal/Programmable remote. I press one button and it turns everything on and to the right inputs.

Another option if your TV has a built-in tuner is to connect the cable directly to the TV.
My old TV doesn't have this option, but the new one does, if I ever need to.

jmystikcfl

02-01-07, 11:04 AM

Okay, updated my repeat settings for the A/V switch. It was set at 1, I moved it up to 3. Also reminded me that I needed to up my power on delay for one of my other devices, so I did that while I was in there. I'll have to update the remote tonight when I get home to test it out. I gotta say, I kinda like having the ability to update the settings from work via the WWW interface. Just wish I could install Firefox on the work machine so I could use the mod :D . I'll post my results tonight or tomorrow after I can fiddle with it a little more.

On a side note, has anyone else noticed that the battery meter stays on the last bar for a long time before needing a charge? I last took it off the charger last Tuesday (about 9 days ago) and for the last 4 days or so, it's been at one bar. I'm trying to wait for it to turn red before putting it back on the charger.

jmystikcfl

02-01-07, 11:12 AM

Actually just removed the cable going directly into the TV to eliminate a splitter. Can't get any digital or HD channels without paying extra each month for a CableCard. I watch very little that isn't recorded onto the box anyway, the whole commercials thing :) . It's not a big deal, and actually doesn't really come into play very often. I'm going to mess around with trying to add the commands manually into the start and end of the activity. Adding the speaker toggle to turn the TV speakers on and off to another activity was easy enough. This shouldn't be too much different. It'll just make for one heck of an activity. Anybody else try doing this?

gtg622r

02-01-07, 04:02 PM

First, I did several extensive searches trying to find some relative assistance. I'm sure it's there, but I ran out of ideas for search terms. I even downloaded the whole thread as a word file to search it faster. So, moving on...

The Situation:
Here's what I have:
Samsung HP-S5053
Sony STR-DG800
Dish Network ViP 622
Samsung DVD-HD860
Sony RDR-GX315

Sound can come out of both the TV (from HDMI cables) and the receiver. Since the receiver is an HDMI pass-through, I also have fiber optic cables running from both the HD-DVR and DVD-HD to the receiver for digital audio. There are times when I enjoy watching satellite with just the sound from the TV and times when I also enjoy watching in surround sound.

On my Harmony 880 I have two activities setup:
1) Watch TV (no srnd)
2) Watch TV (w/ srnd)

The Problem:
When in “Watch TV (no srnd)” mode, the TV volume is usually set somewhere around 30. When I then switch to “Watch TV (w/ srnd)” and turn up the volume on the receiver, there is (understandably) an echo in the room from both TV and Receiver audio. The same occurs when switching from “Watch TV (w/ srnd)” to “Watch TV (no srnd).”

The Solution (so far...):
Switching from “Watch TV (w/ srnd)” to “Watch TV (no srnd)”:
At the end of the activity, I just told the remote to send the "Mute" command to the receiver. This works very well.

Switching from “Watch TV (no srnd)” to “Watch TV (w/ srnd)”:
Originally, I just punched the device button and manually turned down the TV volume.

I then found that I could add options to the activity so I set it up to send the "Volume Down" command to the TV 25 times. Apparently, by default, the remote delays a full second between each command, making the start up time almost 30 seconds. After that, it sends the "Volume Up" command once to the receiver, since more than likely it's still muted from the other activity.

For me, it's just a pain to sit and wait as the activity starts up. Is there anyway to tell the remote to send the "Volume Down" command for "X" seconds?

bweissman

02-01-07, 04:52 PM

I then found that I could add options to the activity so I set it up to send the "Volume Down" command to the TV 25 times. Apparently, by default, the remote delays a full second between each command, making the start up time almost 30 seconds. After that, it sends the "Volume Up" command once to the receiver, since more than likely it's still muted from the other activity.

For me, it's just a pain to sit and wait as the activity starts up. Is there anyway to tell the remote to send the "Volume Down" command for "X" seconds?Not exactly, but almost.

I taught my 880 a "new" command which I named VolumeToZero, by sending it a 4-second-long VolumeDown command in RAW mode. Adding VolumeToZero at the start of my activities which use the TV but don't use the TV speakers did the trick.

4 seconds seems to be the longest RAW command the 880 will take before the software complains, but for me, it was long enough to reliably lower the volume to zero. And I have a corresponding command to raise the TV volume when the activity ends.

gtg622r

02-01-07, 04:54 PM

Not exactly, but almost.

I taught my 880 a "new" command which I named VolumeToZero, by sending it a 4-second-long VolumeDown command in RAW mode. Adding VolumeToZero at the start of my activities which use the TV but don't use the TV speakers did the trick.

4 seconds seems to be the longest RAW command the 880 will take before the software complains, but for me, it was long enough to reliably lower the volume to zero. And I have a corresponding command to raise the TV volume when the activity ends.

Thanks Weissman, I'll try that when I get home.

Sominex30

02-02-07, 11:53 AM

My Window Air Condition unit has a remote. I believe it's IR.

Can I use the 880 to control it?

liontiger

02-02-07, 12:19 PM

My Window Air Condition unit has a remote. I believe it's IR.

Can I use the 880 to control it?

If is's IR, the 880 should be able to control it. See if your ac model is in the database, if not, you can learn the commands.

joe221

02-02-07, 12:24 PM

My Window Air Condition unit has a remote. I believe it's IR.

Can I use the 880 to control it?

Activity: Watch a HOT show in a COOL room. :D :cool:

jmeads

02-02-07, 12:24 PM

I joined the 880 clan a couple of weeks ago. So far the remote is pretty cool. However, i had five buttons on the remote that would only work when Herculean pressure was applied to them (my wife couldn't get them to work at all). I contacted Logitech and with minimal hoop jumping, they sent out a new remote. I received it this week and am slightly happier. Only one button on the new remote requires Herculean strength. The backlight on the new remote is very dim and hard to see (although the LCD is plenty bright). Have other people had problems with the buttons? or backlit buttons?

-Justin

tokerblue

02-02-07, 07:13 PM

I have two 880 remotes and my friends own another 3. I haven't heard of any issues with having to press hard to get a button to work. Is there an IR signal command in the LCD window when you press the button?

TorinoCobra

02-02-07, 07:45 PM

Only one button on the new remote requires Herculean strength. Have other people had problems with the buttons?
My DEVICE button requires a lot of work to get it started, but then it seems to work fine. I rarely use that button, so it's no big deal...until I NEED it. I've considered asking for a replacement, but I think I'll wait until I'm closer to the end of my warranty, or they come out with an improved version.

Gregg

Spinal Tap

02-03-07, 09:21 AM

BenJF3

02-03-07, 10:17 AM

Wow, I had no idea these remotes were out that long. Logitech must totally ignore customer input or just don't care. You would think by now they would have developed an easier UI and software to make it easier to customize. Don't get me wrong, after the ball busting that was setting mine up I have been enjoying it. However, these could do so much more if they would give it the time.

Kai Winters

02-03-07, 02:37 PM

For the cost of the remote, though online they can be bought very reasonably, I would have thought Logitech would have revised the construction of the 880 line of remote.
I have a 2 year old 659 remote and it still works perfectly. I do not like the shape of it, I mean the thickness of the unit not its' "peanut" shape, nor do I like many of the button placements though that has been remedied by the new 670...otherwise it is the same as the 659.

I would love to buy a new remote but just can not justify it when it will not meet my desires.
I would like my next remote to have a slim, ergonomic shape, well placed, raised buttons, an lcd screen and either a charging cradle or batteries.
Less than $300 US is a requirement as well.
Until then I guess I will continue to use my 659.
By the way I use the web site to program and update my remote with no problems at all.

lchiu7

02-03-07, 03:43 PM

FRUSTRATED

Ive had my 880 for about 2 yrs now(well since the day it was first released)
I havent had any issues while I was using a DVD player with an DVI connection to my Sam. 50 DLP. However I just upgraded to a Sony 5 disk with HDMI , and when I reprogrammed the 880 to the new DVD player, I cant for the life of me get it to switch the TV to HDMI, when I run the " watch a DVD" activity.
I have spoken with the Harmony Tech team and they tried a few things that I considered to be lame, they had it set to switch through all the video inputs one at a time, which takes alot of time when you have to go through 6 different sources to get to HDMI, it kinda defeats the purpose of having the 880. Not to mention if I am already in an activity (like watch TV) and I want to watch a DVD it turns off my STB and my TV , and turns on my DVD player and AV reciever.
Any ideas or am I at the mercy of the tech team?

Just a couple of things from memory since I am not near my 880.

1. If the TV doesn't have discrete codes for each input you will have to do the cycle through thing. You might find that while that set doesn't have discrete codes on the control, discrete codes exist for earlier models of the set. Often if you look in the Harmony database (and this where TS can help) they can find the codes for you and get you to download them

2. There is an option in activities I am sure to say, keep a device on when another activity is selected or turn it off. I have mine set so all devices stay on when I switch over to another input. Then the off key turns everything off apart from the cable box.

Larry

bernie33

02-03-07, 04:13 PM

FRUSTRATED

Ive had my 880 for about 2 yrs now(well since the day it was first released)
I havent had any issues while I was using a DVD player with an DVI connection to my Sam. 50 DLP. However I just upgraded to a Sony 5 disk with HDMI , and when I reprogrammed the 880 to the new DVD player, I cant for the life of me get it to switch the TV to HDMI, when I run the " watch a DVD" activity.
I have spoken with the Harmony Tech team and they tried a few things that I considered to be lame, they had it set to switch through all the video inputs one at a time, which takes alot of time when you have to go through 6 different sources to get to HDMI, it kinda defeats the purpose of having the 880. Not to mention if I am already in an activity (like watch TV) and I want to watch a DVD it turns off my STB and my TV , and turns on my DVD player and AV receiver.
Any ideas or am I at the mercy of the tech team?

Well, yes, both to ideas and needing the Logitech support team. You may ahve better luck with another call.

It sounds like the "Watch DVD" activity doesn't know that you need the TV on to watch a DVD. That should be easy to fix if you go back to setting up or trouble-shooting that activity on the website.

You don't need your STB on when watching a DVD. It sounds like you want to leave it on all the time. That should also be easy to do online. I think you do that in the device setup.

Your TV may need the device to be active and presenting a signal in order for it to select that input.l That is how my Samsung 5073 works. So if your TV comes on before the DVD player, or if the TV is already on when it starts rotating through the inputs, it may not find the DVD player. You'll have to work with tech support, perhaps second level, on that, unless someone here can tell you how to solve that challenge. Or just use the device button on the remote once the DVD player is active and tell your TV to select the proper input.

strutter

02-03-07, 05:02 PM

it's almost like Christmas at my house today. :D my new oppo 981hd arrived this morning and my harmony 880 arrived just now. cant wait for this baby to charge so i can start playing with it.
i do notice a slightly lighter area on one side of the screen (as reported here by others) hopefully this will change when fully charged. i wish it had a more in depth manual other than the 1,2,3 plug it up and lets see instructions. and i really don't like how sensitive the charging cradle is. it is really finicky about how you place it down to make contact (also reported by others here).
perhaps it is teaching me how to place it in the cradle :)

Spinal Tap

02-03-07, 06:46 PM

Hey Bernie33 ....I have noticed that while reviewing the inputs the all the inputs are highlighted exept HDMI...until I turn on the DVD player. This could be the whole problem,. I will try tech support....(didnt know they had diff. levels of support...lol)

oscardeuce

02-03-07, 08:14 PM

I just got an Elite electric screen, with IR and RF remotes. My 880 doesn't want to learn the IR codes. I saw something on another thread about using a different universal remote to learn the code, then using that to set up the 880. Anybody had an experience with that? I would consider upgrading to the 890, but I don't know if it can learn the RF code either.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mitch

czzer

02-03-07, 09:37 PM

DaverJ

02-03-07, 11:38 PM

New to this thread but not the remote, I did a search but couldn't find my answer.

Does anyone know what button assignment will zoom my Sony RPTV (60XS955) so letterboxed SD material fills the screen with proper aspect?

I found the "normal/full mode" and that's very helpful for toggling between anamorphic and non-anamorphic SD. And I found "wide" which goes into wide-stretch mode. But I'm not sure what the mode is called to just zoom SD material equally horizontally and vertically. :confused:

On the TV remote the zoom I'm looking for is one button that toggles between all 4 modes, but the Harmony separates these into different categories.

