LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 20, 2021 18:33:54 GMT -5
Recently I wanted to clean up my Activities and Devices on all of my Harmony remotes(650/665/Elite(950)/Hub. After removing, re-naming and replacing the XMC-1 with the RMC-1L device, I've noticed when going from "Activity" to "Activity" that the "Input" change in my RMC-1 most of the time wasn't sticking/staying on said input and go back to what I was changing from. I've been playing around for the past few weeks to try and find a fix to no avail. Today I went into the "Devices" tab and chose "Your Devices", then chose the RMC-1L device. From there I stumbled into the "Change Device Settings" and chose "Device Command Repeats" and ended up changing the "Repeats Value" from "1" to "2". This change was successful for all of my remotes and it's a good thing it worked as I was having to press the "Activity" I wanted to go to at least twice for it to work beforehand.
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Post by ttocs on Jun 20, 2021 19:39:13 GMT -5
Yep. I just installed a XMC-1 device and get exactly the same results. At this point I have spent all the time I’m willing to invest, so Im convinced that some of our XMC-2 units’ inputs are configured wrong somehow and I will just put up with the bug. The order in which the Inputs are arranged when going Forward or Backward using the Up/Down buttons on the remote have been the same since the XMC-1. Plus, if the order were an issue with the Harmony app, then the Optical1-3 would work ok being that these are in a Forward sequence. I'm convinced this issue is with Harmony and the version of the apps in play. When I had my XMC-1, I used Optical-1 for a couple devices sometimes and didn't have a problem with the Touch going directly to the input. I used a Windows version at first, then got a Mac. I'm using that same remote now but the computer app is different and the result is different. I reset my Harmony 665 to default, and I'm assigning direct Input selections to some unused buttons to aid in avoiding the incorrect selections. For example, Optical 1 (the real Optical 1) is assigned to the Red Button and I used Harmony:Optical2 which uses Emotiva:Optical-1 remote code. Frankly, I don't use optical much anymore but it's a quick way to get to it.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 21, 2021 17:54:10 GMT -5
Finally getting time to post a Harmony issue that has recently been causing some frustration. Since I purchased my XMC-1 in 2015 and on into the RMC-1, I've used a Harmony Ultimate Home Hub based remote. During most of this time I've been able to build Activities that were straightforward, minimal, and as Harmony intended (the Elegant Solution). Typically they include the RMC-1, the Sony TV, and a source; so an TV Activity might go something like: * Power on RMC-1 * Power on Sony TV * Power on TV -- (power on delay is inserted here) * Set the RMC-1 input to HDMI-3 * Set the Sony TV input to HDMI-3 This is all created for you when you build your Activity with the Setup Utility, after that you can edit the power up sequence, which will in turn alter the input setting order. You can also make other changes and additions -- but then you'd no longer have 'the elegant solution'. The one change that those of us using Harmony remotes had to make was to edit the XMC/RMC 'Device' to account for the long boot time, and increase the "Power on Delay" from the default 10 seconds to about 50 seconds, and now more. The maximum Harmony allows for a Power on Delay is 60 seconds (they obviously haven't met the G3P 🙂). As I said, my system worked fine this way for about six years, my four main Activities being 'elegant' ... until recently, by that I mean possibly beginning with the 2.2 or 2.3 Firmware. What began to occur was that my system always seemed to end up on HDMI 1, regardless of the Activity chosen. My first thought was that the boot time was now longer and I needed to increase the power on delay. I bumped it from 50 to 55, 56, 57, 58 🛑 at that point my Activity began to throw an error, and the input was still usually at HDMI-1. My next step was to play with the start order, I moved the Sony TV first, then the RMC-1, it didn't seem to make any difference. I also took the Power Up Delay all the way to 60, even though it caused the error, but that didn't help. I also experimented with changing my HDMI preference from 'Last Used' (which had worked in the past) to a specific input (including doc1963 's 'unused input' suggestion). Edit: I played with the 'Command Repeats' parameter LCSeminole mentioned too, but I couldn't see that it was helping my issue.Now I have built a 'workaround' that seems to be working (but it hasn't been running very long). So I am NOT looking for another workaround (yet), I am asking any Harmony Hub / G3P Users ( geebo ?) who have a simple three device activity like mine, do you have a working Activity that fits my definition of 'elegant'? or have you had to add additional steps and delays? I'm also considering opening a ticket with Logitech to try and increase the Power On Delay parameter up to 120 seconds -- although that's a bit like the Kobayashi Maru 🖖 -- I would still consider it elegant because it's required for the device in use.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jun 21, 2021 20:48:50 GMT -5
