Yay! I finally have one of these Harmony remotes to mess around with. Most of you probably know what it is; for those that don't, it's a programmable remote that you can customize to your entertainment system and usage desires. For instance, we sometimes hook up the camcorder to our system, so I created a custom "Watch Camcorder" activity that turns on the TV (to view the video), the VCR (which has front inputs that we hook the camcorder up to), and the stereo (to hear the sound - the remote tells it to switch to Video2 for this activity).
It's all quite straightforward to set up, especially if you like messing around with gadgets. You can re-map all the buttons to your heart's content, although the default settings for all but Watch VCR and Watch Camcorder were exactly what I would expect them to be.
It's really neat watching all the pieces of my home entertainment system switch on and off as I switch activities. Lets say I was watching the TV, and decided to put on a DVD. The cable box goes off, the stereo comes on, the TV switches inputs, and the DVD player comes on. The Channel +/- buttons change to flip between chapters on the DVD. Then I change my mind and decide to listen to the radio. The TV goes off, the DVD player goes off, the stereo flips to Tuner, and the Channel +/- buttons switch to flipping through the tuner presets.
If things get out of whack (which they can easily in my house - as soon as someone walks in front of me while the remote is sending commands to switch everything on and/or off), there's a Help button right on the remote that has helped turn on/off the right components every time. I tested that a good twenty times...
In short, I love this thing! Too bad it was just over $160 after tax...
Lazy, thanks for planting the idea in my head months ago, and I'll have to thank a coworker for explaining the details of how it works.
And thanks, wifey, for buying it!
Well that makes 3 of use here now
Me
Melbosa
Thorin
I don't think I could go back to a code based dumb remote ever again. Once configured these remotes make even the most complex setup easy. And as for family training all you should have to do is explain the Activies button and the help button, the remote does the rest.
Sounds like a great gadget!
But you gotta admit, it's sad that nowadays in order to switch from "watching TV" to "watching a movie" there's like 3-4 devices involved and 5 clicks that are required ::) ;)
Remember when life was simpler? When Shaw Cable Channel 10 had the "How to hook up your VCR" and most of us laughed at how overly simplistic that little tutorial made it out to be? (cuz it was :) )
*sigh* ...
I have been running a minimum 3 device setup for years. Ever since STTNG was presented in surround sound I have had my primary TV audio pumped through a receiver and generaly had a VCR present.
These days it is a Plasma TV, a Digital Sat box / PVR, and receiver for TV watching. Then there all the 2 game consoles and DVD player involved.
I bought one about a year ago and it is the harmony model with XboX 360 buttons on it so I get all of the regular Harmony goodness, plus some Xbox love as well. Very cool device. I would NOT go without one now.
The remote I got with my receiver had a learning feature and fortunately everything I own that is remote controlled plugged into it with no hassle.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 13, 2007, 10:45:03 AM
But you gotta admit, it's sad that nowadays in order to switch from "watching TV" to "watching a movie" there's like 3-4 devices involved and 5 clicks that are required ::) ;)
No, it's not sad. I find the multiple components make my use of the entertainment system more enjoyable than just the old TV and VCR. Keep in mind I say
entertainment system, not
TV and VCR. My entertainment system includes a tape deck (nowadays, only used for the books-on-tape brought home from school), a CD jukebox, a DVD player, a VCR, a receiver with a built-in tuner, a game console, the TV, and a sometimes-hooked-up camcorder. That's eight different things I might ask my entertainment system to do for me. I don't really have enough hookups for it all, so there's some wonky connections to make it all play nice together.
Now that I have the remote, I'm even considering re-jigging the hookups since it doesn't matter how complex it gets. Now if only I could figure out how to get the receiver to switch from analog audio to digital audio on the same input...
Bixby: I saw the Xbox remote. Seems like a handy gadget if one has an Xbox. I don't, and I doubt I'll get one in the near future - with a standard-def TV and kids, the Wii is just fine. Still, being able to include Xbox controls into one remote is cool.
Honestly, the thing that makes me the happiest is that we're finally back to one single remote in our house.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 13, 2007, 11:26:51 AM
The remote I got with my receiver had a learning feature and fortunately everything I own that is remote controlled plugged into it with no hassle.
I had one of those as well, but this takes things a step past that.
Questions:
How many button presses does it take from a powered off state to play your PS2?