Thanks for any advice or hints.

czzer

02-03-07, 11:48 PM

DaverJ

02-03-07, 11:50 PM

You could always teach it the single button from your original remote.

Are the buttons next to the LCD screen "learnable"?

DaverJ

02-03-07, 11:57 PM

oscardeuce

02-04-07, 02:17 AM

Have you tried learning the codes in RAW? Select "Custom" on the learning screen.

No universal remote will be able to learn the RF codes.

I tried using raw. I get either no response, or if I hold it close and keep the button down, I get "bad IR" response. It's driving me crazy. I emailed tech support, and included the codes per the manufacturer, but no response yet.

czzer

02-04-07, 02:31 AM

Are the buttons next to the LCD screen "learnable"?

You don't "learn" to any button directly.
You learn a new command(or overwrite an existing one), which can then be assigned to any button you want(including the LCD buttons).
This is done on the "Change behaviour of buttons" page for the Activity.

DaverJ

02-04-07, 12:25 PM

One more thing... I like Logitech's updated software, but I hope they release a Vista version soon. The current one reduces the entire Vista OS to "basic mode" upon launch. And because I haven't figured out a way to make it not launch on startup, this means I have to uninstall it when I'm done with it and re-install when I want to re-program the Harmony.

(Please no anti-Vista cracks... I knew what I was getting into.)

strutter

02-04-07, 12:41 PM

zarchitect

02-04-07, 12:53 PM

i tried loading the software from the disc as well as the website.
i get error {-509:0x8002802b} during the installshield wizard.
i've already e-mailed support.

any idea whats causing this?

do i have to install the software in order to setup and update the remote?

BTW the OS is XP media center

the software version is 7.0

I just installed the software from the website (as I couldn't find the cd) on a MCE laptop with no issues. I'd uninstall everything and start fresh downloading from the website choosing XP as the OS. Oh, I plugged in the remote allowing MCE to install the USB device first before the software... Hope that helps.

zarchitect

02-04-07, 01:03 PM

Everything is running smoothly except for a few tweaks:

After the activity turns everything on, how do I make it go to a default device so i can control it? Fyi, I had to create a default activity to play media-center movies/photos.

I know the FAQ says you can't control the icons of the activities (which is silly), anyone here have a tweak for that?

Any additional theme options out there to download?

I used to have Pronto and although it was more of a hassle to program - it offered a complete customization potential. The usability, friendliness, and handling of this remote is far better though. The new online UI is better though still confusing with burried options and a dialogue-box that won't enlargen (have to use the scroll bars). It's a work-in-progress, I know.

Cheers and thanx in advance! :)

zarchitect

02-04-07, 01:15 PM

I read somepleace in the FAQ that you can upload a cvs file if you have a CD/DVD jukebox... well I don't but I DO have a list in the media-center... Can I upload a list of movies/etc. in the remote so I know what I have (don't necessarily need control of it - just reference it without the need to turn everything on). Create an activity called say "Movie Listings" and add some bogus-device that accepts the cvs file so I can see and scroll though the list?

If not that, create a JPG slideshow with text of the stuff available? Any other way to set-up a new button to access that slideshow without the need to press "options - slideshow"?

I know, too many requests - I'm just REALLY used to the Pronto... :o

Kracko

02-04-07, 01:47 PM

strutter

02-04-07, 01:55 PM

I just installed the software from the website (as I couldn't find the cd) on a MCE laptop with no issues. I'd uninstall everything and start fresh downloading from the website choosing XP as the OS. Oh, I plugged in the remote allowing MCE to install the USB device first before the software... Hope that helps.

thanks, but it still gives the same error.

Brett_H

02-04-07, 02:40 PM

I'm having some issues getting my 880 to control my JVC TV.

One problem is the "Media" button for my favorite channels. I can set up channels for the cable set top box no problem, because they're whole numbers. However, when using the TV's internal tuner I can't figure out how to set up a favorite channel correctly. For instance, NBC is "3-1" for me. On the JVC remote I press 3, then "sub channel", then 1. However, I can't find a way to replicate this in the harmony software. I've tried "3.1" and "3-1", but it won't let me save these favorites to the remote. I learned the "sub channel" button, even went as far as labeling it as ".", but still no luck. Any suggestions on how to set up favorites when they involve a sub channel?

Thanks,
-Brett.

czzer

02-04-07, 03:17 PM

Everything is running smoothly except for a few tweaks:

After the activity turns everything on, how do I make it go to a default device so i can control it? Fyi, I had to create a default activity to play media-center movies/photos.

When you select an activity, the remote is set up to control that activity, not one single device....this is the point of an activity based remote.

If you want to change button assignments for the activity, select "Customize" for the activity in question, then "Change behaviour of buttons".

DaverJ

02-04-07, 04:19 PM

Just tell it to stop loading itself at startup. That's what I did. Besides, how often are you needing to plug your remote into your computer?

How do you do this in Vista? I went into my Startup Programs in Vista's "Windows Defender" and it was listed as "Not yet classified", so the disable and enable options were grayed.

But you are right, I don't need to update the remote that often, so uninstalling the software is the best thing for me.

Kracko

02-04-07, 08:09 PM

How do you do this in Vista? I went into my Startup Programs in Vista's "Windows Defender" and it was listed as "Not yet classified", so the disable and enable options were grayed.

But you are right, I don't need to update the remote that often, so uninstalling the software is the best thing for me.

Unfortunately, I don't recall. If I do, I'll post the instructions here.

sivartk

02-04-07, 08:11 PM

How do you do this in Vista?

Start --> run command --> msconfig

Disable the service / program (not sure how it appears as I haven't installed it on my Windows Vista machine).

DaverJ

02-04-07, 09:08 PM

Start --> run command --> msconfig

Disable the service / program (not sure how it appears as I haven't installed it on my Windows Vista machine).

Sorry, I'm a Vista noob -- I can't find the run command! :o I'm clicking on Start but I'm not seeing anything that says "run".

JBaumgart

02-04-07, 10:04 PM

Reading all this just gives me one more reason not to "upgrade" to Vista right now.

sivartk

02-04-07, 10:39 PM

Sorry, I'm a Vista noob -- I can't find the run command! :o I'm clicking on Start but I'm not seeing anything that says "run".

Here is one way (actually 2) ways to do it.

In Windows Vista the Run command is considered obsolete. The Quick Search or Start Search is considered to be a replacement for the Run command. However, you can still enable the Run command if you wish with these steps.

Click Start-->Properties-->Start Menu-->Customize

Scroll down and find Run Command and check it.

I think add mine in the past...sorry for the confusion.

frankthetoad

02-04-07, 10:54 PM

Just tell it to stop loading itself at startup. That's what I did. Besides, how often are you needing to plug your remote into your computer?I did some searching, but this thread is huge. How do you actually tell it not to start at startup in XP? Thanks in advance...

Kracko

02-04-07, 11:25 PM

Sorry, I'm a Vista noob -- I can't find the run command! :o I'm clicking on Start but I'm not seeing anything that says "run".

Just hold down the "Windows" key and press the 'R'. It should pop up.

(I'm a fan of keyboard shortcuts)

DaverJ

02-04-07, 11:37 PM

Just hold down the "Windows" key and press the 'R'. It should pop up.

(I'm a fan of keyboard shortcuts)

Bingo! Thanks, that's a helpful tip!!!

Sorry for the thread hijack... back to the 880.

zarchitect

02-05-07, 12:52 PM

When you select an activity, the remote is set up to control that activity, not one single device....this is the point of an activity based remote.

If you want to change button assignments for the activity, select "Customize" for the activity in question, then "Change behaviour of buttons".

Thanx - will have to do that... just thought it would automatically go to what I wanted to control like it did when I set up the other activities. I expected it to read my mind... ;) Not to re-hijack a thread, I agree with not upgrading to Vista until at least SP1 is out later in the year (let the bugs be worked out)... "If it ain't broke - why fix it?" :p

svalley

02-05-07, 01:20 PM

tokerblue

02-05-07, 01:42 PM

Sometime I have to press the up/down/left/right more than 1 time
for the remote to react to it.
- I have no idea what device you are referring to, but there’s sticky at the top of this forum about how to set Delays and Repeats. This most likely will solve your problem.

When I shake(lightly) the remote, I hear something
sounds loose from up/down/left/right /OK area. Is this normal?
- That’s the tilt sensor.

Bob Pariseau

02-05-07, 01:46 PM

Got my 880 last Friday and spend 4 hours on it to program everything
to my liking :)

I have a question whether my new 880 is normal.
Sometime I have to press the up/down/left/right more than 1 time
for the remote to react to it. When I shake(lightly) the remote, I hear something
sounds loose from up/down/left/right /OK area. Is this normal?
Not a big deal, but I bought this new, I can still exchange it if it is not right.

Thanks

The rattle you hear is just the "tilt sensor" inside the remote -- the thing that turns on the screen when you pick up the remote and tip it up towards you.

If you find that some commands are not responding reliably then you may simply need to up the "repeat count" a bit for that device. Some devices reject an IR they see until they see a command repeated a few times.

In the setup stuff, go to the device, go to troubleshooting, select device doesn't respond correctly, select see more problems, and select some commands don't respond all the time. You will be presented with a set of choices for the repeat count for that device.

Note that if you set the repeat count TOO high then, (1) things will work more slowly for that device, and (2) some commands may happen more than once for a given button press. This last is most commonly noticed for things like Volume Up and Volume Down.

Also, make sure the IR receiver on your device can actually see the remote and that its vision is not blocked by something.
--Bob

Snorton

02-05-07, 02:07 PM

Just wondering, would it be helpful to start a new thread for the 880? It would start with a description of all the subjects covered in this thread, without all the extra posts.

svalley

02-05-07, 02:56 PM

The rattle you hear is just the "tilt sensor" inside the remote -- the thing that turns on the screen when you pick up the remote and tip it up towards you.

If you find that some commands are not responding reliably then you may simply need to up the "repeat count" a bit for that device. Some devices reject an IR they see until they see a command repeated a few times.

In the setup stuff, go to the device, go to troubleshooting, select device doesn't respond correctly, select see more problems, and select some commands don't respond all the time. You will be presented with a set of choices for the repeat count for that device.

Note that if you set the repeat count TOO high then, (1) things will work more slowly for that device, and (2) some commands may happen more than once for a given button press. This last is most commonly noticed for things like Volume Up and Volume Down.

Also, make sure the IR receiver on your device can actually see the remote and that its vision is not blocked by something.
--Bob

Thanks for the replies.

I was just wonderng what "The rattle" is. I guess my remote is fine.

Microman66

02-05-07, 07:52 PM

zarchitect

02-05-07, 09:32 PM

Just received my 880. Have it on the charger. Took off the covering on the display. Anxious to sync with the online software. How long should I wait for the first charge? Do I have to wait overnight, or will a couple of hours be ok?

I played with it as soon as the battery read full... On a side note, according to laptop and battery experts, it's good to allow the remote (or laptop) to drain fully after the first charge and then fully recharge so the battery "learns" how much juice it can hold... apparently will prolong the battery lifetime as well... :D

VisionOn

02-06-07, 07:03 AM

Just wondering, would it be helpful to start a new thread for the 880? It would start with a description of all the subjects covered in this thread, without all the extra posts.

don't see why you would need two. You can (and should) just use the search function at the top of the thread.

strutter

02-06-07, 08:15 AM

i tried loading the software from the disc as well as the website.
i get error {-509:0x8002802b} during the installshield wizard.
i've already e-mailed support.

any idea whats causing this?

do i have to install the software in order to setup and update the remote?

BTW the OS is XP media center

the software version is 7.0

just in case someone else runs into the same problem.
never got a reply from logitech.
the issue was with the installshield program.
i finally fixed this issue after a day of googleing and diagnosis. the fixes for this error found on the web dont work.
i copied the installshield program from another computer, deleted my install shield program, and installed the one from the other computer. loaded the logitech software fine.

strutter

02-06-07, 08:19 AM

Thanx - will have to do that... just thought it would automatically go to what I wanted to control like it did when I set up the other activities. I expected it to read my mind... ;) Not to re-hijack a thread, I agree with not upgrading to Vista until at least SP1 is out later in the year (let the bugs be worked out)... "If it ain't broke - why fix it?" :p

a friend had the vista beta for months and purchased the full version a few days ago. he loves it, hasnt had any issues. i've played with it a little . its kinda cool.

delrmx01

02-06-07, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I was just wonderng what "The rattle" is. I guess my remote is fine.