Finally getting time to post a Harmony issue that has recently been causing some frustration. Since I purchased my XMC-1 in 2015 and on into the RMC-1, I've used a Harmony Ultimate Home Hub based remote. During most of this time I've been able to build Activities that were straightforward, minimal, and as Harmony intended (the Elegant Solution). Typically they include the RMC-1, the Sony TV, and a source; so an TV Activity might go something like: * Power on RMC-1 * Power on Sony TV * Power on TV -- (power on delay is inserted here) * Set the RMC-1 input to HDMI-3 * Set the Sony TV input to HDMI-3 This is all created for you when you build your Activity with the Setup Utility, after that you can edit the power up sequence, which will in turn alter the input setting order. You can also make other changes and additions -- but then you'd no longer have 'the elegant solution'. The one change that those of us using Harmony remotes had to make was to edit the XMC/RMC 'Device' to account for the long boot time, and increase the "Power on Delay" from the default 10 seconds to about 50 seconds, and now more. The maximum Harmony allows for a Power on Delay is 60 seconds (they obviously haven't met the G3P 🙂). As I said, my system worked fine this way for about six years, my four main Activities being 'elegant' ... until recently, by that I mean possibly beginning with the 2.2 or 2.3 Firmware. What began to occur was that my system always seemed to end up on HDMI 1, regardless of the Activity chosen. My first thought was that the boot time was now longer and I needed to increase the power on delay. I bumped it from 50 to 55, 56, 57, 58 🛑 at that point my Activity began to throw an error, and the input was still usually at HDMI-1. View AttachmentMy next step was to play with the start order, I moved the Sony TV first, then the RMC-1, it didn't seem to make any difference. I also took the Power Up Delay all the way to 60, even though it caused the error, but that didn't help. I also experimented with changing my HDMI preference from 'Last Used' (which had worked in the past) to a specific input (including doc1963 's 'unused input' suggestion). Edit: I should also mention I played with the 'Command Repeats' parameter LCSeminole mentioned, but I couldn't see that it was helping my issue. I will start by saying I have built a 'workaround' that seems to be working (but it hasn't been running very long). So I am NOT looking for another workaround (yet), I am asking any Harmony Hub / G3P Users ( geebo ?) who have a simple three device activity like mine, do you have a working Activity that fits my definition of 'elegant'? or have you had to add additional steps and delays? I'm also considering opening a ticket with Logitech to try and increase the Power On Delay parameter up to 120 seconds -- although that's a bit like the Kobayashi Maru -- I would still consider it elegant because it's required for the device in use. Nothing elegant here. I have customized the various activities by adding delays and input changes after the Logitech created part of the activity completes. But since 2.2 I've occasionally started seeing the HDMI 1 issue again. My delay is set to 60 seconds and once in awhile the activity on the Harmony remote times out saying it didn't complete but it always had. I think a longer delay setting like 75 or 90 seconds might help a lot.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 21, 2021 21:38:52 GMT -5
Nothing elegant here. I have customized the various activities by adding delays and input changes after the Logitech created part of the activity completes. But since 2.2 I've occasionally started seeing the HDMI 1 issue again. My delay is set to 60 seconds and once in awhile the activity on the Harmony remote times out saying it didn't complete but it always had. I think a longer delay setting like 75 or 90 seconds might help a lot. Thanks, after I’ve tested my latest workaround a couple days I’ll post it and we can compare notes. I’ve opened a ticket with Logitech to try and get the Power On Delay increased, we’ll see how responsive they are in their new role.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jun 22, 2021 7:13:47 GMT -5
Nothing elegant here. I have customized the various activities by adding delays and input changes after the Logitech created part of the activity completes. But since 2.2 I've occasionally started seeing the HDMI 1 issue again. My delay is set to 60 seconds and once in awhile the activity on the Harmony remote times out saying it didn't complete but it always had. I think a longer delay setting like 75 or 90 seconds might help a lot. Thanks, after I’ve tested my latest workaround a couple days I’ll post it and we can compare notes. I’ve opened a ticket with Logitech to try and get the Power On Delay increased, we’ll see how responsive they are in their new role. I'd very much like to see your workaround and give it a try. The HDMI 1 happens to me occasionally but never when starting my main activity of watching TV. I have the turn-on input set to HDMI 2 which is the input the STB uses so maybe that's why. Last night I changed the turn-on input to Last Used so I'll se if that has any affect on things. Very interested in any response you may get from Logitech, too.
