[mythtv-users] FYI: harmony 650 37.99 @ costco (instant 17 rebate)

[Kris B.]

On Tuesday, November 29, 2011 11:11 AM, "Gabe Rubin"
<gaberubin at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> How would the remote know which device is on or off and which power on
> codes to resend (which is typically the same as a power off code)?

> I can't imagine how else this could be accomplished by a universal
> remote (other than individually turning on the receiver by switching
> the remote to device mode or using the help functionality -- both
> options of the remote).  Without the receiver and tv giving the remote
> some feedback, which afaik, is impossible, there is no other way to do
> this.
 
Most devices have "hidden" remote control codes - Your TV remote has
Power, which is a toggle on and off, but there are usually hidden codes
for Power On, pressing it once or twice or fifty times only turns the TV
on, never off.  The Harmony depends on that type of code in this
circumstance.  Same with input, you might have a button that cycles, but
there is a "hidden" button/code Input 1 and the Harmony uses that.  

Pretty cool, actually, because I hit "Watch a DVD" and it will send a
Power On TV command (which will either do nothing if I already have the
TV on, or actually turn on the TV), change to the specific input on my
TV, then power up the DVD player.  When I switch to watch my computer,
it will Power Off the DVD player, send the TV On command again (if it
forgot that I had the TV on, like if I drop and accidentally reset the
remote), switch to the correct input, wake the computer with a keypress
(program shift button to do this so it doesn't lose your spot if you had
already had the computer on), and go about its' business.

However, if I miss aim and the device is finicky (like one that doesn't
have a power on only command, just a powe cycle) you can get in these
loops where you have to intervene or switch between devices to get back
on track.  Rare, but annoying to explain to the wife :)

-- 
  Kris B.
  krisbee at krisbee.com