Harmony 880 Question

[Jeremy1983]

I have a Sammy LCD and there is a "P Size" button, which allows you to switch between Just Scan, 16x9, 4x3, Widescreen fit, etc. I always use Just Scan when using my PS3 and 16X9 when watching Cable TV.

Does anyone know if you can program the 880 to automatically set the Aspect Ratio when changing between PS3 and Cable TV? If so, how?

[Hammie]

You would need to set it up in the activity. It's been a while since I've been in the program to do this, but you should be able to customize the sequence buttons are pushed. This might be under the Customize Buttons section.

I had something setup on my old Toshiba CRT to do something similar. My new TV I keep it the same for everything.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

You would need to set it up in the activity. It's been a while since I've been in the program to do this, but you should be able to customize the sequence buttons are pushed. This might be under the Customize Buttons section.

I had something setup on my old Toshiba CRT to do something similar. My new TV I keep it the same for everything.

Yeah, I believe you can set up the activity, but I am also aware that Sammy menu's are a little weird, thus the reason there is a seperate option for Sammy's only in the Harmony software when setting up inputs within an activity. It is really a pain in the butt to be honest, but I believe it can be done.

[Jeremy1983]

Thank for the responses. I've tried briefly to do it under Activity and failed, but I'll give it another shot tonight.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Thank for the responses. I've tried briefly to do it under Activity and failed, but I'll give it another shot tonight.

Good luck and let us know....I for one would be interested.

[Sammy]

Go to the Harmony software.
Go to activities
Go to customize buttons
Go to additional buttons
In additional buttons, you can set up buttons on the upper screen portion of the remote to do anything that you want with any other device that is active in that activity.

I have mine set up with four screens to control additional options in the HDTV, receiver and BDP that are not set up by default; one of these is the P-mode option for the TV. It works really great and elliminates having to switch the remote to the Device mode.

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Go to the Harmony software.
Go to activities
Go to customize buttons
Go to additional buttons
In additional buttons, you can set up buttons on the upper screen portion of the remote to do anything that you want with any other device that is active in that activity.

I have mine set up with four screens to control additional options in the HDTV, receiver and BDP that are not set up by default; one of these is the P-mode option for the TV. It works really great and elliminates having to switch the remote to the Device mode.

Thanks, I have already done that. But I'm hoping that it can change to my desired P. Size automatically when I switch activities.

[Sammy]

Oh, Set it to "Just Scan". That works for me.

Even with the Samsung remote, you have to cycle through the different modes to get the one you want. Fortunatelly, there is only 4 modes to chose from.

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Oh, Set it to "Just Scan". That works for me.

Even with the Samsung remote, you have to cycle through the different modes to get the one you want. Fortunatelly, there is only 4 modes to chose from.

The problem I get when I view Digital Cable content using the "Just Scan" option is that I'll get a thin green bar towards the top/bottom or left/right of the screen. So I use the 16x9 option for watching TV, which just slightly zooms in to avoid this issue while maintaining OAR.

Maybe I'm asking too much from my 880

[obiwopkenobi62]

I have had great luck with their tech support when I couldn't figure stuff out. Give them a call and explain to them what you want to do. I'm sure they will hook you up. It's free and I used them like 4-5 times when I first got my 880.

[Jeremy1983]

^^^ Will do!

[Trix]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

I have a Sammy LCD and there is a "P Size" button, which allows you to switch between Just Scan, 16x9, 4x3, Widescreen fit, etc. I always use Just Scan when using my PS3 and 16X9 when watching Cable TV.

Does anyone know if you can program the 880 to automatically set the Aspect Ratio when changing between PS3 and Cable TV? If so, how?

When you go under activities, you can go through the start-up sequence, and add commands to any components. For example, I at one time had it set up so that when I pressed watched a movie, everything would turn on, and then the "eject" command was sent to the BD player, so I could put the movie in. (Being that the BDP is in an enclosed cabinet, I quickly discovered the downfall of that approach... ) But, in your case, you could tell it to do whatever commands you need it to do to get the picture size right.

The only downfall in this case will be that if you turn the system off from "Watch TV" and turn it back on to "Watch TV", it would send the commands regardless, screwing everything up. In order to counter this, you would also have to set it up to return to an aspect ratio at the end of one activity. So, if you watch TV most often, set that as default, and add commands to switch p.size to "just scan" when Watch a Movie comes on, and add commands to return p.size to "16x9" when the activity is over. This, in theory, will work.

That was confusing. I'm sorry. PM if clarifications needed.

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Thanks, I have already done that. But I'm hoping that it can change to my desired P. Size automatically when I switch activities.

You can also train the harmony to keep pushing P.Size to get the aspect ratio you want for BDP (Just Scan) and Cable/Sat/IPTV (16:9). Like others have said you want to have it go to the default mode when leaving an activity so that it will be in that mode when it starts to run the next activity and has the proper number of button pushes of P.Size to set the aspect ratio to what you want. You may want to throw in a few "pause" commands too so the equipment has time to complete Power-up and HDCP handshakes before these other commands are issued.

[Jeremy1983]

Ok, so I'll need to program a start up sequence and then find out the correct amount of times the "P Size" button needs to be pressed to end up on the desired setting. Then I should be good to go.

Thanks all!

[Sammy]

Yeah, and these can actually be programmed into the activity commands.

EDIT: I too have mine programmed to open the disc tray for me as I get the disc out of the case after hitting the "Watch Blu Ray" activity button.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by Sammy

EDIT: I too have mine programmed to open the disc tray for me as I get the disc out of the case after hitting the "Watch Blu Ray" activity button.

I do get the disc out after as well. However, I had to retrain myself when it became evident that it would be much harder to train everyone else not to start the activity when the cabinet doors were closed...

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1983

Ok, so I'll need to program a start up sequence and then find out the correct amount of times the "P Size" button needs to be pressed to end up on the desired setting. Then I should be good to go.

Thanks all!

Have you tried it yet? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Jeremy1983]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Have you tried it yet? Inquiring minds want to know.

My apologies. I was waiting on my Nyko Blu wave to spend more time with my Harmony. But I'll give it a shot tonight.

[Jeremy1983]

I gave it a shot last night and it appears that you can get this to work by programming a sequence. You can add multiple commands to your sequence as well as the same command over and over again until you get it right.

Now I just have to figure out how to add this to the start up process for my activities. More to come...

[Sammy]

That is what I discovered. You have to do it a few times sometimes to get it right. I just wish I didn't have to run a wizard each time because after you figure it out and only need to tweak one thing a radio dial or check box is really all you need.

I think I'll contact Logitech CS on that!!! Maybe they'll update the software?