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Post by Mark 1 on Jun 23, 2021 13:49:37 GMT -5
So, I'm currently using the small touch screen Harmony 1100, since discontinued. I've tried the Harmony Elite with HUB (again discontinued recently), but my A/V equipment (an Emotiva XMC-2, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva CD player, Dish Network receiver, plus assorted other CD Changer, etc.) that are in an A/V closet, behind a door. That won't work because my Sony 75" Bravia is mounted in the LR, and the blaster won't reach that far (about 60'). I've looked at the Crestron remote, but the company requires a tech to program and the programming fee is as much as the remote! (About $1,000 each). Any ideas or comments on what remote works for ya all? I've tried to extensively do research, but am coming up pretty much empty handed. Thanks in advance if you can help!!
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jun 23, 2021 14:00:14 GMT -5
So, I'm currently using the small touch screen Harmony 1100, since discontinued. I've tried the Harmony Elite with HUB (again discontinued recently), but my A/V equipment (an Emotiva XMC-2, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva CD player, Dish Network receiver, plus assorted other CD Changer, etc.) that are in an A/V closet, behind a door. That won't work because my Sony 75" Bravia is mounted in the LR, and the blaster won't reach that far (about 60'). I've looked at the Crestron remote, but the company requires a tech to program and the programming fee is as much as the remote! (About $1,000 each). Any ideas or comments on what remote works for ya all? I've tried to extensively do research, but am coming up pretty much empty handed. Thanks in advance if you can help!! So if you’re asking for a ‘full bodied’ replacement for Harmony, I’ve been considering the same thing, at least to the point of wanting to talk about it and see what’s possible (I do a lot with my Harmony Hub & Extender). I may start a thread for something of that nature (Crestron would be in that mix). If however you’re open to try and make a Harmony do what you need, that would fit in this thread. For instance, my Harmony Hub controls my Sony TV via IP, no blaster required — if you have an Ethernet or WiFi connection. So where are you looking to go?
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Post by lcontinental19 on Jun 24, 2021 14:46:20 GMT -5
So, I'm currently using the small touch screen Harmony 1100, since discontinued. I've tried the Harmony Elite with HUB (again discontinued recently), but my A/V equipment (an Emotiva XMC-2, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva CD player, Dish Network receiver, plus assorted other CD Changer, etc.) that are in an A/V closet, behind a door. That won't work because my Sony 75" Bravia is mounted in the LR, and the blaster won't reach that far (about 60'). I've looked at the Crestron remote, but the company requires a tech to program and the programming fee is as much as the remote! (About $1,000 each). Any ideas or comments on what remote works for ya all? I've tried to extensively do research, but am coming up pretty much empty handed. Thanks in advance if you can help!! So if you’re asking for a ‘full bodied’ replacement for Harmony, I’ve been considering the same thing, at least to the point of wanting to talk about it and see what’s possible (I do a lot with my Harmony Hub & Extender). I may start a thread for something of that nature (Crestron would be in that mix). If however you’re open to try and make a Harmony do what you need, that would fit in this thread. For instance, my Harmony Hub controls my Sony TV via IP, no blaster required — if you have an Ethernet or WiFi connection. So where are you looking to go? I'm looking to go to something else as a replacement for the Harmony 1100. It's showing it's age and on it's last legs. Thanks for the info. I did run across one from URC that may seem to work, although it's the same situation as with the Crestron, buying then paying to program. Although if the programming fee were more reasonable, I wouldn't blink twice. Btw....like your dog pic. Have a Golden puppy coming in August! Sooo excited.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 10, 2021 15:07:07 GMT -5
Finally getting to posting my ‘workaround’ for Harmony Activities and the RMC Device. I should first point out that this workaround is designed for those of us who use the slow booting Low Power Standby (LPS), the quick start Video Remains On (VRO) users can probably use the default settings (if not please post your solution). It would be a good idea when posting Harmony questions and solutions, for you to include whether you use LPS or VRO. Before we get to how I built my Activites, we should discuss the RMC/XMC Device ‘Delay settings (Harmony Settings > Device > RMC > Fix Delay > Power On Delay). This setting is designed to allow for the various boot / startup times of your devices, and Logitech has decided that 60 seconds is the maximum you should ever