:mad: :mad:

I am very upset with Harmony. Just got off the phone with them for the first time since I have bought my 880 a couple of years ago. The new software has actually REMOVED functionality!

I have some of my activites mapped so that when I press "mute" the TV and the AV receiver mutes. Makes sense, right? Not according to Harmony. They are now allowing only one command to come from one button. I found this out when I did some updating to my "PS3 Blu Ray" activity, and noticed that mute on my AV receiver didn't work anymore. Apparently, Harmony doesn't do "macros" I was told on the phone. I reminded them that my remote is still sending the mute function to both devices on the other activities that I haven't updated since the software update. They replied that "that function was never really supported - it was just a glitch." That is total BS! When you used to go into "customize buttons" you could select any device in that activity and give a function to any button, and you could apply the button/function to more than one device (my "mute" function, for example).

If you want to read more, here is the email that I just sent them:

I am VERY disappointed that the new button customization has actually removed a very useful function that used to be available: the ability to send the same command to two devices. I used to be able to customize my buttons so that I could select ANY device in that activity, then assign whatever function to any button.

For example, in a WATCH TV activity, I press MUTE, and the mute command is sent to both the TV and the AV Receiver. That this has been taken away is ridiculous. Having the MUTE apply to both devices just makes sense for any home theater user.

I have been a VERY happy customer since I bought the 880, and have convinced others to buy it (and done the set-up for them). I have NEVER emailed or called for support once - I have had no problems troubleshooting all my devices and activities.

To REMOVE functionality of the 880 is a step backwards, and will make me look to other manufacturers for a new remote. Please consider allowing my MUTE button to mute more than one device! Really, it just makes sense.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to take advantage of the new button customizations because doing so will remove the MUTE function that still works on my other activites that I have not yet changed.

Return the functionality of the old software where you could assign whatever button you wanted to different devices. You don't need to call it a Macro, just give users the option of using THEIR technology however they want (and the way that it used to work perfectly).

I look forward to your response, :mad:

Try calling again and telling them you wish to speak with level two support. The tech should be able to manually add this function to your settings. Level one support may not know how to do this.

Try calling again and telling them you wish to speak with level two support. The tech should be able to manually add this function to your settings. Level one support may not know how to do this.

I did get to level two, then the supervisor, then customer support.

I just found the 880 user manual that proves that they are lying when they told me that "they never supported that" :

To set a button to send a command to more than one device at a time:

1. Select a command from the drop-down list in each of the required device columns next to the name of the button that you want to set.

"Harmony doesn't do macros...", "that function was never really supported - it was just a glitch..."

Gotta love that! What the hell do they think their activity buttons are doing? I remember the good old days (before logitech swallowed up harmony and even for a bit after that) when you could actually program free form macros (not limited to one command from each device) for each button (including, oh my god, imbedded custom delays!). This continued dumbing down of the programming interface eventually forced me into buying a Universal MX-950. It has its issues but at least I can program macros!

I guess they got tired of responding to support calls from people complaining about their "macros" not working when they did support more than one ir command for a button press. Either that or the programmers they employ now are just clueless on how to implement things. Clearly the underlying operating system supports them so why they continue to remove functionality from their remotes is just baffling to me.

I feel your pain!

When I mentioned how incredibly bad the new software is starting with when the new 7.0.1 (i think) was released, most people here told me I was crazy or some sort of variation. Now it seems a lot of these people are finally realizing the issues themselves, so it is now becoming a problem for them. Anyway, definitely call them back up and tell them that you wish to speak to someone who can do this for you. They know the software has changed, and they have the ability on their end to do just about anything you want. You just have to get the right person on the phone.

The sad thing is it is still the best Remote Control Manufaturer out there for the <$500 range.

The sad thing is it is still the best Remote Control Manufaturer out there for the <$500 range.

That's debatable

The problem is the last update did something great and also something bad. The update finally enabled users to customize the exact order of LCD buttons for each individual Activity. Unfortunately, it took away the multicommand functionality for others.

The problem is the last update did something great and also something bad. The update finally enabled users to customize the exact order of LCD buttons for each individual Activity. Unfortunately, it took away the multicommand functionality for others.

you can still do multicommands...you just need to learn the command string in raw mode. it's a pain, but it does work. I have my play, pause. stop buttons programmed to control the dvd player as well as the lighting scenes this way

Seems like they should make the software like any pc installation software. There would be a choice for...

1) Setup Wizard (standard setup)
2) Manual Setup (for advanced users only)

Maybe then they can have a support line for users who go through the standard wizard setup and refuse support for the advanced users who decide to do what they want.

