I talked a CSR into sending me a 21.0 remote for free, and I couldn't possibly be happier with a Harmony.
+ Setup was mindless. I flipped the remote to IR mode, inserted the key with "1" facing up, got "System Info" from the front panel on the DVR, pressed "Record" on the remote, and that was IT.
+ My ViewSonic N3735w TV is supported, and now I have full control over it's menu and input selection. The built-in code (566?) does twice as much stuff as the old 5.3 remote did, but when I fleshed it out by programming in hybrid mode, the 21.0 now does things to my TV that I've never needed to do...120% functional. :up
+ The RCA DVD recorder is also supported in a limited way using code 690, but spending 3 minutes teaching it the full command set has given me almost full control. I can now switch the HDMI output mode of the DVD player, I can use the Record function, edit titles on the recordings, and even have Chapter +/- control using the Skip Fwd/Rev buttons on the remote, none of which were supported by the 5.3 remote.
- The new Search key and System Wizard key don't work with my 722. I still use # or "Themes" to search, and that's fine.
- Two-way functionality isn't supported. Though my 722's L618 menu offers me the option to do two-way, when I attempt it, the DVR reboots.
- The ergonomics are off; I love the way the 5.3 fits in my hand, and holding this is more like a slightly sculpted 2*4 wall stud. It's just too wide to have access to the DVR and Cross buttons without moving my whole hand.
- Still no way to turn on closed captioning in less than 6 key presses. I guess Charlie Ergen and his engineers will have perfect hearing forever...must be nice. Can't you guys at least do CC passthrough so that when I mute the TV it can display captioning?
= Even if you can't get one for free, this is the best $20 you will EVER spend on a remote. I've spent a LOT of Jacksons over the years trying to get one that works the way I need it to, and this is the first full success since I had a 20" cable-ready Zenith TV and an RCA VHS player.
+ Setup was mindless. I flipped the remote to IR mode, inserted the key with "1" facing up, got "System Info" from the front panel on the DVR, pressed "Record" on the remote, and that was IT.
+ My ViewSonic N3735w TV is supported, and now I have full control over it's menu and input selection. The built-in code (566?) does twice as much stuff as the old 5.3 remote did, but when I fleshed it out by programming in hybrid mode, the 21.0 now does things to my TV that I've never needed to do...120% functional. :up
+ The RCA DVD recorder is also supported in a limited way using code 690, but spending 3 minutes teaching it the full command set has given me almost full control. I can now switch the HDMI output mode of the DVD player, I can use the Record function, edit titles on the recordings, and even have Chapter +/- control using the Skip Fwd/Rev buttons on the remote, none of which were supported by the 5.3 remote.
- The new Search key and System Wizard key don't work with my 722. I still use # or "Themes" to search, and that's fine.
- Two-way functionality isn't supported. Though my 722's L618 menu offers me the option to do two-way, when I attempt it, the DVR reboots.
- The ergonomics are off; I love the way the 5.3 fits in my hand, and holding this is more like a slightly sculpted 2*4 wall stud. It's just too wide to have access to the DVR and Cross buttons without moving my whole hand.
- Still no way to turn on closed captioning in less than 6 key presses. I guess Charlie Ergen and his engineers will have perfect hearing forever...must be nice. Can't you guys at least do CC passthrough so that when I mute the TV it can display captioning?
= Even if you can't get one for free, this is the best $20 you will EVER spend on a remote. I've spent a LOT of Jacksons over the years trying to get one that works the way I need it to, and this is the first full success since I had a 20" cable-ready Zenith TV and an RCA VHS player.