Now how many button presses does it take to switch from playing PS2 to watching TV?
How many button presses from there doe it take to turn everything off?
On a harmony it is only one to switch between each task and to have the volume and playback buttons mapped correctly.
Believe me I can see how it's handy, but I'll bite anyway...
Quote from: Lazybones on March 13, 2007, 12:48:24 PMQuestions:
How many button presses does it take from a powered off state to play your PS2?
TV Power On
Receiver Power On
TV/SAT video input
PS2 On
QuoteNow how many button presses does it take to switch from playing PS2 to watching TV?
TV/VCR video input
QuoteHow many button presses from there doe it take to turn everything off?
TV Power Off
Receiver Power Off
At least it's all one remote and fairly easy to follow connection wise.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on March 13, 2007, 01:43:18 PM
Believe me I can see how it's handy, but I'll bite anyway...
Quote from: Lazybones on March 13, 2007, 12:48:24 PMQuestions:
How many button presses does it take from a powered off state to play your PS2?
TV Power On
Receiver Power On
TV/SAT video input
PS2 On
QuoteNow how many button presses does it take to switch from playing PS2 to watching TV?
TV/VCR video input
QuoteHow many button presses from there doe it take to turn everything off?
TV Power Off
Receiver Power Off
At least it's all one remote and fairly easy to follow connection wise.
It was sort of a trick question, yes one remote is is much nicer than several but can still be complex if you are not the owner.
My point was more that all you have to do is show someone the activity and help buttons on a harmony, an no matter how your equipment wiring changes, as long as you reprogram it accordingly ANY family member that knows how to use the remote can continue using the entertainment center with ease, for that matter they should be able to use anyone elses entertainment center that has a harmony.
The learning universals that come with receivers are great and cost effective, I used one for years.
Is a PS2 controlled with infrared? The only thing I can't control with my Harmony remote is the Wii, because the Wii is controlled via Bluetooth and the remote uses IR. So to play Wii, I push the Play Wii button on the Harmony remote, then the power button on the Wii remote. Actually, here's the full button sequence:
1. Push Activities button on Harmony remote
2. Push button next to Play Wii label on Harmony remote
3. Push power button on Wii remote
Still three buttons, although here's what it replaces:
1. Push power button on TV remote
2. Change TV to correct input (zero, one, or two button presses - my TV cycles through inputs)
3. Push power button on Receiver remote
4. Change receiver to correct input (zero or one button presses - zero if we're already on the right one)
5. Push power button on Wii remote
Not a big difference, except that all I have to teach the kids is to press the Activities button and then look for what they want to do; no more teaching them what input to put each device on.
Nevertheless, Mr. A., the learning universal remote clearly works for you and would work for me as well, if it weren't for the rugrats and the wife. I had no problem remembering what buttons to push for what activity.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on March 13, 2007, 10:45:03 AM
But you gotta admit, it's sad that nowadays in order to switch from "watching TV" to "watching a movie" there's like 3-4 devices involved and 5 clicks that are required ::) ;)
It's the price you pay for going with separate components instead of a single integrated device.
Of course, the price of going with the integrated device is IMHO unacceptable. That being that you can't upgrade parts, and you typically can't add much if anything to the system (there MIGHT be an Aux input), and you're typically stuck with lower-end parts. There's also currently no options for integrated devices for gaming systems or HD disk formats. But if simple is what you're after, you can get a TV, with a DVD and VHS built into it, and simulated surround sound from the built-in speakers - and it all operates from the one remote control.
QuoteNow if only I could figure out how to get the receiver to switch from analog audio to digital audio on the same input...
95% of receivers will do this automatically for you - if a digital signal is there it'll play it, else it falls back to analog. This is done for set-top boxes that can receive both digital and analog channels so you can plug both the digital and analog plugs from the STB to the receiver and you just get the best audio available as you channel-surf between crap channels and digital movie channels with DD5.1. I have seen 1 receiver that does not operate that way - you can manually switch between analog and digital mode and have two different devices audio associated with the same video input. That particular receiver though can't auto-switch to digital, and you can't control the mode from the remote, you have to walk to the receiver and push a button. It's a real pain in the ass when you're moving around between analog and digital devices - the friend of mine with that receiver wants to upgrade to something better.
