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Start an activity within an activity possible?
This thread has 8 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday October 16, 2008 at 05:27
chatman
Long Time Member
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November 2005
15
I usually use the TV speakers when watching. But sometimes I prefer using my AVR for that. Now instead of switching to device and power it on an change channel (or worse make an extra activity for that purpose) I'd like to define a command which turns on the AVR and switches to the correct input.

Any way to do that?

Thx!

BTW it's a Harmony 555 if that matters.
Post 2 made on Thursday October 16, 2008 at 10:13
akirby
Super Member
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March 2004
4,640
It's simpler than that. Just define 2 activities - one with the AVR and one with the TV speakers only (no AVR). Then just switch between them. You can add commands at the activity start and/or exit to turn the tv speakers off/on or mute if necessary.

Or do like most of us and just switch to the AVR all the time. The sound is much better and you don't have to switch back and forth.
Post 3 made on Thursday October 16, 2008 at 14:17
Clockworks
Long Time Member
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August 2002
131
While it's better to do what akirby suggests, you can do this with a "sequence" - I think this works with a 555 using the latest software?

Go into your "watch TV" activity and customise buttons. "Add sequence" allows you to assign a string of IR commands to a single button - create a sequence that turns on your amp and sets it to the correct input.

Only problem with this is, I don't think that the "smart state" logic will track the fact that the amp is now switched on. If you use this button, then switch to an activity that uses the amp, it'll probably get turned off, unless your amp has discrete on/off commands.
OP | Post 4 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 02:26
chatman
Long Time Member
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November 2005
15
Yeah, that sequence thing did it - thanks! Didn't notice this option existed.

Only thing that doesn't work is to use the sequence in the sound or picture-submenu. It's only available in the activity itself.
Post 5 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 07:56
hhatkin
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On October 16, 2008 at 14:17, Clockworks said...
If you use this button, then switch to an activity
that uses the amp, it'll probably get turned off,

Isn't the current activity already "using" the amp - so that the sequence can take the amp's commands?
Post 6 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 09:14
akirby
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What Clockworks meant was if you manually turn on the Amp within a sequence the smart state will still think it's off - so when you switch to an activity that includes the amp it will try to turn the amp on. If the amp uses a power toggle it will cause the amp to turn off instead of turning on.

There is another problem just using a sequence to turn on the amp and not using separate activities - volume control. If the amp is not part of the current activity you can't map the volume buttons to it.

Using 2 activities would automatically handle changing the volume control as well as keeping the smart state status of the amp up to date. Switching activities is only one or two button presses so it's not a big deal.
Post 7 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 12:36
hhatkin
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What I was getting at is that sequences are specific to Activities, so if you want a sequence with an amp command in it you have to have the amp in the activity anyway. So in this case "when you switch to an activity that includes the amp" you are already in an activity that includes the amp.
Post 8 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 12:42
akirby
Super Member
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Aha - that's a good point. You can't use a sequence to turn on the amp unless you're already in an activity that includes the amp - which means it should already be on. Unless you teach the amp power command to another device.

Separate activities is the way to go here.
Post 9 made on Friday October 17, 2008 at 19:15
hhatkin
Long Time Member
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February 2008
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Yes, I'd go for separate Activities rather than including the amp as an additional Device.


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