Why can't I get this remote to control the satellite receiver? I have been able to get it to control everything else, just not the 508. I have tried to add it several times with no luck. Any ideas?
Harmony 520 remote & Dish 508
- Thread starter bnewt
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bnewt said:
I have two 508's associated with my old 53" XBR. When setting my Harmony remote up to operate the two 508's the Harmony site had me push a couple of different remote buttons so that it could determine what remote channel was associated with each of the 508's. I guess I'm suggesting that your Harmony and your 508 are not on the same channel.
I thought the Harmony & other universal remotes would only work with the default, first, "channel" assignment. You have yours working with channels other than the default?
navychop said:
Yes. That has not been a limitation since I got my Harmony 680 a couple of years ago. During the set-up efforts it has you "learn" a couple of already known keys. For example, it might tell you to get into "learn a command mode" and ask you to learn the button "Select" and then learn "Raise Channel" or whatever. Reading between the lineds, I assume it is trying Channels until it "sees" your key stroke. And then it has you push a different key to verify.
navychop said:
I had the strangest thing happen yesterday. On one of the two 508's if I tried to raise or lower the channel with my Harmoney, the screen would darken for an instant and the Info Band would briefly aooear at the top - but the Channel would not change. (I could push the number pads and change channels. Also, the Select Button did not work.)
Changed the Harmoney's batteries. Scoured the house for My Dish Remotes and put batteries in that and same problem.
Called Dish - she had me change the Remote Channel to another one... still a problem.
I've got the $1.99 Warrenty. Sending me a replacement - I pay the $14.85 or $14.95 Shipping.
Today it's working fine... I call Dish, and try to stop the shipping of the replacement. Too Late.
This is the first Receiver problem I have ever had... never had to Reset or Reboot. Never lose timers. I'm almost tempted to return the replacement.
Hmmm. I'd hate to be in your shoes. No clear answer. Let us know which route you take. And how much you might need to strip off the 508 before you could part with it. My 508 is lightly used, hope it holds out the next 2 or 3 years.
navychop said:
The problem returned this morning and than again corrected itself. The CSR and I kind of assumed it would be found to be a problem with the IR receiver in the 508... but as I think of it the same problem existed when RF was the mechanism being used.
I called Dish to report the problem Monday afternoon. The replacement showed up by UPS at 4:05 PM today (Wednesday.) I did the swap out and activated the replacement 508 and all is well. I included a brief note so the tech would have the symptoms spelled out - and I told him to take good care of it as it had been 100% trouble free for years!
I have had a couple of disappointing CSR encounters over the years. This was great - the initial CSR was professional and helpful. The CSR I called yesterday to report the problem had resolved itself was again helpful and polite. And the CSR that activated my replacement today was also professional and knowledgeable.
Tomorrow I'll send CEO@Echostar.com an E-mail so advising him of my experience.
Oh yeah, I was once a line type navychop on a Submarne I served on... was relieved by a real Pork Chop.
navychop said:
Pargo - Only Crew
Trepang - Only Crew
Bergall - Only Crew
Frank Cable - Only Crew
Bill Scott was the Pork Chop that relieved me on Pargo.
Edit: Also,:
Mackerel (SST-1) - Only Crew
Quillback - Only Crew
Corporal - Only Crew
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I knew a chop on the Pargo- can't remember who, though. Corporal?
Does the Harmony support all Dish STBs? How is their support for JVC & LG equipment?
On edit: Found the Corporal. You were on the REAL boats.
Does the Harmony support all Dish STBs? How is their support for JVC & LG equipment?
On edit: Found the Corporal. You were on the REAL boats.
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navychop said:
DBF!
GOTO: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/features/harmony/US/EN,CRID=2078
and take a "Test Drive. As I recall you input your specific equipments and set it up as if you already owned a Harmony Remote. I just went there and I picked the 622 to see if it was in their database and it was. I don't know about the other equipments...
Great! One million thank yous for that site.
I've wasted a lot of time on the MX-350. When I almost get it going, I must stop and when I get back to it in a couple of weeks, I have a learning curve again, even with stuff written down. It's hard/impossible to put in discrete power on/off commands, unless your original remote supports that. It appears the Harmony, at least the 880, downloads discrete on/off commands.
The Harmony test drive makes it so simple! I am almost about to buy one. But I have a problem in the test drive. I went in as a 880. It set everything up, but did not include an activity for just watching TV OTA. It won't let me go back to make the addition, or any corrections. I "assume" this is a quirk of the test drive, and the "real world" will make it possible. Do you know how to "get back in" to the test drive? I might try logging in as another new user. I'd like to be sure I can use the TV OTA tuner.
