Official Logitech Harmony 650/600 remote thread - Page 7

I tried to reason with Harmony Tech Support but they kept reading from a script how I should upgrade to a device that will allow control of more devices. The 12V trigger from the A/V Rec. is connected to the amp via a cable that turns the amp off and on when the A/V Rec. turns off and on (not using the A/V Rec. internal amp so I need the external). No other way to turn the amp off or on unless you physically push the button on the front of the amp.

That's how the device with no IR control factors in.

I still don't understand. If the amp just follows what the receiver does anyway, what's the harm in deleting it? I have plenty of activities for devices that have no IR control (Wii, for example), hence, I don't waste a device on them.

You should be able to replicate whatever you had working already by using the learning function as mdavej suggested.

The amp doesn't just follow what the receiver does, it requires the "Zone 2" of the A/V Rec to be switched off and on. If I delete the device (Amp) I'm deleting control of "Zone 2".

I'll give that a try. Thanks to both you and mdavej.

@mdavej

I found a post you made (#301 in the Harmony 700 thread) that may really be the answer to my problem.

your post >>> I have 12 devices on my 700 only because I upgraded from another harmony with that many. That is the only way.

If the 700 is limited to 6 devices and you have 12 devices on your 700, maybe I can do the same type of upgrade from my 676 (which has 7 devices listed on it) to my new 650. Is it just a simple replace one with the other? Harmony Tech support led me to believe this wasn't possible.

Thanks again for your input...

Oh yes, very possible. I assumed the 650 was your only harmony, so I didn't mention the replace option.

Here's what I did. Since I wanted to continue using my old remote too, I had support clone my account. On the cloned account, I added all the devices and activities I wanted on the new remote. Then I did the replace remote option in the software and all 12 devices (in my case) carried over. There are a few caveats though. It's kind of a one shot deal because if you ever remove a device, you can't another back (until you drop below the 650's original device limit). The replace option also misses any custom button mappings or sequences you had. So that will have to be redone.

Good luck.

Thanks mdavej,

I guess I forgot to mention I was upgrading from a dying 676. I'll give tech support a call and ask them to clone my account and give it a try.

You don't need to clone your account if you don't care about being able to continue to program the 676. In the software look at the bottom of the right-hand panel where it says Replace Remote.

Thanks mdavej, sync and everyone else that helped!

I was able to successfully transfer all of my devices (and then some) from my 676 account to my new 650 and bypassed the five (5) device limit of the 650.

I have everything working the way I want (I think ) except I would like to change the order of activities on the LCD screen when the remote is first picked up in the "off" state. Is this possible?

Thanks again...

EDIT: I tried re-ordering my activities on the website but it didn't change them on my remote when I updated. I'll keep trying...

Hello all, quick question. Can my 650 control the Sony TDM-IP10 (iPod dock for Sony Soundbar)? I'm guessing that the dock is controlled by the Soundbar remote?

Thanks!

My 650 just started acting up. When I push a button such as volume (after devices are on), it restarts. This happened every time I used it today. I finally broke out a new set of batteries & it seems to be cured. I have had this remote for about one week. Doesn't the 650 display a low battery waening? My 670 always did.

Look it up using the Search link in my sig. If it's not there, any remote, including harmony, can learn all the commands from the original IR remote. If it happens to be RF or bluetooth, then no universal remote will work.

My parents have this remote, and they recently got a new TV, a Sony KDL-HX701 and it is causing issues when switching between watching a DVD, Turning the TV on and off, going back to the cable after watching a DVD, the sound switches on the AVR, but the TV's configuration isnt letting me select the correct inputs for the right devices. Any ideas what i can do? I noticed on the Harmony site that it could learn the functions from the default remote but it's still not working the way my dad wants it to work.

Just got shot down trying to get a warranty upgrade to a 700. The second level service rep said he knew of no known issues with the 650. Mine does not like to be placed down with any force at all which seems common. Their advice was to exchange for a new one at the store I bought it at.

