XMC-1 and Harmony Remotes - The New Command Set

[virtualpj]

Great thread everyone, thank you.

Question: Am I missing an obvious workaround for the long boot up of the XMC and the need to select a specific input when powering on an activity?

Once everything is on, changing activities (and thus HDMI inputs) works smoothly, but because of the 40-sec-ish start time initially, the command for a specific input is missed when powering everything on for the first time. As a result, my XMC stays on what I currently have set for power-up (last input used).

[geebo]

Sept 25, 2015 20:21:37 GMT -5 virtualpj said:

Great thread everyone, thank you.

Question: Am I missing an obvious workaround for the long boot up of the XMC and the need to select a specific input when powering on an activity?

Once everything is on, changing activities (and thus HDMI inputs) works smoothly, but because of the 40-sec-ish start time initially, the command for a specific input is missed when powering everything on for the first time. As a result, my XMC stays on what I currently have set for power-up (last input used).

You need to set the power on delay of the Harmony to something longer. This is the amount of time thee Harmony will wait after issuing a power on command to when it will attempt to change the input. 45 seconds works for me.

If using the MyHarmony site choose Devices (select the XMC-1) > Change Device Settings > Device Delay Settings > Power On Delay.

[virtualpj]

Sept 25, 2015 20:30:09 GMT -5 geebo said:

You need to set the power on delay of the Harmony to something longer. This is the amount of time thee Harmony will wait after issuing a power on command to when it will attempt to change the input. 45 seconds works for me.

If using the MyHarmony site choose Devices (select the XMC-1) > Change Device Settings > Device Delay Settings > Power On Delay.

Brilliant. I was trying to do it in each activity and was limited to 20 seconds. Knew I was missing something. Thank you!

[AudioHTIT]

Thought I'd post an update here, I've done a lot of testing and been in contact with Emotiva. For the new main XMC-1 Harmony device, I only find Power Off not to work, we’ve seen that overriding the new ‘Off’ code by teaching the Remote’s ‘Standby’ code solves the problem (geebo's post a couple pages back shows how to do that). I got the working Off code from Emo and have submitted it to Logitech to update the XMC-1 device, if you've fixed your Off command there won't be much reason to reload when they fix it, but future users will have a correct set.

Here are the problems in the new Harmony XMC-1 (Zone 2) device. The Z2 Power Toggle works fine as it did previously, but the discrete Z2 Power On & Off don't work. The discrete Mute On & Off commands are totally missing (though I don't see much use for them), the codes also didn't work properly in my testing. The Z2 Mute Toggle works oddly: Press it once, volume goes to -95, volume up does nothing, press it again, still at -95, but mute 'unlocked', volume up ramps up from -95, a new level is set when you stop. Set a new level, press it twice in a row, goes to -95, volume up ramps up from previous level.

So here's the kicker, the Zone 2 problems (other than the missing Mute On&Off), are unit dependent. geebo and I have been messaging on this and found that his XMC-1 (an early unit updated with FW3.0) works fine except Mute Toggle. My unit (only a few months old shipped with FW3.0) works as described above. Emotiva has reproduced this in house and is working on a fix (which will be applied to the XMC-1), this means the fix will also work for other universal remotes. So some of you have the Z2 problems I described, others don't. I have resubmitted the Z2 Mute On & Off commands to Logitech to be added to the XMC-1 (Zone 2) device. Once they're added, if you want or need those commands you will have to delete your Zone 2 device and reload it. 

So the fixes are in progress, I'll post back when Logitech updates are complete. Hopefully we'll also hear soon on the Z2 fix from Emotiva.

[novisnick]

You guys totaly rock!! Thanks so very much for all you do!  


                                                                                  

[geebo]

Sept 26, 2015 11:35:00 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Thought I'd post an update here, I've done a lot of testing and been in contact with Emotiva. For the new main XMC-1 Harmony device, I only find Power Off not to work, we’ve seen that overriding the new ‘Off’ code by teaching the Remote’s ‘Standby’ code solves the problem (geebo's post a couple pages back shows how to do that). I got the working Off code from Emo and have submitted it to Logitech to update the XMC-1 device, if you've fixed your Off command there won't be much reason to reload when they fix it, but future users will have a correct set.