I actually have the same "rattle" and figured it was the tilt sensor. However, yesterday I had to send in my remote in for warranty repair-- after watching some shows on Monday morning, I noticed a small screw had fell from the remote, the screw where the IR sensor is. I tried screwing it back on but it would not tighten. So, I called the service Dept at Logitech and sent off my baby. Hopefully they cover it under warranty and not charge me for a repair.

Carl Jones

02-07-07, 09:36 AM

I have a question about learning a command. I have the Comcast Moto box & have a button set for a 2 minute skip. Can I have the 880 "learn" that command without having to "learn" everything else? All othe commands from the website are just fine. I would just like to add this one thing.

tokerblue

02-07-07, 10:06 AM

Yes, you can learn just the single command. Just note that any "learned" command will appear at the bottom of the drop down list. It won't appear alphabetically.

JayMan007

02-07-07, 04:57 PM

Yes, you can learn just the single command. Just note that any "learned" command will appear at the bottom of the drop down list. It won't appear alphabetically.

Will the Harmony actually learn a macro? I think the 2 minute skip is probably 4 presses of the 30 second skip.

Let us know if it works...

Yuss

02-07-07, 09:05 PM

Occasionally when I pick up the remote, it seems to power off and on and goes into "testing mode". It then thinks that all my devices are switched off. Has this happened to anyone else, and if it did, how did you fix it?

Thanks.

mx6bfast

02-07-07, 09:25 PM

IfixitBIG

02-07-07, 09:26 PM

Logitec told me it was a loose battery, but after about two weeks the remote quit working. It would light up, but when you pushed a button, nothing happened. Go ahead and call them, they will send you some battery spacers, in my case, my remote died before the spacers came.

MizzouTiger

02-08-07, 02:13 PM

I did a search on this thread, but couldn't find anything relating to this.

I'm using the Harmony 880 to control my D* HR20-700 HD-DVR. The D* remote has 4 colored buttons (red, yellow, green and blue) that perform certain functions depending upon where you are at within the receiver's GUI.

When you set up Custom Buttons for the LCD screen on the 880, can you use an image, like a round colored circled, instead of a word? Right now my labels are just "Red", "Yellow", "Blue", and "Green". Can those be replaced with an image file of some sort (bmp, gif, etc.)?

Grimdeath

02-08-07, 02:43 PM

maejrep

02-08-07, 09:02 PM

So I just got my Harmony 880 in, and I'm working on programming it. I just have one complaint that seems to be a major blocker for me right now.

Is there any way to learn IR commands from a remote, simply for the sake of having IR signals to use, without the Logitech software "intelligently" trying to assume that I was an idiot when I said I'm controlling a computer using a DVD player remote?

The problem is I have a couple remotes that I would like to base the 880 on as far as the IR commands that it learns. I want to learn the commands from a physical remote that I have in order to make it easier to teach LIRC on my MythTV machine the same IR codes. This is where the annoyance comes in: I tell the Logitech software I'm creating a new device (PC/MCE) and select my PC, but it tries to automatically assume what remote control IR codes I'm going to be using, which makes no sense. If I put in a bogus manufacturer/model, then tell it that I have a remote that I use with that device, it will let me learn the IR codes. BUT after learning only a few of the IR codes, it again tries to "intelligently" change stuff around ("hey, I recognize these IR codes. this isn't a PC remote, its a DVD player remote! Let's change everything around because the user doesn't know what he's doing!")

This is SOOOO frustrating, because all I want to do is make the damn remote send the exact IR command that I program it to send, and the software keeps making these changes and won't let me change it the way I want to.

Now if this worked with a stock lirc config file and a known MCE manufacturer/model in the Logitech database, then that would be fine... But then the problem comes in when I want to modify something, or add a new IR command, and I can't because I don't have the physical remote. If someone knows of an EXACT lircd.conf file that works with MythTV and the EXACT manufacturer and model to select when going through the wizard, I will give it a try, but otherwise it's all just a pain in my ass to get this to work properly >:(

Any tips at all? :(

Snorton

02-08-07, 10:44 PM

Is there any way to learn IR commands from a remote, simply for the sake of having IR signals to use, without the Logitech software "intelligently" trying to assume that I was an idiot when I said I'm controlling a computer using a DVD player remote?

This is my biggest beef with the 880.

I ***DON'T*** was Logitech assuming what remote or device codes I have. Let me start from a blank device.

czzer

02-09-07, 02:45 AM

Just pick any device and tell it you don't have the original remote.

When the device has been added, go to the "Learn IR commands" page and you can teach it any commands you want, from any remote you want.

steebo777

02-09-07, 01:34 PM

Without giving it a lot of thought, I upgraded to Firefox 2.0 last night. Firefox 2.0 does NOT support the Harmony 880 plug-in.
I just used this last night and it totally helped out. Saved me a boatload of time and works flawlessly. I finally have my 880 working exactly as I want!!!

strutter

02-09-07, 02:49 PM

when i choose a device there are a lot of functions that i either never use or that simply don't do anything and mean nothing to me. buttons labeled "10+" , "." , "?"and such. I'd like to condense the 10 or so pages down to the minimum or at least put the ones i may use on the first few pages. i believe i read here somewhere that it can be done but i cant figure out how. could someone please explain the steps involved in doing this.

Darkonus

02-09-07, 07:05 PM

Sorry if I somehow missed any recent complaints about this subject, but I did a fairly quick search before posting.

When I first set up my remote last year, I could have the same button on the remote accomplish different tasks within different activities even when the same device was being shared between multiple activities. I could also set up custom buttons within one activity, and they would only show up on the remote when I was within that particular activity which was supposed to have the custom button. However, recently when I tried to change some things, I could not accomplish this anymore! Every custom button set up under one activity for a certain device would show up on the remote for every other activity which shared the same common device!

For example, when I first set up the 880 remote my md6580n TV was being shared between a couple activities, Play DVD (activity #1) & Watch Cable (activity #2).

In activity #1 I wanted the "Info" button to show my TV information. So under the md6580n TV device (the commonly shared device between the 2 activities), I set the appropriate command next to the "Info" button, leaving the same "Info" line command BLANK under the DVD player device. In activity #2, I want the "Info" button to show my cable box information, not the TV's information. So in activity #2 under my DTC3416 device and next to the "Info" button, I once again set the appropriate command, while under the commonly shared TV device, I leave the same command line BLANK.

I could also create a custom button that was set up to be used under the TV device and have it only show up in the activity which it would be used. All this used to work when I first set up my remote many months ago last year

However, now if I go into either of those activities, and either set a button up differently or add a new custom button to the md6580n TV device, it changes to be the same in ALL activity screens that share the TV as a device, and not just under the activity where the changes were made and wanted! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

This is a bug, and annoys the he** out of me! That is NOT the way the software worked when I first set up my remote. I spoke with CS on the phone and was told that it was an old bug which had been fixed at one point and now seems to be back. I was also told that it might not be considered a high priority problem that Harmony support will be diligently working on to fix quickly, but that it might help to escalate the importance of the issue if I emailed my complaint to support as well.

I emailed support about the problem, and wouldn't you have guessed that they gave me a completely different answer (as if :() where in they stated:"I'm sorry to hear of the difficulties you have been experiencing with the software and appreciate
you taking the time to email us with your concerns. The Harmony buttons function in the Activities for what the device is doing in the Activity. If the TV is a Video Display in the activity then under the button mapping when ever the TV is being used as a Video Display the commands will populate the those activities. Currently there is no way to separate the activities button mapping completely however this is a feature that is being considered by Harmony, and may be implemented at a later date. Again I apologize for the inconvenience that this may have caused you."

That email response is completely inaccurate IMO and previous experience with the software, as I had the TV device in 2 different activities prior to my current problem, and in one activity the Info button for the TV device was BLANK, while in the 2nd activity the Info button for the TV had a command ... it DID NOT have to be the same command in all activities using the TV device! I also had custom buttons for my TV which would only show up in the appropriate activity, and now they show up in all activities. This is a bug which greatly hinders the customizing features that made this remote so good IMO. Why for the love of life they believe it's unimportant or not a bug is beyond belief!

I hope everyone out there owning this remote and experiencing the same displeasure will promptly call & email Harmony support to complain ... over, and over, and over again for as many times it takes until they fix this PITA bug!

TorinoCobra

02-09-07, 07:45 PM

I hope everyone out there owning this remote and experiencing the same displeasure will promptly call & email Harmony support to complain ... over, and over, and over again for as many times it takes until they fix this PITA bug!Sounds to me like you are the unfortunate victim of an earlier "bug" fix. It may very well be that the earlier versions had a "bug" in them where the user created a custom command for a device and it only appeared under the one Activity in which it was created. Users complained that they were not seeing this custom command in all of their activities. So Logitech "fixed" it. The correct fix is to have the option to "enable" the custom command in specific activities. Being a database designer, I can tell you that the second option definitely requires more complicated database structures. Logitech may have modified the tables to reduce space and inadevertently created your "bug". They need to redesign the database to give the user FULL access to ALL button layout and display options in each Activity and Device.

bernie33

02-09-07, 07:50 PM

I just used this last night and it totally helped out. Saved me a boatload of time and works flawlessly. I finally have my 880 working exactly as I want!!!

I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say you "used this last night", but Firefox 2.0 works fine for me with the Harmony 880. Firefox 2 is the only thing I've ever used with the Harmony.

Darkonus

02-09-07, 08:05 PM

Sounds to me like you are the unfortunate victim of an earlier "bug" fix. It may very well be that the earlier versions had a "bug" in them where the user created a custom command for a device and it only appeared under the one Activity in which it was created. Users complained that they were not seeing this custom command in all of their activities. So Logitech "fixed" it. The correct fix is to have the option to "enable" the custom command in specific activities. Being a database designer, I can tell you that the second option definitely requires more complicated database structures. Logitech may have modified the tables to reduce space and inadevertently created your "bug". They need to redesign the database to give the user FULL access to ALL button layout and display options in each Activity and Device.But it wasn't just custom commands, it's all commands for a shared device. Your solution for custom commands would be appropriate because people could set up a custom command once and then select it in any activity they wish rather than having to set up the same command many times separately under many activities. However, for normal buttons already on a device, it does not make sense that what I experience previously was a bug and not an intended feature.

As I believed my previous example showed (maybe not? :confused: ), why would setting the TV device "Info" button in one activity to perform a certain task have to force that same task for that button for that device in a totally separate activity which may not need that specific button to perform the same task? It makes zero sense! I thought the point of having drop-downs and being able to choose what button does what in any activity for any device was the key that made a customizable remote worth having ... not having the capabilities for the customization limited in scope because whatever task is assigned to a button in one activity is forced to EVERY activity using the same device. :confused:

Darkonus

02-09-07, 08:08 PM

I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say you "used this last night", but Firefox 2.0 works fine for me with the Harmony 880. Firefox 2 is the only thing I've ever used with the Harmony.I believe I had problems using FF2 with the Harmony member's site until I started using the IE Tab extension when navigating it.

<><

02-09-07, 09:35 PM

hey just got the harmony setup w/ my media pc....now i have it setup to do 2 seperate things "What Movie" and "Listen to music"
now for both the tv needs to be on input 8....well, if the tv is already on input 8 (or even if i select the same activity again) it tries to change the channel input again and my tv goes black for a few seconds and comes back...to the same input....
shouldnt it somehow know that its already on video input 8?

hmm..even if im in an activity and i click activity again then click on system options...when i click im done, it still tries to change my tv's video input and it goes black again for like 2-3 seconds...:/

edit: also, when you teach IR commands...is there a way to reset the learned command back to what it had in its database?

FIX1:
ok the fix to my first problem was that I had to click "redo setup for this device"...the way it was setup by default was for inputs 7-9 it was going to input 6 and then sending the "Next Input" command one to three times depending on which input i wanted to go to (7, 8, or 9). Fixed that :)

Now, anyway to reset learned IR commands?

thanks :)

ChristianZane

02-10-07, 02:00 AM

I just bought an HDMI switcher, and the only way I can get it to work properly is when I keep the button pressed on the Harmony remote for over a second. Before I would just briefly hit my activity "Watch TV" and all the respective devices would work, but with this switcher it won't work unless you keep the button pressed a long time, the same thing to turn it off, any ideas?

kromix

02-10-07, 03:57 AM

Yuss

02-10-07, 07:34 AM

strutter

02-10-07, 11:13 AM

I need to make my Harmony 880 know that the Volume +/- buttons to only send the command to the TV. When im watching TV via Set-top box or watching a DVD not send the volume +/- to the set-top or dvd player, I am aware and have searched that on the 880 it gives you the option of each activity, which device will control the volume....

