I just installed a new Harmony elite remote thinking it would be good choice for a simple system. The system includes:

Samsung Flat panel TV
Marantz 5008 AVR
Sumsung BluRay
VCR
Direct TV receiver

The progression I have set for turning system on is TV, 4 sec. delay, Marantz AVR, and then whatever source depending on activity. This seems to work only sometimes the other times I get a message on the TV saying "NO HDMI SOURCE"
I have tried setting up using HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 but I do not get consistent results with either. If anyone knows what I should check next I would be most appreciative. Thanks!

The harmony in general doesn't work as well as a professionally programmed product, but that being said we have to know more about how you have it connected before we can help.TV needs more time after power up before it will accept an input, but that only applies if you are using multiple inputs on the TV. If you're using the Marantz to switch your video the TV should stay on one input. Marantz needs very little time if any after power before will accept an input.

Just keep playing with it it may take you a few days but you'll eventually figure it out. Also an RF basestation will ensure commands are not missed as opposed to try to hold the remote still.

What are you trying to accomplish with the four second delay? If you're switching TV inputs, that makes sense, but you don't say you're doing that.

Does the Marantz turn on if you hit an input button when the Marantz is off? (Some receivers do that. If you're selecting inputs on the Marantz, maybe you need to move the Marantz power ON up to just after the TV ON, then insert the delay. Again, that's if you're switching the Marantz input and if the Marantz won't switch until after a delay after being powered on.

Tinker with it. You'll figure it out.

Fixed it for you.

When building a macro for an activity I always send the commands to set HDMI input on the TV (incase someone has changed it), in this case the TV is set to HDMI 1, then depending activity (watch TV, watch BluRay, etc..) I change the input on the AVR. The problem that I think I am having is an HDMI handshake issue as these Macro commands work fine until the system sits unused for a day or two then you select a macro and you get a screen on the TV that says NO HDMI source signal. That is the problem I think I am having.

I just talked with someone who suggested turning on AVR first, then 5 second delay, then source. I will see if that works and get back to you all.

No. Turn TV on first and then everything else so there is a natural delay before you execute the input command last.

You really shouldn't be using multiple inputs on the TV anyway with that set up. Seriously take that thing back wherever you got it and hire a pro. In the end you'll thank me for saving you from wasting a week of your life.

Andree3000,

You may need to break up the delay. From a cold start, after the system has been OFF for some hours, the Marantz will probably be the slowest box to come online, but there are two stages to its startup. The first stage is power-up and being able to accept an input command and the second stage is a delay (usually in the 6-10 second range) before the audio amplifier is ready to go. Once the Marantz has accepted an input command, there will be an HDMI handshake with the input device and the Samsung display.

Each of these devices requires a certain amount of time to power-up and complete the HDMI handshake. If an impatient Samsung is ready to go before its input device is ready to engage in the HDMI handshake, the Samsung will throw the message.

In order to completely eliminate that message on a routine basis you may need to setup a dedicated "Start-Up" button that inserts the longest delays and sets all inputs and parameters (tone controls, default volume, surround mode, etc.). After Start-Up an abbreviated set of commands, probably without any delays, can be used to change inputs and control the devices.

You may need to turn things upside down and start the peripheral devices (Blu-ray, DirectTV, etc.) first, so that they are ready to engage in the HDMI handshake promptly when the Samsung asks.

If I'm setting up a system that includes unfamiliar (to me) devices, the customer will observe me apparently struggle as I endlessly issue commands, but I'm working out the minimum delays that I need for flawless operation. In one case with a really slow DVD player I needed a 30 second delay from a cold start. Without the 30 second user interface lockup, an impatient user would issue repeated commands that could end up with the system in an unexpected state and I'd likely get a call. With the 30 second delay there were zero calls, but I would hate to use the system because it started up so slowly. (customer's DVD choice, not mine)

Heads up: A future device firmware update may upset the optimum timing that you have worked out.

Don't be changing inputs on the TV.

I see what buzz means by turn the receiver on first and the order of the video path and he's absolutely right. I don't do it that way but I think we're both right for different reasons. I personally don't mind that message coming up so long as it goes away and video starts after a couple seconds. The point is the TV won't take a different input command until 10 seconds or so after it's turned on but that's a relevant because it should be left on one input.

Actually the Marantz may come on automatically with the input command, so you shouldn't need a power on delay for that. Some AVRs do that some don't.

Andre,
you have not cooperated with us by telling us more about how the system is wired, which would tell us whether you are changing the TV's input. As others have said, with this equipment the video switching should be done on the AVR and the TV should always be on one input.

Please go back through the responses and answer each obvious question and each implied question (that is, something that starts with "if"). This will put us in a better position to help you.

Remember, you're asking experts for free help. The least you could do is cooperate by clarifying every issue we bring u.

Before I saw buzz's response I thought I was

GREAT! But why make the user wait for this input to be set on power up? Any delay between ON and INPUT of the TV is eliminated if you set the TV to the proper input on shutdown.


*Okay, excuse me, you DID state that the AVR is changing inputs.


This solution attacks the assumptions you've just made: put twenty seconds in between all commands. After two days of non-use, see if it all works. Then make one delay 2 seconds, and try the system two days later.

Also be sure the macro works right away, before waiting the two days. It'd be a bummer to make a mistake in the macro and not find it out for several days!

buzz is totally right in saying we have to fool with macros. See, it might take five seconds for the AVR to receive a command, but let's say it takes the TV only three seconds: we turn on the AVR, turn on the TV, wait three seconds, send a TV command, wait two seconds, send the AVR command. That is, command delays are nested within commands for other devices.

Ernie, OK, OK, I'm not trying to be unresponsive I was just needing some time to try these things and get back to you guys that are so considerate with your time and expertise. I really like what Buzz laid out for steps to consider. I am going to the job right now to make these adjustments to see what happens. I will get back to you when I know more. Seriously thanks for all the input I do appreciate it. If there was any confusion as to me switching inputs on the TV I am not but I like your advice of using the power off micro to switch the TV input back to the one being used so that if it is inadvertently changed it can be made right on power down. The reason I put it into the power up macro is to make sure it is right upon power up but maybe that is not the right type of thinking. I will admit that I have spent too many hours trying to make systems work with any type of universal remotes. I have probably installed 5 of them thus far, all the others were URC MX780 and URC MX890 remotes of which worked well but there is a learning curve and if you don't do it all the time you end up starting at the bottom of the curve again. I really want to figure out the best product to use. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use? Do I stick with URC or ..? I tried the Harmony elite 'cause I figured it would be quick and easy to install but it is not proving to be just that. Thanks!

You might like the new URC MXhome pro, I think it would be easier than CCP for most and its web based programming allows it to be programmed from any device.

I have programmed enough Harmony remotes recently to have some idea of how well they work and how easy they are to program. They are super easy to program and they work really well. If you disagree with either of those statements, you crazy. :P

It's all good in the hood. No HDMI handshake issue anymore and everything functioning well. I did not have to do any reprogramming it turned out that the remote was working fine I just had bad intel.

This was a good exercise for me though as I understand the complexities of HDMI a little more about how it communicates.

The Harmony remotes works well and the customer is very happy and yes it was easy to program.

Thanks for all the help. Peace!