need*. In the past I used to be able to use this setting to avoid everything we’re dealing with below, but the last few Firmware releases have increased the boot time to where this setting can no longer compensate. I’ve actually found on my system if I increase this setting beyond 57.5 seconds I get a startup error, so I use a nice round 57 (like the Ketchup). The first thing I wanted to figure out for my system was what to set my ‘Turn On Input’ to (Menu > Setup > Preferences > Turn On Input). I experimented with: a used HDMI input (like HDMI 1 where my DTV box is), an unused HDMI (5-8 for me), and audio only Analog or Digital inputs. Without dragging it all out, I was unable to find a specific input that didn’t complicate the Harmony sequence, I have my Turn On Input set to ‘Last Used’. Without going into how to build a Harmony Activity, the next thing I wanted to work out was when and what to set my RMC Input to, typically an Activity turns on all of the Devices, and then sets each Device’s input. You can control in what order the devices turn on, but that then sets the order of input selection — I ended up starting my Sony TV first, then the RMC, but I don’t think that has affected my solution. I was unable to find a sequence or input selection that worked more reliably than ‘Do Not Set an Input’, this however requires you to make other settings that may not work for everyone. So, if you don’t use the Harmony mechanism for setting an input during the startup sequence, how does it get set? You must go back and edit the Activities Startup Sequence and ‘Add a Step’, but here’s the rub, the Harmony doesn’t allow you to directly select an input when you add a step, presumably because you set it previously when you had a chance (but this seems like an unnecessary limitation to me). For this to work, you must set an Emotiva ‘Button’ for the input you want to select, I have Buttons 1 - 4 set to HDMI Inputs 1 - 4 (Menu > Setup > Inputs > HDMI 1 > Button 1), so, my added step selects Button 1 (just labeled ‘1’). The consequence of my Harmony solution is that it will only work for Inputs that have an assigned Button, which means you’re limited to 7 inputs plus the Tuner. The last step we must add is the final compensation for Harmony’s 60 second POD limitation, that is to add a Delay to the Start Sequence, you may find this unnecessary, but without it my Activities weren’t reliable. I’ve added a delay right before the previous step where we set the input, I currently just have a 1 second delay and it seems to work with all activities (if you need more time you can just make this single delay longer). So that’s it! Whew 😅 This is what I’m doing for all Activities I want to use from an off condition, I’ve included a screenshot of a typical Activity below. If you have another way that you like and that works reliably, please post it. TV Startup Sequence RMC-1 Delay Settings
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 10, 2021 16:08:57 GMT -5
What cables/adapters can be directly run from the Harmony Hub to the RMC=1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 and not have to worry about IR line of site? I know a 2.5mm to 3.5mm is needed, any suggestions on which ones? links? As far as cables are mono or stereo 3.5mm plugs needed? Links?
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jul 10, 2021 18:10:52 GMT -5
What cables/adapters can be directly run from the Harmony Hub to the RMC=1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 and not have to worry about IR line of site? I know a 2.5mm to 3.5mm is needed, any suggestions on which ones? links? As far as cables are mono or stereo 3.5mm plugs needed? Links? I use a 2.5mm male - 3.55mm female mono adapter and just a standard trigger cable from there to the RMC-1L.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 10, 2021 18:26:38 GMT -5
What cables/adapters can be directly run from the Harmony Hub to the RMC=1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 and not have to worry about IR line of site? I know a 2.5mm to 3.5mm is needed, any suggestions on which ones? links? As far as cables are mono or stereo 3.5mm plugs needed? Links? I use a 2.5mm male - 3.55mm female mono adapter and just a standard trigger cable from there to the RMC-1L. Thanks, I just ordered these. I have plenty of the 3.5mm mono trigger cables that came from various Emotiva equipment orders.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 10, 2021 20:06:39 GMT -5
I use a 2.5mm male - 3.55mm female mono adapter and just a standard trigger cable from there to the RMC-1L. Thanks, I just ordered these. I have plenty of the 3.5mm mono trigger cables that came from various Emotiva equipment orders. I started with geebo’s solution as well, eventually I built my own cables that were actually the right length. There may be a problem with those adapters, I think I tried them and the width of the barrel is too large and doesn’t clear the Hub. I found a smaller one, but geebo obviously has some that work too. I’ll look when I get home.