-------------------------
jeremy, I have the 880, so it might not be the same, but as you set up an activity (for instance "Watch TV"), it asks you what device controls the volume. As you set up each activity, just tell it the volume is controlled via the TV or whatever device you like (in my case, the receiver).
--------------------------

Am I just stupid or can I not find that option?? I have Software version 7.0.2 and I sure as hell do NOT see this option, whats up!?

its there on mine when setting up an activity. for instance when setting up watch tv it ask "which device do you use to control volume" and i have the option to click the circle "i use my tv to control the volume" or click "i use my cable box to control the volume". it ask a similar question about which i use to change channels. it should be there on yours too.

kromix

02-10-07, 12:14 PM

its there on mine when setting up an activity. for instance when setting up watch tv it ask "which device do you use to control volume" and i have the option to click the circle "i use my tv to control the volume" or click "i use my cable box to control the volume". it ask a similar question about which i use to change channels. it should be there on yours too.

I don't get it, it asks the change channel but not the audio, WHAT THE F!!!!

ChristianZane

02-10-07, 02:48 PM

Sima 3x1

What HDMI switch did you buy?

czzer

02-10-07, 03:28 PM

I don't get it, it asks the change channel but not the audio, WHAT THE F!!!!

You can change the assignment manually by selecting "Change behaviour of buttons" for the activity in question.

Amer786

02-10-07, 11:02 PM

I have a Samsung LN-S4692D TV.

These are my connections:

Component = HD/PVR STB
S-Video = Coolsat Satellite Recevier
There is no cable going into the RF input on the TV

Everything is set up properly in the Harmony. When I go to Watch TV or Watch PVR, or Watch DVD it never ends up on the proper input on the TV. Sometimes it ends up the Cable input and all that gives you is that screen with the 'snowy' effect cuz there is no signal coming in. What can I do? I am thinkingo f just returning this and just getting something simpler.

nyerinsd

02-10-07, 11:45 PM

I started reading this thread from post #1 after ordering my 880, and I was not sure whether this remote was going to work. I have to say I am impressed. I installed the software on my PC, selected the equipment to control and the activites I wanted (Watch PVR, Watch DVD, Listen to music, Listen to Radio), and less than 20 minutes later I was using one remote for everything, and it worked the way as intended. I'm controlling the following:

Samsung HL-S5088W
Denon AVR-1707 Receiver
Denon DVD-1730 DVD Player
Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR

I'm only controlling volume on the receiver, so that simplifies things a bit. My only complaint is that the buttons on either side of the LCD are a bit small, but its nothing I won't get used to.

bernie33

02-11-07, 12:35 AM

Yuss

02-11-07, 11:10 AM

Information share: Remote powering off and on.

Thanks to lensterman (who called Logitech support), we both had a problem with the remote powering off and on occasionally. The fix (a real high tech fix) was to put a piece of paper between the battery and the case. I tried this and it has worked (so far).

I thought that I'd share the information just in case someone else here experiences the same issue.

Amer786

02-11-07, 01:53 PM

The simplest thing to do is to call Harmony support and let them help you set things up for your specific configuration.

Update for everyone: Called Harmony and they got me up and going. The problem was that my TV remote cycles through only those inputs that are being used (3) while the Harmony was cycling through all 7 inputs. The tech guy at Logitech fixed it for by only giving the remote the active inputs and he also showed me how to add inputs to the Harmony when I wanted to add another component later. Great Support Logitech!

winnebagobagorox

02-11-07, 04:01 PM

I've searched a few times and can't come up with an answer yet.
I'm trying to control my 92" greywolf II screen and it doesn't want to respond.
I've used the screen remote to learn the codes and even that doesn't work.

Any Ideas?
Thx guys love the forum

Just updated my software and that solved it, my bad missed that one .....

michaelk

02-12-07, 10:55 AM

just to post a data point-

I have had an 880 for several months now. Well the other day one of the buttons popped off. Looks like a drop of super glue would have fixed it (that's what the OEM glue looks like to me). But I figured let me call them as I still have warrenty- If the warrenty was over I'df futz with crazy glue but since they will still swap it no need to gamble.

Anyway they were very easy to deal with- quickly gave me an RMA.
- annoying bit- they want the old remote back but wont give you a tag for prepaid shipping so you have to pay. They seem to achnowledge that's rude by telling you just to mail it and not bother with ups or a trackable parcel shippment.
- postive bit- they sent a brand new in box unit. No refurb
- One interesting bit- the screen on the new unit is nicer. Looks to be the same resolution but it's more colorfull.

parksar

02-12-07, 01:46 PM

Not adding anything new to the thread, but I must say this is one nifty remote.

Aside from the fact that the user interface on the web is HORRIBLE, once you figure things out (with a little help from remotecentral.com), this baby works great.

Even my wife, who pretty much is bewildered by my HT hobby, was impressed when I pressed "Watch TV" and 1) my lights dimmed (gotta luv the Lutron Maestro), 2) the Panny ax100 kicked on, 3) and the receiver and sat box turned on and started playing.

For those on the fence, I would check it out - just be prepared to spend a few hours fine tuning it.

poormanq45

02-12-07, 02:04 PM

michaelk

02-12-07, 02:39 PM

Question: Does anyone else use the Harmony 7.0 software interface versus the website?

I noticed that the uploads to the remote is alot quicker, but the software slows the computer down about as much as an antivirus program running a scan.

i have an 880 and an 890- the 890 requires the 7.0 program. There's no need to have it runing all the time and slowing down the pc. It takes some work to keep it from starting up all the time but you can kill it. Although next time you hit the website it seems to go back to always on mode....

I think the web way and the 7.0 app both download from the net to the pc and then to the remote so any speed difference MIGHT just be a differnt load on their servers at anyone point in time.

steebo777

02-12-07, 03:08 PM

I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say you "used this last night", but Firefox 2.0 works fine for me with the Harmony 880. Firefox 2 is the only thing I've ever used with the Harmony.
My bad :)
I was referring to the FF extension plug-in over at Remote Central. It forgot to inlcude this portion of the post I was quoting.

<><

02-13-07, 05:19 PM

Hi, i'm using the 880 to control the dish network vip622
was wondering if there was a way to setup a custom button to go to a certain channel? I wanna put certain channels on my screen (nothing on screen right now :() so one click will take me to that chan.

Thanks

gtg622r

02-13-07, 05:24 PM

<><

02-13-07, 05:47 PM

eh? there's a favorites channel's option? where is that? (i just got the 622)
but yeah, im talking about on the screen of the 880, the 8 hard buttons, i was specific buttons that take me to channels, 1 click.

thanks

gtg622r

02-13-07, 06:01 PM

If you go to "Activities>Activity Settings>Setup Favorite Channels" then follow the steps to setup your favorite channels. Update your remote, click media, click your favorite channel....BOOM!

<><

02-13-07, 06:12 PM

ohhhh, sweet, thanks a lot, didnt see that....
i always wondered what the media button was used for...it had no function for me..UNTIL NOW! mwahahah!

thanks!

strutter

02-13-07, 06:39 PM

you can also add channel icons so that under MEDIA instead of having ### channel you have the station logo.

<><

02-14-07, 11:23 AM

bweissman

02-14-07, 11:32 AM

any place that offers icons/logos for channel networks that look decent/good on the harmony? I haven't searched myself, just wondering if anyone knows any place off the top of their headhttp://www.squareworld.com/harmony/

ttexas22

02-14-07, 12:40 PM

yea, i saw that when i added the channels yesterday, worked like a charm!...
any place that offers icons/logos for channel networks that look decent/good on the harmony? I haven't searched myself, just wondering if anyone knows any place off the top of their head

thanks
I've had good luck with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (Search on the channel's call sign)

Joe221 pointed out this site: http://www.satlogo.com/start_satlogo.html (look for the Outer Mongolian Game channel icon, for an example).

Enjoy,

TTx

Code 4

02-14-07, 12:41 PM

bernie33

02-14-07, 03:50 PM

yea, i saw that when i added the channels yesterday, worked like a charm!...
any place that offers icons/logos for channel networks that look decent/good on the harmony? I haven't searched myself, just wondering if anyone knows any place off the top of their head

thanks

The Harmony website itself has a link to a non-Logitech site that offers hundreds of icons. It is in the FAQ under "Where do I find the images for Favourite channels?"

<><

02-14-07, 08:32 PM

bernie33

02-14-07, 10:42 PM

Babaganoosh

02-14-07, 11:20 PM

bernie33

02-15-07, 01:08 AM

Here's what I want to know: Why is it required to have the same number of keys programmed in all activities?

Here's how it is. I have two different activities: Watch DVD, and Watch DVR.

In Watch DVR, I had these functions programmed: List, Live, Swap, A, B, C.
In Watch DVD, I had these: Eject, Subtitle, Audio, Angle, Display, Setup.

Then after I got my plasma TV, I added an 'Aspect' function to Watch DVR. However, the Harmony software insisted on adding the same command to Watch DVD; I would remove it, and the software would insist on putting it back. Why would it do this? I'm not changing the behavior of buttons for a *device*, only an *activity*.

Again, refer to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9559994&&#post9559994

As to why it is that way, I don't know and haven't seen it explained. But it is that way. In an Activity, when you add a button that controls a particular Device, that button shows up in every Activity that uses that Device.

I had the same frustration when I added a "switch antenna" button to my "watch TV" activity. It also showed up in my "watch dvr" activity and my "watch dvd" activity, and it is meaningless in those activities. I use that function extremely rarely and I wound up removing it from the activities altogether. If I need it can go the TV Device and do it from there. On the other hand, the Aspect button is one that we do use in the DVR and TV activities and it doesn't bother me to have it available in the DVD activity too.

Incidentally, I've never found a DVD where the Angle button does anything, but I don't want to take this thread off topic.

Bernie

Darkonus

02-15-07, 01:11 AM

hmm...something strange i notice....
i have the same device (TV) in 2 activities...now, if i go into one activity and change the functions of the buttons for the TV, it also changes in the 2nd activity...even tho i want different buttons doing different things for the TV in each activity....
is that possible? or a bug? or what?

thanksYes, it is quite a pain in the a** IMO. When I first purchased and set up my 880 last year, you could have the same button for a single device programmed differently for different activities.

The bad news I gathered from the response I received from member TorinoCobra, the Harmony wizards decided to make a change that supposedly satisfied earlier user's complaints that custom buttons set up for a device were only seen under the activity where they were initially being set up, and not under all activities using the same device. I presume with that "fix", it made all buttons set up for a device get pushed to all activities using the same device. :(

To me it greatly diminishes the once almost endless customization users could accomplish very easily between different activities being set up using the same device ... no more it seems! :mad:

The good news is that there is a work around, (though it is a PITA!) that makes it possible to have each activity use the same device but have different button properties within each activity!

All you need to do is add the same device to your main device list as many times as you will need it in activities which will be using the device but with different commands programmed to the buttons.

For instance, your TV is shared between 2 activities you are setting up, but you want to use different buttons with your TV for each activity. Just set up your TV as a device twice in the main setup, calling it different names; say TV1 & TV2 for example.

Now you can choose TV1 for the TV in activity 1 and select TV2 for acivity 2, and then set up different buttons in each activity for the TV which will not be passed to the other activity where you don't want them! :p

In my Harmony listings right now I have my TV set up 3 times as different devices named appropriately as "HP md6580n TV", "HP TV DVD", "HP TV Cable".

I set up 2 activities to use the TV, "Watch DVD" & "Watch Cable". I added my "HP md6580n TV" device to BOTH activities. So for the TV buttons I want to use across both activities I set up the buttons for that device in 1 activity and they show up in both activities!

Now in my "Watch DVD" activity I also added my second instance of my TV device called "HP TV DVD" as well; but I can now choose other TV buttons to use solely in that activity which won't be pushed to my other activity. In my "Watch Cable" activity I then added the 3rd instance of my TV device called "HP TV Cable", which again let me set up different TV buttons which would control the TV but only show up when the "Watch Cable" activity is being used! :D

IMO, this is a pain to do, takes extra time, and wastes device space (not sure how many devices one can set up on the Harmony site?), but it works well and allows me to use the same device across multiple activities and have different buttons for the device on each.

