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Official Logitech Harmony 900 thread - Page 85

post #2521 of 2675
1/2/13 at 10:23pm
No your stuck with the parrot and the 900
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post #2522 of 2675
1/3/13 at 4:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

Thanks for reply, but too late on getting a different brand, I am stuck with this 900 for now so I have to use all the work arounds I can find. I just added an activity for "Lights On" as suggested and it seems to work, but then it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. I guess that's another issue I have with the 900 so far.
Is there a way to change the icon it has for "Activities"?
I have some image of a Parrot when I select "Watch TV".
You have to do your pre-purchase homework.
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post #2523 of 2675
1/3/13 at 5:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

. I just added an activity for "Lights On" as suggested and it seems to work, but then it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. .

I think you'll have to do it manually. You'll need to enter the "lights on" activity, then hit the "activities" hard button to go back and select a new one. Alternatively, you could add soft buttons for "lights on" within an existing activity (for example, when you're in the "watch TV activity", assign the "page up" and "page down" buttons to the lights).

The system kind of makes sense. If I'm in my "watching TV" activity, it wouldn't be ideal to have to re-select the "watch TV activity" when I wanted to change the channel.

It's also possible to add icons within activities, but I'm not sure you can add new icons for the overall activity.

In the worst case scenario, you'll have to control everything via the "devices" menu. I've found that to be a pain, but not any worse than physically sorting through remotes.
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post #2524 of 2675
1/3/13 at 7:35am
To save a few button presses you're making this way harder than it needs to be. When you're not in an activity, use device mode for just your lights. Then add your lights to all your activities so they're always handy. We've established harmony won't work outside of activities or devices, so there's no way around that. A dedicated lights activity is a bad idea IMO since constantly switching between activities is awkward, slow and unreliable. I've had a home automation system for nearly 20 years and used it with harmony for a few of them until I found a better solution. This method works very well.
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post #2525 of 2675
1/3/13 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

To save a few button presses you're making this way harder than it needs to be. When you're not in an activity, use device mode for just your lights. Then add your lights to all your activities so they're always handy. We've established harmony won't work outside of activities or devices, so there's no way around that. A dedicated lights activity is a bad idea IMO since constantly switching between activities is awkward, slow and unreliable. I've had a home automation system for nearly 20 years and used it with harmony for a few of them until I found a better solution. This method works very well.


Yes I agree this is way harder than it should be, but if I did it that way its just as bad. I am walking into a total dark, no windows room. I used to pick up my remote and hit any hard button and my lights would come on. Since this is not possible with the 900 Option A is to go into the devices and turn it on that way. Since you can not change the order of the devices on the 900 I have to then flip thru the pages until the lights device pops up. This is not much different as somebody else mention as flipping thru all the remotes to get the right one. Option B is to set it up in "Activities" the good thing here is that at least I can reorder the "Activities" in a way that works for me unlike in "Devices". The problem here is it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. Not much flexibility here.

GaryJ is correct on doing the pre-purchase homework, but this was a gift not a purchase. I was doing research previously for a remote with more flexibility and options but the 900 landed on my lap, so I am stuck with it for a while at least and the Parrot smile.gif.

Another issue I am having is with these icons, you can't add your own and there selection is pathetic. No Blu-Ray icon... Really?
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post #2526 of 2675
1/3/13 at 1:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

Yes I agree this is way harder than it should be, but if I did it that way its just as bad. I am walking into a total dark, no windows room. I used to pick up my remote and hit any hard button and my lights would come on. Since this is not possible with the 900 Option A is to go into the devices and turn it on that way. Since you can not change the order of the devices on the 900 I have to then flip thru the pages until the lights device pops up. This is not much different as somebody else mention as flipping thru all the remotes to get the right one. Option B is to set it up in "Activities" the good thing here is that at least I can reorder the "Activities" in a way that works for me unlike in "Devices". The problem here is it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. Not much flexibility here.
GaryJ is correct on doing the pre-purchase homework, but this was a gift not a purchase. I was doing research previously for a remote with more flexibility and options but the 900 landed on my lap, so I am stuck with it for a while at least and the Parrot smile.gif.
Another issue I am having is with these icons, you can't add your own and there selection is pathetic. No Blu-Ray icon... Really?

Have you thought about adding a light switch by the door, perhaps?
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post #2527 of 2675
1/3/13 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by farkem View Post

Have you thought about adding a light switch by the door, perhaps?
Bazinga!


Hey is there a way to delete a learned command from a device that is in the database?

I mean I can go with the nuclear option and delete the device and then re-add it, but that would ruin all my other activities and all the raw learned commands I added.
Just trying t do a little house keeping here.