One remote to rule them all!Since getting mine setup, I have now reduced my remotes down to 1 from 7, and only have to manually book 1 system by getting off my lazy butt!
So this is what I have:
- Samsung HLS5087 TV
- Bell ExpressVu 4100
- Pantec Multistar 2500
- XBox 360
- PS3
- XBox
- Optical Audio Switcher
- Marantz SR5000 Receiver
And the only thing I need to get off my butt for is to boot the XBox. The PS3 is bluetooth, so can't control it with the remote, but can boot it with the controller... well I guess I have to get off my butt to put games in my consoles, but for the most part I stick to one game per console for a bit.
So lets see, to change to one of my worst case scenarioes before (XBox 360):
- Turn on TV, Switch TV to PC mode
- Turn on Marantz, Switch to LD/TV mode
- Turn on Optical Switch box, change to Device 2
- Turn on the 360
Total: 4 remotes (around encase I had to change something specific), 11 button pushes (had to hit TV, then Power, then Switch on my learning remote, and repeat for each device), and 2 pauses (while different units boot) - I had a learning remote (Marantz came with one) so it was all done with one remote, unless I needed to do specific things.
Now I click Activites, XBox 360 and put the remote on the table. Wait 10 seconds and everything is ready to go (well the 360 is still booting by that time). Nice thing is that I didn't have to learn anything on the Harmony remote, as the database had all the information and button presets already done. Although there is one change I had to make on a video selection for my TV (wrong code set for SVideo 2). No holding one remote to the other, and trying to remember afterwards what I programmed that Tune Up button to do on my 360 when watching DVDs. But still can do that process, label the buttons on the remote to match, encase the database is missing your system's settings, or your device completely.
So yeah, like you Thorin and Lazy I will never go back!
My turn to revive and ancient topic!
I just got a Harmony 650! Its nice, but it is such a pain in the ass to set up. But maybe thats because I have the following devices that all need to be setup properly to switch between modes:
1. Pioneer Receiver
2. HDMI Switch
3. HD Cable Box
4. HTPC
Yeah. Fun times. For both modes, the first two always have to be switched, while the latter two are for TV and Video respectively.
I may add this bluray player I got at some point, but its not even plugged in, and I don't have a spare hdmi cable atm.
Sadly my "TV" doesn't have a remote. Its actually just a 21" LCD monitor. I'll end up doing something about that in the near-ish future. But as long as its on, it auto detects signal from the hdmi switch, so I generally only have to get up once to turn it on (or move it between my desk and "media centre").
But yeah. I'm hoping its able to handle this all properly ;D
Harmony Remotes are a bit of a pain to initially setup... but once complete you never have to re-set it up again because someone pushed the learn button or some combination that reset the thing... or batteries died and lost all programming. The Harmony Remotes are good that way... and the Help button is a beautiful thing if you have a lady friend that doesn't understand electronics or your setup.
I have been looking at the 650 at Costco every time I have been there lately. It keeps tempting me.
I loved my previous harmony remote but broke the volume rocker on it.
Quote from: Lazybones on July 17, 2012, 03:34:40 PM
I have been looking at the 650 at Costco every time I have been there lately. It keeps tempting me.
I loved my previous harmony remote but broke the volume rocker on it.
NCIX has some refurbs (http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72749&promoid=1207) on for $39.99. Tis where I got mine. I'm a bit warry of refurbs after getting a rather broken Refurbished Lenovo Tablet from NCIX, but I figured why the heck not. its $40! Mine also arrived in rather good condition (on the outside at least). I don't see any scratches or nicks or anything.
Quote from: Tom on July 17, 2012, 03:54:18 PM
Quote from: Lazybones on July 17, 2012, 03:34:40 PM
I have been looking at the 650 at Costco every time I have been there lately. It keeps tempting me.
I loved my previous harmony remote but broke the volume rocker on it.
NCIX has some refurbs (http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72749&promoid=1207) on for $39.99. Tis where I got mine. I'm a bit warry of refurbs after getting a rather broken Refurbished Lenovo Tablet from NCIX, but I figured why the heck not. its $40! Mine also arrived in rather good condition (on the outside at least). I don't see any scratches or nicks or anything.
Thanks for the heads up, I thought the $69 price at Costco was good, but I have NCIX stores locally here, I might just walk in ad get two!
