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

[Gabe Rubin]

On Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 12:05 PM, Kris B. <krisbee at krisbee.com> wrote:
> 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 :)
>
I am not sure if my devices have these codes.  If they do, Harmony
does not use the code.  If I hit the MythTV activity button from a
powered off stage (i.e., the remote believes all the devices are
powered off because the last button I hit was the power button turning
all the devices off), then the tv and receiver will turn on, unless
they are already on, in which case, they will turn off.  If I hit the
power button and harmony believes the devices are on, then it will
power each of them down, unless they are powered off, in which case,
they will turn on.  In other words, my Harmony remote sends the same
code to power on and power off devices.