Harmony Remote Changes Recordings Sort Order

[mikeh49]

When I switch from the HTPC to the TV to watch TV using my Harmony remote, it sends a command (probably ctrl-S) that toggles the Sort function on the recordings screen before switching the TV input from the HDMI to the internal TV tuner. Perhaps trying to be helpful by stopping a playing video before switching inputs which is not a bad idea, but conflicts with the Sort key when playback is stopped and you're already at the recordings screen.

Anyone know how to change this? The Logitech configuration program for the Harmony remote seems worse now than it was 18 mos ago when I first configured the tuner, and, in fact, seems to have forgotten me, so I had to setup the remote from scratch. I can't see a way to get into the actual commands sent from the activity buttons.

BTW, this is configuring the Harmony for an MCE remote model 1039. I'm using the MCE remote receiver and the associated ehome interface.

[steveum]

I have the same issue with my EGreat and a Harmony 700 remote. I think when I switch inputs, it is sending the "stop" key before sends "power off" key. Sorry, I don't have a fix, but I suspect there is a way to indicate in the Harmony configuration to not send the stop key in that scenario. I usually pop up to top menu before changing inputs or turning off my EGreat to avoid the issue.

[JP23]

The stop button toggles the sort order, which I find quite annoying as video doesn't always stop immediately, especially on a client, which causes users to press stop multiple times, and then they end up changing the sort order multiple times.

You could try changing your stop button on the harmony to the exit button. That way it will stop playback without changing the sort order.
I'd also look at the power options for the device in the harmony software - what commands does it think are necessary to turn off your HTPC? Or is it set to leave this device on all the time?

[mikeh49]

I did a work-around by editing keymappings.xml to assign ctrl-L to toggle sort order. I think it was ctrl-S by default, the same as Stop in playing. So, as noted, the Harmony remote sends a Stop (ctrl-S) when you hit OFF. I investigated this awhile in the Harmony software, but got the work-around before I found the solution in Harmony, so just left it with the work-around. No problem now.

[siliconaudio]

I set my Harmony up so that it doesn't ever turn off the PVR. It just sends the "exit" (or "back") command instead so that if live TV is on, it backs out to a menu. Then my sleep timer kicks in to put the PVR to sleep within 10 minutes. This seems to be the winning combo for me. When I switch back from another activity, it then just wakes my PVR from sleep. This has solved every problem I ever had and prevents the PVR from inadvertently being switched off during a recording. 10 mins after a recording finished, the PVR goes to sleep anyway. And, just in case I leave my PVR at a menu screen and walk away but have not finished with it, I have a button programmed called "Wake PVR". I now have zero problems with my Harmony and with nPVR.

[z06racer66]

I set my Harmony up so that it doesn't ever turn off the PVR. It just sends the "exit" (or "back") command instead so that if live TV is on, it backs out to a menu. Then my sleep timer kicks in to put the PVR to sleep within 10 minutes. This seems to be the winning combo for me. When I switch back from another activity, it then just wakes my PVR from sleep. This has solved every problem I ever had and prevents the PVR from inadvertently being switched off during a recording. 10 mins after a recording finished, the PVR goes to sleep anyway. And, just in case I leave my PVR at a menu screen and walk away but have not finished with it, I have a button programmed called "Wake PVR". I now have zero problems with my Harmony and with nPVR.

These are some good tips that I will have to try myself with my Harmony One. In fact, last night I accidentally killed a recording because I wasn't aware that it was recording. I've done this many times.

[mikeh49]

I've been really pleased with a configuration like Siliconaudio. I just let the HTPC sleep when it times out. I need to look into the Harmony to get it to wake-up the box. I've been using the MCE remote to wake it, then switching to the Harmony.