Go into the “program buttons” option (I think that’s what it’s called - I’m not at my home computer right now). It’ll be a full list of all the buttons on the remote. Next to the “Channel Up/Down” buttons should be two drop-down boxes. The first selects the component, the second controls the button option. The first is probably set to “TiVo” - switch it to “Cable Box”.
Also, a question. So you have both a cable box and a TiVo? So the cable box not a DVR I take it? How would you normally switch between the two - are they set up to two inputs? If so, when you set up your “Watch TV” activity, you shouldn’t have the TiVo selected at all - that would solve your problem right away. You should be able to delete the component altogether from that activity.
Correct, the cable box is not a DVR. I have a splitter off the cable box with one end to the TV and one to the TiVo, then from the TiVo to a different input on the TV.
I believe you are correct, and this is part of my point – the initial set-up was confusing enough that I added TiVo to the activity without realizing I shouldn’t have (the TiVo stays on all the time after all, so I figured what harm could it do?). Now I can’t remove it, no matter what I try to do to re-program the activity, I’m stuck with “Set TiVo to ‘Tuner’.” Tonight when I have more time I’m going to just delete the whole damn activity and start from scratch, which doesn’t seem like it should be necessary, but apparently is. Or at least I (no luddite at that) can’t figure out how to otherwise.
Mind you, I’m still happy with my purchase, it’s just that the set-up is not nearly as intuitive and user-friendly as I’d hoped. I’m sure I’ll get there, though, and I appreciate your advice!
Got the channel-changing issue taken care of – I was making things more difficult than they needed to be. Kept trying to edit the activity to no avail and kept getting more and more frustrated. Deleting the activity and starting over proved much simpler and now it’s set up the way I want it.
Then I downloaded a bunch of logos for my favorite channel buttons, set up the RF and moved around some components so that the IR receivers aren’t all sticking out the front anymore, and the whole thing looks much nicer. Works great, too. This is exactly what I envisioned when I first ordered the thing.
So, as of this moment, I can safely say that I am very satisfied with my 900!
Good to hear, Wheelz. How many components is it controlling right now?
Everyone else - what’s the deal with the Logitech IR-Blutooth adapter for the PS3? Other than turning the PS3 on, what features does it have over the Nyko Bluewave USB dongle? Can you program the bluray-specific buttons onto it, as well as the other features the PS3 bluetooth remote has?
I just bought a One without really looking at the 900 or the 1100 - the One was about as much as I want to spend on a remote and I don’t have any RF devices.
It hasn’t arrived yet, I’ll let you know how I make out with programming it in a few days.
I also just purchased a Blu ray player (and TV and AVR, the reason I want the universal) but I haven’t used any of the advanced features and honestly don’t know that I will. I guess I can always dig the Blu ray remote out if there’s something I really want to do that I don’t have programmed in the One.
Wish me luck. If things go bad, stay tuned for Ebay link to low time Harmony One
Just saw this thread, as well. Wheelz: you could have had an 880 for free if I’d seen this earlier. I’ve done away with the home theater equipment, so don’t need a multi-control remote. The one Comcast gave me does all that I need. C’est la vie.
I have the TV, Cable box, TiVo, DVD player, and a VCR I hardly ever use anymore. Plus an activity just to set to the correct input to play Wii.
One of the things that drove this decision was that even though my TV, cable, and TiVo remotes are able to “learn” commands from other remotes, there’s always at least one damn function on every remote that none of the others can do. My wife and I finally got fed up with having all those remotes cluttering up the coffee table, and sometimes fumbling for the right one for the task at hand. Now we have a single, easy-to-use control that truly is universal, and the rest are stored away.
I know I could say the same about most of the lower-priced (or free! Thanks, anyway, Chefguy) Harmony models, but that’s OK. I really like what I got, whether it’s overkill or not. I dig cool toys, and this one is wicked cool. And as I mentioned before, even though I didn’t technically need it, I’ve taken advantage of the RF feature for aesthetic purposes.
Despite a less-than-ideal setup program, my verdict is that I would heartily recommend the 900 to anyone considering such a purchase.
I feel the same way about the One now that it’s programmed. I never really got into the advanced programming stuff, but I did have to set a couple of things for the AVR via IR feed. The input selection buttons have to be pressed twice in two seconds on the AVR in order to change inputs, the online Harmony settings didn’t do that.
Happy as a clam now, looking at resizing some nudie pics for my charging slideslow, that’ll top it off.
SlingMedia announced the Sling Touch Control 100 yesterday. It makes my Harmony 360 look like a puddle of puke took a dump. No one’s quite sure what it does, when it’ll be available, who it’ll be available to, and what it works with, but holy crap do I want it.
This does look way cool, yes, but I don’t think I’d want it, for the same reason I didn’t seriously consider the Harmony 1100.
IMO, a touch screen can’t take the place of physical buttons on a remote. You learn to find the controls by feel, you rest your thumb on the button while channel-surfing, etc… It’s a very tactile thing for me. I love my touch-screen iPhone, but I don’t see that love translating to a touch-screen remote.
I’ve been thinking about this, but these are not cheap. The Harmony One lists for $250, while the Harmony 900 lists for $400, and I’d still need the $60 adapter to work with my PS3 that I use for watching Blu-Ray movies. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth that much to get down to one remote control.
And unless you absolutely need to remote to turn on your PS3, a Nyko Bluwave adapter ($10) will control your PS3 via a Harmony (or other universal) remote.
I have a Harmony one and use the macros for a ton of things. My TV has 5 inputs and I have something different hooked into each input. For example my DVD Recorder is on input 3, so I use a macro to switch the TV to that input, turn on the DVD and switch the input of my surround sound all with the push of 1 button on the touchscreen labeled “Watch DVD”.
Could I do this manually, yes! Could my wife do this manually? ABSOLUTELY NOT
If this remote dies, I will be searching amazon and everyplace else to find another Harmony one. I don’t need RF controls so there is nothing that the 900 does that I can’t do with the One and there is a great deal I CAN do with the One that the 900 will not do.
Why couldn’t you reprogram the activity for Watch DVD instead of using a macro for that?
I am looking at buying a One or a 900, I just got a new soundbar (and as a consequence, a new HDMI switch with a remote) and am up to 4 remotes plus a PS3 controller. If you have to use macros to include the sound system in a one button push setup, then I guess I need to get the Harmony One instead of the 900. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
