[logiciel]

That restriction does seem odd - odder still is that there haven't been any posts about 900s for so long.
I can only say that the mini-blasters are so small that they hardly need any "mounting", and that they were rigorously tested in all kinds of enclosed situations and worked well because of their wide range and high power - mine work in conditions that at first sight seem impractical.
I caught that note about the eight devices and wondered if they were confusing things with the 1100, which can take only eight devices to each extender, where the 900 is unlimited.
While each of the 900's two mini-blasters can control any number of devices, i certainly don't see how the four cabled emitters can control eight!
As I indicated Logitech are notoriously, and absurdly, bad at publicising their products. The awfully designed web site itself confirms that, and a run of the Comparison tool will confirm it all the more - they all come out the same!

[b33k34]

Originally Posted by logiciel

While each of the 900's two mini-blasters can control any number of devices, i certainly don't see how the four cabled emitters can control eight!

Am i right in thinking the 900's remote unit only has 2 outputs - if so then 2x 4 emitter cables could control 8 devices (it's just in no way clear that is what they are going to deliver). I've mailed Logitech support - lets see what happens.

[logiciel]

Yes, the extender has just the two sockets, for the two mini-blasters that come with it, so I get your point - Logitech might, stupidly, mean that you can control eight devices with TWO of the item that they're describing and that would cost £36!

[b33k34]

Additional extenders are also now on sale
Harmony® RF System

[logiciel]

Now that's something we HAVE been expecting - was it there when you caught the emitters?

[JUS]

Originally Posted by logiciel

The awfully designed web site itself confirms that, and a run of the Comparison tool will confirm it all the more - they all come out the same!

My Pronto died yesterday, it's been in loyal service for over 10 years. and the site didn't help at all.

This forum did as always...I've gone for a 900...I hope I won't be disappointed

[logiciel]

You won't.

[JUS]

Originally Posted by logiciel

You won't.

Just planning my move to the 900...and have one burning question...

I have a lot of discrete codes I used with my Pronto. They were provided to me in pdfs and xls for my Oppo BDR83 and Arcam AVR600.

Can I cut & paste those into the Harmony software? Does it allow for different types of code. Here's an example from the Oppo file...

For on I have Key Hex data = 5A Decimal key cmd = 90 or

Pronto TSU3000 Code = 900A 006D 0000 0001 49B6 5AA5

or a big long "Classic Pronto Hex code"

would I be able to use any of those?

[logiciel]

Originally Posted by JUS

or a big long "Classic Pronto Hex code"
would I be able to use any of those?

Yes - those - 16(?) x 4 character -you don't do them yourself - Logitech support will add them to your account.
The database already has Arcam discrete input commands - what are yours for?

[JUS]

Ah right.

I'll have to look through but from memory nothing out of the ordinary..on/off and a few other direct commands that you can't do with a single press of a button.

[b33k34]

Ok, so it looks like i'm getting a Harmony 900 - have managed to convince myself. I've not got an answer on the precision emitters yet so we'll see what turns up.

What i did establish that may be of interest to others (from research on other forums/reviews) is that -
- non-logitech emitters will almost certainly work (via a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor if required).
- Z-Wave (radio controlled sockets etc) *will* still work with the 900 though they are no longer officially supported by Logitech (they're still in the database).

[logiciel]

Now, there's a couple of coincidences!
Logitech have just put on sale, apparently only in the UK, new small stick-on cabled emitters for the 900.
They've lost a legal action for saying or suggesting that the 1000 does Z-Wave, which it - and the 900! - does not.
Logi

[janullrich]

Hi,

Im looking to get a 900 with the RF System to control equiment in another room but I have a few questions and I hope you guys can help:

1. My equipment is on shelves in a comms cabinet with a glass door, if I place the main blaster and the 2 mini blasters on 3 different shelves facing outwards towards the glass door, are they sufficiently powerful and will the beams bounce off the glass enough to control 'all' of the equipment in the rack? If not presumably I will need to buy the precision ir cables and attach them directly to the equipment.

2. How will I control the TV? Should I buy another RF System? If I dont assign the tv to a blaster will it send the tv's ir signals as well as the component's RF signals to the rack?

Please Help

Thanking you in anticipation,

Gary

[logiciel]

OK Gary, you'll probably find that the main emitter unit will cover everything in the cabinet, and if not then it and the two mini emitters certainly will.
You specify which devices are to be controlled direct by IR, which by the main emitter, and which by each mini emitter, so that fixes the TV question.
There aren't the restrictions on the number of IR/RF/IR devices that there are on the 1000/1100.
Also the assignments are conveniently made on the 900 itself, not awkwardly in the software.

[janullrich]

Logi,

Thanks for the quick reply and the very helpful information. You've convinced me.

Thanks

[b33k34]

Originally Posted by logiciel

OK Gary, you'll probably find that the main emitter unit will cover everything in the cabinet, and if not then it and the two mini emitters certainly will.
You specify which devices are to be controlled direct by IR, which by the main emitter, and which by each mini emitter, so that fixes the TV question.
There aren't the restrictions on the number of IR/RF/IR devices that there are on the 1000/1100.
Also the assignments are conveniently made on the 900 itself, not awkwardly in the software.

