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Humax Foxsat HDR + Harmony remote


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Old 26-10-2009, 19:43
Mandarintje
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Having a little trouble with the Humax turning on when an activity starts...anyone else have this? I can then manually turn it on without problem. This is with an RF extender. IR blaster couldn't be better placed, have tried various settings in the Harmony software...

Also noticed there's a discrete code for 'power off' along with the usual power toggle. Usually there would be also a discrete code for 'power on' but it's not listed.... any ideas?

Thanks =)
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Old 26-10-2009, 20:47
bsw
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I bought a Harmony 525 recently and tried to use it with both my HDR based systems. I did get it working but found it to be a complete pain in the backside and it now for sale on ebay.

But I'm sure there are lots of folk on here who think they are wondeful.

One thing that may be relevant to your situation would be to leave the HDR on all the time and just use the Harmony to switch the other bits of kit. I was able to tell the Harmony to do that and it worked.
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Old 26-10-2009, 20:59
SkipTracer
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I use a Harmony 555 with my HDR with no problems at all, you don’t even have to point it at the HDR to work un-like the original Humax remote.
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Old 26-10-2009, 21:37
elco
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Having a little trouble with the Humax turning on when an activity starts...anyone else have this? I can then manually turn it on without problem. This is with an RF extender. IR blaster couldn't be better placed, have tried various settings in the Harmony software...
I had the same problem initially until I changed the power on sequence to television first, HDR second (sequence not obvious as such). Now works like a dream.
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Old 26-10-2009, 21:45
Bodatron
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I use a Harmony 555 with my HDR with no problems at all, you don’t even have to point it at the HDR to work un-like the original Humax remote.
I also use the 555 with no problems

Bodatron
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Old 26-10-2009, 23:51
--Mark--
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Program it to send the 0 command about three times instead of the single power on command. Pressing 0 will turn the box on (but not turn it off) and pressing several times will not cause any issues with it being turned on/off/on in rapid succession which you would get using power on command.

(This is problematic if the box is in standby but recording as it wakes much faster. When waking from fully powered down standby, several on commands don't matter during the boot process.)

There is not a discrete power off command despite it being listed, try programming it to a key and pressing, it will turn the box on and off.

That should get you started!
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Old 27-10-2009, 00:09
Mandarintje
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ahaaaaaa...thanks.... that's taking me to a different direction now. There's hope after all!!!

Will try tomorrow, I have spent the entire day on it.. and also trying to make it directly go to the HDMI input on my bravia TV instead of toggling. Another nightmare all of its own =))))
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Old 27-10-2009, 08:14
Tern
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I have this problem.

The 525 will turn on the Humax around 75% of the time.

I'll try changing the power up sequence as it's not a sensitivity issue - other commands work first time every time.

It is well worth trying to get a Harmony to work even if you do have to fight with the appalling configuration software to do so.
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Old 27-10-2009, 08:40
--Mark--
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On my Toshiba TV, inputs cycle with each input button press like many other brands. If the TV misses one of these when changing activity it messes things up nicely as the remote thinks the TV is on a source that it isn't.

My fix for the Toshiba may work for your TV, experiment first with your regular remote then program when/if you find the solution.

My remote always fires a 0 at the TV, this will take it from any source back to built-in terrestrial TV mode (Freeview). Then it sends the right number of 'Source' button pushes to get to the correct source for that activity. About the best solution I could come up with to reliably get the right source every time.

Good luck!
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Old 27-10-2009, 09:41
b33k34
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I'm using an old Harmony and remote extender. The power on behaviour is very odd. Like you I have a problem with the Humax switching on - I'd say it works less than 50% of the time.

What's strange is that the 'help' on the remote doesn't work reliably either - pressing help and answering the 'is the PVR on' question doesn't actually seem to send a command (the green transmit light on the remote doesn't light up). After a good few 'no' responses it sends a very long command (the green light is on for ages) which usually works.

