mroll: are you saying it will learn the codes, but then gives you an error message?

It's the new feature they just implemented. Previously, you digitized a code and it was sent to Harmony and decoded. If it couldn't be decoded, you got an error message and the choice of trying again or not. This was happening a lot with my devices. Now you have the added choice of keeping the raw code data in your configuration, rather than a specific manufacturer's code.

I feel foolish asking... but what is the Harmony Web Site Address? I can't seem to find it searching on Harmony, EasyZapper, etc.

Thanks

Try this link:
[Link: easyzapper.com]

Hmmm... Works from Work now. I know I tried www.eazyzapper.com last evening from home, and could not find it. Oh well... thanks.

Ron, Check your spelling....eaSyzapper.com NOT eaZyzapper.com

This message was edited by alfabetsoop on 10/08/01 15:05.41.

Hello All,

It has come to my attention that some Harmony Beta Test Program participants are surprised when they are sent a Beta Test Program Agreement by Easy Zapper Inc. It is not our intention for this to be seen as an 'underhanded' tactic that 'takes advantage' of the remote control community.

The Beta Test Program Agreement is a mandatory part of enrolling in the Harmony Beta Test Program. The agreement includes a confidentiality clause that is designed to protect the intellectual property of Easy Zapper Inc. The agreement also ensures that Easy Zapper Inc will keep your personal information confidential.

If you apply to join the Beta Program, we will not bill your credit card (nor ship your unit) until we have received the signed agreement. If you choose not to sign the agreement we will cancel your order, and invite you to purchase a unit on November 1 for CAD $300.

I wholeheartedly apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this has caused.

Glen Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Easy Zapper Inc.
GlenHarris@EasyZapper.com

I emailed EasyZapper, but haven't had a reply yet.

This device intrigues me, but how does it handle rarely used items that I want to access such as Re-EQ, or surround mode switching? I probably have 20 rarely used buttons I would hate to give up.

-=Bob=-

While the Hardware side of the Harmony is pretty well firmed up, the software side is relying to a great extent on the feedback from Beta users. At this time, I know EasyZapper is working on some unique tools to allows us to operate the type of commands to which you are referring. I'm told it won't be too long, either.

I would say, in fact, that I wouldn't really want a remote that can't handle everything my originals can. -HH-

Well, I have been in touch with them by email and it seems that it will do everything I require and desire. I'm going to give it a try. Will let you all know how it goes.

I just emailed Easy Zapper and was told that they are still accepting beta testers. I am seriously considering applying but am concerned about the long term. Having gone through the experience of a company abandoning a product with my Madrigal IRIQ, I am concerned that, if the product is not a success, it will become obsolete if the company no longer supports it (i.e. web site goes down, no more TV listings, etc.)? Also, I don't fully understand how you can access favorite TV stations directly. Without hard numbers 0-9, you can't access a station directly and, if the controller can not be updated with TV shows via the internet, it seems like the remote would be useless? Can anyone who is currently testing the product further explain?

I'm courious about the Harmony also, and will be following everyone's insights with great interest.
My main concern is with the TV guide type of info that will be needed every couple of weeks. I don't beleive this information is provided free to companies to use and so I suspect some type of recurring charge will be forthcoming such as what we have to pay for Tivo etc.
Any thoughts on this? -Ken

I will begin by saying that I don't have a Harmony remote (I am happy with the remote I have)

mdkrebs: I would assume the remote sends out the channel #, but on the screen you see the shows name. As long as the channels do not change, you should be able to use the old guide, so even if the site goes down you might still be OK for some time.

Ken: On Tivo, (or is it replay), you can have a one time charge. That charge might be incorporated in the remote. But I am sure there are a lot of free sites with the info (where do the local news papers get the info)

I wrote to the company the same questions I posted here and this was their response:

There are a number of ways of selecting television channels. I will use my Harmony as an example:

All Channels: This contains a list of 'all' channels I can receive. In actual fact, I don't speak French, so I have chosen to remove the French channels from this list.

All Shows: The shows currently playing on 'all' channels.

Favorite Channels: Just my favorite channels (CNN, Discovery, TLC etc)

Favorite Shows: The shows currently playing on my
favorite channels

Direct entry: I can also enter a channel number using a graphical channel entry screen (for example, '2', '3', 'Done')

Note that the listing above is just what we are supporting *now*, we have lots more cool things to come...

In regards to the other part of my question (long term support), here is the response

Just for the record, I do have to say that we have *no*
intention of going out of business, nor of dropping support for the Harmony :-). However, your question is a valid one. For the sake of argument, lets assume that prior to going out of business, Easy Zapper Inc either released a standalone version of the web site, or took some other steps to ensure that users were able to continue using their Harmonys. You could still browse through your favorite channels, etc,
etc. The only thing you would be missing was the television show listings.

These explanations sounded reasonable to me so I applied to become a Beta tester. Will see how it goes.

All: Regarding the TV Guide channels: EasyZapper mentioned in their note to mdkrebs that there are several ways to select channels. What you see in the various "Guide" modes (All, Favorites, etc.) on the LCD screen is a scrollable list of either: Channel numbers and Channel names; or Program titles just like on a satellite guide or Guide Plus. And you can scroll up/down for listings, and left/right to select different hourly listings.

Direct entry looks like a keypad setup on the LCD screen:

1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
- 0
... Mike

This message was edited by Mike Riley on 10/12/01 08:59.17.