Hi all,

This is my first post so I would really appreciate any advise.

I have a TV (Syntax Olevia) that does NOT have discreet codes for Inputs and Power. Prior to my URC Mx-800, I used a Harmony remote which is "SMART" compared to my "DUMB" URC MX-800. This is becuase, if for example, I am watching a DVD and decide to watch TV, I hit the "Activities" button then "Watch TV" and automatically the remote turns off my DVD, cycles through all 7 of my inputs on my TV (it HAS to cycle becuase my TV doesn't have discreet codes) and brings my to the correct TV input. Since I have many activities, no matter what i am doing and what i want to do, the Harmony remote always remembers where I am and correctly adjusts the TV input. Another example is if I am watching a DVD and decide to turn everything off for the night, then the next morning, I pick up my Harmony, select "Watch PVR" and automatically my TV turns on and switches from the DVD Input to the PVR input. My harmony "remembers" where I was!

Not so with my MX-800. If i am watching a DVD and decide to watch TV, I have to hit the power off button which powers off everything, in order to bring me back to the Main Menu and to the "TV" input on my TV. From there i have to reselect my activity and my TV will turn on again and go to the correct TV input. I have to do this because I cant figure out how to go directly from "Watch a DVD" to "listen to Radio" or "Listen to CD" without shutting down the entire system.

This really sucks and is really annoying. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and found a way to get around this problem? Or does anyone have any advise to give?

Thanks very much in advance.


ps. I am desperate becuase i have 2 MX-800's to configure and I want to do this right this time.

It depends on how you have your macro programmed. If your DVD is on Input 5 and your PVR is on Input 4, use this sample for your macro for PVR:

TV: 0
TV: 3
TV: Input
TV: Input
TV: Input
TV: Input

What that does on most TV sets, is reset it to the Antenna input, therefore giving you a baseline to work your Input macro from. What this means is after your TV is on the Antenna input, Input 4 (your PVR) is always 4 presses of the input button away. If you are currently on Input 5 watching DVD, pressing your PVR button will put the TV onto Input 4. Just do the same thing, except add the extra TV: Input command to go to Input 5 for when you press DVD.

Hi 8ate8,

Thanks for your suggestion. It sounded like a good idea but doesn't work on my TV. When I am in an input other than "TV", if i hit the keypad on the original TV remote, it will not change to the TV input, even if it hit "03".

Try Channel Up (or down). This works on my Toshiba TV.

Nope, no luck.

A few things to try:

I was recently shown that on a Panasonic TV, I can go directly to a Video Source by making a macro for "Video" + "2".
Try the same on your set.

Also, from the following thread:
[Link: remotecentral.com]
"Try the codes listed under RCA, philips, LG, and Yamaha. Yes there are up to 4 manufacturers of these sets."

As a last resort, you can try the following if you are familiar with JP-1.
[Link: hifi-remote.com]

Thanks for the links. I tried the codes you suggested but they don't work. I verified this with another post in this forum.

I am not sure what the JP-1 is but i will look into it.

I think my best way is to set up the remote similar to the harmony by using macros and cycling the inputs. I just don' want to fill up the LCD soft buttons on each device with a "Watch TV, WATCH DVD, LISTEN RADIO, etc.." link and a whole bunch of unnecessary macros.

I am all ears to any other suggestion with a TV that definately doesn't have discreet codes.

Neilsam,
Although I don't have experience with your TV, I always want to help out a fellow Neil.

Check out this link and see if this method would work for you (it's another guy with a Syntax Olevia who seems like he got it to work with an MX500):
[Link: remotecentral.com]

You could also use a video-converting receiver to handle your switching (and thus not have to worry about changing TV inputs) but I'm guessing you don't have such a beast.

Sad to say, as much as I greatly prefer the MX series to Harmonys, the Harmony's state feature can be a lifesaver on systems without discretes or discrete workarounds.

Good luck,
Neilaevans

Thanks neilaevans for your suggestions.

Seems like that other guy with the Syntax has different hard button options compared to my TV remote. I can't use the macros he is using.

Thanks anyway. looks like i'm stuck with no option but to use the Harmony. UGGG.....

Sorry to hear that neilsam.

Personally, I think I'd buy a new receiver just to stick with an MX remote over a Harmony, but that's probably not the most realistic option.

Actually, come to think of it, I DID buy my receiver because it came with an MX700 remote! (B&K 507)

Or I guess you could buy a new TV :)

-N

Although my TV has discrete inputs, I'm in the same boat :-)

I use my receiver (Harman Kardon AVR-240) to switch between video sources. It doesn't have HDMI, but I don't have any HDMI components in my house yet so it works for me.

I was in the same boat as you were, many months back. I was using the MX-700 and I got fed up with it. The MX-800 that you have has its limitations. If you really want to achieve your envisioned remote control behavior then my only suggestion for you would be to get the MX-950 or MX-3000.

Please read my post under the files section for MX-950 complete system configuration in this site. All of us knowledgeable gentlemen here in this site will help you with whatever programming transisition you will undergo.