Thanks
Edited by OzzieP - 1/3/13 at 9:26pm
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post #2528 of 2675
1/4/13 at 6:07am
No. You would think that any function designed with an add would have a corresponding delete, but not so here.
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post #2529 of 2675
1/4/13 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

Thanks for reply, but too late on getting a different brand, I am stuck with this 900 for now so I have to use all the work arounds I can find. I just added an activity for "Lights On" as suggested and it seems to work, but then it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. I guess that's another issue I have with the 900 so far.
Is there a way to change the icon it has for "Activities"?
I have some image of a Parrot when I select "Watch TV".
No, there is no way to change Activity Icons.
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post #2530 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LiQiCE View Post

Two quick questions - back in 2009, Wannabe said that he knew why the 900 couldn't do sequences but he was under NDA for 3 years. Those 3 years should be up - so did he ever divulge why the 900 can't do sequences? Sorry I've tried reading through the thread but didn't see it.
Also - I have an RXV-1900 Yamaha receiver and whenever I switch activities and it switched HDMI inputs, the 900 first sends a PowerOn command to the receiver. This happens even if the receiver has already been turned on via another activity on the remote.
The problem is - the receiver sometimes doesn't receive the input switch command after being sent the PowerOn command - so occasionally the activity doesn't work.
Is there a way to tell the Harmony not to do this? I used to have an 890 and I don't remember it ever doing this.

I am also curious about the reason for no sequences in harmony 900

I have a setup with a TV mounted on wall, but also a projector screen that lowers right in front of the TV, and a projector of course.. I'd like to set up a command that turns off tv, turns on projector, and lowers screen.. and another command for the opposite when going from projector to TV.. I'm going to try the raw command workaround... but why are sequences not an option, doesn't make sense
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post #2531 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:29am
^^ 1st 2 pages of this thread.
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post #2532 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by farkem View Post

Have you thought about adding a light switch by the door, perhaps?
Smartass. It is actually very convenient to control lights from your remote. so why do you even have a remote, farkem? have you thought about standing up from your couch and controlling your AV devices manually, perhaps?
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post #2533 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary J View Post

^^ 1st 2 pages of this thread.

I'm familiar with the discussion that happened back then.. but I don't think wannabe or anybody else revealed the reson why sequences were left out.. I'm curious, that's all..
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post #2534 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

Yes I agree this is way harder than it should be, but if I did it that way its just as bad. I am walking into a total dark, no windows room. I used to pick up my remote and hit any hard button and my lights would come on. Since this is not possible with the 900 Option A is to go into the devices and turn it on that way. Since you can not change the order of the devices on the 900 I have to then flip thru the pages until the lights device pops up. This is not much different as somebody else mention as flipping thru all the remotes to get the right one. Option B is to set it up in "Activities" the good thing here is that at least I can reorder the "Activities" in a way that works for me unlike in "Devices". The problem here is it keeps my remote in the "Lights On" activity when I would rather it boot me back to the main menu for a selection of a real activity. Not much flexibility here.
GaryJ is correct on doing the pre-purchase homework, but this was a gift not a purchase. I was doing research previously for a remote with more flexibility and options but the 900 landed on my lap, so I am stuck with it for a while at least and the Parrot smile.gif.
Another issue I am having is with these icons, you can't add your own and there selection is pathetic. No Blu-Ray icon... Really?

Why don't you add lightsOn and lightsOff soft buttons within each "real activitiy" you have set up for that room( watch tv, etc...)? thats how I have my Insteon lights programmed

I also added the lights as a device within those activities so lights would be automatically on.
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post #2535 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhorn055 View Post

Smartass. It is actually very convenient to control lights from your remote. so why do you even have a remote, farkem? have you thought about standing up from your couch and controlling your AV devices manually, perhaps?

I do control the lights in my rooms by remote.

But, I also have a programmable switch at each entrance to each room. That way I don't have to grope around looking for the remote in a dark room.
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post #2536 of 2675
1/4/13 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhorn055 View Post

I'm familiar with the discussion that happened back then.. but I don't think wannabe or anybody else revealed the reson why sequences were left out.. I'm curious, that's all..


p.2
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wannabe Actuary View Post

it in fact does not support sequences; supposedly because they based it off the 1100 platform, which doesn't support them
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post #2537 of 2675
1/4/13 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by farkem View Post

I do control the lights in my rooms by remote.
But, I also have a programmable switch at each entrance to each room. That way I don't have to grope around looking for the remote in a dark room.

oh ok, sorry, thought you were being sarcastic/condescending... I thought his problem was not finding the remote, but finding the option within the remote to turn lights on.. if problem is finding the remote, then yes I agree with you
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post #2538 of 2675
1/4/13 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPlayer View Post

No. You would think that any function designed with an add would have a corresponding delete, but not so here.