You know what's extra annoying? Both my HTPC and HDMI switch are programmable. They don't have a default set of remote mappings. And it seems that the harmony software doesn't much like dealing with that situation. I may have to manually put in hex codes into the web site...
Wow their site has gotten slow in the past hour or so.
And now that its fast again, its down for maintenance ::) wtf logitech.
This is why websites are incredibly stupid ways to configure physical devices or local software. Just No. I'm looking at you Logitech and Adobe. I think I'd prefer running the software via wine or in a vm than this ::)
On the flip side they can almost instantly support new devices and classes of device without needin to redeploy a client.
If you have a name brand device it is dead simple to set up. And if you have the original remote it is super easy to clone.
There site was also unreliable the last time I used it so I totally agree with you on that point however.
So here's some fun...
Using the wizard in any shape or form creates a broken (full automatic), or semi broken (advanced) set up for watching TV. Letting the wizard do everything leaves my hd cable box out of the mix, and assumes my htpc is doing everything. Using the advanced setup (of the wizard) leads to a similar problem, but it lets me add the cable box to the config, but it won't let me remove the htpc for some unknown reason.
Using the full manual advanced setup, and choosing a utility activity lets me setup my activies 100% correctly, except they don't get assigned to the "hardware" activity buttons on the remote, and there seems to be no way to assign anything to them manually.
Frustrating to say the least.
It mostly works, but it could be better >:(
This is the problem with most universal remotes I find though, they're super-easy for happy path stuff (common brands / makes / contemporary models), it's when you introduce something a little different into the mix that things start to get stupid.
I've owned two universal remotes in my life (not Harmony though) and had lots of hassle trying to get everything to click, so for now I'm stuck with 4 remotes on my coffee table, not so much of a hassle for me but for everyone else who tries to use my setup I guess... not that that's been a problem lately LOL
Not to shoot it down but you do own one of the cheaper models of the remote. I have a 550 and a Harmony One, and I can tell you the features available and assignable on the Harmony One vastly outshine that of the 550. So you may be limited by the model you are using Tom. There has to be reasons to buy the more expensive versions after all :P
Quote from: Melbosa on July 18, 2012, 12:11:20 PM
Not to shoot it down but you do own one of the cheaper models of the remote. I have a 550 and a Harmony One, and I can tell you the features available and assignable on the Harmony One vastly outshine that of the 550. So you may be limited by the model you are using Tom. There has to be reasons to buy the more expensive versions after all :P
The 650 is rather capable. Its just the online software that is a pile of garbage. It can assign activities to the built in activity buttons, but only if you use its retarded wizard apparently, or I missed some crucial option buried deep in some random link some place. The places they put things on the app just doesn't make a lot of sense half the time.
It is able to control all my stuff just fine, but its a tad annoying having to press the "other activities" button to get to the activity I most use. And the reason I have to do that, is it won't respect the sort order option on the web interface. But other than that, its fine.
I bought the 650 for my mom and for her simple setup it worked great. I had to put Watch VCR under the Other Activities button, though. And I think I re-programmed one of her standard activities buttons with the steps in this link: http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11888. Although that might only list the "wizard" activities; but then you could customize one of the "wizard" activities if you wanted?
Yes, their configuration software sucks ass, especially the completely-web-based version. See if you can find the old software (looks like the one on the left here: http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/447/7571), and if not I'll look for it.
For more complex setups, I agree with Mel, get the expensive remote as it's got way more options (Harmony One now? Used to be the 880, I think). I had the 550 at first, $120, someone sat on it and broke the screen, then got an 880, $140 I think, and it's still running now even though I've changed TVs and added an Xbox and completely re-jiggered my connections what with HDMI available and all that...
Quote from: Thorin on July 21, 2012, 11:08:38 PM
I bought the 650 for my mom and for her simple setup it worked great. I had to put Watch VCR under the Other Activities button, though. And I think I re-programmed one of her standard activities buttons with the steps in this link: http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11888. Although that might only list the "wizard" activities; but then you could customize one of the "wizard" activities if you wanted?
Nope. Even the manual setup makes you go through a wizard. I haven't tried every single option all the way through that wizard, but if I select "Watch Television" from the manual setup option, then "Watch TV ( Digital cable, Basic cable, Antenna)", it still adds my HTPC to the list of devices it thinks it needs to use. Even though there's a "Watch TV ( Media Center PC)" option lower down.