Here are the problems in the new Harmony XMC-1 (Zone 2) device. The Z2 Power Toggle works fine as it did previously, but the discrete Z2 Power On & Off don't work. The discrete Mute On & Off commands are totally missing (though I don't see much use for them), the codes also didn't work properly in my testing. The Z2 Mute Toggle works oddly: Press it once, volume goes to -95, volume up does nothing, press it again, still at -95, but mute 'unlocked', volume up ramps up from -95, a new level is set when you stop. Set a new level, press it twice in a row, goes to -95, volume up ramps up from previous level.

So here's the kicker, the Zone 2 problems (other than the missing Mute On&Off), are unit dependent. geebo and I have been messaging on this and found that his XMC-1 (an early unit updated with FW3.0) works fine except Mute Toggle. My unit (only a few months old shipped with FW3.0) works as described above. Emotiva has reproduced this in house and is working on a fix (which will be applied to the XMC-1), this means the fix will also work for other universal remotes. So some of you have the Z2 problems I described, others don't. I have resubmitted the Z2 Mute On & Off commands to Logitech to be added to the XMC-1 (Zone 2) device. Once they're added, if you want or need those commands you will have to delete your Zone 2 device and reload it. 

So the fixes are in progress, I'll post back when Logitech updates are complete. Hopefully we'll also hear soon on the Z2 fix from Emotiva.

I have completely replaced the "old" XMC-1 device and replaced it with the new set of codes. I did not have to re-do my activities. I only had to do a quick run through of the Change Settings option of each activity.
Direct selection of all the modes including Reference and also direct selection of all inputs is very welcome. Setting up the Harmony now couldn't be easier as there is nothing to mess with regarding input button assignments and you're not limited to the 8 direct input buttons anymore.

Thanks for your awesome work on this, AudioHTIT

[AudioHTIT]

The latest update on the Harmony / XMC-1 issues.

As of the last Database update I submitted to Harmony, there was one issue with the XMC-1 device - the Power Off function didn't work. I did several tests with the Off code and working with Emo determined it was a bad code in the latest set.

There were several problems with the XMC-1 (Zone 2) device - mute, power on/off, but through testing we determined that the problems were XMC-1 specific - for instance my XMC had the problems, geebo's didn't. Testing with the 3.1 beta determined these issues were fixed there, and they remained fixed in the 3.1 release.

A few weeks ago I submitted a request to Harmony to:
1) Fix the Power Off code in the XMC-1 device, I sent in a new Off Pronto code supplied to me by Emotiva staff.
2) Add the discrete Mute On & Mute Off codes that were missing from the Zone 2 device. All else worked properly after upgrading to FW 3.1.

I can now report that XMC-1 (Zone 2) device in the Harmony Database is complete and fully functional, the discrete Mute On/Off commands have been added; I tested them and they work properly. As mentioned all else is fixed with FW 3.1.

Now for the bad news (he says falling on his sword). When I submitted the corrected Power Off code for the XMC-1 device, I inadvertently labeled it Power On (boo!) Logitech then replaced the good Power On code with the good Power Off code So now, if you update your XMC-1 device from the Harmony database (or load it for the first time), you will have both broken Power Off AND Power On commands (thanks Bruce).

So, don't update your XMC-1 device with the current Harmony entry, if you do you will need to 'fix' both the Power On and Power Off commands using the method geebo describes HERE.

For the XMC-1 (Zone 2) device, if you want the additional Mute On & Off commands you'll need to delete and re-add that device using the current Harmony entry. This is totally optional as most will have little use for these commands (the Mute toggle already works). However, the Zone 2 command set is now complete and fully functional. You should also apply FW 3.1 to ensure proper operation of Zone 2.

