Harmony One and Panasonic plasma inputs

[StephenR]

Hi,

I know this is a common problem but my searches don't seem to throw up a definitive answer, so I would appreciate it if somone could help me. I have just bought a Harmony One and cannot for the life of me get the inputs to work for my Panasonic plasma TV. I know there aren't any discrete code as such for the inputs, because you need to cycle through them, but I have tried using the psuedo-discrete codes in the Harmony software for "Set AV Component/HDMI" and it doesn't seem to be able to select the correct input for my Sky HD box. I'm not sure how it can ever work because the yellow button is shared between Component, PC and HDMI

Would somebody be able to explain to me in simple terms what the best way of getting the Harmony One to select the correct input on a Panasonic plasma?

[bu5ter]

its becasue there isnt a discreet code for every input i have a px60 and the component input and pc input are on the same yellow button but they have a discreet code for pc so mine is set to go to pc then a single yellow press to go to component.

in short the best way is to call logitech on the freephone number as they do it all for you...thats what i did

[saintalan]

No problems with myTH42PX70, currently using only HDMI1 but the Harmony Database for this shows a number of Discrete Inputs.

Careful your SKy does not conflict if you have RGB auto on.

Alan

[StephenR]

Originally Posted by saintalan

Careful your SKy does not conflict if you have RGB auto on.

Alan

Hmmm, that could be it actually because if the Sky turning on automatically switches the TV to HDMI and then the Harmony sends the AV command it will probably screw up. I'll try turning the Scart control off (presumably that also affects the HDMI) and if not call the tech support.

[saintalan]

What Panny do you have? Due to the way that controls find their way on to the Harmony Database, some are mixed up.

Try a similar model, try a few and see if they offer more commands.

Alan

[StephenR]

I have a Panasonic TH-42PV500, and the codes listed all seem sensible. Incidentally the Scart control was turned to off on the Sky HD box, so I'm a bit confused. I'm thinking the simplest way would be to get the Harmony to emulate how I used to do things before i.e. let the Sky box turn the TV's input over automatically and then when I want to use the Xbox make it send the command to switch over to the component input. How I get it to do that is another matter of course! I think I will end up calling the tech support, but this all seems unnecessarily complicated. I blame Panasonic and their ridiculous way of switching inputs

[saintalan]

What inputs do you want to use.

Just looked at your modl and all the inputs have discrete codes in the Database. Are you saying none of them work?

Have you set the harmony in Device mode and tried all the codes to see what happens on the TV?

[StephenR]

To clarify, my Sky HD box is on HDMI and my Xbox is on component. Unfortunately both of these inputs are on the yellow key of the plasma when cycling inputs. Although there are discretes listed for my TV I believe these are "psuedo-discretes" created by Logitech. I think I can confirm this because when using the "help" option it keeps asking me whether the input is correct whilst it cycles through Component, PC and HDMI. Using the "help" I can always get it to be correct, but because the TV remembers the last input it gets itself in a pickle because the remote would need to know how many times to press the yellow key.

I think I have a workaround, which is to take advantage of the fact that the TV automatically switches over to HDMI when I turn Sky on. I have therefore set all the input codes for the TV to "none" and then when the Harmony does "watch TV" it doesn't do anything with the TV inputs and therefore the TV correctly switches over to HDMI input automatically. The trick now is to get it to switch over to the Xbox, which I should be able to to by having the component input send the TV/AV command. When selecting "play Xbox" the remote should then turn off the Sky box which will revert the TV back to non-AV mode, then it will send the TV/AV command which will switch it over to the last selected input which I will leave as component. Phew!

[saintalan]

Stephen, sorry to go on BUT have you switched Harmony to Device Code, Selected the Panny and tried the Inputs that you see, when you press them what happens on the TV?

Forget the Yellow buttons on the OEM etc.

EDIT - I have had another look. When I first looked I thought I had seen an HDMI command but now I cant see it. Anyway if you have not done the above it is worthwhile just to check and see what gives.

Re your workaround. The only problem with turning Sky on/off is, as its a toggle, it may get out of sync from time to time, so I leave mine powered on. It may be that the SKY button also resets to HDMI so it might be better to use that if it does.