Quote from: Thorin on July 21, 2012, 11:08:38 PM
Yes, their configuration software sucks ass, especially the completely-web-based version. See if you can find the old software (looks like the one on the left here: http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/447/7571), and if not I'll look for it.
I just downloaded that, and it seems to be nearly the exact same as the web based one I was using directly on linux, except what I was using was fugly. I think what happened was I was accessing it directly through a browser rather than through their app which probably styles it. This windows wrapper for the web software does seem to have the option to customize the activity buttons. For the life of me I couldn't find it when accessing the website directly.
Ah looking about, it seems they have /three/ separate web based apps. The two on the link you posted, and this one (http://members.harmonyremote.com/EasyZapper/New/Main.asp). The latter is the one I was using, and its a pile of horse hockey. But it does support being used on linux, that site basically just sends down some EZHex files that you tell to load up with an app called Congruity (which uses an OSS lib called Concordance. anyone else sensing a theme here?).
But yeah, the older windows web based thing looks good so far. haven't had any problems. It's a bit annoying having to wait the whole 30s or so it takes the VM to boot up, but what can you do ;)
Quote from: Thorin on July 21, 2012, 11:08:38 PM
For more complex setups, I agree with Mel, get the expensive remote as it's got way more options (Harmony One now? Used to be the 880, I think). I had the 550 at first, $120, someone sat on it and broke the screen, then got an 880, $140 I think, and it's still running now even though I've changed TVs and added an Xbox and completely re-jiggered my connections what with HDMI available and all that...
This is a $100 remote normally. I wouldn't call it "low end".
I really don't think the remote itself is the problem here. Just their setup software tries to be clever, and fails oddly.
Blah. I could rant on and on and on about it. Maybe later ;D
Well, in the land of Harmony Remotes (and rainbows and lollipops), the 4100 remote is the cheap / low-end one :P The $350-$500 remotes are the high-end ones. Anyway, I suffered the same rage as you when I was trying to initially configure my remote, and what made it worse was running the old software on a Celeron-based laptop with 1GB of RAM over a wireless B connection... Like, HOLY MOLASSES-IN-JANUARY slow. There were times I got up and made a sandwich waiting for the next screen to load.
However, now it's done and it works awesome and the kids and wife and mother have no problems figuring it out and it takes one minute to explain to visitors new to our house.
I dunno, this (http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/remotes/universal-remotes/6622) looks like the low end Harmony remote ;)
So far the 650 is working quite well, now that I've got the activity keys mapped properly, I'm not so annoyed with it. Hated (first world problem?) having to press an extra couple keys to get to the "Watch Video" activity.
Ok, the only issue remaining really is the delay on button presses. I'm pretty darn sure I was able to get it to send commands to my htpc with almost no delay. I just have to figure out how to do that again. As it is, it lags behind by a couple presses if I try to use this remote like my old MCE remote.
Oh, and it seems this "new" software doesn't even have the option of sorting the activities. Kinda sucks, but what can you do. I'm happy with just being able to assign things to the main buttons.
You got the activity keys mapped correctly? Yay! Was it one of my links that helped?
To alter delays you can either change it for the device as a whole, or _I think_ for the device for that activity.
I've learned to push the button for the activity I want and put the remote on the armrest of the couch as I get comfortable. It can take 4 to 6 seconds for everything to switch on. Kids walking in front of the remote messes that up a little and makes it take longer as I press Help for the remote to fix the problem.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 01:49:09 AM
You got the activity keys mapped correctly? Yay! Was it one of my links that helped?
Yeah, its the "old" interface on the left of that page you linked to that had a way to actually map those buttons to any activity.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 01:49:09 AM
To alter delays you can either change it for the device as a whole, or _I think_ for the device for that activity.
Yeah, I played with the device delays. At 0 or at 100ms, it still seems to not go fast enough when pressing the navigation buttons for my xbmc set up.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 01:49:09 AM
I've learned to push the button for the activity I want and put the remote on the armrest of the couch as I get comfortable. It can take 4 to 6 seconds for everything to switch on. Kids walking in front of the remote messes that up a little and makes it take longer as I press Help for the remote to fix the problem.
Yeah, thats something I'll just have to live with. Not something too annoying, my two main activities (watch video, watch tv) switch in a few seconds. But then I don't even have my cable box hooked up, so it's not something I'll be switching to very often. ;D I just haven't bothered to put the splitter back in behind the tv...
