I have been trying for years to program my remote so that my family can use it without help. The biggest problem I have occurs with the power status of the various components get out of sync. I can work with it, but my family cannot. Is there any way to prevent or simplify this matter especially when programming macros? I have found specific power on or power off commands for certain components, but not all. I have a Philips Pronto and just a simple Sony programmable remote. My wife and kids always push the right Macro button but then do not aim it at the components long enough for it to go through the entire command.

I hope this makes sense. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

What kind of equipment do you have? Hopefully they have discreet power codes available. That is the easiest way. There are some sucsesful 'workarounds' for some pieces.

I have found the discrete codes for certain products like my Mitsubishi TV. Maybe I should just find more for my Panasonic DVD and Denon receiver and CD player. I bought a Harmondy remote thinking it would solve my problems, but it kept turning components on and off at the wrong times. I'll look more into the discrete codes thing. Thanks.

I would recommend getting a "One For All" remote for the family to use, and keep the Pronto for yourself. If you program the OFA remote using JP1, you can program fast macros, which might just be fast enough for your family. You can also use a tool called "ToadTog" to simulate discrete codes for the devices that don't have them.

With a little thought and careful programming, you should be able to make the remote somewhat family-proof! :)

I assume you have searched the files area of this website for the discrete codes. Most likely, you will find them for your pronto.

In the unlikely event that you are unable to find a discrete code for a dvd player, the following works on players which turn on with a play button.

1. use play button and then a stop (if you wish to use stop) to turn the dvd on.
2. use a play, delay and power to turn it off. Play will ensure that it turns on first before turning it off.

The Harmony saves 'state' data and expects to know whether each component is on or off. If you turned-off any components without pressing the Harmony 'off' button, it will get out of sync. Same if any device failed to receive an on/off signal, and you didn't use 'Help' to resolve it.

The cheap solution: use ONLY the Harmony, use it's Help button, and avoid using buttons on the equipment or other remotes.

If you're still having trouble contact Logitech/Harmony via email. They resolved problems for my devices that I couldn't fix myself, posted the results to my online profile, and told me when it was ready to download/reprogram my remote.