Posted by Gene E. Bloch on 02/05/07 23:01

On 2/05/2007, Hertz_Donut posted this:
> "Gene E. Bloch" <spamfree@nobody.invalid> wrote in message
> news:mn.2aa97d72d22b83e5.1980@nobody.invalid...
>> On 2/03/2007, klugja@hotmail.com posted this:
>>> Is there a device that can send the IR command to change the channel
>>> of my terrestrial HDTV set top box at the appropriate time so my DVD
>>> recorder can record the correct channel? I have a Samsung DTB-H260F
>>> set top box, and am able to record the S-Video output signal, and play
>>> back what is recorded OK, but I have to set the channel of the set top
>>> box, and change it before the next time I want to record.
>>>
>>> The panasonic DMR-EH50 has this IR blaster thing, but so far it hasn't
>>> done anything useful. Maybe I should disconnect the antenna from the
>>> DMR-EH50?
>>>
>>> The set top box is able to change channels itself, but has to be set
>>> up again every day.
>>>
>>> Another possibility would be another set top box, which actually has a
>>> useful programming feature, if such a device existed.
>>
>> Look into the Pronto series of remotes by Philips.
>>
>> They are programmable IR remotes that can be programmed to operate all
>> sorts of devices[1], and some or all models can be additionally programmed
>> to issue one or a series of IR remote commands at scheduled times.
>>
>> I am not currently using mine in the above way, but I have used it to do
>> such things as recording FM programs onto MiniDiscs by programming the
>> Pronto to turn on the receiver and tune it to the desired channel and then
>> turn on the MD recorder and start recording. Then all gets turned off after
>> the programmed time. But wait, there's more :-) By which I mean the above
>> example only hints at the flexibility of these devices.
>>
>> They aren't especially cheap...
>>
>> [1] They have built-in command sets for many devices, they can learn
>> commands from other remotes, and other commands can be added by loading hex
>> strings from files.
>>
>> -- Gene E. Bloch (Gino)
>> letters617blochg3251
>> (replace the numbers by "at" and "dotcom")
>>
>>
>
> And it pales in comparison to the Logitech Harmony remotes.
>
> No codes to input.
> No hex code to input.
> Not only does the Harmony know what equipment you have, but it knows how they
> are connected, and what status each device is in at any time.
>
> No programming required.
>
> It requires only the push of a single button to accomplish any command set.
>
> It makes the Prontos (and all other remotes) look sad by comparison.
>
> Honu

Yeah, "it pales in comparison to the Logitech Harmony remotes".

I spent many - too many - hours with a Harmony remote, and finally
totally gave it up. The requirement to program it only through
Logitech's Internet site, the consequent inability to directly make
changes, the bugs, the slowness, and the inflexibility in the
programming interface, the awkwardness of that interface, and more and
more (I have pages and pages of notes; I won't try to do more than
scratch the surface here), made me just give it up. I gave it to a
friend with a different setup, warning him of my problems, but he tried
it for a while. He gave up too. Neither one of us is a dolt or
inexperienced with computers and home entertainment systems, either.

But worse for the OP's needs - the Harmony doesn't provide any way to
schedule events to happen without a user present.

I have to say that my experience with the Harmony was one of the worst
experiences I have ever had with a high tech device.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Gino)
letters617blochg3251
(replace the numbers by "at" and "dotcom")

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