Hope this helped! :)

JayMan007

02-15-07, 10:43 AM

Snorton

02-15-07, 11:43 AM

How do I get this piece of crap to actually use the functions that >MY< TV supports?

I've got a Hitachi 57F510. It doesn't have an RGB1 or 2 input, it doesn't have AV# inputs, there's no Swivel, no TV/VCR input switching, it DOES support discrete on and off, but none of the umpteen on and off buttons under Device are discrete.

I can't set up my AV if the remote doesn't do half of what my TV does, yet offers dozens of features that my TV won't do.

How about my JVC bookshelf system? Its a CA-FSG5. It has 5 CD's, AM/FM tuner, USB input and AUX input. This stupid remote won't even turn this unit on/off even after learning the power toggle from the JVC remote!

It doesn't help that Logitech ignores tech support requests for days, then sends an email apologizing for the lack of response and then close the issue as "resolved." :mad:

Logitech, you can be damn sure that I'm never buying another piece of junk that you make, EVER!

<><

02-15-07, 01:34 PM

MizzouTiger

02-15-07, 04:17 PM

Ok I have a problem with my DR1F9H LG dvd Recorder and my harmony 880. Everything works as it should, but my Play button on the 880. It will not read for some reason. It is set to PLAY the play command in the config menu. I have tried resetting it to defaults 3 times and i redid the entire system with no change.

I even tried to do learn IR function. However, I do not have the Original remote, but I programmed my Cox DVR remote to work with my DR1F9H. I set it via the IR to Play and put that one to the 880 and it still did not work.

Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

When you press the PLAY button, look at the LCD screen on the remote and make sure the IR signal indicator shows up. I had a similar issue with one of the soft keys next to the LCD screen. I didn't think that the remote had the function programmed correctly even after I had it "learn" it from the original remote. I then watched the remote's screen and saw that it wasn't sending out an IR signal when I pushed the button. It turns out that particular button was a little "stiffer" than the rest and had to be pushed a little harder for a while until is was broken in. It works fine now.

Code 4

02-15-07, 04:40 PM

When you press the PLAY button, look at the LCD screen on the remote and make sure the IR signal indicator shows up. I had a similar issue with one of the soft keys next to the LCD screen. I didn't think that the remote had the function programmed correctly even after I had it "learn" it from the original remote. I then watched the remote's screen and saw that it wasn't sending out an IR signal when I pushed the button. It turns out that particular button was a little "stiffer" than the rest and had to be pushed a little harder for a while until is was broken in. It works fine now.
Fixed it. The button sends the signal just fine. I just had to clear all the devices from the remote. Then update the remote with no devices set up on it. Then add the DVD first, then add the rest of the stuff. FYI: Logitech was no help when I called. They basically sounded like I was bothering them and that I was screwing it up. I was told to contact LG and see if they knew what to do....LOL Gotta love outsourced Tech support.....

seando

02-15-07, 08:58 PM

Just in case anyone here runs into what I ran into while trying to get the pc input on my xbr2/3 working happy-like with the 880.

Activity - play 360

actions:
1 - turn on my sound solution
2 - turn on the 360
3 - turn on the tv and switch to the input that is not being skipped that is before PC in the external input list
4 - generate a 2s pause
5 - issue an inputnext command

poof...now you have your harmony880 set to automagically select your PC input (#9) for your 360 (or pc if that is what you are using it for).

Took some trial and error but that seems to be the magic trick.

-sean

Frobbo

02-17-07, 12:10 PM

mx6bfast

02-17-07, 12:37 PM

I asked this before but never got an answer.

Does the time on anyone else's remote slowly get off? Mine will go about 2 - 3 days back when I put it in the charger. But before I put in on the charger it will still be a little off. The only time it will update is when I plug it up to the computer and update it. A couple of days after it is updated from the pc it will start slowly getting off.

jlkd

02-17-07, 01:02 PM

Hi. New 880 owner. I have successfully set up the activity for "Watch PVR" and had no issues. I was next setting up the activity "Watch DVD" I am having a problem getting my TV to change to the required Comp 2 input. I have a Vizio GV-42L. This is a problem when I am switching from "Watch PVR" to "Watch DVD" or when all systems are off. It simply won't change from my "Comp 1" to Comp 2" input on the Vizio. I checked and rechecked my selections and I am "telling" the remote that it needs to change to "Comp 2" on my set-up webpage. I am sure I am just overlooking something. Any help is appreciated very much.

Edited: My Vizio remote has inputs for TV, AV, Comp, & HDMI. On my set-up page, it would appear that it is cycling through all 8 inputs? Does that make sense? Do I need to remove the other inputs from the menu? I'm a bit confused as you can see.

bweissman

02-17-07, 02:37 PM

Does the time on anyone else's remote slowly get off? Mine will go about 2 - 3 days back when I put it in the charger. But before I put in on the charger it will still be a little off. The only time it will update is when I plug it up to the computer and update it. A couple of days after it is updated from the pc it will start slowly getting off.Yes, my H880 loses several minutes a week. And it's annoying how you have to go through year, month, day, and hour before you can finally adjust the minutes. (I don't reconnect my 880 to my computer often enough for that to be a convenient way to set the clock.)

strutter

02-17-07, 02:40 PM

I am not sure how to fix my issue. The 880 remote will not go back farther than one chapter on my DVD player. It gets stuck, starting it over and over despite pressing the button several times. I tried reducing the delay from 500ms to100ms to 0ms but it still won't go back further than one chapter. My other DVD player works fine with the 880 but not this one. Both are Pioneer, one is a recorder though. Any thoughts?

did it work fine with the original remote?

i only ask because my oppo does a simmilar thing. you have to push the button really fast twice to get it to back up to a previous chapter. one push just takes it back to the beginning of the chapter i'm watching. and two slow pushes will only get you repeating that same chapter. it was like that with the original remote also.

strutter

02-17-07, 02:40 PM

liontiger

02-17-07, 02:46 PM

I am not sure how to fix my issue. The 880 remote will not go back farther than one chapter on my DVD player. It gets stuck, starting it over and over despite pressing the button several times. I tried reducing the delay from 500ms to100ms to 0ms but it still won't go back further than one chapter. My other DVD player works fine with the 880 but not this one. Both are Pioneer, one is a recorder though. Any thoughts?

Which delay setting are you trying to adjust? In your case, it's the inter-key delay that you want to adjust. You can start from 100 and goes up from there.

Frobbo

02-17-07, 04:15 PM

did it work fine with the original remote?

i only ask because my oppo does a simmilar thing. you have to push the button really fast twice to get it to back up to a previous chapter. one push just takes it back to the beginning of the chapter i'm watching. and two slow pushes will only get you repeating that same chapter. it was like that with the original remote also.

It works fine with the original remote, I understand the question and actually double checked it while I have been trying to fix this issue.

Darkonus

02-17-07, 06:00 PM

thanks for the replies....
i don't know why the software wouldnt allow you to have different setups for each device in each activity...that really makes no sense....i hope its something they fix...
they could just have an extra checkbox that says "Apply these changes to all activities that use this device" or something like that for people that want that functionality....
the way it functions right now really negates the use of activities and i have to end up going to the devices screen to get control of something I would want control of in one activity, but not another....
ill try contacting customer support and see what they say and if they will have a fix for the original "fix" lol

Darkonus,
good idea, i didn't think of that, but it seems really redundant and i believe the software should be capable of doing this w/o the need for us to have to add the same device multiple times just so we can have different mapped buttons for different activities....but for the time being im going to do the same thing you are so I can use the remote the way it SHOULD have been...

thanksYes, it's extremely redundant and ridiculous that it has to be done to keep a device's settings independent within multiple activities sharing the common device. I also agree the software SHOULD easily be able to accommodate this and set up the same device in multiple activities while allowing the button assignments to be totally independent within each activity without having to set up the device multiple times (hell, it used to work that way once upon a time, I know, I set up my remote and it worked PERFECTLY doing just that process!!!); but that is not how it works now. It seems Logitech doesn't see this as a problem anymore and have taken complaints about it with a low priority outlook! I already complained once about the issue and was told by support that it's a "feature", not a bug (believe it or not :eek: ) !

I will continue to complain (on a weekly schedule) until they start to listen to complaints and take them as seriously as they state that they are taking them. I just received an email to rate their customer service response to this exact issue ... guess how I'm responding?!?! :confused: :rolleyes: :eek: :mad:

czzer

02-17-07, 08:24 PM

Yes, it's extremely redundant and ridiculous that it has to be done to keep a device's settings independent within multiple activities sharing the common device. I also agree the software SHOULD easily be able to accommodate this and set up the same device in multiple activities while allowing the button assignments to be totally independent within each activity without having to set up the device multiple times (hell, it used to work that way once upon a time, I know, I set up my remote and it worked PERFECTLY doing just that process!!!); but that is not how it works now. It seems Logitech doesn't see this as a problem anymore and have taken complaints about it with a low priority outlook! I already complained once about the issue and was told by support that it's a "feature", not a bug (believe it or not :eek: ) !

I will continue to complain (on a weekly schedule) until they start to listen to complaints and take them as seriously as they state that they are taking them. I just received an email to rate their customer service response to this exact issue ... guess how I'm responding?!?! :confused: :rolleyes: :eek: :mad:

The website has now been changed. Commands are no longer automatically propogated between all activities.

Also, you can now arrange LCD commands EXACTLY how you want them...no longer grouped by device.

HiHoStevo

02-17-07, 10:04 PM

Well the new software has completely "screwed" my use of the 880 in my HT!!

They have attempted to "simplify" the interface and now you can no longer select multiple commands with a single button..............

Before I had added the buttons I use most to the LCD (I find it difficult to see the little buttons in a dark HT). So I have the Pause and Play and other frequently accessed buttons up top. You do this with the "additional buttons" section down at the bottom of the change the behavior of buttons dialoge. It used to be a grid with the command to be shown on the LCD to the left with the devices across the top of the grid. I could then go across the top and in the Pause line add Pause to the HD-DVD player and then on the far end add "lights dim" to the Lutron light controller... this was great as you could pause the show and raise the lights for a bathroom break all with a single push......... With the new software this can no longer be accessed..... you cannot assign multiple commands to a single button push!

PLEASE BRING BACK VERSION 7.1 !!!!!

They also have no way to allow you to revert to the earlier version to get it working. I uninstalled 7.2.0 and went back to version 4.4 and it still access the same web information that no longer allows me to operate the lights with the Pause and Play buttons.... WAH!!!

If this has adversely affected you and the enjoyment of your remote/theater please call/write/email Harmony to complain about this obscenity.

Darkonus

02-18-07, 12:06 AM

The website has now been changed. Commands are no longer automatically propogated between all activities.

Also, you can now arrange LCD commands EXACTLY how you want them...no longer grouped by device.That's great to hear; when did that change happen?

I haven't fooled with new settings for only about a week or so, and the last time I tried it still had the same problem. I see the new 7.0.2.1 software has a new look in the interface where buttons are programmed.

However, I'll hold off on judging this current software change until I see nothing else was "broken" during this fix :rolleyes: . But it will be nice to be able to only have a device entered once and still be able to use its buttons differently between activities sharing them! :D

bernie33

02-18-07, 01:34 AM

Yes, my H880 loses several minutes a week. And it's annoying how you have to go through year, month, day, and hour before you can finally adjust the minutes. (I don't reconnect my 880 to my computer often enough for that to be a convenient way to set the clock.)

I hadn't paid close attention until seeing these posts. Now I see that the time on my 880 is 4 minutes slow. It hasn't been connected to the computer for a couple of weeks. I didn't realize that the time could be adjusted without doing an update, but I've found the information on how to adjust the time in the FAQ on the Harmony site. I'm going to adjust and pay more attention to how it does. But, for us it isn't a big deal anyway.

I'll be connecting to the Harmony site anyway, now that they've announced the new features to do some updates to my buttons.

czzer

02-18-07, 06:23 AM

That's great to hear; when did that change happen?

I haven't fooled with new settings for only about a week or so, and the last time I tried it still had the same problem. I see the new 7.0.2.1 software has a new look in the interface where buttons are programmed.

However, I'll hold off on judging this current software change until I see nothing else was "broken" during this fix :rolleyes: . But it will be nice to be able to only have a device entered once and still be able to use its buttons differently between activities sharing them! :D

I think it only changed a couple of days ago.

