Harmony Remotes - Programming

[scorpio151]

I have read the Manuel and tried the help section and I can't seem to figure this one thing out. 

Does anyone know how to program the built in power button on the remote to a device?  So that you don't have to go through a menu to find the power option.

Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks. 

[hhatkin]

Hi and welcome.

All the operation, including  powering on and off which are automatic, of any Harmony is done in Activities, not in Devices.

The Off button has only one use: at the end of a viewing, listening, or playing session to turn off all devices that are in the current Activity and that are not set to be "always on".

H H

Message Edited by hhatkin on 12-06-2008 10:26 AM

[scorpio151]

Thanks for the tip but unfortunately this didn't fix my problem.  I had already tired that but I tired it again to see if I had missed something.  I still can't get the built in power button programmed.  The problem is I can't seem to find any option the software gives you to program the actual power button itself. 

I'm open to anymore suggestions.

I am one button away from being completely satisfied with the remote. 

[WannabeActuary]

what hhatkin was trying to explain is that the off button can NOT be custom programmed.  it's a specific 'off activity'.  what it does is what hhatkin said...it will turn off any devices that are currently on (based on the current activity) and not set to 'always on'

[mikemcclain8]

I think the simplest reply is ' it's not a power button '.

[hhatkin]

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scorpio151 wrote:

I can't seem to find any option the software gives you to program the actual power button itself.

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As the button has only one fixed function it cannot be made to carry out any other function.

Please let us know what you are trying to achieve with the button and we will be able to show you how to do that within the normal method of operation in Harmonys, the Activities.

[scorpio151]

Thanks for the explanation.  I did misunderstand him earlier.  so you've answered my first question which is the button itself cannot be directly programmed. 

so this is what I was trying to do.  I wanted to make it so that I could press one button (the nonprogrammable power button) be able to turn off my TV and DVD player independently.  without having to go through the menu options to turn them off.

From what you two have said it sounds like I might be able to backdoor what I'm trying to do buy setting up an activity.

So I guess my next question is can I set up just one device in an activity.  From what you said, the button turns off all devices that are on based on that activity.  So can I set up one device for an activity?   Like my TV for example? 

[MarkDU]

Hi scorpio151

The Harmony remote has memory called Smart State that keeps track of what devices you have turned on with an Activity. When you press the 'Off' button, the remote sends the correct power commands to shut those devices off.

The Harmony will also keep track of your device's inputs when switching Activities.

For example, you have a TV and DVD player so you create a 'Watch DVD' activity. Anytime you wish to watch a movie, all you need to do is press the button for 'Watch DVD' and the Harmony will turn on your TV and DVD player, and set the proper input. When you are finished watching the movie, pressing the 'Off' button shuts off your TV and DVD player. You will now be controlling all of your devices by only pressing one button.

You can create an Activity with any combination of devices and you can create a 'Watch TV' activity with only your TV. Once logged into the remote software,

1. click 'Add Activity'

2. choose 'No - manually add an Activity to my setup.'

3. select 'Watch Television' and click Next

4. select the first option, 'Watch TV ( Digital cable, Basic cable, Antenna)' and click Next.

5. Continue through the wizard to complete the setup

Message Edited by MarkDU on 12-09-2008 11:01 PM

[hhatkin]

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scorpio151 wrote:
From what you two have said it sounds like I might be able to backdoor what I'm trying to do buy setting up an activity.

So I guess my next question is can I set up just one device in an activity.

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Activities aren't a backdoor thing - they're what Harmonys are all about!

Yes, do set up a WatchTV Activity, even with only the one device in it, then set up more of them to combine your other devices as you wish.