I've finally bought a Harmony. Oh joy.

Harry, honestly this appeared for me an issue a couple of years ago, the software on the device has improved muchly. Now if the tv is on and the next activity requires it the TV does not turn off.

The only issue I have with the device is the desktop software which is still silly.

Cor. Thanks. That'll keep me off the streets.

quote:

The only issue I have with the device is the desktop software which is still silly.

The only thing I really hate about my Harmony is that abysmal "docking station" used for charging it.

OK. Now this looks promising. This is exactly what my old Harmony failed to do:

"One of the Harmony’s key (and patented, and registered!) capabilities is “Smart State Technology”. SST, as it’s known for short, is essentially a system of techniques and workarounds to ensure that the remote always knows the power status and input mode for each and every device in your system – even if that device wasn’t designed with such capabilities in mind."

There's a couple of pages of explanation following on from this but the top line looks good. Great link. Thanks again.

You’re never too old to be tripped over by your own stupidity.

Based on all the positive comments here and the help, for which I am very grateful, I actually went and bought an 1100. I had lots of fun playing with all the options and over about five days had it configured pretty much just so. I note that the software is just as clunky as ever. But it remains unable to control the volume on my AV amp despite trawling the forums, contacting support and going through dozens of permutations of IR delay settings, updating firmware, manually teaching it the commands. It transpires that Logitech have been aware of this issue for some years and have never been able to resolve it. If it works with your equipment, that’s fine. If it doesn’t, well, you can’t expect miracles can you?

To cap it all the remote has now developed a “bad region” which cannot be overcome by repeatedly updating it (because the update hangs), changing cables, updating firmware, disabling firewall and antivirus.

So it’s back to the MX-8000 and in future I will try harder to repress the nerd in me from making the same mistake twice and ignoring my personal experience for the sake of a nice colour touch screen. For my own system I declare the harmony 1100 unfit for purpose. It’s back in the box and will be sent back for a refund. I have given serious consideration to striking it repeatedly with a hammer but on balance, despite the enjoyment this would bring me I’d rather have my money back.

Can any recommend a touch screen remote that actually works reliably and is not a triumph of marketing over engineering?

You can pick up one of these on that auction site,for a reasonable sum,Never had any problems with it not recognising any of my devices!

Thank you. I'm looking into this right now.

Sorry it did not work out for you harry, mines great

Sorry you've had a similar experience to mine with the Harmony Harry.

If you want the best, get one of these -

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Sorry it did not work out for you harry, mines great

Them's the breaks I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Sorry you've had a similar experience to mine with the Harmony Harry.

If you want the best, get one of these -

Thanks. can't win 'em all. I like that very much. I will ingestive further although this evening I have been wondering what I'm trying to achieve by replacing a perfectly serviceable and easy to use universal remote. Albeit a bland one. I just seem to have the gadget bug at the moment.

Thanks again.

Harry,
It's a shame Harmony didn't work for you. I've found the two I've had to be streets ahead of anything else I've seen, at less than half the price of the competition. I've also used so many bits of software over the past 35 years I think I've lost the ability to tell what's good and what's bad. I tend just to get on with it as it's not like I'm using any of it 40 hours a week. I also detest an entirely touch screen remote. I had a One-For-All touch screen model a while back and didn't like it all. It was also the wrong shape for me, and didn't last much past its guarantee period.
I like being being able to pick the remote up in the dark and use it without looking. Whatever floats your boat. I guess though that if a particular remote just doesn't support your devices it's a non starter.

I bought a Harmony 895, some 3 months back and it truly excellent. I have my AV integrated with Audio,and the macro sequences available are superb. If I decide to watch Sky one button will switch TV & Sky on, switch the TV to the correct HDMI input, Switch the 552 to AV, switch AV2 to the OP1 input, switch Nsub to the correct pre-loaded AV setting and set Sky to the show the program guide.

I have re-programmed the buttons in the Sky option to control the Naim boxes including nSub filter and also the TV, without using the device option.

What surpised me was that I did not have to use the learning function, the Harmony database includes every piece of Naim equipment even the AV2 and nSub.