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Harmony One and Samsun 8500 Game Mode Question

13K views 27 replies 10 participants last post by  mdavej 
#1 ·
I have a Samsung 8500 which I primarily use for gaming. There is a mode called Game Mode, that can be accessed from the Menu > Options etc . It is a pita having to switch this mode on/off between playing games and occasionally watching tv. I wanted to know if there was a short cut that can be programmed into the Harmony One. If not, is there a model that can do this.


Ideally, I just want to press a button to toggle between my PS3 and watching tv.


TIA.
 
#2 ·
There is no discrete command for that, but you could do it with a sequence (or 2 or 3 depending on the number of steps), or one raw learn of all the steps. If you use activities to watch tv or play PS3, then you could also build the steps into the activities and not have to use any sequences at all. As for other models, any universal with macros (which is pretty much any universal) can do this.


However, I'm surprised you have to do it at all. I don't know about samsung, but each input on my sony has it's own video settings. So if your PS3 is on input 1 for example, and your cable box is on input 2, then input 1 can just stay in game mode and input 2 can stay in normal mode.
 
#3 ·
I, too, have a similar question about setting up macros. My home theater in a nutshell...


i. Peripherals / Components: Xbox 360, Cisco HD-DVR, Sony Blu-Ray Player

ii. All three are connected via HDMI to: Sony HT-CT100 (A/V receiver)

iii. A/V receiver is connected via HDMI to Samsung PN58B560 (58" PDP)


When playing my Xbox 360, I like to set the Samsung HDTV to "Game Mode: On" - otherwise when watching cable or Blu-Rays, I prefer "Game Mode: Off." After setting up activity "Play Xbox 360," will I then be able to add in commands that switch my Samsung to "Game Mode: On" and then back to "Game Mode: Off" when shutting down?


FYI: Toggling "Game Mode" on my Samsung requires no fewer than 10 key strokes. Exact sequence below:


- Menu

- Down

- Down

- Right

- Down

- Down

- Right

- Down (to "on" - alternatively, Up to "off")

- Enter

- Menu (to close menu screen)
 
#5 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by pyroman002 /forum/post/18847024


Bump. I have an 8000 series and the same issue. It's a real pain to switch to game mode. Disappointed that Samsung failed to include a discrete command to toggle this mode, or an E.Mode shortcut like on the 750 series.

I own a new D6000 and am curious about this as well, any such luck for a button that toggles Game Mode on/off?


My old LN46A650 worked like you said with E.Mode
 
#9 ·
That's the solution. There is no practical limit to the number of additional commands you can add to the start of an activity, so 10 steps is no problem. Or you could try the E.Mode or P.Mode commands from the 7000 series. Add the pronto hex below to your config via the instructions in the Harmony Tips sticky.


Protocol=NECx2 Device=7.7 Function=63..63

Device Code: 7.7 (0x07.0x07) Function: 63 (0x3F) E.MODE
Code:
Code:
0000 006D 0000 0022 00AC 00AB 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689
Protocol=NECx2 Device=7.7 Function=40..40

Device Code: 7.7 (0x07.0x07) Function: 40 (0x28) P.MODE
Code:
Code:
0000 006D 0000 0022 00AC 00AB 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689
EDIT: Looks like we posted at the same time. I think the E.Mode or P.Mode is still worth a try to shorten up those sequences.
 
#10 ·
OK, I will correct myself. Instead of trying to create a custom sequence, I had to go to the "Watch DVD" function that I previously created and then click "Settings", then review them, then add to the settings. After clicking "Save" for the first 2 or 3 pages, I added the following sequence to this item under "Samsung TV":


Menu

Direction Down

Direction Down

Direction Down

Direction Right

Direction Down

Direction Down

Direction Down

Direction Down

Direction Right

Direction Right

Direction Down

Return

Return

Return

Return


Then I went into "Play PS3" and did the identical settings except did "Direction Up" just before the 4 returns in place of the "Direction Down" listed there.


Everything works, but it took quite a while to set it up.


No more digging out the remote (actually iOS app) to modify this setting to watch a movie! Yay!


Thanks everyone!
 
#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej /forum/post/21068798


That's the solution. There is no practical limit to the number of additional commands you can add to the start of an activity, so 10 steps is no problem. Or you could try the E.Mode or P.Mode commands from the 7000 series. Add the pronto hex below to your config via the instructions in the Harmony Tips sticky.


Protocol=NECx2 Device=7.7 Function=63..63

Device Code: 7.7 (0x07.0x07) Function: 63 (0x3F) E.MODE
Code:
Code:
0000 006D 0000 0022 00AC 00AB 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689
Protocol=NECx2 Device=7.7 Function=40..40

Device Code: 7.7 (0x07.0x07) Function: 40 (0x28) P.MODE
Code:
Code:
0000 006D 0000 0022 00AC 00AB 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0016 0015 0041 0015 0041 0015 0689

Don't know how to do all that, but per my post, I did get it done. My fault for not completely understanding what the first response was trying to tell us. Thanks for your patience.
 
#13 ·
There is a way with a Logitech harmony remote which means...

I have the Logitech Harmony elite remote control. When I added my Samsung UN65KS8500 to it under devices it automatically loaded commands for Sports Mode, Game Mode, and HDR+. The TV should have had a command on the remote because when I press sports mode a stadium animates across the bottom of the screen and it says "Welcome To Sports Mode." This animation does not occur when I activate the same mode from the menu. This tells me that Samsung designed it to be a discrete command. Since it is available on the Harmony, a code for that command must be out there somewhere and then you can add it to any remote. You will see in the photo I included of the software that it just says "Sports" or "Games" or "HDR+" but each switches the viewing mode and starts a brief animation at the beginning to let you know it is on. When you are done press it again and the same animation comes with the text "You are leaving Sports Mode."
 

