Harmony 885 remote

Deacon1972 · 25-01-2009, 16:55

I'm very interested in purchasing one of these to replace my collection of remotes, I have checked Harmony's web site and all my equipment excluding the PS3 are fully compatible.

My question is - Is it possible to program the remote to select the HDMI input on the TV when the TV itself doesn't auto switch this input and it has to be done manually?

What I am wanting the remote to do is switch the TV on so it's on HDMI as well switching on the amp/HD box or amp/PJ. Would this be possible?

chrisbartley · 25-01-2009, 18:44

Basically I think you'll find the answer is yes, when you program it ( online) once you've told it which kit you've got it then asks how you watch.
so in my case TV , dvd and PVR - which I use as the main TV source
( I have the 525 remote - but assume its very similar to 885)
once programmed remote offers 2 buttons watch TV or DVD
if I choose TV ( one button press) , it turns on both items and then the TV input select menu comes up and you see it stepping down to the right input to watch the PVR - ( similar if I select DVD) all automatic.

Chris Frost · 26-01-2009, 00:20

Deacon1972,
If I were in your shoes I would buy a second-hand 885 and see how you get on. An 885 went for £50 delivered on AV Forums recently.

Personally I won't use an infrared-only remote if there are macros of more that two or three steps involved. I find them just too hit or miss for consistent results. Wireless is a better way to go. An 895 has an RF repeater.

I bought a s/h 895 to see what all the fuss about Harmony was. It didn't last long here

. SWMBO liked the colour screen but thought it too small to be practical. She wasn't impressed by the sea of small buttons; still too cluttered compared to the Prontos and Nevos we normally use. I have to agree.

Check out AV Forums classified ads. Harmony's come up reasonably frequently, so as long as you're in no mad rush to get something instantly you could save yourself a fair few quid.

Deacon1972 · 26-01-2009, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbartley

Basically I think you'll find the answer is yes, when you program it ( online) once you've told it which kit you've got it then asks how you watch.
so in my case TV , dvd and PVR - which I use as the main TV source
( I have the 525 remote - but assume its very similar to 885)
once programmed remote offers 2 buttons watch TV or DVD
if I choose TV ( one button press) , it turns on both items and then the TV input select menu comes up and you see it stepping down to the right input to watch the PVR - ( similar if I select DVD) all automatic.

Thanks for that, just want I wanted to hear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

Deacon1972,
If I were in your shoes I would buy a second-hand 885 and see how you get on. An 885 went for £50 delivered on AV Forums recently.

Personally I won't use an infrared-only remote if there are macros of more that two or three steps involved. I find them just too hit or miss for consistent results. Wireless is a better way to go. An 895 has an RF repeater.

I bought a s/h 895 to see what all the fuss about Harmony was. It didn't last long here

. SWMBO liked the colour screen but thought it too small to be practical. She wasn't impressed by the sea of small buttons; still too cluttered compared to the Prontos and Nevos we normally use. I have to agree.

Check out AV Forums classified ads. Harmony's come up reasonably frequently, so as long as you're in no mad rush to get something instantly you could save yourself a fair few quid.

I had my eye on a brand new one that was on Ebay, I was prepared to pay about £60 but it went for £74, I have even looked at the 785 and 555, both seem to do the same thing apart for the 785 is rechargeable and has a battery indicator. The 555 is cheap enough just to try out I suppose.

I will keep my eye on the classifieds on AV Forums though.

I am using system call on my Denon remote from time to time, it's OK but you still need to press further buttons to get the av input up and select the appropriate one.

It works very well for individual pieces of equipment too like Sky HD, it also works for the PJ.

I'm just wondering is it really worth it for just one application as everything else is fine.

I'll have to investigate whether I can program the precise codes for the HDMI switching on the TV, system call can store up to 32 signals so I have plenty left.

clockworks999 · 26-01-2009, 17:55

Most TVs have "discrete codes" available for the video inputs. These codes aren't on the original remote, but are included in the firmware of the TV. The Harmony can use these to switch the TV to the correct input at the start of an "activity".

If your TV is from a big manufacturer (i.e. not a supermarket cheapie), the odds are that it'll have discrete codes available on the Harmony configuration website.