The "0" command idea is interesting - what happens if it is recording in standby - you say it is 'problematic'
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Old 27-10-2009, 10:13
GaseousClay
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The "0" command idea is interesting - what happens if it is recording in standby - you say it is 'problematic'
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...07&postcount=2


also if you use the zero button the box won't recognise 000 as a valid channel number so won't attempt to change channels when in recording mode
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Old 27-10-2009, 16:20
shakey
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I have a Harmony 555 and generally it is excellent for a multi kit setup.
However i find it very sluggish (compared to Humax Foxsat remote) when navigating the EPG.
Any ideas?
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Old 27-10-2009, 17:57
b33k34
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Mine is the same - noticably sluggish, which exacerbates the already slow response of the Humax (can't remember the model number but it's an old, b&w, peanut shaped one).

I wonder if the newer Harmony remotes are quicker or this is just the nature of the way they work
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Old 27-10-2009, 23:30
Mandarintje
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I have the latest Harmony remote, I can't say the model number because I'm not sure it's released officially (I beta tested it and signed a non disclosure agreement). It's really a great remote, very fast and accurate. Except with the Humax power on command =)

I agree the Harmony software is a bit....
You have to bend your ideas around their very inflexible system. Unlike the Pronto. But once you figure it out and think "in Harmony" then it's really great. There are a few weird compromises you can do like when you want to include remote dimmers in an activity, and seemingly this adding zero's to start up the Foxsat =) but it's far better than the others I have tried (Pronto, Sony, Oneforall)
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Old 27-10-2009, 23:49
Mandarintje
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Mark in Zummerzet, is that in the Vest Kountry?
Anyway... thanks! the zero's trick works.
I added them in the sequence so it automatically does it for me now.

I have the impression that the original remote does this too. You have to press it substantially long to get the Foxsat to turn on. But not off. So perhaps a software update could fix this..

Danke Schön !
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Old 29-10-2009, 00:23
mk-donald
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All I can say from personal experience is that if you are having problems with a Logitech Harmony then giving their helpline a call WILL get it solved IF it can be solved, which is highly likely.

Friends in Milan who'd purchased a 555 (I only needed a 525) had a problem with their big LG plasma and it apparently having no reliable way to switch inputs and it was me who decided it would be solved...

A phone call to the Logitech Swiss helpline couldn't solve it so they promised a call from tech support centre. I though "oh yeah" when will that ever happen ?!?! He responded within 24hrs.

Later that day a call from Canada (from memory) where the guy worked through various potential solutions, downloaded some specific patch to the PC I was programming the Harmony from, and kept at til it was 100% solved - took around 30 minutes. You don't get that kinda service from outfits flogging ££££ of computers/TVs, but did from a 30-50 pound remote!!!

(Oh and my 525 has always controlled my Humax 9150T perfectly.)

MKD
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Old 02-11-2009, 16:02
b33k34
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Anyway... thanks! the zero's trick works.
I implemented this over the weekend. It definitely seems to improve the chance of it turning on properly but I seem to now have difficulty turning it off (i've set the off command as a single 'power toggle' command which is what i think was used to power on and off previously).

it's not too much of a problem as the Humax has an auto standby after a few hours but annoying none the less.
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Old 02-11-2009, 21:58
Mandarintje
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mine has a 100% success rate since =)

However logitech haven't responded to my plea for help with my direct Sony TV inputs =/

Will have to try again
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Old 03-11-2009, 09:20
Mandarintje
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moments afterwards, Logitech did respond =)
The power of DS? =) and they've got it sorted too (almost). The Bravia certainly does have direct input commands. No more of that random toggling thing.
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Old 03-11-2009, 16:41
Fatbloke99
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No problems with my 895..and I'd second the remarks about excellent support from Harmony.

Main gripe about remotes on the Hummy is it being very 'cardioid'. I sit to one side of the rack with the kit on, and have to lean over to make sure the remote is pointing pretty much straight-on.
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Old 03-11-2009, 18:22
bsw
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Best thing I can say about my 525 is that it sold very quickly on eBay.
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