Well all the people on here who bought one did so because of others in the house who now would not have to ask how to turn on the TV / stereo / DVD player / etc anymore.
In fact, my remote controls the upstairs TV but not the downstairs one; the downstairs one keeps getting out of sync with the cable box and the VHS/DVD combo I have down there, and I'm now thinking of programming my remote to also control the downstairs stuff so that people can fix it without waking me from my slumber.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 10:22:49 AM
Well all the people on here who bought one did so because of others in the house who now would not have to ask how to turn on the TV / stereo / DVD player / etc anymore.
In fact, my remote controls the upstairs TV but not the downstairs one; the downstairs one keeps getting out of sync with the cable box and the VHS/DVD combo I have down there, and I'm now thinking of programming my remote to also control the downstairs stuff so that people can fix it without waking me from my slumber.
Heh. I mainly got the remote to replace my old MCE remote and Receiver remote combo. I tried to get my MCE blaster to control the receiver, but it uses a variation of the RC6 protocol which either the blaster doesn't know how to deal with, or the lirc driver doesn't know how to deal with. It can receive the commands just fine, but sending them is another story.
So now I have the volume and such mapped to the receiver, and the rest mapped to the htpc. If only I had a way to power ON my htpc via IR. I'd need to buy or build some kind of little IR receiver device that's always on, which then connects to the system's power button. Same goes for my TV (Actually a 24" monitor). I've been thinking about it. I'll probably not bother with moding my monitor now that I have money for a new TV. I will probably get a little IR device for my htpc though.
Can you leave the HTPC on all the time? Does it need to be turned off? If there's no monitor connected and it spins down the drives when not in use, it'd be pretty light on power usage when you're not viewing video...
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 11:26:04 AM
Can you leave the HTPC on all the time? Does it need to be turned off? If there's no monitor connected and it spins down the drives when not in use, it'd be pretty light on power usage when you're not viewing video...
I can leave it on all the time, but it generates heat, and uses more power than you'd expect. At least when I was on Epcor for power, and they pretty much charged me for double the kWh than I used, it made a $5-10 difference in my power bill every month. Now that I'm with direct energy, I use like half the power apparently, so leaving it on all the time wouldn't really affect my power bill, also I can afford that now. But I'd prefer to use as little as possible, and the extra heat that it and my desktop generate makes a big difference on a hot day. It keeps it warmer at night, meaning it gets even warmer during the day. (I leave window fans on all night, to bring in as much cool air as possible, which keeps it much cooler during most days, though if its a warm night, that doesn't help :( ).
And yes, when I switched to direct energy, my actual rated kWh was pretty much halved. Not just the total in $, but the actual kWh rating. I was surprised. I went from 700kWh down to 400kWh or so after the switch, and I started using /more power/. so it really doesn't make a lot of sense, except that epcor is a lying thieving organization.
That's weird that the actual power consumption went down, as the meter is supposed to be certified accurate no matter who the provider is. Did you ever go check your meter to see if it was close to what the bill said?
Also, if you're cooling with window fans at night you should consider a portable AC unit. The in-window ones are a little cheaper, but the one on wheels with an exhaust hose that goes out the window is better because you can move it from room to room. We have an in-window one that we turn on 10 to 20 days of the year and it's totally worth the hit on the electric bill when it's +34C out.
Anyway, on-topic - did the old MCE remote turn the HTPC on and off? If so, you could try teaching the Harmony 650 the code to send to do so.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 05:04:46 PM
That's weird that the actual power consumption went down, as the meter is supposed to be certified accurate no matter who the provider is. Did you ever go check your meter to see if it was close to what the bill said?
I didn't know it was an issue before I switched. Also I have no idea where my meter is. I think they are grouped in some location that I don't know about.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 05:04:46 PM
Also, if you're cooling with window fans at night you should consider a portable AC unit. The in-window ones are a little cheaper, but the one on wheels with an exhaust hose that goes out the window is better because you can move it from room to room. We have an in-window one that we turn on 10 to 20 days of the year and it's totally worth the hit on the electric bill when it's +34C out.
