I just read the Harmony article in the Circuit's section of today's New York Times and was impressed enough to come find this place. I suspect I won't be the last. :)

Question for you Harmony experts: My cable system just dropped the Starsight guide (with one-touch record) because they were too cheap to pay the license fee. Unfortunately, Starsight holds the patent on one-touch record (for guides), so in order to record a program on the VCR I have to first fiddle with the TV remote to 'program' the cable box to change to a desired station at a desired time, and then program the #&$&* VCR to record 'channel 3' at the proper time.

What a hassle -- and not least because I usually forget one step or the other.

Will the Harmony allow me to retrieve my cable's programming and then allow me to click on a program to have it tune the cable box to the correct station and then turn on the VCR and record it? That's what I call a *remote*. If not, is there another remote on the market that will do it?

I am thinking about getting a Tivo-type player at some point in the future but can't afford one now, so a remote that actually did this would be a blessing.

Thanks for any advice you can offer......

Lisa

Ya the Harmony can do that. Thats the beauty of it. You press "record a video" on the harmony, and it will change the system to the correct inputs, change your cable box (or whatever you use to change channels)turn on the vcr, and hit record. All with one press of a button. Its awsome.


Rodog

Oops. I meant, of course, that I want to be able to program it to record IN ADVANCE. I know I can sit in front of the set and press record and it will do that, but what I asked was whether if, when I scroll through tomorrow's listing, I can selet a show, click 'record this' and walk away, knowing that at the proper time Harmony will change the cable box, turn on the VCR and record.

Thanks,

Lisa

I believe it can now, or will be able to very soon. Im not sure because I havnt tried. Of course you will have to keep the Harmony pointing at your components because at the correct time it will send all the appropriate IR.

Rodog

If there's anyone reading this who has actually tried it, or knows for sure if the remote CAN do this NOW -- or not -- I'd appreciate hearing from them.

Thanks!