How long till Harmony can handle newly released equipment?

Babaganoosh · 12-29-06, 11:59 PM

If a particular device, such as a DVD player, receiver or TV, is newly released to the market, how long will it be before the Harmony can handle it?

When I fire up the Harmony software and tell it to add a device, it asks me to select the type of device, the brand name (i.e. Toshiba), and then to enter the model number of the device. However, once I've done that, I don't get any feedback as to whether that device is in the database (and hence will be operable by the Harmony).

I'm interested in the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player, but because it's so new I'm concerned that my Harmony 880 won't work with it (I'm not aware of any compatibility list for things that the Harmony will work with). How can I make sure it will? How long does it take before Logitech's database is updated for use with any given brand-new piece of equipment?

tkmedia2 · 12-30-06, 12:08 AM

Have no idea on length of time, but it should not matter too much as if you have the original remote and you should because it's new. Just teach it the commands it is lacking or you desire. simple. A lot of times it will obtain data from previous models that may no may not function.

Overture3 · 12-30-06, 01:40 AM

id say its up to logitech. if you get something they dont have send em a email

Babaganoosh · 12-30-06, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overture3

id say its up to logitech. if you get something they dont have send em a email

How do I know if they have a particular device on file?

czzer · 12-30-06, 04:12 AM

The device will work straight away.

If it isn't already in the database, it will ask you to teach it from the original remote, and will ask some other questions about power settings etc.

This is the way all devices are added to the Harmony database...ie they are added by users, not Harmony directly. This is why Harmony's database is so extensive(and sometimes has errors).

Babaganoosh · 12-30-06, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czzer

The device will work straight away.

If it isn't already in the database, it will ask you to teach it from the original remote, and will ask some other questions about power settings etc.

So when I am setting up a new device (in the Harmony software), if I enter the name of that device - the HD-A2 player, for example - and the software doesn't say anything to the contrary, that means it already has that device on file?

tokerblue · 12-30-06, 01:36 PM

There should be a confirmation screen asking you if the device you are adding is entered correctly. More than likely, the device is already there unless you are one of the first people do buy it. I've never run into a device that wasn't already there in the three different setups I have.

But as everyone else mentioned, why worry about it? You can literally learn the codes from the new remote in less than 5 minutes.

Catt99 · 12-30-06, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaganoosh

So when I am setting up a new device (in the Harmony software), if I enter the name of that device - the HD-A2 player, for example - and the software doesn't say anything to the contrary, that means it already has that device on file?

czzer's point is that it doesn't need to "be on file." All the basic device commands already in the database were input by users. When you select the HD-A2 player, the harmony software will either: (1) have all commands already in the database (in which case another user set-up his Harmony with the HD-A2 and the Harmony just defaults to his/her commands when you enter the same model number), or (2) not have any commands and it will ask you to "teach" the Harmony by sending commands from the HD-A2's own remote to the Harmony remote (and once you've done that, the next user who sets up a HD-A2 will default to the commands you taught and which now reside in the Harmony database).

Basically, so long as your device has a IR remote, the Harmony can operate it.

bierboy · 12-30-06, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overture3

id say its up to logitech. if you get something they dont have send em a email

Yeah, they respond really promptly.

I sent them an e-mail on Dec. 18. They promised a response within 24 hours. I'm still waiting. Logitech CS sucks.

Dodo Bird · 12-31-06, 12:34 AM

Have you tried calling them.......

tgibbs · 12-31-06, 10:27 PM

The database is really just a convenience. If Harmony doesn't have your particular model, it will likely set up the remote with a set of generic commands for that manufacturer, which may or may not work.

But it doesn't really matter whether it is in the database or not. Learning all of the remote codes from your original remote only adds about half an hour to the setup time, and then you are good to go.

klemsaba · 01-01-07, 01:19 PM

You could just try using the A1 remote settings. Chances are they will work. The Harmony databases are really messed up. I have commands that just don't work. This makes the device list long and tedious to scroll through.

Don't misunderstand... I love my Harmony remotes and have 3 of them!

Babaganoosh · 01-04-07, 03:10 AM

Doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of having a Harmony in the first place if you have to have it learn all the commands manually?

czzer · 01-04-07, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaganoosh

Doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of having a Harmony in the first place if you have to have it learn all the commands manually?

Why?
Any universal remote can/will require learning of some commands. The Harmony database is by far the most extensive, but you can't expect it to have every single device ever manufactured in it...especially if that device has only just been released.

As others have said, it's quite possible that the A2 uses the same code set as the A1, so the learning might only be about 3 commands...all it needs to match the codeset to a codeset already on file.

Babaganoosh · 02-21-07, 01:36 AM

Apparently the Harmony database doesn't know about the Pioneer BDP-HD1 BluRay player either; I just tried to add that device (I don't have the player yet, but I wanted to make sure the Harmony could operate it), and it apparently doesn't know any of the commands.

tokerblue · 02-21-07, 09:02 AM

The point has been made many times. If the device isn't programmed yet, you can learn the device. It literally would take 5 minutes to teach all the commands.

Do you expect any other universal to have the Pioneer codeset already?

poormanq45 · 02-21-07, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czzer

The device will work straight away.

If it isn't already in the database, it will ask you to teach it from the original remote, and will ask some other questions about power settings etc.

This is the way all devices are added to the Harmony database...ie they are added by users, not Harmony directly. This is why Harmony's database is so extensive(and sometimes has errors).

So that's why the harmony database sucks!

I have not seen a device yet that doesn't have some sort of generic codes that don't apply to it in their database.

It's stupid. This is why there are never any discrete codes! God damnit. I'm pissed.