You can control the PS3, either with a fancy IR to bluetooth adaptor box, or with a £10 IR dongle. The expensive units do everything, the IR dongle can't turn the PS3 on and off, but all the DVD functions work fine.

Switching all your devices on, and selecting all the correct inputs, is exactly what the Harmony does. It may need a bit of tweaking, but it'll work perfectly in 99.9% of cases.

I'd avoid secondhand 885 or 895 models, as the buttons can go funny after a couple of years. Only buy if you trust the seller.

Chris Frost · 26-01-2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworks999

I'd avoid secondhand 885 or 895 models, as the buttons can go funny after a couple of years.

Now that's interesting news. You see I'd quite happily buy a 5 yr old Pronto because they do tend to be pretty reliable. Seems like Harmony's are not the same.

AxeVictim · 27-01-2009, 13:29

Sign up at ibood.com they regularly have Harmony remotes for sale i think i got my 885 for £65.

clockworks999 · 30-01-2009, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

Now that's interesting news. You see I'd quite happily buy a 5 yr old Pronto because they do tend to be pretty reliable. Seems like Harmony's are not the same.

I've got a really old mono Pronto that I took in part exchange for a Marantz RC9200 that I'd had for about 5 years. Both of these worked perfectly, as does my current TSU9600.

I've got 2 Harmonys (525 and 885). Both have unresponsive buttons. Searching for solutions, I found loads of posts about faulty buttons on all the Harmony models except the 1000.
The cheaper models use normal conductive rubber pads that short out PCG tracks - these can be cleaned (not tried yet).
The expensive models use sealed metal "membrane" switches, which can't be cleaned (tried and failed!).

Deacon1972 · 31-01-2009, 11:07

I have decided to put the new remote on the back burner for time being, the reason being I have found out the TV remembers the last input when switched off, so I'm just leaving it on the HDMI input, now when I press system call (option1) the amp, HD box and TV with HDMI selected turn on. I'm happy with this for the moment.

Thanks for all the help/advice.

25-01-2009, 16:55	#1
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Harmony 885 remote I'm very interested in purchasing one of these to replace my collection of remotes, I have checked Harmony's web site and all my equipment excluding the PS3 are fully compatible. My question is - Is it possible to program the remote to select the HDMI input on the TV when the TV itself doesn't auto switch this input and it has to be done manually? What I am wanting the remote to do is switch the TV on so it's on HDMI as well switching on the amp/HD box or amp/PJ. Would this be possible?

25-01-2009, 18:44	#2
chrisbartley Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: berks Posts: 1,643	Basically I think you'll find the answer is yes, when you program it ( online) once you've told it which kit you've got it then asks how you watch. so in my case TV , dvd and PVR - which I use as the main TV source ( I have the 525 remote - but assume its very similar to 885) once programmed remote offers 2 buttons watch TV or DVD if I choose TV ( one button press) , it turns on both items and then the TV input select menu comes up and you see it stepping down to the right input to watch the PVR - ( similar if I select DVD) all automatic.

26-01-2009, 00:20	#3
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Deacon1972, If I were in your shoes I would buy a second-hand 885 and see how you get on. An 885 went for £50 delivered on AV Forums recently. Personally I won't use an infrared-only remote if there are macros of more that two or three steps involved. I find them just too hit or miss for consistent results. Wireless is a better way to go. An 895 has an RF repeater. I bought a s/h 895 to see what all the fuss about Harmony was. It didn't last long here . SWMBO liked the colour screen but thought it too small to be practical. She wasn't impressed by the sea of small buttons; still too cluttered compared to the Prontos and Nevos we normally use. I have to agree. Check out AV Forums classified ads. Harmony's come up reasonably frequently, so as long as you're in no mad rush to get something instantly you could save yourself a fair few quid.