I was going to, but edmonton is pretty much out of good AC units. The main area squarefootage is way too large for a normal in window unit (5000 btus, usually good for 200sqf or so). I had one for a while, but it pretty much just stayed on all the time, and those things weren't meant to run for hours on end. It eventually failed. (stupid roommate decided to put it in the kitchen window, and basically just sit there day after day ::))
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 05:04:46 PM
Anyway, on-topic - did the old MCE remote turn the HTPC on and off? If so, you could try teaching the Harmony 650 the code to send to do so.
It could only turn the HTPC off. As I'd need to hook something up to the power pins to get it to turn back on again. (or some usb powered IR receiver that somehow tells the computer to turn on...) And it knows the power button already, I just haven't told LIRC how to turn the machine off this time ;D (I need to add a command in the config to run, or tell XBMC to shut down on power toggle, though it might just ask what to do rather than shut off...)
I've got an 1,172 square foot home and I have an 8,000 BTU in-window AC. I turn it on and use fans to move the air around the house. It does not cool the house to the +20C that the AC unit is turned to, more like +22C to +25C depending on where in the house you are. However, that is a crapload better than +32C or higher in the house.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 05:50:02 PM
I've got an 1,172 square foot home and I have an 8,000 BTU in-window AC. I turn it on and use fans to move the air around the house. It does not cool the house to the +20C that the AC unit is turned to, more like +22C to +25C depending on where in the house you are. However, that is a crapload better than +32C or higher in the house.
My problem was that it stayed on too long, then the AC unit started failing, and /tripled/ my power use. The power bill for a couple months that one summer was astronomical for a couple guys. Several hundred dollars, just in power. And that was several years ago when power was consistently at 8c/kWh or less.
For the most part, my system works. it sometimes does get quite warm in here, but its better than the outside temperature.
I will be getting an AC, but it won't be till I can find a decently sized one, that isn't like $800 or more (at that point I might as well get a full HVAC system when I get around to replacing my furnace).
The smaller your normal power use, the more noticeable an AC unit is. Only during the hottest days do I run one in the master bedroom, and thus only at night when it is easier for it to maintain the temp so I can sleep.
I priced out central AC to be added to our furnace; $9,000 rounded off, plus tax. That included a properly-sized condenser outside the home, cleaning of the internal ducts, upgrading all the vents due to new rules, and hmm... Maybe it did include a new furnace as well.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 09:16:32 PM
I priced out central AC to be added to our furnace; $9,000 rounded off, plus tax. That included a properly-sized condenser outside the home, cleaning of the internal ducts, upgrading all the vents due to new rules, and hmm... Maybe it did include a new furnace as well.
Sounds about right for JUST the AC unit installed... I priced it out for my townhouse in Edmonton once as well.
Yeah, I remember thinking at the time I'd rather spend that on a year of sports or a newer car. It might've been an even $13k with the furnace (extended warranty, high-efficiency, yadda yadda).
I had a new furnace priced out, $2400-2600, and an AC probably just doubles that. Of course I only have one floor, with a total of 700sq minus walls. The exterior dimensions are 50x14, not including interior walls and objects. So really theres less space on the inside. It's like the anti-tardis.
I probably will just go for one of those stand up units. We'll see.
That's just the furnace though, right? I mean, my quoted price was full installation - a good thing as I don't know enough about venting requirements and code as well as I don't know enough about how to properly punch a hole through a concrete wall without letting all kinds of creepy crawlers get in through it.
Quote from: Thorin on July 22, 2012, 11:47:13 PM
That's just the furnace though, right? I mean, my quoted price was full installation - a good thing as I don't know enough about venting requirements and code as well as I don't know enough about how to properly punch a hole through a concrete wall without letting all kinds of creepy crawlers get in through it.
Nope. It was installation included. I've had it quoted a couple times. $2400-2600 for a new furnace, installed.
Managed to pickup two of the 650 refurbished units at NCIX at the special price (had gone up).
Also found this Tom
Concordance and open source harmony remote configuration tool... Not sure if it is any good but might check it out if I can't get these going the normal way.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/concordance/
Quote from: Lazybones on July 28, 2012, 06:50:52 PM
Managed to pickup two of the 650 refurbished units at NCIX at the special price (had gone up).
Also found this Tom
Concordance and open source harmony remote configuration tool... Not sure if it is any good but might check it out if I can't get these going the normal way.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/concordance/
Yeah, I initially went that route (and mentioned it earlier), but the site that it works with is a tad slow and doesn't support setting the dedicated activity buttons. Also chrome doesn't support launching an app for a downloaded file so you get to launch the program manually after. Sure using Firefox fixes that one annoyance, but I normally use chrome.