This is why i'm switching to URC which can import Hex codes from pronto AND has a real database

MNMatthias · 02-21-07, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poormanq45

So that's why the harmony database sucks!

I have not seen a device yet that doesn't have some sort of generic codes that don't apply to it in their database.

It's stupid. This is why there are never any discrete codes! God damnit. I'm pissed.

This is why i'm switching to URC which can import Hex codes from pronto AND has a real database

I didn't have this issue, but I did have the opposite one. When I went to put in my 10-year old DVD player, it didn't have it on file. So it asked if I wanted to use a model that was the same manf. and similar model #. I said yes, and no problems. I'd be surprised if it didn't do the same thing for equipment that was very new.

tokerblue · 02-22-07, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poormanq45

It's stupid. This is why there are never any discrete codes! God damnit. I'm pissed.

This is why i'm switching to URC which can import Hex codes from pronto AND has a real database

- I'm curious, what discrete codes are you missing in your setup that the Harmony isn't able to supply? I have two completely different setups and have not had any issues with finding discrete codes, even odd ones for my Marantz SR-7400.

czzer · 02-22-07, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poormanq45

So that's why the harmony database sucks!

I have not seen a device yet that doesn't have some sort of generic codes that don't apply to it in their database.

It's stupid. This is why there are never any discrete codes! God damnit. I'm pissed.

This is why i'm switching to URC which can import Hex codes from pronto AND has a real database

The Harmony database is the most extensive by far...much better than URCs. It should already have pretty much all available discretes in it, and Pronto hex codes can be imported if needed(although this must be done by tech support now...this means it will then be available to everyone rather than just the person that imports it).

12-29-06, 11:59 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Babaganoosh Bleacher Creature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Section 203, Yankee Stadium Posts: 201	How long till Harmony can handle newly released equipment? If a particular device, such as a DVD player, receiver or TV, is newly released to the market, how long will it be before the Harmony can handle it? When I fire up the Harmony software and tell it to add a device, it asks me to select the type of device, the brand name (i.e. Toshiba), and then to enter the model number of the device. However, once I've done that, I don't get any feedback as to whether that device is in the database (and hence will be operable by the Harmony). I'm interested in the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player, but because it's so new I'm concerned that my Harmony 880 won't work with it (I'm not aware of any compatibility list for things that the Harmony will work with). How can I make sure it will? How long does it take before Logitech's database is updated for use with any given brand-new piece of equipment? __________________ "THE YANKEES ARE BACK ON TOP! World champions for the 27th time!" - Joe Buck, 2009 World Series Game 6, November 4, 2009

12-30-06, 12:08 AM	#2 \| Link
tkmedia2 HD user since 1984 AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: CA, WA, USA Posts: 2,051	Have no idea on length of time, but it should not matter too much as if you have the original remote and you should because it's new. Just teach it the commands it is lacking or you desire. simple. A lot of times it will obtain data from previous models that may no may not function. __________________ Tony! My AV equipment / AC-3RF audio gear LDDb.com collection / D-Theater collection pic

12-30-06, 04:12 AM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
czzer Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 931	The device will work straight away. If it isn't already in the database, it will ask you to teach it from the original remote, and will ask some other questions about power settings etc. This is the way all devices are added to the Harmony database...ie they are added by users, not Harmony directly. This is why Harmony's database is so extensive(and sometimes has errors).

12-31-06, 12:34 AM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Dodo Bird Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 88	Have you tried calling them.......

01-04-07, 03:10 AM	#13 \| Link
Babaganoosh Bleacher Creature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Section 203, Yankee Stadium Posts: 201	Doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of having a Harmony in the first place if you have to have it learn all the commands manually? __________________ "THE YANKEES ARE BACK ON TOP! World champions for the 27th time!" - Joe Buck, 2009 World Series Game 6, November 4, 2009

12-30-06, 01:40 AM	#3 \| Link
Overture3 New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5	id say its up to logitech. if you get something they dont have send em a email

12-30-06, 01:36 PM	#7 \| Link
tokerblue AVS Special Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,291	There should be a confirmation screen asking you if the device you are adding is entered correctly. More than likely, the device is already there unless you are one of the first people do buy it. I've never run into a device that wasn't already there in the three different setups I have. But as everyone else mentioned, why worry about it? You can literally learn the codes from the new remote in less than 5 minutes.

12-31-06, 10:27 PM	#11 \| Link
tgibbs Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 204	The database is really just a convenience. If Harmony doesn't have your particular model, it will likely set up the remote with a set of generic commands for that manufacturer, which may or may not work. But it doesn't really matter whether it is in the database or not. Learning all of the remote codes from your original remote only adds about half an hour to the setup time, and then you are good to go.

01-01-07, 01:19 PM	#12 \| Link
klemsaba Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 524	You could just try using the A1 remote settings. Chances are they will work. The Harmony databases are really messed up. I have commands that just don't work. This makes the device list long and tedious to scroll through. Don't misunderstand... I love my Harmony remotes and have 3 of them!

02-21-07, 01:36 AM	#15 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Babaganoosh Bleacher Creature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Section 203, Yankee Stadium Posts: 201	Apparently the Harmony database doesn't know about the Pioneer BDP-HD1 BluRay player either; I just tried to add that device (I don't have the player yet, but I wanted to make sure the Harmony could operate it), and it apparently doesn't know any of the commands. __________________ "THE YANKEES ARE BACK ON TOP! World champions for the 27th time!" - Joe Buck, 2009 World Series Game 6, November 4, 2009

02-21-07, 09:02 AM	#16 \| Link
tokerblue AVS Special Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,291	The point has been made many times. If the device isn't programmed yet, you can learn the device. It literally would take 5 minutes to teach all the commands. Do you expect any other universal to have the Pioneer codeset already?