I just stumbled upon this thread, unfortunately 2 days after ordering my MX500. I'm tempted to keep the MX500 and try to get a Harmony as well. My system seems to be a good test for this remote, containing two TOAD Toshiba's (32" Cinema TV and a W708 VCR), and a Philips TiVo, with which I haven't seen anything positive relating to the Harmony yet. Can anyone give any comments regarding the TiVo with the Harmony? Anyone gotten it working decent yet? Can you set up an "Archive TiVo to VHS" activity? Seems like an activity like that requires a lot of buttons, how many buttons can display on the screen? Also, and this would be a HUGE plus for the Harmony, I have an old Sony 200 CD Changer (one of the originals); anyone know if it can scroll CD Titles on the LCD? Other questions concerning the physical nature of the remote. It looks small on the web page, but it sounds like about 6 lines on the LCD and it being a touchscreen. Can you accurately touch a screen the size of a cell phone display broken into 6 lines? I'm not trying to bash the Harmony. It's a fantastic idea and looks/sounds like it's being well executed, I'm just unclear on a few points of its operation (as I assume many are.) Thanks from a newbie.

Randy

Sorry to post twice, but I had a DOH moment. I went back to the page and saw the pic (in the banner up top) of the remote in hand, for physical size reference. Also realized that the scroll wheel/select buttons are used, and not a touchscreen arrangement.

Also, in response to an earlier question, if you click the return policy on the buy page, it states there is a 15 day money back policy.

Randy

Randy: all good questions, which I don't have the answer to, unfortunately. But I'd bet my Bippy that they are working on exactly what you're looking for, especially in the area of CD jukeboxes, since the Harmony is already capable of displaying all channel titles and daily programming on a by-the-half-hour basis.

They have been bombared with TiVO and Replay questions, I'm sure. The Robman around here should have his Harmony by now, and he is a keen user of TiVO, so he might have some info.

As you've read, the Beta Team is quick to respond, so I would just go the website and contact them. www.easyzapper.com. ... Mike

I'm awaiting feedback on my DirecTIVO, as well. To date, they've been very helpful and quite quick to respond. I was told that they will email me directly when they have the language definitions for my DirecTIVO, Denon Receiver, and Pioneer CD jukebox. If they come through, I couldn't ask for much more!

Does this remote work with the dish 501 PVR ?? also need to know if it works with a denon avr 5400

Just wanted to post my findings from the Beta Team. He wasn't much help with the CD Jukebox question, but he said they just released a new code set for the TiVo, so they may be on their way to resolving that issue. I'm personally not going to get a Harmony. My use habits are somewhat strange (I'll listen to a CD while flipping channels) and in general I think I need individual control over my components. I'm the only person using my system, so I don't mind a bit more complicated system if it means I'll be able to fully control everything from one remote. If I had a family I'd probably be all over a Harmony, and I might end up with one in the future, but for now I'll stick with the MX-500 (which will be here today!!)

Randy

tmanbt: As of this writing, I haven't heard of any Device that cannot be controlled by the Harmony. Even it if is not in the EasyZapper database (which is still under construction) you can quickly teach it the language of your original remotes.

rasmith: The Harmony does control all your components individually. As of the last software update, I now have control over the individual commands for my receiver (including open/close of the trap door) and a variety of items on my DVD, etc. I just haven't had a chance to use 'em much yet. Further, as EasyZapper will happily point out, much more is on the way in terms of control. I'm just hoping that it will all be a little more intuitive than it is right now... ... Mike

Mike et. al,

Could you folks list the components that successfuly made it through Language Detection? None of my components were in their database, and half were recognized.

Denon 3300 Receiver--Not able to detect language
Pioneer PD-F1039 CD Jukebox--Not able to detect language
Philips DSR6000 DirecTIVO--Not able to detect language
Panasonic PV-7664 VCR--Language detetced
Panasonic 32FS34 TV--Language detetced
Panasonic DVDA120U DVD--Language detetced

BTW, the ability to change the xml is great.

Tom

Mike,
Just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was bad mouthing the Harmony. I think it's a great idea and I'm sure it will be successful. I'm just saying at this point I don't think it's the ideal for me. Maybe I'm stuck in the old paradigm, but I can definitely see the value of the Harmony and easily see myself having one in the future. I'm still tossing around the idea of getting one now at the savings and giving it to my parents for Christmas.

Randy

My MX-500 arrived an hour ago! I tested the firmware and I'm all set. Can't wait to go home and play!

Alfa, please explain 'language detection' and 'changing the xml'? Thanx!

Larry

bad post. removed.

This message was edited by Harmony Honey on 10/18/01 12:42.19.

Randy. 's cool. In fact, you can badmouth it all you like if you want to... I'm just a tester. :-)

Heck, I still grab my Onkyo when I'm in a hurry to do something right... but of course my Harmony is in constant state of flux these days.

Larry: in Alfa's absence: "language detection" refers to the ability of the Harmony Tutor software to recognize and digitize the command strings from the OEM remote. Since there aren't too many Devices in the database yet, most of us are teaching the software what components we have in the same way a Learning remote is taught.

The Harmony uses XML to store its records and activity information. And the software allows you to directly access the code for each Device and activity, so you can, for example, tweak the channel numbers, change time delays, rename stuff, etc. ... Mike

Randy,

Mike's got it. Language detection allows the Harmony to "understand" the functions of (almost all) the buttons on the OEM remote without having to be taught button by button. You simply flash the Harmony with the Power button for example. Harmony sees that "signature" of the power button, and knows the signatures of the other buttons (FF, REW etc.) automatically.

As Mike said, xml is the coding language, if you will, of some of the display type items. For instance, when I download the channel names and numbers, my Fox station is WFXT, and this is what will appear on the Guide. I can simply change the xml code so that FOX 25 is what appears in the Guide.

Mike, any feedback you'd like to post about your components specifically?

Tom

This message was edited by alfabetsoop on 10/18/01 13:22.48.

Not always, unfortunately. I've had to learn a number of individual commands for my Marantz receiver and Philips Tivo. In fairness, I have two Tivos so while the command set they have for one works fine, I've had to learn the other. Also, I've had a number of problems with the learning process, specifically in getting three successive good reads.

I put the remote aside for awhile waiting for the North American TV listings, but now that they're here I'll be able to give you all more input re: multiple Tivos and TV sources. For those interested, I have CATV into a SA Philips Tivo, a Philips DirecTv with Tivo and a Hughes HD DirecTv unit all feeding a Mits 55807.

mroll, I agree with you 100% Above is how it's supposed to work. If you look further above, you'll see that I'mm batting .500 with respect to components. I've not had any luck with my Philips DirecTIVO either. I've not taken the time to digitize any individual buttons on any of my components.