Greetings. I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but this is my first post.

I'm using the new Harmony 880 with the new Outlaw 990. I don't have the Harmony activities completely tweaked to my satisfaction, but generally the remote works very well controlling my system. The one problem I'm having is more irritating than serious.

When the A/V system is off and I select the "Watch a DVD" activity, all of the appropriate components turn on and are set to correct inputs, with the exception of the 990. It remains off (standby). If I press the Help button at this point, the 990 turns on - correctly set to the DVD input. I have to press Help every time in this situation... and I shouldn't have to.

This problem occurs with all activities when the system is off.

I'm guessing this problem has something to do with the 990's lack of a remote On button - and Harmony's lack of facility in dealing with this configuration.

I've tried manually setting up the power on/off commands, tried increasing the delay times (speed settings) for the 990. Nothing seems to change the problematic behavior.

Has anyone else on this forum experienced this problem? Has anyone found a solution?

Thanks,
-Brent

I've not used any of the Harmony remotes, so my advise may not help much. Having said that, does the activity include a step to select the correct input on the 990? That step should turn the 990 on (all input selection commands act as discrete on commands for the 990).

Is there any way to get into the individual "Device" commands for the 990 in the 880 and then have the "DVD" button selected somehow within the activity?

990? 880? It would only be fitting if you have the 770 also.

My only advice would be to ask on remotecentral.com. The wealth of remote control knowledge on that sight is staggering, not to mention somewhat scary.

You should call Harmony support. They're EXTREMELY helpful and will work with you on the phone until the remote works exactly the way you want it to.

If they don't have the proper command (unlikely, in my experience) they will stay on the phone with you while you train your Harmony using the 990 remote and then they're download the command to their database and fine-tune it for you if necessary.

Thanks for all the advice. I've already opened a ticket with Harmony Support via the web.

In response to gonk and PodBoy, the "Watch DVD" activity already contains a step to select the 990 DVD input. It works fine when the A/V system is already on but set to a different activity, say "Listen to CD."

The Harmony remotes keep track of whether each device is powered on. If a device needed for an activity is off, then the Activity tries to turn it on. This (I think) is where something is going wrong, since the "Watch DVD" activity works fine when the A/V system is already on.

Good suggestion on checking remotecentral.com. I'm going to head over there now!

Brent:

You really should CALL Harmony tech support. Those guys were GREAT with me when I was trying to get my 676 to work with my Xbox.

I'm sure they're good on their web support, but calling them is so much better. They're incredibly patient and incredibly helpful.

Brent,
I'm very familiar with Harmony remotes and I can probably talk you through this. I run my system from a Panamax 5100 so some of my recommendations may not apply to your system. By the way, if you don't have a Panamax, get one. It's the only way to fly, it protects your system and simplifies the process of switching your system on and off because of the 12V trigger and switched outlets. The first thing I'd suggest is that you install new batteries in your Harmony on the off chance that the 990 isn't receiving a strong enough signal. You should have your 990 turn on first in any activity sequence. If you're not doing this then I'd change all your activities to make this happen. I'm not familiar with the 990 remote but you say that it doesn't have a button that toggles the unit on/off. How does the 990 remote turn the unit on?

You will have to go to the 'Teach New Commands' section or to the prompt where it asks 'Do you know which button on the remote turns the 990 on/off?' you enter the 'Standby' command. If the 'Standby' is not an option , that is when you have to go the 'Teach New Commands' section - if I remember correctly.

I just purchased a Harmony H659 from Costco $94.00. In the process of setting it up, the unit did not list the input my TV uses for DVD. I called Harmony tech support and the were very helpful. The tech setup my complete system while I was on the phone and all I had to do was go online and download the update. All functions worked properly and controlls my 990 exactly as I wanted. I rate Harmony customer service right up there with the Outlaws.