I'm upgrading from a H688 (to the One). I'd prefer to use the "Replace Remote" option to migrate my devices over to the new remote. I understand that custom button layout will be lost. I want to make sure I understand what this means.

My concern is that I have 2 DISH Network DVR's on the same TV (ViP722 and ViP622) so I obviously had to change the remote addresses on each of 'em to prevent cross-talk. I don't even remember what I had to do to the the H688 to make it work, but I made it work via the Harmony software.

I had a similar issue with setting up my Sony A/V receiver (STR-DE995). In order to allow my wife to use her remote (for volume control only), I had to put the Sony in a different "mode". (This alternate mode is something Sony did to allow the use of universal remotes---I don't recall exactly why.) Regardless, this required me to have to change the setup of the Harmony.

And in some cases I had to "teach" the H688 for some specific commands of my devices. My concern is that I'll have to go through this process again.

So can someone confirm that the "Replace Remote" function preserves learned commands and specifics as outlined above? If the worst it does is simply rearrange my custom buttons to a default, I've got no problem with that as that can easily be remedied. But if it trashes my learned functions or "alternate" remote addresses (as for the DISH Network STB's) or "alternate" modes (as with the Sony receiver), that will be a pain!

Yes, the "Replace Remote" function will do its best to transfer your current settings over. This includes learned commands and any alternate device dataset. It will also do its best to preserve the key mapping for both the devices and the activities. However, you should check the key mapping and modify it to your need.

Note: To get an alternate dataset for a device that supports multiple addresses, simply set the original remote to the alternate mode, then do a device "Confirm infrared commands". It will ask you to press a few buttons on the original remote so that it can find the corresponding alternate dataset.

Thanks for jogging my memory on how to choose an alternate data set. I remember when I originally set-up these devices (probably 3 years ago), that it took me a while to figure that out. That was probably my biggest concern about having to migrate the settings over to a new remote. That is that they'd be lost and I'd have to pour over the wizards again to trial-and-error it out.

Hopefully the alternate data sets will be retained and it'll be a non-issue.

By the way, I've downloaded/installed the 7.4.2 software (I previously had something like 4 or 5) and logged on to find everything looks correct. However, I haven't received the H1 yet. When I do receive the H1 I shouldn't need to install anything from the CD, right? All I'll need to do is plug in the new remote and click on "Replace Remote", right?

I don't know, but on the website login page, there is a note (below the "Create New Account") saying: "If you are attempting to program your Harmony One remote control, please make sure you install the software that came with the product."