We all know the Harmony remote are capable of much more than the setup software allows. We would just come here to these boards for support anyway.

you can still do multicommands...you just need to learn the command string in raw mode. it's a pain, but it does work. I have my play, pause. stop buttons programmed to control the dvd player as well as the lighting scenes this way

How do you do this?

I'm glad they got rid of custom button propagation. They need to keep that change along with allowing to specify the order of custom buttons. BUT....along with that change came some serious screw up of the software! They screwed up the adjust inputs functionality...now they only allow you one command (after "inputnext") per input but many tv's have more than 9 inputs so they need two commands per input (say "1", then "2" for input 12).

Not to mention the "Unable to display content" java (or whatever) errors that keep popping up (especially when you try to "customize behaviour of buttons" in certain activities. After Googling that error it seems that one has come up on and off for many months without a solid fix. That error completely disables the ability to customize and setup the remote which is ESSENTIAL to the functioning of the remote. Insane! That error was fixed for my by support so i could setup my buttons, but then the next day/overnight the error was back along with the changes I made being lost from the day before. Crazy! I'm scared to update my remote now, but I will be forced to soon as I am adding more equipment.

They screwed up the adjust inputs functionality...now they only allow you one command (after "inputnext") per input but many tv's have more than 9 inputs so they need two commands per input (say "1", then "2" for input 12).
- Ugh. I would think that any TV with that many inputs would have discrete input commands.

How do you do this?

when you learn a custom button, it gives you the option to learn in RAW mode. once you initiate to learn in raw mode, have both commands of the devices you want handy...learn the first command or remote 1, then repeat for remote 2. you will need to do this quickly or it wont work.

What I do, is use my old Sony universal remote to create a macro of the functions I need, then I teach that macro to the harmony. It's easier since you only have to hit one button, and the timing is constant between commands. Sure, it requires that you have an old universal remote, but those are a dime a dozen these days and I always keep one around the house.

The sad thing is it is still the best Remote Control Manufaturer out there for the <$500 range.


I have the Harmony 890 and URC's MX-900. It's not even a fair fight. MX900 has such better response, the buttons are actually "pressable" w/o clicking on something else, it has a nice heft to it, the screen is larger, and it's infinitely more programmable. The basic remote operation/programming is about as easy Harmony. the Program is not as friendly as Harmony, but it's not rocket science either. I thought Harmony remotes were great until I got the MX900.

I have the Harmony 890 and URC's MX-900. It's not even a fair fight. MX900 has such better response, the buttons are actually "pressable" w/o clicking on something else, it has a nice heft to it, the screen is larger, and it's infinitely more programmable. The basic remote operation/programming is about as easy Harmony. the Program is not as friendly as Harmony, but it's not rocket science either. I thought Harmony remotes were great until I got the MX900.

It just depends on the user. For most customers, the harmony is a much better fit. For must regular users of this site, the MX-900 is a better fit.

Either way, I have found very few things that I cannot accomplish with the Harmony for you average user.

Update: got a form letter response saying that they take my concerns seriously and passed them along to the appropriate departments. See below for their mail, and my response under that.

Thank you for your recent comment about your Harmony Remote!

We are always looking for ways to improve the Harmony Remote and everything related to it, from purchase through setup to years of use by thousands of people like you. As such, we rely heavily on feedback such as yours. Thank you for it.

The observations you made have been forwarded to the proper development departments and will be prioritized. Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts with us.

If you would like further information and tips on customizing your remote please visit the FAQ portion of your Harmony member website. To access this, click “Support”, and then click “FAQ” while logged in your Harmony member page.

Should you have any additional questions or suggestions - or if you experience difficulties with your Harmony - please feel free to contact us again. Please click the link below for our support hours and contact information.

Thanks again,

Harmony Technical Support

Thank you for continuing to look into my issue. After speaking to customer support and being told that "the remote was never supposed to send two commands from one button - this was a glitch" (and I was told this by the CR and the supervisor), I went to the 880 user's guide. Your tech and customer service reps are lying to people about this issue. I refer you to this exact quote from the 880 user's guide:

"To set a button to send a command to more than one device at a time:

1. Select a command from the drop-down list in each of the required device columns next to the name of the button that you want to set. "

Your user guide states the functionality of sending two commands from one button, and even shows the screen caps from the previous software. Now that you have removed that function (and your support is deceiving customers about it), you are selling a product that doesn't do what it is advertised as doing. Please be aware that customers now have grounds to request an immediate and full refund for this product.

This issue has received much discussion on the internet, including your own forum. The AVS forum, Remote Central, and Digital Home Canada all have on-going discussions where customers are very unhappy with this change. Over five hundred people have read about the issue on the AVS Forum alone.

Please return the ability to send two commands from one button. Your company will continue to lose customers if it doesn't.