Man the deeper I look in this remote the more odd things I find. All these little issues are nothing but software updates that you think they could easily add.
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post #2539 of 2675
1/4/13 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhorn055 View Post

Why don't you add lightsOn and lightsOff soft buttons within each "real activitiy" you have set up for that room( watch tv, etc...)? thats how I have my Insteon lights programmed
I also added the lights as a device within those activities so lights would be automatically on.

I did do that longhorn, thanks for the tip, I was just trying add "turn on lights" prior to going into an activity but the only way to do that with this remote is to set up lights on as an activity or going into the devices, flip thru the pages until I get to my lutron device and then turn on the lights that way.
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post #2540 of 2675
1/4/13 at 8:40pm
Is $220 a good price for a new 900? I'm debating between this and the Harmony Touch, which is going for $235. Thx.
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post #2541 of 2675
1/5/13 at 4:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhorn055 View Post

I have a setup with a TV mounted on wall, but also a projector screen that lowers right in front of the TV, and a projector of course.. I'd like to set up a command that turns off tv, turns on projector, and lowers screen.. and another command for the opposite when going from projector to TV.. I'm going to try the raw command workaround... but why are sequences not an option, doesn't make sense
The solution sounds like two activities, one for WatchTV and the other WatchProjector. You do not need sequences for this.
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post #2542 of 2675
1/5/13 at 4:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

Man the deeper I look in this remote the more odd things I find. All these little issues are nothing but software updates that you think they could easily add.
I would love to have the job of re-structuring the software (and hardware design) for the remotes. There are so many things that should be fixed and improved. It is unclear if this is just incompetence or a money loosing activity. I tend to think it is the former.
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post #2543 of 2675
1/5/13 at 5:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabesh View Post

Is $220 a good price for a new 900? I'm debating between this and the Harmony Touch, which is going for $235. Thx.
Two completely different animals. The 900 is RF based, and is IR capable, but does not have sequences and is otherwise an excellent remote. The Touch is IR based, has sequences and many newer features, but the physical design layout has issues and the software is still buggy but has the potential to improve. $220 is a good price.
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post #2544 of 2675
1/5/13 at 5:06am
Ah yes any one of us internet posters could do it better than those teams of designers, engineers and programmers.
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post #2545 of 2675
1/5/13 at 5:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OzzieP View Post

I did do that longhorn, thanks for the tip, I was just trying add "turn on lights" prior to going into an activity but the only way to do that with this remote is to set up lights on as an activity or going into the devices, flip thru the pages until I get to my lutron device and then turn on the lights that way.

Just a thought.......maybe you can just go to that activity after you turn off everything so that when you come back the next day or when ever you can just hit the "turn lights on" button and then select your activity. I know that is not what you want eactly but it is an option at least. Also, in the activity you can make the lights turn back off if you want.
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post #2546 of 2675
1/5/13 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPlayer View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by sabesh View Post

Is $220 a good price for a new 900? I'm debating between this and the Harmony Touch, which is going for $235. Thx.
Two completely different animals. The 900 is RF based, and is IR capable, but does not have sequences and is otherwise an excellent remote. The Touch is IR based, has sequences and many newer features, but the physical design layout has issues and the software is still buggy but has the potential to improve. $220 is a good price.
Can the 900 be used exclusively in IR? What are sequences? Thx very much.
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post #2547 of 2675
1/5/13 at 10:06am
If you want IR only, then getting the 900 is pointless because the harmony ONE is the same remote but IR and not RF. The ONE is cheaper. Also you will need ir flashers with the 900 and it comes with some large size flashers, but if you want the mini flashers you will need to get an IR repeater as well.
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post #2548 of 2675
1/5/13 at 11:15am
^^ Thx for the info. I'll pass on the 900 then. Will look into One & Touch.
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post #2549 of 2675
1/5/13 at 11:29am
well the cool thing about RF is if you are listening to music around the house, you can be in any room with the 900 and change the song or turn the volume up or down. Or if you have a hdmi splitter on your sources out to another tv in another room you can change the channel or pause a movie or whatever else. This is why I love RF remotes and the simple fact that you do not have to be in line of sight with the IR receiver.
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post #2550 of 2675
1/5/13 at 1:06pm
^^ Understood. Thanks for the info. New things to consider now. Choices, choices ...
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