Harmony Remotes - Hardware

[ginovino]

I took the time this a.m. to attempt to fix the failure of the DVR box to turn on/off as needed.

The DVR box and the HTR are the only items which appear to operate better using the RF extender (less intermittent behavior). All of my gear is located on shelves behind semi transparent doors which have cloth inserts to allow RF to operate better.

In checking the configuration, both the DVR and HTR HAD been selected to operate via RF EXT., so I was headed in the right direction. I went through the troubleshooting for the DVR and followed the questions. It suggested reducing the lag time to 500ms which I did and then reprogrammed the software as requested.

After hooking everything back up,the DVR worked like a dream both on and off. Problem solved so far. Lets see how long it takes my wife to screw it up(haha).

As for the replacement charger, I am awaiting an email from Logitech confirming everything. I'll keep you updated as it unfolds.

Has anyone out there given thought to my last paragraph in my former posting?:

"There are 3 lights on the extender... Most of the time the center light is on, the light to the Right is labeled RF, and the one on the Left is labeled STATUS. There is also a "Connection" button slightly above these three lights. Can someone explain each of their purposes and how I can tell if the extender is set correctly for controlling my HTR & DVR via RF or whatever its supposed to be."

[WannabeActuary]

to be honest, I setup everything in my bedroom to be controlled via RF except the tv and since it all worked first try, I never really looked at the lights.  I'll try to look tonight, but it will be late...tonight is bowling night

[jdbower]

As far as I know, the current behavior of the button and LEDs are as follows:

The button is deprecated, in older software the pairing was done like a Bluetooth device (which is how Z-Wave devices get paired) but the current method doesn't need the button.

The center (Power) LED should be illuminated steady at all times (except during a power outage, of course!).

The two side LEDs (Status and RF) flash when they receive a command from the remote.

Of course this is all the steady-state behavior, on RF extender bootup they all flash once and I don't know what happens if there's an error condition or there's an unpaired 890 in the area.

[ginovino]

Thanks for the education on the RF extender. You told me more than the techs at Logitech.

Speaking of Logitech, they have decided to replace the entire package, Remote, RF extender, cables, power supplies, battery, Everything BRAND NEW! I have the new 890 charging right now.

After it gets fully charged by tomorrow, I will call them to register the new unit and transfer all of the settings to the new remote and RF extender. This was really a class move on their part. Now If I could keep my son away from the remote, as he constantly forgets to put in back into the charger!

What I decided to do, was put the battery I bought about 4 months ago into the new unit and it appears to be charging normally. So I wonder if the original charger was defective? So many variables to ponder.

So I have to give Logitech 5 thumbs up for their generosity and standing behind their products, even after the warranty period expired.

BY the way, I have been using the New Harmony ONE in my other HT room and it really is a very nice alternative to the 890. Highly recommended!

[rhachey]

You don't need to call them, once you hook up the remote to your PC and Update it, it will be registered with Logitech and all of your settings from your old remote will be transfered

[ginovino]

I was told by them that my "defective" unit will be deactivated and cannot be reprogrammed or used when I transfer all of the settings to the replaced unit. They led me to believe that a call to them was necessary to accomplish this.

[rhachey]

No not necessary, they replaced my 880 and all I had to do when I received the new remote was to update the remote and the old one was de-activated. You could still use it, but you could no longer update or make any changes with the old remote

Message Edited by rehaz1 on 09-29-2008 06:47 PM

[ginovino]

Some of what you stated proved accurate. I was fortunate enough to be given the direct line to the "2nd Level" Tech support. The person I got, was really swift and had me operating in about 10 mins flat.

I also had the opportunity to discuss a number of issues that had me befuddled about how the combination of the RF extender and remote work. Some changes have occurred to the RF extender. you no longer have to teach it to recognize equipment it will be managing. Logitech upgraded the software for instantaneous recognition Eliminating any further fussing. IT WORKS! They also added an easy on/off short lead power cable for the Extender. This keeps the main power plug and cable connected to the AC when you have to remove the RF extender for programming.

They also added and RF filter choke to the power cable on both the charging cradle and Extenders.

They also introduced a much improved method to keeping those PITA IR emitters attached to your components, with the introduction of a larger "boot" with adhesive surface that encapsulates the emitter and cable and provides a much larger sticky surface area. Very neat looking as well.

The charging cradle now includes a fairly strong center pin magnet to keep the remote firmly planted in the cradle.

Battery life is supposed to be extended to 2 weeks under normal use.(well see)

So there you have , hot off the presses!

All in All, I am a very happy camper!!!! They did OK by me!