I have sent a request to Logitech to now fix the XMC-1 Power On & Off commands, but the last three requests have taken at least a week. I will report back when that's been completed and tested.

I should also mention that while these comments relate to the Harmony remotes, the FW3.1 fixes would apply to all universal remotes. - Bruce

[LCSeminole]

Thanks for the update Bruce. As it looks, all the Harmony commands will be fixed momentarily, so thanks for all your hard work.

[geebo]

Oct 17, 2015 16:01:27 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Thanks for the update Bruce. As it looks, all the Harmony commands will be fixed momentarily, so thanks for all your hard work.

+1. Thanks for your efforts, Bruce.

[134lrs]

I posted this elsewhere, but figured it would be relevant here as well:

I recently purchased a Harmony One remote from a Lounge Member. I received it this past Saturday and had is set up within an hour. I have never owned a quality "universal" controller before, but found the setup process from Logitech incredibly easy.

The one issue that I came across was with the XMC-1 in regards to powering up and powering down. This issue was fixed easy enough though. I remembered an area in the Harmony App that allowed you to address specific steps in each of your devices. I plugged the remote back into my computer and was able to select "Power Up" and Power Down" in the menu. From there I used the XMC-1's remote to "Clone" the signal for "On" and "Standby".

Other than that, everything went very smooth. Any hang ups were just due to a learning curve on my new remote.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks,

Bill

[cawgijoe]

Oct 26, 2015 7:28:54 GMT -5 134lrs said:

I posted this elsewhere, but figured it would be relevant here as well:

I recently purchased a Harmony One remote from a Lounge Member. I received it this past Saturday and had is set up within an hour. I have never owned a quality "universal" controller before, but found the setup process from Logitech incredibly easy.

The one issue that I came across was with the XMC-1 in regards to powering up and powering down. This issue was fixed easy enough though. I remembered an area in the Harmony App that allowed you to address specific steps in each of your devices. I plugged the remote back into my computer and was able to select "Power Up" and Power Down" in the menu. From there I used the XMC-1's remote to "Clone" the signal for "On" and "Standby".

Other than that, everything went very smooth. Any hang ups were just due to a learning curve on my new remote.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks,

Bill

Everything went smoothly with my Harmony One with my latest update. The On/Off problem needs fixing by Harmony I believe. I did the same as Bill to get mine to work correctly.

[AudioHTIT]

The On/Off problem has been fixed but I'm waiting for one more fix before posting the details, I had hoped it would have been completed by now, but ... soon.

[LCSeminole]

Nov 6, 2015 20:28:57 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

The On/Off problem has been fixed but I'm waiting for one more fix before posting the details, I had hoped it would have been completed by now, but ... soon.

Just re-synced my Harmony 650 and as you've already stated, the "Power Off" and "Power On" commands are now fixed. Do let us know when your "one more fix" is updated. Thanks again.

[AudioHTIT]

OK Harmony fans, the last shoe with this saga has dropped. After almost three months of back and forth all of the new command set functions are operating properly and are labeled correctly. I won't bore you with all the details this time, but mistakes were made all around, one for Emo, one for me, and a few for Logitech. In any case I got the word this morning that the last issue was fixed, I tested and then geebo tested and neither of us found any problems. The last three issues were Power On, Power Off, and the proper labeling of the Mode Direct command (it had been labeled simply Mode, which wasn't intuitive to me). The XMC-1 (Zone 2) Device has been correct for some time including discrete Power On/Off and Mute On/Off, as well as discrete access to all inputs.

So, if you want the entire command set with working On/Off and Mode Direct, you need to:
Delete your XMC-1 Device
Re-add the XMC-1 Device
Re-run the setup for each of your activities, adding the XMC-1 back in
It will remember most of your settings, but you will have to reset things like startup delay.

If you want the XMC-1 (Zone 2) changes, follow the same procedure.

Of course if you're happy with the way your Harmony remote works now, you don't need to do anything, and future Harmony / XMC-1 users will get these fixes automatically when they load the XMC- command set. If you haven't loaded the new command set there are plenty of new features over the basic remote so I recommend it, but again, if you're happy, stay happy.