Is the large (powered) piece an emitter as well? I'd assumed that was just a receiver that powered the two mini-emitters from the way reviews describe it.

[logiciel]

Originally Posted by janullrich

Logi, Thanks for the quick reply and the very helpful information. You've convinced me. Thanks

That's perfectly OK, and good decision, you'll like it. Logi

Yes, the main unit ("blaster") emits IR, quite strongly and widely, and can be assigned to devices if required.

[JUS]

Logiciel,

The DB doesn't seem to have my discrete codes in it. How do I submit them for entry? Ive gone through the support options but couldn't find any specific option for submitting new codes?

Regards

Justin

P.S. Really like the remote. Very clever. A little too clever for me - I'd like a lot more control over programming it like I had with my pronto but perhaps with the discretes added I'll be fine.

[logiciel]

OK Justin.
Run through the general Troubleshoot to the end and you should find a form for e-mailing any questions or problems direct to Logitech support.

[JUS]

Thanks.

The blinkin box in the app doesn't allow paste (mac version?) and I only have the long classic pronto hex codes for them....arrrghh.

One thing that mildly concerns me is the fact that the software seems reliant on you connecting to Logitec and can't be used stand-alone. Not a problem now and I hope they keep the service going for 10 years+ (as that's roughly how long my pronto lasted). Just doesn't sit comfortable with me paying £300 and I don't have 100% control over whether I'll be able to add a new device in 2 years time. I'd also prefer a power user type app that has full control without going through all the questions - very good to get you started quickly though.

Apart from this I am very impressed. Set-up was very quick and easy. I was up & running in a few minutes.

I'm used to a pronto with a full touch screen and only a few additional buttons for volume, mute etc. It was perfect for simplistic "Turn sky on" or "play wii" but I always had the other remotes kicking around as I just didn't like the feel of a touch screen compared to a real button to push (and the reason I didn't go for the 1100). I'm pretty confident I'll be able to hide the other remotes after a few days of getting used to the 900

[logiciel]

That's OK, and the lack of cut-and-paste IS one of many long-established criticisms of the Harmony setup.
You'd also find much agreement on your general comments, though you hit on the explanation yourself - it IS intended to be "very good to get you started quickly though", and then it's up to you to use, or not, the many possible options for adjustments.
That you were "up & running in a few minutes" confirms that it succeeds in that intention.
There's very little chance that you won't be able to keep on making additions and changes for as long as your 900 lasts, but it should be a certainty that you'll be dumping all those original remotes very soon.

[JUS]

Another question if I may...

Can you change the Icons for devices? I've typed in my plasma model number and it's controlling the remote perfectly fine...but the picture is of a projector.

[logiciel]

Certainly!
The way to put that right is to set up the TV again, this time not choosing the PJ sub-type!
Actually you should never see the Device icons as all controlling is done in Activities.
Logi

[JUS]

No that doesn't seem to do it. I can change to add a monitor, tv, tvdvd or whatever and it always changes to a projector. So I think my plasma's model is entered incorrectly into their database.

Out of interest how quick are Logitech at replying?

[logiciel]

Yes, there could be an error of classification, though it would normally be the other way around, a PJ listed as a TV.
What are the make and model of your TV?
The system doesn't also give you a wrong icon though for Activities does it? They're all that actually matter.
It's a matter of luck how long they take to respond - I shoot off an e-mail every 12 hours if they don't reply!

[gonesailing]

Does anyone know when the AVR500 will be added to the 900's database?

[b33k34]

My remote and extras arrived yesterday so I spent the evening setting it up. *VERY* annoying that it needs a new account and can't migrate ANY of the settings but the basic set up is pretty straightforward - it's only the fine tuning that takes an age to track down in Logitech's interface.

Remote and accessories impressively well built. Nice feel to the buttons and lovely screen. I'm very pleased with it though still a bit shocked at the full price.

I had ordered 2 sets of the 'precision IR emitters' after being unable to get an answer from anyone at Logitech as to what was included (Sales helpline to Harmony helpline to dead end as no-one actually had access to the product). To Logitech's credit the precision emitters are a full kit - 2 cables, each ending in 4 emitters that can be split a long way back down the cable. Also included is a strip of spare fixing tape (in case you need to remove and attach to new kit) and 8 rubber shrouds/covers if you want to block any stray IR from reaching your devices. In my view this is what should have been included in the first place rather than the blasters.

Anyway - I now have a set that I don't need so PM me if you're interested.

[b33k34]

I know that the 900 can't do macros/sequences but are there any ways to trick it into doing so?

On my Humax PVR pressing Schedule then 'red' brings up the guide from the cache rather than reloading it. I'd like to set that onto my 'guide' button rather then the default.

[logiciel]

Some people have succeeded in using the Custom mode to "learn" more than one command to a renamed MyNewCommand.

[MikeMcr]

Originally Posted by logiciel

Some people have succeeded in using the Custom mode to "learn" more than one command to a renamed MyNewCommand.

This is true (RAW mode) but I find it very hit and miss compared to the One. For example, no matter how hard I try it refuses to learn a sequence that contains the same command twice (like 2 presses of the Down Arrow).

The same sequence learns perfectly via RAW mode on the Harmony One. I even asked Logitech support to transfer some RAW commands from the One account to the 900 but it still missed out the duplicate commands.