Unfortunately, they have "broken" something in the process. You can now no longer send commands to multiple devices with one button press. eg you used to be able to make the "Mute" button send a mute command to the TV and receiver simultaneously, or send a "Lights OFF" command with the DVD "Play" command. This is no longer possible.

strutter

02-18-07, 01:17 PM

I think it only changed a couple of days ago.

Unfortunately, they have "broken" something in the process. You can now no longer send commands to multiple devices with one button press. eg you used to be able to make the "Mute" button send a mute command to the TV and receiver simultaneously, or send a "Lights OFF" command with the DVD "Play" command. This is no longer possible.

guess i wont plug up until this is fixed :mad:

WilliamG

02-18-07, 02:29 PM

JBaumgart

02-18-07, 02:35 PM

I haven't connected either of my two in many months, and was thinking about updating until reading the last few posts. Now I will leave well enough alone - "if it ain't broke...."

Darkonus

02-18-07, 06:29 PM

The Harmony software is now completely broken. I now get an "unable to display content" error when I want to modify items on the LCD screen of my 360 Harmony remote. I called a couple of friends and they have the same problem. It's been like this for over a day. I can't program my remote now. Oh joy!I did not delete my devices, however I went in and deleted all my activities and started from scratch for my 880. I have not had any problems creating new activities with the 7.0.2.1 software, it is working for me; though as was stated earlier, none of the standard buttons can be made to activate a command across multiple devices anymore with how the new button programming scheme is set up, it's one command/device per button.

It seems the programmers can't figure out how fix one problem a set of users complain about without causing another problem that a different set of users complain about. It has gone back and fourth a couple times with different versions and software fixes. :o

WilliamG

02-18-07, 06:55 PM

I did not delete my devices, however I went in and deleted all my activities and started from scratch for my 880. I have not had any problems creating new activities with the 7.0.2.1 software, it is working for me; though as was stated earlier, none of the standard buttons can be made to activate a command across multiple devices anymore with how the new button programming scheme is set up, it's one command/device per button.

It seems the programmers can't figure out how fix one problem a set of users complain about without causing another problem that a different set of users complain about. It has gone back and fourth a couple times with different versions and software fixes. :o

You try and modify something on the LCD screen (as in, short-cuts on the LCD). You can't. The software is broken.

**EDIT**

OK this is weird. I just plugged in my brand new Harmony 720, and it works! My 360 remote will not let me get to the Additional Buttons menu. I called two friends with the 360 Harmony remote, and they can't either. My 720 works fine, though.

Something is really broken at Logitech, that's for sure.

bleedblue63

02-18-07, 07:43 PM

I have a 7 year old and I want a remote that will turn on the Sony XBR 3, turn on the DirecTv H20 and change it to Disney channel (ch 290). Will it do a one touch macro? Is the button on the main remote so my kid can get to it easily or is it on the LCD display?

I'll need all the advanced functions for the HT but I want my kid to be able to turn everything on and off with one button. My old Sony LCD remote RM-AV2000 does it but after 6 years it's on its last leg. Thanks for your comments.

sivartk

02-18-07, 08:48 PM

OK this is weird. I just plugged in my brand new Harmony 720, and it works! My 360 remote will not let me get to the Additional Buttons menu. I called two friends with the 360 Harmony remote, and they can't either. My 720 works fine, though.

Something is really broken at Logitech, that's for sure.

Was just editing the "additional buttons" tonight on the 659 with the web-based software (going to the harmony site).

Another question I have. How do you add the "-" or "." command to the favorite channels? For example I want a favorite channel to be 83-2...how would I do that.

When you enter the dash into the software and try to update you get an error.

tokerblue

02-18-07, 09:03 PM

I have a 7 year old and I want a remote that will turn on the Sony XBR 3, turn on the DirecTv H20 and change it to Disney channel (ch 290). Will it do a one touch macro? Is the button on the main remote so my kid can get to it easily or is it on the LCD display?
- The Harmony remote can do this. You have to set up a normal Watch TV activity and then add the 290 to the end of the Activity.

The Activity buttons are only activated through the LCD buttons.

mx6bfast

02-18-07, 09:36 PM

Was just editing the "additional buttons" tonight on the 659 with the web-based software (going to the harmony site).

Another question I have. How do you add the "-" or "." command to the favorite channels? For example I want a favorite channel to be 83-2...how would I do that.

When you enter the dash into the software and try to update you get an error.
Are you asking for the 659 or 880?

For the 880 just add a command in the lcd for dash.

chroma601

02-18-07, 10:00 PM

Wow, what a mess! I decided to replace my 880 at Best Buy due to the charging issue it had. No problem at all getting a replacement. I come home and think it'll be easy to port over my old set of commands from the computer.

I'd worked carefully to make sure my activity pages were laid out carefully, and they came back in ruins. I went back to the site setup area and tried to change the buttons, but got a "Unable to display content." message.

Guess a call to tech support is going out tomorrow.

sivartk

02-18-07, 10:16 PM

Are you asking for the 659 or 880?

For the 880 just add a command in the lcd for dash.

Sorry, for the 659 -- but I bet it would be the same issue for the 880 as the programming is the same way. I added a command with no problem, it is I just can't figure out how to add that command along with the numbers in the favorite channels. This way I can press a favorite channel button and it executes the commands (example 83-2)

"8" then "3" then "-" (my learned command) then "2"

Darkonus

02-19-07, 12:13 AM

You try and modify something on the LCD screen (as in, short-cuts on the LCD). You can't. The software is broken.

**EDIT**

OK this is weird. I just plugged in my brand new Harmony 720, and it works! My 360 remote will not let me get to the Additional Buttons menu. I called two friends with the 360 Harmony remote, and they can't either. My 720 works fine, though.

Something is really broken at Logitech, that's for sure.I realized by your earlier post that you might have had problems with your 360 remote, but I was only stating my own experience with the software and my 880 remote; and as it seems you have now experienced for yourself and the 720, the software isn't totally "broken" for everyone and everything (I had no problem adding/deleting custom buttons on my 880 either) ... though it sure seems to be causing some people problems, and still doesn't function perfectly or adequately for making the remote as robust as it certainly should be IMO! :(

strutter

02-19-07, 01:17 PM

tvshopper

02-19-07, 05:10 PM

mx6bfast

02-19-07, 05:27 PM

I hadn't paid close attention until seeing these posts. Now I see that the time on my 880 is 4 minutes slow. It hasn't been connected to the computer for a couple of weeks. I didn't realize that the time could be adjusted without doing an update, but I've found the information on how to adjust the time in the FAQ on the Harmony site. I'm going to adjust and pay more attention to how it does. But, for us it isn't a big deal anyway.
I read the FAQ last night and reset the time on the remote. Hopefully it'll stay current.

tvshopper

02-19-07, 05:32 PM

mx6bfast,

Can you provide a link to the FAQ? Thanks.

bernie33

02-19-07, 06:25 PM

I haven't seen an FAQ posted and there are so many pages spanning such a length of time I thought I would just ask my question outright. If I'm wasting peoples' time, I sincerely apologize.

I am receiving my Harmony 880 tomorrow. It is replacing a Universal 200 Automator. My main question is what are the absolute "musts" of setting this remote up? What tips, traps and tricks can you suggest and offer? I will be using this remote with a JVC 52HG787, Yamaha HTR-5850, Toshiba SD 5970 and a Motorola BMC 9012 with Moxi.

TIA for any help or suggestions.

1) follow the instructions that come with your Harmony for the software and the website.
2) use the website to set up your Harmony for your equipment.
3) if things aren't working exactly as you want them to after doing the setup, call Harmony tech support and they'll help you. They're excellent.

For most people they're perfect as soon as they're setup. With my equipment the setup is a little more complex than some, but the Harmony is doing a great job once I got things setup for my environment.

bernie33

02-19-07, 06:26 PM

mx6bfast,

Can you provide a link to the FAQ? Thanks.

It's on the Harmony website, after you login. I don't know if you can do that until you have a Harmony device.

Darkonus

02-19-07, 07:15 PM

the offical explanation of changes from harmony[U]

New Button Mapping Functionality

Logitech is pleased to announce that the Harmony remote control software has been updated to include the ability for advanced button customization. In response to customer feedback we have implemented three new functionality enhancements to the button mapping pages for all Harmony Remotes.
1. The Ability to explicitly specify the location of display buttons.
The order and location of custom buttons on the display can now be fully defined by the user. By default commands will be grouped by device functionality, however, these groups can be overwritten to meet your specific needs.
2. Blank Spaces in display Button Mappings.
You are now able to insert blank spaces between any display button label. For instance if you wish to keep all of your PIP (Picture-in-picture) commands together but do not want them on your default screen, you have the ability to push them to the second page by inserting blanks for any positions not needed on screen 1.
3. Button Customization for an individual Activity.
When customizing your buttons based on needs for a particular Activity, it will no longer carry over to other Activities using those devices.

To take advantage of these new button mapping features, simply log into your Harmony account and click on the Customize buttons link beside the Activity you wish to customize.All very good for functionality, and IMO what users definitely wanted (I especially wanted #3 ! :D )... however, Logitech has obviously NOT been listening to all customer feedback very closely, or has definitely misinterpreted what functionality is wanted!

I don't believe customers had asked them to take away the ability to have an activity use a single button to perform multiple tasks with a single button press. Though I myself have not found this to be useful, it seems some people still wanted that ability. They should have left the button interface as it was, showing all the devices side-by-side for each activity and allowing users to set each device and remote button for any command; even allowing a single button to be mapped to several devices and therefore do multiple commands from a single button.

Even though the button customization interface itself looks cleaner now with the single line for devices using the drop-down box, IMO they instead have taken a step backwards in true user customization functionality! All they needed to do with the old button interface IMO, was stop it from forcing your button customizations from one activity to all the other activities sharing the same device.

zacgo

02-19-07, 07:58 PM

I am very pleased with the new software. Now having the ability to fully control custom activity buttons is terrific. Before I would have given this remote an A, now I would have to give it an A+.

DishDog

02-19-07, 08:23 PM

Good job Logitech. Certainly a step in the right direction but could really use true macro programing and multiple function hard key mapping.

mx6bfast

02-19-07, 08:52 PM

mx6bfast,

Can you provide a link to the FAQ? Thanks.
My remote is charging right now but I think it's:

Activities twice - System Options - Set Time

or something to that effect.

jmeads

02-20-07, 01:34 PM

All very good for functionality, and IMO what users definitely wanted (I especially wanted #3 ! :D )... however, Logitech has obviously NOT been listening to all customer feedback very closely, or has definitely misinterpreted what functionality is wanted!

I don't believe customers had asked them to take away the ability to have an activity use a single button to perform multiple tasks with a single button press. Though I myself have not found this to be useful, it seems some people still wanted that ability. They should have left the button interface as it was, showing all the devices side-by-side for each activity and allowing users to set each device and remote button for any command; even allowing a single button to be mapped to several devices and therefore do multiple commands from a single button.

Even though the button customization interface itself looks cleaner now with the single line for devices using the drop-down box, IMO they instead have taken a step backwards in true user customization functionality! All they needed to do with the old button interface IMO, was stop it from forcing your button customizations from one activity to all the other activities sharing the same device.

I agree 110%. Me and all of my friends that have Harmony remotes are very unhappy. We all use IR controlled lights and love being able to push the Play button and have it start the DVD AND dim the lights. I would not recommend this remote to anyone until multi-function buttons are reenabled.

tvshopper

02-20-07, 05:19 PM

Okay...I got the remote and have set it up via the web site while I had a few spare moments at work. I have not tried to use it yet...that comes in a little while. One question that I cannot seem to figure out is...if I switch activities (i.e. go from Watch PVR to Watch DVD) will it try to turn off my TV and then turn it back on? I don't want this to happen because I have a rear projection JVC and I don't want unnecessary stress placed on the bulb. What do I change in order to prevent multiple on/off cycles?

tvshopper

02-20-07, 05:35 PM

blazeblaze

02-20-07, 05:39 PM

One question that I cannot seem to figure out is...if I switch activities (i.e. go from Watch PVR to Watch DVD) will it try to turn off my TV and then turn it back on?

The remote keeps track of the power states...so the answer to your question would be NO.

bernie33

02-20-07, 06:04 PM

I thought of one more question...can I have my AV Receiver automatically switch to one program or another based on the Activity (i.e. Dolby Surround for Watch PVR, 6 ch stereo for Listen to CD, etc.)?