26-01-2009, 12:59	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisbartley Basically I think you'll find the answer is yes, when you program it ( online) once you've told it which kit you've got it then asks how you watch. so in my case TV , dvd and PVR - which I use as the main TV source ( I have the 525 remote - but assume its very similar to 885) once programmed remote offers 2 buttons watch TV or DVD if I choose TV ( one button press) , it turns on both items and then the TV input select menu comes up and you see it stepping down to the right input to watch the PVR - ( similar if I select DVD) all automatic. Thanks for that, just want I wanted to hear. Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Frost Deacon1972, If I were in your shoes I would buy a second-hand 885 and see how you get on. An 885 went for £50 delivered on AV Forums recently. Personally I won't use an infrared-only remote if there are macros of more that two or three steps involved. I find them just too hit or miss for consistent results. Wireless is a better way to go. An 895 has an RF repeater. I bought a s/h 895 to see what all the fuss about Harmony was. It didn't last long here . SWMBO liked the colour screen but thought it too small to be practical. She wasn't impressed by the sea of small buttons; still too cluttered compared to the Prontos and Nevos we normally use. I have to agree. Check out AV Forums classified ads. Harmony's come up reasonably frequently, so as long as you're in no mad rush to get something instantly you could save yourself a fair few quid. I had my eye on a brand new one that was on Ebay, I was prepared to pay about £60 but it went for £74, I have even looked at the 785 and 555, both seem to do the same thing apart for the 785 is rechargeable and has a battery indicator. The 555 is cheap enough just to try out I suppose. I will keep my eye on the classifieds on AV Forums though. I am using system call on my Denon remote from time to time, it's OK but you still need to press further buttons to get the av input up and select the appropriate one. It works very well for individual pieces of equipment too like Sky HD, it also works for the PJ. I'm just wondering is it really worth it for just one application as everything else is fine. I'll have to investigate whether I can program the precise codes for the HDMI switching on the TV, system call can store up to 32 signals so I have plenty left.

26-01-2009, 17:55	#5
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Most TVs have "discrete codes" available for the video inputs. These codes aren't on the original remote, but are included in the firmware of the TV. The Harmony can use these to switch the TV to the correct input at the start of an "activity". If your TV is from a big manufacturer (i.e. not a supermarket cheapie), the odds are that it'll have discrete codes available on the Harmony configuration website. You can control the PS3, either with a fancy IR to bluetooth adaptor box, or with a £10 IR dongle. The expensive units do everything, the IR dongle can't turn the PS3 on and off, but all the DVD functions work fine. Switching all your devices on, and selecting all the correct inputs, is exactly what the Harmony does. It may need a bit of tweaking, but it'll work perfectly in 99.9% of cases. I'd avoid secondhand 885 or 895 models, as the buttons can go funny after a couple of years. Only buy if you trust the seller.

26-01-2009, 21:29	#6
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Quote: Originally Posted by clockworks999 I'd avoid secondhand 885 or 895 models, as the buttons can go funny after a couple of years. Now that's interesting news. You see I'd quite happily buy a 5 yr old Pronto because they do tend to be pretty reliable. Seems like Harmony's are not the same.

27-01-2009, 13:29	#7
AxeVictim Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 2,644	Sign up at ibood.com they regularly have Harmony remotes for sale i think i got my 885 for £65.

30-01-2009, 18:54	#8
clockworks999 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 2,014	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Frost Now that's interesting news. You see I'd quite happily buy a 5 yr old Pronto because they do tend to be pretty reliable. Seems like Harmony's are not the same. I've got a really old mono Pronto that I took in part exchange for a Marantz RC9200 that I'd had for about 5 years. Both of these worked perfectly, as does my current TSU9600. I've got 2 Harmonys (525 and 885). Both have unresponsive buttons. Searching for solutions, I found loads of posts about faulty buttons on all the Harmony models except the 1000. The cheaper models use normal conductive rubber pads that short out PCG tracks - these can be cleaned (not tried yet). The expensive models use sealed metal "membrane" switches, which can't be cleaned (tried and failed!).

31-01-2009, 11:07	#9
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	I have decided to put the new remote on the back burner for time being, the reason being I have found out the TV remembers the last input when switched off, so I'm just leaving it on the HDMI input, now when I press system call (option1) the amp, HD box and TV with HDMI selected turn on. I'm happy with this for the moment. Thanks for all the help/advice.

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Harmony 885 remote