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controling multiple televisions & cable boxes

#1
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9/12/09 at 11:53am
  • Joined: September 2009
  • Post Count: 5
Right now I have a 46" LCD tv tied to a complete HT system all controlled by a Harmony 880 Pro.  I'm in the planning stages of adding two 26" LCD TVs to the primary viewing wall (one on either side of the 46").  I intend to not tie the small TVs into the receiver setup, rather feed them directly via individual cable boxes and rely on their built-in speakers.

My only concern is controlling the system after completion.  If the small TVs are the same brand, will a single remote turn control both simultaniously or will it take two? Same question for the two new cable boxes?  Would the Harmony be able to control the whole system?

I'm really just looking for some insider info regarding day-to-day usage from someone already running multiple televisions on the primary viewing wall. Thanks in advance.
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#2
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9/12/09 at 3:47pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
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The cable box issue should be pretty easy unless it is a crappy cable box.  Most source units like cable boxes and satellite boxes have multiple remote addresses.  I have two of the DirecTV HR series DVR's sitting on top of each other and my 880 controls both.  You can set your equipment up at Harmony's site before you buy.  That may let you know if your cable box has multiple remote addresses.

I have never seen a TV with different remote codes.  You will need to add the Ocelot to one of your new TV's (assuming that the 26" models are a different brand from the 46").  If both 26's are Samsung, then you set up the Harmony to control a Samsung and a Pioneer.  When you want to control 26" #1, then it will receive the remote signal directly.  When you want to control 26" #2, then the IR signal is routed through the Ocelot.  It receives IR signals for a Pioneer TV and coverts then to a Samsung IR signal and sends them through the IR emitter so only TV 2 can see that signal.  http://www.smarthome.com/73101/Ocelot-Modular-Home-Control-System/p.aspx
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#3
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9/13/09 at 11:00am
  • Joined: September 2009
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i've read through the ocelot information and manual and i can't wrap my brain around how i would configure it to work.  can you please provide a bit more information specific to the programming and usage of this device.
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#4
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9/13/09 at 2:47pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
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I don't have one but I did look into getting one.

Basically, you load all of your remote codes into it for your 26" TV.  Using my example above, your Harmony would be set to control a Pioneer.  When it sends the vol up IR signal for a Pioneer, the Ocelot receives it and then sends the vol up IR signal for a Samsung.  Since the IR emitter will be covering the IR receiver of the TV, there is no bleed over to the second 26" TV.  For that one your Harmony will control it directly.

From here  - http://www.iautomate.com/ocelot.html
IR Input: The Ocelot has an integral learning IR input that can store up to 1024 unique IR commands. The Ocelot has the ability to recognize previously learned IR commands. This is one of the most exciting features of the Ocelot, as you can initiate macros based on a single button press of a remote control.

The Ocelot recognizes the Pioneer IR signal and sends a corresponding Samsung IR signal to one of your TV's via a Macro.  That is all in section 4 of the owner's manual.

Your other option is to go through thousands of manuals for TV's and see if one has multiple IR addresses.

-Robert
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