Many TVs give you a choice or either OFF or STANDBY. When the TV is OFF and initially turned on there may be a 10-15 second delay where it doesn't receive or register commands. When in STANDBY mode it is more or less instant on and takes commands right away. I keep my plasma TV off so it doesn't use electricity and generate heat. I have to always turn the TV on with the activity I last turned it off with or it loses which input I want. For example, if I was watching cable when I turned it off last night and tried to turn it on this morning to watch a DVD the TV would miss the DVD input command while it is "warming up". I have gotten used to turning the system on and off always using the same activity. My wife forgets and gets frustrated when the TV doesn't tune to the correct input. No guarantee this is your parents problem but keep the TV in standby mode always and see it that helps.

So what is the final verdict (or is there one) on using the 650 with the Next Gen Extender? Seems like for some it didn't work at all and for others it kinda sorta worked sometimes. I need a new battery/transmitter for mine and just got a 650, but won't bother with the batteries if it wont work.

Thanks!!!

I recently purchased the 650 remote -- will it control the internet function on my Samsung LN46C670 TV?

Why not just try it.....

Yes, it will as the internet functions are controlled by the original remote as various key presses, e.g., up, down, left, right, select, etc. and all these exist on the 650.

Do you know this from experience? I'm concerned because users complained about this problem on Amazon...I'm assuming I can select a function on the remote that will start the internet app and then use the directional buttons.

All of the Internet@TV functions on my 2009 Samsung are controlled by the buttons I referenced.

There is LCD key on my H1 to go directly to the Internet functions, or it can be accessed from Menu, Applications, and Internet@TV.

I'd take those complaints with a grain of salt. Of course now and then harmony may be missing a few functions (I've had to add dozens over the years), but all you have to do in most cases is learn the missing ones from your original remote. That's just how universal remotes work. None are perfect. But good ones are flexible enough to add any functions you like.

Anyone?

Just got the 650 from Best Buy. I was debating between the 700 and 650 but it was $65 for the 650 versus $120 for the 700 so I decides the additional device and rechargable batteries weren't worth the price difference.

Three questions, showing off my lack of smarts, so hopefully someone can answer.

#1, I have a Sony TV, a Pioneer DVD, a Pioneer receiver, Scientic Atlanta 8300HD cablebox/DVR, and a Pioneer VCR. To watch TV, the remote turns the cable box, TV, and receiver on. To Watch a Movie, it turns the DVD on, leaves turns on the receiver, the TV, and turns off the cable box. I believe I need the cable box on all the time, no (especially to record shows in the future?)? If this true, is there an easy way to make sure the cable box stays on all the time?

#2, I am creating two activities: Listen to the Tuner and Listen to CDs (that I will use the DVD player to act as a CD player). Is there a way to customize the activity so it says "Listen to CDs" and another activity that says "Listen to the Tuner"? Obviously I will need the first to turn on the DVD player and receiver, the second only requires the receiver.

#3, my kids still watch VCR tapes. Just like question #2, is there a way to create a custom activity that says "Watch a VCR Tape" and have it turn on TV, receiver, and VCR?

And in questions #2 and #3, where will it say each activity... in the display?

Thanks in advance!!

You do not need the 8300HD to be on to record programs. Turning it off when not in use saves energy. However, under devices you can change it so this devices is never turned off.


Just set these up as two separate activities. One will only use the receiver, and the other will use the DVD player and the receiver.


Yes, just define another activity.


You can change the activity names after the activity has been created.

Thanks BPplayer for the fast response. That is great news... one follow up question, I am guessing I make the changes again in MyHarmony, with the remote connected back up to the computer to download the changes.