If you have problems or questions, plenty of help here. Go for it!

[markc]

I have just done my first Harmony update since you started this mammoth task of correcting / optimising the Logitech database.

My sincere thanks for this hard work as it all seems to work as planned and was easy to update as you suggested.

(NB - Using the iPhone app to re-run the setup for the activities (step 3 in your to-do list above) did not work as the iPhone was unable to display the old activities to re-run. Going via the MyHarmony PC app made it much easier as the activities that had the XMC-1 stripped out were now flagged to be updated.

Thanks again!

[AudioHTIT]

Nov 9, 2015 12:25:42 GMT -5 markc said:

I have just done my first Harmony update since you started this mammoth task of correcting / optimising the Logitech database.

My sincere thanks for this hard work as it all seems to work as planned and was easy to update as you suggested.

(NB - Using the iPhone app to re-run the setup for the activities (step 3 in your to-do list above) did not work as the iPhone was unable to display the old activities to re-run. Going via the MyHarmony PC app made it much easier as the activities that had the XMC-1 stripped out were now flagged to be updated.

Thanks again!

Thanks markc and you're welcome; it wasn't quite as big as a Mammoth (though I do like to ski there ), certainly a stubborn mule! I'm very surprised there isn't a better way to get changes into the Logitech database.

I didn't try the iPhone app for updating, just synced it afterward, thanks for the input. I did use the iPad App which can re-run the activities, but I agree, the PC or Mac App work the best for this kind of change.

[geebo]

Nov 9, 2015 12:25:42 GMT -5 markc said:

I have just done my first Harmony update since you started this mammoth task of correcting / optimising the Logitech database.

My sincere thanks for this hard work as it all seems to work as planned and was easy to update as you suggested.

(NB - Using the iPhone app to re-run the setup for the activities (step 3 in your to-do list above) did not work as the iPhone was unable to display the old activities to re-run. Going via the MyHarmony PC app made it much easier as the activities that had the XMC-1 stripped out were now flagged to be updated.

Thanks again!

A crackerjack job he did!

[keithfree]

Apparently I'm a couple months late to this conversation but I does the new command set include the ability to directly change the audio input for a given source? For example, there are times when I am watching sports on TV when I want music to play instead of the sportscaster, etc. Currently, it's a bit of a hassle to make this change as you have to go into the XMC-1's setup menu to, in my case, update Input 1 ans change the associated audio input from HDMI 1 to where my music comes from.

[mickseymour]

Dec 31, 2015 11:48:07 GMT -5 keithfree said:

Apparently I'm a couple months late to this conversation but I does the new command set include the ability to directly change the audio input for a given source? For example, there are times when I am watching sports on TV when I want music to play instead of the sportscaster, etc. Currently, it's a bit of a hassle to make this change as you have to go into the XMC-1's setup menu to, in my case, update Input 1 ans change the associated audio input from HDMI 1 to where my music comes from.

Off topic but if you choose the audio only input, assuming it isn't HDMI, the video stays with the last video input chosen which should do what you want.

[geebo]

Jan 4, 2016 2:25:21 GMT -5 mickseymour said:

Dec 31, 2015 11:48:07 GMT -5 keithfree said:

Apparently I'm a couple months late to this conversation but I does the new command set include the ability to directly change the audio input for a given source? For example, there are times when I am watching sports on TV when I want music to play instead of the sportscaster, etc. Currently, it's a bit of a hassle to make this change as you have to go into the XMC-1's setup menu to, in my case, update Input 1 ans change the associated audio input from HDMI 1 to where my music comes from.

Off topic but if you choose the audio only input, assuming it isn't HDMI, the video stays with the last video input chosen which should do what you want.

.
Just as Mick says. Select the HDMI input you're watching the game on, then switch to any non-HDMI input (coax, toslink, AES/EBU or analog) and the video feed will not change.