So far I've found the older windows software much better than the 'easyzapper' site we're talking about.
Quote from: Tom on July 28, 2012, 09:37:23 PM
So far I've found the older windows software much better than the 'easyzapper' site we're talking about.
I second that - the older software is slow as molasses too, but it's easier to put in custom things.
Quote from: Thorin on July 28, 2012, 10:04:50 PM
Quote from: Tom on July 28, 2012, 09:37:23 PM
So far I've found the older windows software much better than the 'easyzapper' site we're talking about.
I second that - the older software is slow as molasses too, but it's easier to put in custom things.
I'm not sure but I don't think the easy zapper site is the same one as the second software that page you linked to in this thread. Its like they have three separate web based interfaces for their remotes. Also I actually having had serious performance issues with the 7.7 software. Its not great, but I didn't find myself waiting minutes for a request, or hours for the site to start responding again after it starts acting up.
There are 3 ways to program the remotes with Logitec software.
1. Old standalone
2. Old website
3. new website
concordance the open source one appears to have at least two UI projects... both have not been updated in a long time.
So I've figured out why NCIX had so many of these cheap refurb harmonys. They suck. Thats why.
So it likes to send the signal to switch inputs on my hdmi switch when I'm pressing other buttons, like the volume buttons. Kindof annoying. Then I just noticed its been rebooting itself fairly often now. Just happened twice in like an hour. it resets back to the home screen so I have to get it back into video mode without my media box showing the video menu (as I told it to do...). Ugh.
At least it was cheap.
The two referbs I am using seem to still be working, however I agree that the setup system sucks and clearly has been dumbed down vs even the old system.
I just realized, it /may/ be a power issue. I'll try replacing the batteries.
lol
"Have you tried turning it off and on again?" "Well, are you sure it's plugged in?"
I haven't had those kinds of problems with my older Harmony; it seems lately the receiver doesn't get turned on 1 out of 3 times, but that could be stuff in the way or dirt on the receiver or something. I just push Help and everything fixes itself.
Quote from: Thorin on September 07, 2012, 02:18:51 PM
lol
"Have you tried turning it off and on again?" "Well, are you sure it's plugged in?"
I haven't had those kinds of problems with my older Harmony; it seems lately the receiver doesn't get turned on 1 out of 3 times, but that could be stuff in the way or dirt on the receiver or something. I just push Help and everything fixes itself.
Heh. well it turns itself off and back on. If its just a low power issue, thats fine. Can't really expect a cheap device to work all that well under low power conditions. I've had worse problems with a cheap wireless mouse and an MCE remote when the batteries were low.
If it keeps happening, I'll just go get a better remote. No big loss (It would have been before the job... $40 was like a few days of food).
My Harmony One is solid. Wouldn't trade it in for any other model.
Quote from: Melbosa on September 07, 2012, 02:29:52 PM
My Harmony One is solid. Wouldn't trade it in for any other model.
Holy crap that's expensive.
Yep, was a Birthday gift from a bunch of people... but was worth every penny!
Man my harmony remote is kicking the bucket. For a while it'd reboot once in a while... Today its done it several times. In the past hour no less. I think I got myself a lemon :( I have the worst luck with hardware I swear.
I'm going to have to take a look at the stuff Lazy posted in his universal remotes thread.
Or maybe buy one of the expensive ones instead of a refurbished cheap model...
I had a 550 and now an 880. The only reason I got the 880 was because kids had sat on the 550 enough times to crack the screen. After some yelling and complaining about not being able to have anything nice, I bought the 880 and told to never sit on the damn thing. Never had problems with either one sending the wrong signals, though (that problem I reported in an earlier post was actually just Playmobil in the way of the sensor on the receiver). But yeah, they were both pretty expensive as compared to all-in-one universal remotes.
The programming software is enough of a PITA that the only reason I went Harmony again was the referb price .
If I had to pay full price I would check out one of the alternatives for sure.
This thing as been sending random signals too. Its really just a lemon. I'm not saying all of these remotes are bad, just this one. But I can say the software is a pos and I really don't want to have to deal with it again. I've put off programming my TV into it because its so annoying.