Yes, it can do that. With some AVR's it is tricky, but the remote can do it. If you need help setting it up to do that contact Logitech support.

tokerblue

02-20-07, 07:00 PM

I thought of one more question...can I have my AV Receiver automatically switch to one program or another based on the Activity (i.e. Dolby Surround for Watch PVR, 6 ch stereo for Listen to CD, etc.)?
- As bernie33 mentioned, it is possible, but it depends on your AVR. For example, I have a Marantz SR-7400 that has an "Auto CH" command that I use as a base for toggling. When I use the "Play PS2" Activity, I send the Auto CH command followed by a Dolby Pro Logic II command.

lchiu7

02-21-07, 01:13 AM

The remote keeps track of the power states...so the answer to your question would be NO.

Agreed. The TV is usually the base unit in the programming. Everything else revolves around it. So while it won't turn the TV on and off when you change activities (not sure you can even tell it to do that if you want), you can tell it to turn off the ancillary equipment (VCR, DVD, PVR) when you switch away from that input (or not). Since the Harmony maintains the power state of each device, it will know whether or not it needs to issue a power on when you switch back to that input.

I usually have mine setup so that it switches on each device as it's used for the first time and not to switch it off. Then when I press the power off button at the top, it switches everything off it remembers as having been switched on

Larry

DishDog

02-21-07, 12:19 PM

I usually have mine setup so that it switches on each device as it's used for the first time and not to switch it off. Then when I press the power off button at the top, it switches everything off it remembers as having been switched on
Larry
Larry, How exactly did you do this? What are the actual settings that you programmed?
Thanks,
Pete

strutter

02-21-07, 03:14 PM

Larry, How exactly did you do this? What are the actual settings that you programmed?
Thanks,
Pete

actually you dont need to tell it to turn anything off. it knows what devices are needed for a particular activity and turns on/off whatever is needed.

example: i push WatchTV the tv comes on and goes to the correct input for cable box (i leave the cable box on all the time). i want to watch a DVD, i push WatchDVD the tv stays on , goes to mute and changes to the correct input, the dvd player turns on ,the surround processor turns on, and goes to the correct output. i decide i want to watch tv again, i push watchTV. everything except the TV turns off, Tv changes input and unmutes. i don't want to watch anything i push the power button on the remote, everything off.

DishDog

02-21-07, 03:28 PM

actually you dont need to tell it to turn anything off. it knows what devices are needed for a particular activity and turns on/off whatever is needed.

example: i push WatchTV the tv comes on and goes to the correct input for cable box (i leave the cable box on all the time). i want to watch a DVD, i push WatchDVD the tv stays on , goes to mute and changes to the correct input, the dvd player turns on ,the surround processor turns on, and goes to the correct output. i decide i want to watch tv again, i push watchTV. everything except the TV turns off, Tv changes input and unmutes. i don't want to watch anything i push the power button on the remote, everything off.

strutter, What are the exact settings you used in Activity and Devices?

Thanks,
Pete

strutter

02-21-07, 03:50 PM

strutter, What are the exact settings you used in Activity and Devices?

Thanks,
Pete
not sure i understand what you are asking?
using the website wizard i set up activity "watchDVD". this walked me through everything i needed to do. it ask what devices you want to use to watch a dvd. for me it is TV, receiver, dvd player. it ask what you use to change volume and gives choice between tv and receiver. you pick the one you want to do that with. then it ask what input your tv needs to be on and in my case it actually recommended the correct one for my set. then it ask what output the receiver needs to be on and it recommended the correct one for my receiver.

i don't understand how my settings would help you unless we have the same tv, receiver and dvd player?

ginigma

02-21-07, 10:51 PM

I agree 110%. Me and all of my friends that have Harmony remotes are very unhappy. We all use IR controlled lights and love being able to push the Play button and have it start the DVD AND dim the lights. I would not recommend this remote to anyone until multi-function buttons are reenabled.
This is what I am planning on doing. I assumed I could add the light dimming to the activity start section once it turns the devices on. Any problems with doing that?

<><

02-22-07, 12:09 AM

strutter, What are the exact settings you used in Activity and Devices?

Thanks,
Pete
what strutter mentioned is the general use of activities w/ the harmony 880....nothing out of the ordinary, the remote turns on/off whatever device is needed for whatever activity, even each activity uses the exact same devices but just different inputs or something (in this case it just adjusts the inputs w/o powering off/on). The main OFF button turns off any activity currently running by turning off all devices used by that activity, unless you have the option to leave a device on all the time.

<><

02-22-07, 12:11 AM

jmeads,
what IR control light fixture are you using? My current light setup is thru a wireless RF wall switch, wondering if there's anything i can install to make it work w/ my 880.

thanks

jmeads

02-22-07, 08:17 AM

jmeads,
what IR control light fixture are you using? My current light setup is thru a wireless RF wall switch, wondering if there's anything i can install to make it work w/ my 880.

thanks

I use the Lutron Maestro IR. You can pick them up at any Home Depot.

http://lutron.com/products/dimmers/

jmeads

02-22-07, 08:20 AM

This is what I am planning on doing. I assumed I could add the light dimming to the activity start section once it turns the devices on. Any problems with doing that?

You can do that, but i wanted more. I want the lights to come up when i push the Pause button and then to dim again when i hit the Play button. 75% of the reason i bought this remote was to be able to do just that and now they have removed that functionality.

TVpOOned

02-22-07, 10:05 AM

where would I buy one of these CHEAP?!?! ;)

sivartk

02-22-07, 10:09 AM

is my remote the only one that loses 10 minutes (on the clock) every two weeks? A synch with the PC seems to correct it but kind of annoying.

ColePatrol

02-22-07, 11:50 AM

ColePatrol

02-22-07, 11:59 AM

ColePatrol

02-22-07, 12:02 PM

where would I buy one of these CHEAP?!?! ;)

Goto amazon its only around $150 which is $50 less then i paid.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00093IIRA/ref=nosim/coffeeresearch64993-20

sivartk

02-22-07, 12:09 PM

Ok, i have two questions about this wonderful remote.

I have a Bose surround sound lifestyle system that is older (still blows most systems out of the water :)) and it runs RF signals so i can't use the 880 with it. is there any work around for this.....please any help

Also i have the Lutron Maestro and when i hit activite "Watch TV" everything goes on fine and the lights dim but when i switch activite like "Watch DVD" the lights turn up and then dim again.

If there is a way to have the lights turn up when i push pause that would be awesome let me know if there is a way.....

did they come out with new desktop software for the remote?

Work around for RF signals it to buy a Harmony 890.

As for the light dimming, you could just add that to the pause function, but be warned with the latest version of the software they have taken away the ability to place two commands on a single button press. Will they bring it back? I don't know, but I wouldn't update my remote until I confirmed it was back, if I was you.

blazeblaze

02-22-07, 12:13 PM

Work around for RF signals it to buy a Harmony 890.

But will the Harmony 890's RF work with the integrated RF in the Bose system? That's the question I would want to get answered before dropping the cash on the remote in this case.

sivartk

02-22-07, 12:24 PM

But will the Harmony 890's RF work with the integrated RF in the Bose system? That's the question I would want to get answered before dropping the cash on the remote in this case.

That I can't answer, but then again, I wouldn't touch a Bose with a 10 foot pole...but I love Adam Sandler's line in click out the Bose system..."Oh, your dad's stereo Blows!"

ColePatrol

02-22-07, 12:41 PM

That I can't answer, but then again, I wouldn't touch a Bose with a 10 foot pole...but I love Adam Sandler's line in click out the Bose system..."Oh, your dad's stereo Blows!"

Do you not like Bose? Too expensive?

jmystikcfl

02-22-07, 01:11 PM

No highs, no lows. Must be a Bose :D

Elkay

02-22-07, 02:06 PM

Bose sounds great if you haven't listened to much else. They have great spacialization, but that's about it. Like jmy said, they lack the full range feel and flat frequency curve.

ColePatrol

02-22-07, 02:08 PM

Bose sounds great if you haven't listened to much else. They have great spacialization, but that's about it. Like jmy said, they lack the full range feel and flat frequency curve.

What would you recommend for a systems then? If you could have anything?

sivartk

02-22-07, 02:10 PM

a budget system for me would be some Adcom Amps/pre-amps and some B&W speakers :)

...anyway back on topic of the 880 :D

<><

02-22-07, 02:28 PM

JayMan007

02-22-07, 03:20 PM

i don't believe that you can use the 890's RF capabilities to control any device...its strictly used w/ the 890 RF receiver that converts the RF signals into IR to control equipment that is not in your line of sight.

Although I havn't done it yet, the 890 is supposed to control Z-wave devices, like light switches/dimmers.

DishDog

02-23-07, 06:55 PM

I don't believe the 890 RF works directly on a device but through a repeater, correct?

dconner

02-23-07, 07:32 PM

I've never had the severe charging issues some do, but my 880 has started losing its charge rapidly. (In other words, it's at 3 bars when I take it out, but might be down to 2 bars after a fairly short time.) Does this mean I need to replace the battery? What type of battery is needed, and where can they be found?

mx6bfast

02-23-07, 07:46 PM

My remote is charging right now but I think it's:

Activities twice - System Options - Set Time

or something to that effect.
OK so it's Friday, 6:47 right now and my remote says Thu 9:40. It's been less a week since I reset the time on it.

:confused:

comptr

02-23-07, 08:07 PM

My harmony 880 will not update because i need to program the ir sequence from my dish vip 622 dvr remote the dvr shows up in the harmony database what is going on?? Is there soemthing i am missing?? I have been using the 880 for a year now and has been great until now what do i do??

bleedblue63

02-24-07, 10:50 PM

ColePatrol

02-25-07, 04:28 PM

cherry ghost

02-25-07, 05:21 PM

Hi, I just got my 880 today from Amazon. Could someone tell me how to program my DirecTV H-20 to tune to a certian channel when hitting the "Watch TV" activity? The H-20 gets turned on, my xbr3 gets turned on and goes to video 7 so all is well but I would like the DirecTV H-20 to tune to a channel 79 as well. Thanks.

Go to "troubleshoot" "No, I want to change these settings". Click through until you get to the screen that gives the option "Yes, but I want to add more control of options and devices for this Activity." Click through to the screen labeled "Please review the actions for your ******* Activity". In the "add action for" drop-down choose the H-20 and then choose "Set it to this channel"

protoboard

02-25-07, 06:46 PM

This was probably posted already, but where can you get a replacement battery for the 880, does anyone have a link?

Thanks in advance.

bleedblue63

02-25-07, 09:48 PM

Go to "troubleshoot" "No, I want to change these settings". Click through until you get to the screen that gives the option "Yes, but I want to add more control of options and devices for this Activity." Click through to the screen labeled "Please review the actions for your ******* Activity". In the "add action for" drop-down choose the H-20 and then choose "Set it to this channel"

Thanks, I eventually found it but thank you for taking the time to confirm the right way to do it. So far all is well and this remote is much better than my Sony RM-AV2000. After 6+ years the Sony started giving me trouble but it was solid since I purchased it. The Harmony is just super when it comes to cleaning up after itself as you step through all the Set activities.

Has anyone checked out the Sony 4000 series? It too is programmable via the computer. It is similar to my old 2000.

bleedblue63

02-25-07, 09:51 PM

I noticed a slight rattle sound when I tilt or shake the 880. I'm assuming it is the motion sensing device that activates the back light when you tilt it. Has anyone else noticed this?

Holydoc

02-26-07, 12:23 AM

I noticed a slight rattle sound when I tilt or shake the 880. I'm assuming it is the motion sensing device that activates the back light when you tilt it. Has anyone else noticed this?

I take it that you have not read this thread or searched for the word "Rattle".

REDCELL

02-26-07, 01:02 AM

sivartk

02-26-07, 09:08 AM

I have an 880 on the way. After going thru the "test drive" setup I have what may be a silly question. For all of my AV components, there are multiple listings for the same models. What are the differences? How do I know which ones to use?

Thanks for any suggestions.

hmmm...good question...I would use the one that has the full official model number of your unit. I believe that these are updated by users, so some may not be complete.

protoboard

02-26-07, 01:25 PM

This was probably posted already, but where can you get a replacement battery for the 880, does anyone have a link?

Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know the answer to this? Or should I just call Logitech (was hoping to avoid this).

ColePatrol

02-26-07, 02:36 PM

Does anyone know the answer to this? Or should I just call Logitech (was hoping to avoid this).

Found this post from a different forum:

"Sorry it took me a few days to reply.
Turns out there must be something proprietary about the Harmony 880 battery. The BLB-2 battery though it fits and will work if it has a charge already on it. However it will not recharge itself when in the remote and cradle. If you have a compatible Nokia phone you could charge the battery that way but obviously this is no solution.

As to replacing the battery. If you call Harmony Customer Service they will apparently send you a replacment battery for no charge (YMMV). You will most likely have to jump thru some hoops and talk to a couple of tech support folks and go thru the troubleshooting protocol. I was on the phone for 60+ minutes and talked to 2 different CSRs.

FWIW, the first CSR I talked to when I asked him about a replacment battery he said it had to be a battery from Logitech. I mentioned the Nokia battery and he said it would work until the charge ran out that it would not charge in the remote and cradle. When I asked the cost and source to get a replacement and/or extra battery he said it was only available thru Logitech but he did not know the price. He checked with another CSR near him and he also did not know the price. He suggested I ask the next CSR he had to transfer me to resolve my charging cradle problem. The 2nd tier CSR when I asked him about a replacement battery he said it "...was just a cell phone battery and I could get it anywhere." I told him I'd already done that and that wasn't the case and the other CSR agreed the battery was obviously proprietary. When I asked him how much a replacement battery was he said "no charge". I don't know how long this policy will exist. I'm baffled that Logitech doesn't have batteries available at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. or even on their Logitech web sight.

Good Luck... "

strutter

02-26-07, 02:49 PM

Found this post from a different forum:

"Sorry it took me a few days to reply.
Turns out there must be something proprietary about the Harmony 880 battery. The BLB-2 battery though it fits and will work if it has a charge already on it. However it will not recharge itself when in the remote and cradle. If you have a compatible Nokia phone you could charge the battery that way but obviously this is no solution.

As to replacing the battery. If you call Harmony Customer Service they will apparently send you a replacment battery for no charge (YMMV). You will most likely have to jump thru some hoops and talk to a couple of tech support folks and go thru the troubleshooting protocol. I was on the phone for 60+ minutes and talked to 2 different CSRs.

FWIW, the first CSR I talked to when I asked him about a replacment battery he said it had to be a battery from Logitech. I mentioned the Nokia battery and he said it would work until the charge ran out that it would not charge in the remote and cradle. When I asked the cost and source to get a replacement and/or extra battery he said it was only available thru Logitech but he did not know the price. He checked with another CSR near him and he also did not know the price. He suggested I ask the next CSR he had to transfer me to resolve my charging cradle problem. The 2nd tier CSR when I asked him about a replacement battery he said it "...was just a cell phone battery and I could get it anywhere." I told him I'd already done that and that wasn't the case and the other CSR agreed the battery was obviously proprietary. When I asked him how much a replacement battery was he said "no charge". I don't know how long this policy will exist. I'm baffled that Logitech doesn't have batteries available at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. or even on their Logitech web sight.

Good Luck... "

his question got me looking also, as i became interested in knowing the answer myself.
i found this on the logitechforum "the only way to get a replacement battery for any of the harmonies that use rechargeable batteries is to contact tech support."
it was posted in 2-07.......the one you pasted above was from 9-06. apparently they still haven't made a replacement battery available through anyone else but them.

ColePatrol

02-26-07, 03:01 PM

his question got me looking also, as i became interested in knowing the answer myself.
i found this on the logitechforum "the only way to get a replacement battery for any of the harmonies that use rechargeable batteries is to contact tech support."
it was posted in 2-07.......the one you pasted above was from 9-06. apparently they still haven't made a replacement battery available through anyone else but them.

I hear ya....i would call them and have them send me a new one they must have thousands laying around.

strutter

02-26-07, 03:41 PM

from your posting it sounds as if you have to do the whole CSR roulette in order for them to give you one. they want to prove you actually have a bad battery. what about someone who just wants one as a backup so they don't have to do without while waiting for one to come in the mail.
i mean really!! I've had battery packs go out in cordless phones and a quick trip to radioshack got me up and running in less than an hour. but we gotta spend an hour on the phone with a CSR then wait for it to come in the mail.....gimme a break.

ZZen

02-26-07, 06:47 PM

Do any of you 880 users miss the Sound and Picture buttons that the 659 has? I can have a whole different button config just by pressing Picture. Great for all my tv's PIP functions, going into tv menu, etc. Much more convenient than having to put all those things into the regular activities soft keys and scrolling through multiple pages. I'm thining of upgrafing from the 659 to the 890 and I feel I will miss thos keys.

TheMoose

02-26-07, 10:19 PM

How much time are you all getting between charges?
It's taking less than 3 days to get the red power bar & message to recharge, that doesn't seem as long as it should be.

steve68

02-27-07, 12:17 AM

VisionOn

02-27-07, 12:55 AM

How much time are you all getting between charges?
It's taking less than 3 days to get the red power bar & message to recharge, that doesn't seem as long as it should be.

Check that when you put it down for the night that the backlight actually does switch off. Mine has got into the habit of dimming the screen but leaving some power to the button backlight visible. That drains the battery pretty quickly when left overnight.

When I don't get the backlight problem the charge will last a week or longer.

VisionOn

02-27-07, 12:59 AM

I read through the manual that was posted in post #1 as well as the little quick setup poster that came with my 880, but nowhere does it say how long to keep the unit on the charger for the first charge. Also do most people keep their remotes on the charger when not in use? Is it better for the battery to keep it on the charger or off?

According to Harmony the battery will not suffer if left in the charger when not in use. I initially left mine in overnight until the indicator was fully charged but now I just drop it back in when it hits one bar.

That's just because I can't be bothered to wait for it to power everything down and drop it in the cradle. I just press the button and leave it to do it's thing.

strutter

02-27-07, 10:19 AM

How much time are you all getting between charges?
It's taking less than 3 days to get the red power bar & message to recharge, that doesn't seem as long as it should be.

after charging overnight i usually get 1 day then 2 bars drop off but it takes another 4 days to drop down to 1 bar then i recharge it. i have yet to see it go red.

XorCizzle

02-27-07, 10:22 AM

my dad has had his 880 since last xmas and he loves it...and every time i go over there i mess with it and just absolutely wanted to have one...yesterday was my b-day and my wife surprised me with one...i set it all up last night and it works amazing...went from 3 remotes to 1...i had my doubts about it controlling my Panasonic HT system..(one with the 5 dvds and receiver all built in) but everything works great on it...great remote

<><

02-27-07, 03:54 PM

i'm using the 880 to control the logitech z5500 speakers. I use both the digital and the analog connections (pc/satellite) and well, sometimes when switching activities, it doesnt switch to the correct input for sound. It works most of the time, but sometimes it does nothing, just sits at the same input. I thought maybe it was b/c of the delay or repeat setting i changed, so i reset those to their defaults, but it still did that.
Any idea?

Thanks

ColePatrol

02-27-07, 04:53 PM

steve68

02-28-07, 12:18 AM

blazeblaze

02-28-07, 12:32 AM

Is there a way to turn the blue circle light off that's on the charger cradle? It's seriously bright when I don't have the remote on the chager and unfortunately for me it's right under my display.

Steve

I had to use black electrical tape over mine...the bright blue light was driving me crazy. I can just barely see two slivers of blue light coming out from the edge of the tape...so it makes a perfect landing strip for the remote in the dark.

torchedlh

02-28-07, 04:42 AM

czzer

02-28-07, 06:16 AM

i have not been able to fully control my new mitsubishi hd1000 projector. it will turn on every time and get to the right input but i can't get it to turn off or change things like aspect. when it powers off, the projector's only getting the signal once (requires a confirmation). i tried increasing the interkey delay and playing with the number of shots per button press.

any ideas?

thanks

Make sure it is actually configured to send 2 power commands for OFF. Under "Power options" for the Device select "A button for ON and a seperate button for OFF". For the Off command select PowerToggle twice.

For commands that aren't working, have you tried re-learning from the original remote?

bsaxon

02-28-07, 09:44 AM

I am delighted with my Harmony 890. Total setup time was about an hour or so and everything works perfectly. My components are in an enclosed cabinet and I didn't even need to use the IR wires; the blaster does the job on everything. I would strongly recommend it. :)

Bill

steve68

03-01-07, 12:40 AM

I'm having trouble with my 880 turning my Mitsubishi HC3000 projector ON. I got it to turn it off just fine. It will turn it on when I use the help button, but I have to do it every single time to get the projector to turn on. When I log into the Harmony web site and check the boxes for the problem I am having I always end up at the page that says "How much time needs to pass before your Projector is ready to receive another command?". The default is 400ms, and I tried to increase it to 500ms, but that didn't work either. Any ideas? Otherwise the remote works great. Also how do you get the remote to turn on your xbox360?

Thanks,
Steve

torchedlh

03-01-07, 03:47 AM

Make sure it is actually configured to send 2 power commands for OFF. Under "Power options" for the Device select "A button for ON and a seperate button for OFF". For the Off command select PowerToggle twice.

For commands that aren't working, have you tried re-learning from the original remote?

yes i did tell it to send the signal twice. i also tried learning the power off from the original remote (i believe the button sends the command twice too). it's funny, the projector powers off if i go to the device and hit the custom button key, but not when turning off the activity...

czzer

03-01-07, 04:16 AM

yes i did tell it to send the signal twice. i also tried learning the power off from the original remote (i believe the button sends the command twice too). it's funny, the projector powers off if i go to the device and hit the custom button key, but not when turning off the activity...

Have you assigned the "custom button key" as the power OFF command, or only the original powertoggle command?

DishDog

03-01-07, 06:36 PM

I'm having trouble with my 880 turning my Mitsubishi HC3000 projector ON. I got it to turn it off just fine. It will turn it on when I use the help button, but I have to do it every single time to get the projector to turn on. When I log into the Harmony web site and check the boxes for the problem I am having I always end up at the page that says "How much time needs to pass before your Projector is ready to receive another command?". The default is 400ms, and I tried to increase it to 500ms, but that didn't work either.Try increasing even more using 100 ms steps. You may have to do this several times to get it to work.

torchedlh

03-01-07, 07:08 PM

Have you assigned the "custom button key" as the power OFF command, or only the original powertoggle command?

i had assigned it as the power off button. since then i tried removing and readding the projector which uses a 1 power on command 2 power off command. still not working. help works, sorta, i have to press it a bunch. hopefully logitech gets back to me soon.

steve68

03-01-07, 07:33 PM

That did it. I have it set to 700ms and all is well.

XorCizzle

03-01-07, 10:16 PM

DishDog

03-01-07, 10:46 PM

i need some help....and i have a question
heres my question first, how do i make it wait less when going thru each activity? what i mean is, when i do watch tv, it takes a long time for it to stop showing "keep it pointed at your equipment blah blah blah" i ask this because like on watch tv, it only needs to turn 2 things on, and they turn on almost instantly when i push it, but i cant do anything on the remote for a good it feels like 30 seconds before the screen goes to normal
heres where i need help
when im switching between activites, it seems like its changing to its specific input on the tv, but if i go from say watch tv to watch my dvr, it'll leave the input mode displayed on the tv. the only way i can get it off is if i hit the device button choose tv and then scroll thru 7 pages of commands till i get to info, clikc it twice and then its off. how do i make it not have it stay on the screen?
sorry it was so wordy...thanks in advance for your help

The first thing I would do is rerun the setup Wizard for the Activity causing the problems. Go to Customize-->Rerun Wizard and step through the questions using Next. You should then get to a display of all the commands issued when you FIRST initiate the Activity. It will look something like this:
Device Status / Actions
DirecTV HR20 DirecTV HR20 is on
Sony HD-TV Sony HD-TV is on
Bose HD Amp Bose HD Amp is on
RCA BR Amp RCA BR Amp is on
HR20 HR20 is set to "Tuner"
HD-TV HD-TV is set to "Component"
HD Amp HD Amp is set to "Audio In"
HR20 "PowerOn" command is sent to the HR20
HD-TV The remote pauses for 500 milliseconds
HD-TV The remote pauses for 1000 milliseconds
HD-TV "PowerOn" command is sent to the HD-TV

Copy your commands to the clipboard and post them here and we'll look to see if we can spot something.