I will say this for Logitech/Harmony and the 650. I was going through the set up so quickly (naming devices) that when I go to the questions about assigning inputs I had a slight meltdown as it had been many years since I set up my TV, receiver, etc. and at the time I had to stck in a cabinet due to WAF. I couldn't remember what inputs were assigned and I struggled to see the back of the receiver so all the cabling just looked confusing. In the end though, the stress seemed unnecessary since it all just seemed to work. The DVR functions seem pretty logically covered, and I was especially happy with the location of the four color-coded buttons.

I only have 5 devices (thankfully, the kids play with the Wii on a different set) so the 650's device limit was sufficient, but it would still seem better to have more activity hard buttons but I reckon the "starrred" More Activities works for that. Probably the higher end touch screen models have more context-sensitive sub menu screens that work better for dimwits like me, but at a way more expensive price point. But at $65 (actually, way less since I had $25 worth of reward zones points) it is an amazingly powerful and user-frienfly remote.

One last and less time-driven question... I have seem mention of Harmony software used to make more customizations and fixes. I don't need it at this point I believe but where do you download the SW from if/when you do? I was able to find a pdf of the full user manual (its a shame you need to find and download such things... would make the initial set up easier having it IMO).

So, it appears I wasn't quite as lucky in my initial setup. Tried to do the other activities I ittempted to set up, and other than Watch TV and Watch Movie it appears I messed up. I made a mistake when setting up Play Music by allowing the web-based set up to activate the DVD player I also use as the CD player to a CD. It all works as set up, but it may make more sense for me to instead have it start up the tune and to have a Custom Activity say "Play a CD" under the More Activities button. I guess I could leave as is, and have the Play the Radio be the custom activity. How do most folks handle this?

I really crashed and burned when it came to the VCR. I must not have assigned the right Input, sinc ethe Receiver doesn't turn on at all, only the VCR powers up. I will have to take anaother stab at it.

Last, I did some searching on the Logitech web site community page and it appears some customization capabilities is missiing on the MyHarmony web site, specifically the ability to customize activity names. *groan* It also appears there may be more than one web sites you can connect your device to do updates (a second one members.harmonyremote.com) that may have the ability and may or may not require separate logins (read this on AVS remote page for 700 users). *ugh*

Plus, I read (and downloaded) the latest SW (v7.7) that is supposed to allow the fullest of customizations. But this route supposedly wipes out all the set up you have dones so far. *ugh*

I am hoping I am misreading or that these steps are incorrect and try the first web site I did initial setup, then the next, before the SW route and may even call Logitech customer support for help.

User members.harmonyremote.com or SW 7.7 not MyHarmony. The first two seem to be have the same functions (I have not done an in depth comparison), just a different appearance. The SW should not wipe out your configuration as it is just another interface to profile that is stored online back at Logitech.

If some activity does not work correct just use Troubleshoot to help find and correct the problem.

In this case, I believe the OP is correct about having to start over. Myharmony is a separate site, with a different login and config. The stand-alone SW and members.harmonyremote do share a common config and login. The OP will have to start over, but will at least get all advanced capabilities back when he's done. I've used all three with the same remote, and that's what I've found.

The sad thing is myharmony will probably eventually replace the old site and old SW and everyone will be stuck with doorstops. I wish logitech would get off this track of dumbing down all their products. It was fun while it lasted, but soon harmony won't be an option for advanced users any more. They're slowly destroying their whole line, one model at a time.

OK, so now I re-register and start up using the members.harmonyremote.com site, and just to be safe I write down all the settings from the myharmony site. I start the set up process and lo and behold, a completely different set up process. And in fact, the "Watch a Movie" appears to be designed to watch a VCR tape and a separate Watch a DVD is there to watch a DVD movie. I still run into problems with the VCR setup (keeps asking me if its line versus some other input) and then I worry that the hard button "Watch a Movie" will start up the VCR and not the DVD. So OK, I decide to take advantage of the customer support line (the one on a flyer in the box that says Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5L30pm ET. I call that number and... they don't offer customer support on Sundays.

Luckily, the remote still seemed to have my original (but not complete) set up so we can watch TV and DVDs. I guess I will take another stab tomorrow.