Harmony Remotes - Programming

[antiwebbite]

I have a HARMONY 550 with a SAMSUNG LN-S5797D and for the most part it is a dream. BUT...I have a computer's second screen hooked up to input HDMI 2. Everything works fine once I am there, but when I press the Activity for the 2nd Computer Screen, more times than not it switches to HDM 1, I press the Activity again and THEN it switches to HDMI 2. Sometimes it works on the first press. Any Ideas what the problem is?

Also, the connection to my Xbox 360 seems to be random. I thought it was a distance thing, but it still only works inconsistently. Any ideas on that one?

Thanks in advance!

[WannabeActuary]

I noticed my 360 wasn't responding to some commands, turns out it was just a location problem.  it was at the bottom of my entertainment center and laying flat...the IR receiver basically didn't have a good line of sight.

make sure that you have a good line of sight

[antiwebbite]

Thanks for the response!

:-( I have a perfect line of sight. And like I said, it is inconsistent even when I am a foot away from it. 

Anyone else have any ideas?

[klepto]

no problems with my xbox so far.. where is the IR located on the xbox? cuz mine is bhind a speaker and its STILL works ( but my harmony remote is still only like 6 ft. away only)

[antiwebbite]

I assume the IR is the on the front, bottom-left corner underneath the disc drive. But like I said it is inconsistent whether I am 2 ft or 10 ft away...

At this point I have pretty much just given up and dealt with it. :-\ I hate giving up....

Unless anyone else has had this problem and solved it.... :-)

Thanks!

[DaneHarmony]

Is the command for HDMI2 a true discrete?  If you go into Devices-TV & try pressing the InputHDMI2 command, does it go directly to HDMI2 & stay there no matter how many times you push it, or does it cycle between the HDMI inputs?

If it cycles you many need some special setup to achieve the elusive Input Method 5.

let us know,
Regards

DaneHarmony

[antiwebbite]

Thanks for responding Dane!

When I navigate to HDMI 2 from the devices-TV menu it goes there without any problems.

What I've noticed is that anytime I make a "Generic Activity" (as I have with my PC on the "PC" input, the PC Screen 2 on "HDMI 2", and my Record Player using the "Phono" input on my Yahmaha receiver) it has problems one way or another. I can't currently control the volume on my AV Receiver for anything that is a "Generic Activity" even though the receiver is on the list of what is currently being used and works, I just have to go to devices to adjust the volume. I am going to try and use the given activities, but they usually have created problems for me if what I want isn't exactly on there.

So my next step is to try to not use "Generic Activity"...until then, anymore suggestions?

Thanks!

Joe

[BearFan51]

Hi, I had (if I understand correctly) essentially the same problem.

TV would change inputs corectly for every activity, except when I would switch to Play PS3. If I hit the activities button and press Play PS3 a second time, it would then change the input.

It's probably a timing issue, but in the meantime I added a custom action at the end of the command string. Try this, and add an action for your tv, when entering the activity, to change to HDMI 2. It's redundant, but so is repeating that darned wizard every time. lol

It works, I hope I explained it clearly. If not, I can post a screenshot.

BF51

[sdchargerz]

Hi BearFan

I have the same issue with the 'Play PS3' not switching inputs.  I have to do the activity twice also to make it switch.  Do you have the problem with your TV not turning on while everything is off and doing the 'Play PS3' activity?

[BearFan51]

I usually start with watch tv, and after a couple of tweaks, I did have a problem with the tv turning on, and then off again, while everything else was powering up. In my case, I believe the power toggle command was being sent instead of the discrete on/off.

This is assuming your tv accepts discrete on/off.

From the activites tab, troubleshooting>tv not turning on/off....>No, help doesn't fix>turn off when not in use>a button for on, a button for off>I don't have the original remote, but I know..(select Power On from drop down)>I don't have the original remote, but I know..(select Power Off from drop down)>......done.

I also reduced my power on delay down to 100ms, YMMV.

I also had a problem with one of my amps (toggle on/off only) being turned off every time I changed activities. I got around this by "lying" to the wizard.

Originally, when setting up the activity, I selected: "I don't need to change the input on my amp". (the amp always stays on the same input setting, so I assumed it was correct) This is where I had to lie to the wizard.

For each activity that involved that amp, (all of them) I selected the input, and the problem was fixed.

This doesn't apply to your problem, but you, or someone else might find it useful down the road.

Message Edited by BearFan51 on 12-24-2008 03:32 AM