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#14 · (Edited)
Many of us can capture and analyze Harmony codes. Are you asking someone to do that? If so, I'll have to dig a Harmony out of my closet. If, on the other hand, you're just posting an interesting observation, then I have to say, I'm glad to see Harmony was able to add those commands to their database, as they were unknown just a few months ago.

https://community.logitech.com/s/feed/0D5310000535qxaCAA

BTW, Sports is OBC 184, Protocol NECx2, Device 7.7. I'll have to do some leg work (that I'd rather not do) to get the others.
 
#16 ·
Like most devices within a brand, all Samsungs use essentially the same set of codes. Just enter the model number the previous poster used. That will have all the commands he posted. If you're looking for even more commands, you'll have to tell me exactly what each one is called.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for the reply. I was able to get the command for Sports but did not find any for the Game or HDR+ picture modes. I'm not sure if the poster was saying they were able to use those also or if there is a way to get them as a dedicated button. Please let me know if there is a way to find those commands, mainly the Game command.
 
#20 ·
Must be in these lists:
http://www.hifi-remote.com/wiki/index.php?title=RemoteChart

If you have one or or willing to buy one (start around $5 on ebay), it can be used to transmit all 256 possible Samsung codes. Once a new found, you can teach it to your Harmony. But realize it's likely the commands you're looking for don't exist. In that case, simply program sequences to change modes.

This thread has all the commands identified so far, with the most current ones near the end of the thread:
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-discrete/thread.cgi?5780
 
#21 ·
Must be in these lists:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/wiki/index.php?title=RemoteChart



If you have one or or willing to buy one (start around $5 on ebay), it can be used to transmit all 256 possible Samsung codes. Once a new found, you can teach it to your Harmony. But realize it's likely the commands you're looking for don't exist. In that case, simply program sequences to change modes.



This thread has all the commands identified so far, with the most current ones near the end of the thread:

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-discrete/thread.cgi?5780


Ok thanks for all your information and help. Too bad Samsung didn't give dedicated buttons on their remote for picture modes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#23 ·
Did anyone get anywhere with capturing these codes? I have an HTPC that switches between Kodi and Steam and I'd love to rig up something, probably with EventGhost and an IR Blaster, to detect when Steam has started and put the TV into GameMode and then back again when Steam exits.

I have a Samsung KU6300 series TV but I would not be surprised if this TV supported the same codes. But without an example of the code, I can't even try.

Also, this thread only mentioned the Elite, which is rather expensive for stealing an IR code, but if the cheaper 650 can do this,I'd just buy that and figure it out on my own.
 
#25 ·
But you yourself cited the Sports Mode code, so why would you do that and then say they don't exist?

BTW, Sports is OBC 184, Protocol NECx2, Device 7.7. I'll have to do some leg work (that I'd rather not do) to get the others.
And someone else pointed out a unique behavior for these codes from their Harmony. So I'm confused by the insistance that they did not exist.

I have the Logitech Harmony elite remote control. When I added my Samsung UN65KS8500 to it under devices it automatically loaded commands for Sports Mode, Game Mode, and HDR+. The TV should have had a command on the remote because when I press sports mode a stadium animates across the bottom of the screen and it says "Welcome To Sports Mode." This animation does not occur when I activate the same mode from the menu. This tells me that Samsung designed it to be a discrete command. Since it is available on the Harmony, a code for that command must be out there somewhere and then you can add it to any remote. You will see in the photo I included of the software that it just says "Sports" or "Games" or "HDR+" but each switches the viewing mode and starts a brief animation at the beginning to let you know it is on. When you are done press it again and the same animation comes with the text "You are leaving Sports Mode."
 
#26 ·
Sorry, my mistake. I forgot the details of this thread running 6 years now.

The cheapest harmony you can capture codes from is the 200, about $15 on ebay. Or just post a slingbox code request at hifi-remote.com, citing the model number the above poster used. Also note that you specifically want the Game mode command, not currently found in any other upgrade files. Someone will capture the codes, and those can be converted to whatever format you need using IR Scrutinizer.
 
#27 ·
Just to be clear, keeping in mind that I've never used a Harmony remote before, but the 200 is still supported by the latest software from Logitech? I'm not opposed to buying a 200 myself like you suggested, I just want to be sure that it still works with the latest software and has access to the latest codes from Logitech.
 
#28 · (Edited)
All Harmonys ever made can access the very latest IR codes and still work with some available version of the software, not necessarily the latest. If you want to play it absolutely safe, stick with the 650. Since it has a screen, it will also be easier to keep track of the commands you're learning. But, the slingbox code request would still be my first option. We're happy to mine new codes to enrich our own database. Plus at hifi-remote we can help you get them in the format you need.

Here's how to download the software currently compatible with the 200 (scroll down to the 200) :
https://setup.myharmony.com

There will be a bit of a learning curve, and you'll at least have to work out how to customize buttons to add the appropriate commands. Definitely not rocket science, but also not intuitively obvious due to the poor design of Harmony software.

Another option just occurred to me. Since you already apparently have some sort of IR blaster on your PC, it will likely work directly with IR Scrutinizer, in which case you can shoot every possible Samsung code (there are only 256 possibilities, which would take about 15 minutes to go through). The benefit of this approach is you may discover even more commands that aren't even in the Harmony database.
 
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