My new Harmony remote arrived yesterday (Model #659). I ran through the set up without problem. The only problem I'm encountering, is that I have to constantly use the "Device" button to switch between the TV and the PVR (Explorer 8300HD) in order to control the volume. I want to have the TV be the main volume control when I select the "Watch TV" button.

TV = Samsung HL-R5678W
PVR = Explorer 8300HD

Connected has follows: HDMI cable from back of PVR to TV; optical cable from back of PVR to Onkyo receiver (TX-SR503).

Where do I make this change to the set up, and what are the steps to do this?

Any help would be appreciated....

When you set up the activity you tell it which device you use to control the volume and that's what should initially be mapped to the volume buttons in Watch TV activity. Check the button customization for Watch TV activity and you can set the volume buttons to control whichever device you want. Each activity can be different.

I did just that. I have the remote mapped to the "I use my Samsung TV to control the volume" setting. But it doesn't work the TV's volume control.

For digital sound connection (optical cable) between your PVR and A/V receiver, only your A/V receiver can control the volume. Redo your activity and choose your A/V receiver device for volume control.

some tv's have a variable audio output. My new 50" sony has that, with that type of connection you use the tv's audio output to connect to the input of the receiver, then you use the tv's volume. Otherwise you use the receiver's volume.

So does my TV but I don't use it since it's only stereo. Like the original poster, I use the digital sound connection between my PVR and A/V receiver to get Dolby 5.1 sound. In this case, the TV can't control the sound (it's not even in the loop).

If I choose the AV receiver, then wouldn't I have to have that on in order to have sound? I just want the sound to come through the TV's speaker.

Well, that's what most people prefer. Why would you have an AV receiver and not use it all the time?

That said, go into the button customization and MAKE SURE it has mapped the activity volume controls to the TV's volume control. If so, note the name of the commands it's using, then go into device mode for the TV and try those commands. If they don't work, find the ones that do work and go back and set those up in the activity button customization.

I'll give it a shot.

One more question. Is it possible to reorder commands. In other words can I move commands into a more favorable order for me to access rather than having to cycle through a long list by having to use the "Next" button?

Hey dmarcus48,

Do you have the Sony SXRD? If so, please explain the digital audio connections you made, and how do you like the results.

Thanks,

Batmanda