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Post by geebo on Jul 10, 2021 20:56:33 GMT -5
Thanks, I just ordered these. I have plenty of the 3.5mm mono trigger cables that came from various Emotiva equipment orders. I started with geebo’s solution as well, eventually I built my own cables that were actually the right length. There may be a problem with those adapters, I think I tried them and the width of the barrel is too large and doesn’t clear the Hub. I found a smaller one, but geebo obviously has some that work too. I’ll look when I get home. I think those might be kinda big, too. Mine are big but they're round instead of hexagonal. But you might be able to shave those down some.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 11, 2021 0:23:15 GMT -5
I started with geebo’s solution as well, eventually I built my own cables that were actually the right length. There may be a problem with those adapters, I think I tried them and the width of the barrel is too large and doesn’t clear the Hub. I found a smaller one, but geebo obviously has some that work too. I’ll look when I get home. I think those might be kinda big, too. Mine are big but they're round instead of hexagonal. But you might be able to shave those down some. Nothing the Almighty Dremel Tool can't handle!
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 11, 2021 4:18:49 GMT -5
I found a pic of the 2.5 to 3.5 cable I made, couldn’t find matching metal connectors that fit, but they’re pretty close. Under the techflex is like a 22 gauge zip cord style wire.
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 11, 2021 11:14:04 GMT -5
I started with geebo’s solution as well, eventually I built my own cables that were actually the right length. There may be a problem with those adapters, I think I tried them and the width of the barrel is too large and doesn’t clear the Hub. I found a smaller one, but geebo obviously has some that work too. I’ll look when I get home. I think those might be kinda big, too. Mine are big but they're round instead of hexagonal. But you might be able to shave those down some. I didn't realize that the RMC-1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 has both an IR input and IR output. I take it this means I can daisy chain and use the RMC-1 IR output to go to the IR input on an Oppo UDP-203 and then from it's IR output to an HDFury Vertex 2 IR input? If so, then I'll only need to use one of the IR outputs on the Harmony Hub?
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 11, 2021 12:41:30 GMT -5
I think those might be kinda big, too. Mine are big but they're round instead of hexagonal. But you might be able to shave those down some. I didn't realize that the RMC-1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 has both an IR input and IR output. I take it this means I can daisy chain and use the RMC-1 IR output to go to the IR input on an Oppo UDP-203 and then from it's IR output to an HDFury Vertex 2 IR input? If so, then I'll only need to use one of the IR outputs on the Harmony Hub? Yes! 😀 and No! ☹️ All of the RMC & XMC’s have IR in and out. My In comes from the Hub and out currently goes to an IR blaster that controls my SVS subs. However, for some inane, stupid, asinine reason, Oppo switched the IR in from the previous models, to a Trigger In on the 20x series 😡 I’ve even looked to see if someone has a mod to put it back. So don’t plug the IR in there, I moved my IR cable over when I upgraded my 93 to 203 and got very unexpected results until I noticed the change. I don’t believe there ever was an IR out on the Oppo, but I could be wrong. So in your case the RMC IR out could go to the Vertex. Edit: I think for Harmony Hub users an IR input on a component is as useful as IP control.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jul 11, 2021 18:08:45 GMT -5
I think those might be kinda big, too. Mine are big but they're round instead of hexagonal. But you might be able to shave those down some. I didn't realize that the RMC-1/RMC-1L/XMC-2 has both an IR input and IR output. I take it this means I can daisy chain and use the RMC-1 IR output to go to the IR input on an Oppo UDP-203 and then from it's IR output to an HDFury Vertex 2 IR input? If so, then I'll only need to use one of the IR outputs on the Harmony Hub? Well you could except that the 203 doesn't have an IR input on the back like the 103 did. The 203 has an IR sensor in place of the input. I used to do that with my 103 and was disappointed to find the 203 changed in that regard.
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