Let me know how you get on.

Alan

[hhatkin]

Originally Posted by StephenR

Would somebody be able to explain to me in simple terms what the best way of getting the Harmony One to select the correct input on a Panasonic plasma?

Although Panasonic original remotes use cycling to change inputs there are codes in the Logi database for discrete inputs. They should appear when you look all the way through the dropdown list of commands for the set. Then all you have to do is change in your activities, from using the cycling method, to method 2 of the four that the software presents for ways of setting inputs.
If they really aren't there in the list you can still get them; they've been posted on the forums in hex and Logi will load them up for you.

[StephenR]

Originally Posted by saintalan

Stephen, sorry to go on BUT have you switched Harmony to Device Code, Selected the Panny and tried the Inputs that you see, when you press them what happens on the TV?

I tried device mode but the ones that were listed such as "InputComponent1" don't seem to do anything. In the software there are items such as "Set Component/HDMI HDMI" which sounds like what I want but there are not listed in device mode so I can't try them! I tried setting them and using the activity but it seemed to get in a mess. Surely it shouldn't be this difficult?

[saintalan]

Originally Posted by StephenR

... Surely it shouldn't be this difficult?

I guess it shouldn't.

Talk us through exactly what you do on your original OEM to switch from one to the other and back again and tell us what each step does.

As you seem to only need 2 inputs you should be able to set these as the only 2 required and get the system to switch.

It's difficult to explain sometimes when you dont have the actual kit to work with, but I am sure I or other posters can help.

Be as explicit as you can.
Alan

[hhatkin]

TH-42PV500 is shown in the Logi database to have discrete inputs:
InputAntA
InputAntB
InputComponent1
InputComponent2
InputNext
InputPC
InputTuner
Input1
Input2
Input3
Input4
If you don't know which you want try them all and see what they do.
Then when you set up an activity using the TV, at the page giving you choice of inputs use method 2 and allocate those you want.

[StephenR]

Originally Posted by hhatkin

TH-42PV500 is shown in the Logi database to have discrete inputs:
InputAntA
InputAntB
InputComponent1
InputComponent2
InputNext
InputPC
InputTuner
Input1
Input2
Input3
Input4
If you don't know which you want try them all and see what they do.
Then when you set up an activity using the TV, at the page giving you choice of inputs use method 2 and allocate the one you want.

I need the one that isn't listed - HDMI. I thought the discretes are the ones starting with "Set" as there are ones for AV2 and AV2S, as well as Component, PC and HDMI. I tried the HDMI one but it does nothing. Looks like a call to Logitech is needed.

In response to a previous post, the exact sequence needed is: TV/AV, Blue, Yellow (where Yellow is pressed a number of times to cycle through Component, PC and HDMI). Using a discrete would of course negate the need for this sequence as it should go to the correct input straight away.

[saintalan]

Stephen Hi, slow progress, I know!

First, to clarify, the names you see in the database for discretes that have no discretes on the OEM will be supplied by the User that put them there, so they could say anything!

So where to from here? Two possible soltions?

One continue to search for a discrete or Two, find a workaround.

On 1, call Logitech and they WILL get you round the problem or keep trying an alternate Panny TV that does have an HDMI option and try that, there is a good chance it could work. Try mine even TH-42PX70 and just test the HDMI in Device mode. Long & boring and even if there is one there then it could be the last one you find

On 2, Use your workaround i.e. For Watch TV, Set Sky Power options to 'off when not in use', then in the Activity, it will turn on and as you say should go to the right device. When you go to your Watch XBOX it should turn the Sky Off* then, check whether it sets the TV/AV to AV, if not then** send TV/AV then BLUE then YELLOW as many times as it takes to get to Compomnent.

* Im not sure about Powereing SKY off as certain actions like Planner Record will turn it on and then you may get out of sync, if poss I would prefer to leave it on. See if when on Component pressing the SKY button will switch it to HDMI

** You don't have to set up a sequence, in ACTIVITY tab, click Settings and then 'Yes but I want to...' the 2nd option then carry on, its long winded, but SAVE, carry on and you will be able to add comands to the start up.

Try that and see how far you get. Do you use any other activities etc.?

hang in there, Alan