[mythtv-users] Re: SIngle remote for mythtv and the television?

[Vinton Coffman]

I bought the Harmony 659 and love it.  Logitech just acquired the 
company try http://www.logitech.com/harmony

I operates on a different principle than most universal remotes.  It 
utilizes the idea of activities such as "Watch TV", Watch PVR, Listen 
to Music, etc.  It can learn from other remotes, however, you normally 
program it using their web site and then download the configured binary 
to the remote using your Mac or Windows PC and a USB port.  You login 
to their site and it walks you through the config process.  You tell it 
what model TV, VCR, PVR, DVD, receiver, etc you have and it looks up 
their remote control profiles in it database.  If it doesn't exist you 
can teach it using the remote and then upload the info so others can 
use it next time.  That's how they have avoided having to obtain remote 
profiles from every manufacturer.  The gray pvr-250 remote was already 
in their database when I did my config.  All of my devices were already 
in their database.  Then you tell it what devices you use for each 
activity and your done.  I think I was done programming six devices and 
five activities in 15 minutes.  You can change some more advanced 
settings too, like timing between sending commands within or between 
devices separately, time the backlight stays on and what keys activate 
it.  They have a really nice tutorial on their website too.

It has 3 buttons already labeled but the lcd allows you to create more 
activities and additional misc buttons that don't quite fit other 
button legends show up there too.  It has a sound and picture button 
that allows direct access to your current TV or sound output device so 
you can change picture stretching modes for example.

It wasn't cheap.  I found it on sale at buy.com for $129.00 but it 
usually is more.  However, it allows other members of the family to 
pick up the remote, press one button and have everything necessary to 
watch a dvd be turned on, set to the right input, and ready to go.  Its 
got a cool blue backlight for all of the buttons.  I just changed 
batteries after 3 months use on the generic batteries that came with 
it.

It also has a help button. Why?  Well, if somebody turns something 
on/off or a device misses a command (cat jumped in front of remote) it 
prompts you.  Is the TV on? Is the correct input selected? Is the cable 
box on? ...  You answer Yes or No and it changes the device to the 
proper state.  This is a real help for the less technical members of 
the family.

They sell a more expensive version that is specialized for DVR's and 
Tivo but with the way MythTV uses the arrow buttons and new online 
menus it doesn't add anything particularly useful.

This is overkill if you only have a TV and MythTV but can save a lot of 
grief over having a coffee table full of remotes.  I put away six 
remotes I would normally need and only have the Harmony out now.  No 
more "Which remote do I use to ..." or "How do I turn the stereo on?"

BTW, activities may sound like macros but they're way better.  I setup 
my friends Sony 3000 series remote and its not even close to the ease 
of use of the Harmony.

Sorry if this is more than you need but I've been meaning to post 
something since I bought this remote.

Vinton