Also, I need to decide which unit to get- my favorite two online stores do not list an 880 or 885 (test drive listed 885). I have no idea of the differences (880-885), the site is mute on that. My favorite sites show only 688, 768, 659, 676, 680. There doesn't seem to be a lot of differences between the models, judging from the site comparison screen. The 880, presumably the top, has color and a rechargeable battery. But NO TV LISTINGS? How useful could TV listings on the remote be- & why drop that from the "top of the line?" What am I missing?
And what is the difference between "dedicated activity buttons" and "on screen activity buttons?" Touch screen?
Also, for others doing the test drive- try entering your sat box as Dish Network, not Echostar. The model #s are not the same in each. The 721 (&, I think, the 508) is/are only listed under Dish, not Echostar.
Back to reading up on the 880. I'd go buy one today at BB if I could get the info straight. Or online with 2 or 3 day shipping.
On edit: Working with JVC TV, DVD, VCR, receiver- and Dish 721, soon to be ViP622- and LG VCR/DVD Recorder LRY-517. And some of those JVC model numbers are obscure! But they were all listed with Harmony!
On re-edit: I re-entered the test drive by creating a new phony log in. Apparently you cannot change any settings you made in your test drive. Those settings get converted to your actual setup when you plug in a remote. I guess you can't make changes until after that setup is loaded into a remote. And you can't add an activity in the test drive at all. I'd like to add "watch OTA TV" or such. I "assume" this can be done after a home page is set up after buying a remote, and you can pretty much rename the activities as you like.
The Test Drive is superb- it would just be nice to add a couple more features (add activity/edit existing activities) and maybe show the remote and run thru it. There is a Tutorial button, but it isn't working, at least not for the 880.
I've wasted a lot of time on the MX-350. When I almost get it going, I must stop and when I get back to it in a couple of weeks, I have a learning curve again, even with stuff written down. It's hard/impossible to put in discrete power on/off commands, unless your original remote supports that. It appears the Harmony, at least the 880, downloads discrete on/off commands.
The Harmony test drive makes it so simple! I am almost about to buy one. But I have a problem in the test drive. I went in as a 880. It set everything up, but did not include an activity for just watching TV OTA. It won't let me go back to make the addition, or any corrections. I "assume" this is a quirk of the test drive, and the "real world" will make it possible. Do you know how to "get back in" to the test drive? I might try logging in as another new user. I'd like to be sure I can use the TV OTA tuner.
Also, I need to decide which unit to get- my favorite two online stores do not list an 880 or 885 (test drive listed 885). I have no idea of the differences (880-885), the site is mute on that. My favorite sites show only 688, 768, 659, 676, 680. There doesn't seem to be a lot of differences between the models, judging from the site comparison screen. The 880, presumably the top, has color and a rechargeable battery. But NO TV LISTINGS? How useful could TV listings on the remote be- & why drop that from the "top of the line?" What am I missing?
And what is the difference between "dedicated activity buttons" and "on screen activity buttons?" Touch screen?
Also, for others doing the test drive- try entering your sat box as Dish Network, not Echostar. The model #s are not the same in each. The 721 (&, I think, the 508) is/are only listed under Dish, not Echostar.
Back to reading up on the 880. I'd go buy one today at BB if I could get the info straight. Or online with 2 or 3 day shipping.
On edit: Working with JVC TV, DVD, VCR, receiver- and Dish 721, soon to be ViP622- and LG VCR/DVD Recorder LRY-517. And some of those JVC model numbers are obscure! But they were all listed with Harmony!
On re-edit: I re-entered the test drive by creating a new phony log in. Apparently you cannot change any settings you made in your test drive. Those settings get converted to your actual setup when you plug in a remote. I guess you can't make changes until after that setup is loaded into a remote. And you can't add an activity in the test drive at all. I'd like to add "watch OTA TV" or such. I "assume" this can be done after a home page is set up after buying a remote, and you can pretty much rename the activities as you like.
The Test Drive is superb- it would just be nice to add a couple more features (add activity/edit existing activities) and maybe show the remote and run thru it. There is a Tutorial button, but it isn't working, at least not for the 880.
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navychop said:
Ok, I've got a couple of answers... I PM'd you with the price and name of a large Chain which has an outstanding return policy. Your risk will be essentially zero if you don't like it, if I've understood the posts here.
I believe the 885 is the UK or European version of the 880. Logitech is a huge multinational firm that owns Harmony. Wish I'd bought Logitech stock a few years ago when I was considering it. \
The Harmony database of devices includes the sum of all of the submissions by people such as you and me. Some of them are great and some of them are bad. That's why you see the same piece of gear listed variously as "Dish" or "Echostar" and "508" and "508PVR" and "508 DVR."
I don't remember what the limitations are for the test drive, but there are no such limitations with the final version.
