Guys, I've learned a ton already, but the reading I've been doing has raised a few questions (ala my sig):

- URC's "devices" are analagous to Harmony's "activities", correct? Examples of devices are: Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Listen to CD, etc.

- A "device" might incorporate multiple "components", correct? Examples of components would be: Receiver, TV, DVD player, etc.

- I'm still fuzzy on what "punch through" means. It seems to have something to do w/ controlling a different component than one originally incorporated into the device. For example, controlling the TV's speakers' volume instead of the receiver's volume. Is this even close?

Thanks for the help,

John

John,

As far as the remote is concerned, a device is generally a single component such as a DVD player. All of the devices that are programmed into the remote are accessed via the LCD buttons. Audio devices are listed under "Listen" and "Video" devices are listed under "Watch". Once a device has been selected, all of the buttons (both hard and soft) will control that particular device. That's where the punch throughs come into play. Let's say you are watching a DVD and your audio is being routed through your reciever. In this case, you will punch your receiver's Volume and Mute controls through to the DVD device. This way you will be able to access all of the functions of your DVD player and still be able to control the volume without going back and forth between different pages on the remote.

The "activities" that you speak of are achieved by programming macros into an LCD (device) button. For example, you can program your remote to carry out a whole sequence of events when you hit the DVD button:

1) The TV turns on and changes to the proper input
2) The receiver turns on and changes to the proper input and sound mode
3) The DVD player turns on
4) The lights dim
5) The remote jumps to page 1 of the DVD device

The beauty of the MX-900 is that the remote can be programmed to do extremely complicated things and yet still remain simple to operate. The whole key is setting up the macros properly and labeling the LCD buttons in a straightforward manner.

Punch through: To link a devices commands to the same button on a different device. EX: You would usually want to "punch through" your receivers volume to all devices that will be used for control. I always punch through the receiver volume to DVD, Cable, Sat, CD, Ect.

A device is a component (DVD, CD, SAT, TV, TUNER). Not a command. You can set up commands that "jump" to a device control page. Not all devices need to be visible. EX: The TV's codes are used in "macros" for power, input, and sometimes volume so it needs to be a device but it can be hidden somewhere on page 2.

Page Jump: Used as a single step "macro" or the end of a macro to link to the desired devices control page.

Macro: A group of commands that are sent from a single push of a button that are used to create common fuctions that require multiple steps....

Sounds like a 950 or a 900

Yep. It looks like he's getting a 900:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Thank you all again!! The first two devices I looked for codes for were the Dish 942 HDDVR and my Denon 1920. No go on either.

I would rather stumble thru this now as opposed to when I have the remote and the wife and son are begging to play w/ it.

John

Use the 2910 for the denon. I think thats the closest in terms of features.

I am sure the 921 echo would work for the dish. Its hard to tell without having the remote to test the gear.

Most importantly, both the Denon and the Dish 942 support discrete codes, so it will make your macro programming that much easier. :)

YES!! Discrete code capability was a major consideration when purchasing gear. My old DVD player did not have discrete codes.

In my "Watch DVD" macro in my other remote, I used the "DVD Eject" button instead of the power button. That way it always worked.

John

I played w/ the software and learned a ton more. I've pretty well got the basics of programming it down. Now I understand why so many "1 step macros" are used. It's a very easy way to access the database of existing commands.

For example, I like to have a "TV On" button on the DVD device. To do this w/ the 900, I would make a macro to go to the TV device (which is tucked away on another page) and select "TV On". Is that similar to how you guys use these?

John

Thats the equivalent of a shortcut in an 850