I have an old RP CRT 53" XBR. I have activities such as "Watch TV" - meaning OTA from the Coax from my Chimney Mount. Within this activity, I have a Button assigned to Toggle back-and-forth between that Coax and an "AUX" Coax on the back of my TV. I have the TV2 Coax output from her 942 upstairs into that so that I can watch her recordings (when she's not home. LOL)
I have an Activity to "Watch DVR" which is one of my 508's. "Watch DVR2" takes me to my other 508. (With a different remote channel.) "Watch a DVD" and "Watch Videotape" are some of the others. (I have some I never use like "Tuner" and some others. I should delete them.
As far as I know, the software fro all before 880/885 is essentially identical - button layout/composition and physical appearance is the difference. Some lend themselves better to DVR's and some for PC based viewing.
As I understand it, the 880 has a colored screen and it is bigger and also has rechargeable batteries with a docking station ... likely you know more than I do. Also, I believe it has an accelerometer that senses it being picked up and lights the buttons. That's good as the buttons tend to get small and close together with multiple function remotes.
"dedicated activity buttons" and "on screen activity buttons?"
There are Three Dedicated Activity Buttons across the top (of my remote.) I have mapped them to my most common activities... "Watch DVR2"; "Watch DVR"; and "Watch TV" The Fourth Button calls up a screen with other less frequent (for me) Activity Options that I have included. "Watch DVD"; "Watch Videotape"; etc. On my remote I would select an On Screen Activity by pushing a button to the left or right of the choice.
There are Forums dedicated to the Harmony - read up there. Also, if you get 'stuck' trying to get your Remote to do something, their CSR's are a breath of Fresh Air. They'll call up your saved and configuration and work to solve the problem. In both cases that I called the first few days I had my Remote it soon became apparent that the problem was me!
Is anyone using the IR-only 880 to control a 721 or ViP622? Yes, I know the instructions say it can be done. From the directions, it looks like I'd have to go with whatever default the Harmony has- which is probably 1. I can't use channel 1 due to a neighbor's use of 1. They won't change- don't ask. The 721 is normally UHF only control. Setting the IR channel seems to set the RF channel, so I guess I need to know if the Harmony uses channel 1 for the 721. Or should I -gulp- pay the freight and go with a IR/UHF 890?
It looks the site has "lost" my login/pw. And that may be the only way to get at a manual to learn all this.
Also- After you press, say "Watch PVR" does it present new options on a follow on screen? Does it somehow support the Dish 30 skip fwd button feature, and the 10 second back?
It looks the site has "lost" my login/pw. And that may be the only way to get at a manual to learn all this.
Also- After you press, say "Watch PVR" does it present new options on a follow on screen? Does it somehow support the Dish 30 skip fwd button feature, and the 10 second back?
navychop said:
navychop,
You're still missing something. You can have the Harmony do anything that your Factory Remote. One of My 508's is on Channel 5 and the other on Channel 2. If my wife's 942 was within "eyesight" of my Infrared Harmony, I could add a third DVR - the 942 and control that on, say, Channel 1. And yes, I have the 30 Second skip, all of the fast fwd, all of the fast backward, pause, etc, etc, etc.
Honest, as part of the setup the Harmony asks you to Push a key Say "Enter" - if it doesn't "see" it , it tells you to push again. Once it knows the Cahnnel, it tells you to push a different key and verifies it has the right Channel. When you add the next 508, it will do a similar operation.
So maybe it's catching the currently set remote channel, rather than telling you which one to set up?
One last thing. I thought these codes were professionally done or from the manufacturer. I now gather that they are submissions from people like us. That tells me that many of these devices will not have a discrete power on & off, like the website seems to claim (all non selected devices for an activity are powered off). If it's just a power toggle thing, this may result in turning off the TV as you move from DVD to satellite. Or are they in fact somehow discrete commands?
One last thing. I thought these codes were professionally done or from the manufacturer. I now gather that they are submissions from people like us. That tells me that many of these devices will not have a discrete power on & off, like the website seems to claim (all non selected devices for an activity are powered off). If it's just a power toggle thing, this may result in turning off the TV as you move from DVD to satellite. Or are they in fact somehow discrete commands?
navychop said:
It does NOT tell you what Channel to use. It learns what Channel you want to use.
The Techs apparently delete or correct bum codes. The Remote doesn't really care if it toggles or uses discretes... it will do what it needs to to go from one activity to another.
for example, say my TV only has a toglle capability. The remote will know that when going from Off to ANY viewing activity, to send a power toggle to the TV. It will also know that if you are already viewwing something that it needs do nothing to the TV. Only when you GOTO Off or to Listen to Tuner would it send a toggle to trun off the set.
