Panasonic Plasma + Harmony Remote

[mattis]

A lot of us here have a Panasonic Plasma and probably also a Harmony remote of some sort (such as the 880 like I do, though this applies to the 525 going for $99 and 520 going for $97 at Officeworks - get one!). With that in mind I thought I should post something interesting that I discovered this week with these pieces of equipment.

As owners of the 50PV60A HD plasma will know (and I'd imagine the 42 inch is no different) there are no discrete input buttons. You have to use a combination of the colour keys to change inputs. Now while it is possible to work specific combinations of these colours to switch inputs using the Harmony, it's messy (though it works) and results in a whole series of flickering screens as each key is sent. There is also no reliable way to get specifically to HDMI1 and HDMI2 because it (the plasma) always remembers the last HDMI input it was on and the harmony doesn't allow for sub-state memory.

Anyway I got to thinking that maybe the later model may behave differently (600A) so I setup a 2nd test TV device in my remote (TH-50PV600A) and had a play and noticed this model has discrete input controls and indeed discrete power on/off codes. To my delight this configuration controls the 50PV60A perfectly. All inputs except one (AV4) have a discrete code that works (AV1, AV2, AV3, PC, Tuner (analog), HDMI1 and most importantly HDMI2). AV4 is the front panel inputs, which I don't use anyway (that's what the AUX inputs on the receiever are for!).

So with the success of that I integrated this into my all my video requiring activities and removed the TH-50PV60A device altogether and now she's apples. I now have all inputs being selected from a single code, no more flickering through several sequences of red, yellow, green and blue, and the discrete power on/off is a big plus (because an occasionally mis-aimed remote can cause state confusion).

BTW can anyone post or point me to instructions for getting into the service menu on the TH-50PV60A that actually WORK on THIS model? I've read many which claim to suit this model (and others such as the 500/600A) but they do not work.

Matt

[gbernard]

Call logitech Harmony Support directly, my pana px600 has the same input/scroll/select issue, the Logitech harmony remote guys are FANTASTIC !!!

There ARE discrete input commands to take you directly to your required input, for the px600A, I got them working with Logitech's support help.

They looked at my profile while I was logged in, I held the phone for 5-7 mins, then they told me to sync my remote and try it and they have the EXACT list of inputs for my pana 600, and when I want to make changes i select the input I need to switch to for DVD, Foxtel etc, and it just works.

I think they modified their IR database with discrete commands.

They are on 1800 726 063 - 8 am - 5 pm on Saturdays, and 8 am -11 pm weekdays.

Good luck, I wasted 2 days fartassing around with it, then I read on AVFORUMS someone mention the excellent phone support, and then checked there was an australian 1800 number and BINGO.

[pjc]

Anyway I got to thinking that maybe the later model may behave differently (600A) so I setup a 2nd test TV device in my remote (TH-50PV600A) and had a play and noticed this model has discrete input controls and indeed discrete power on/off codes. To my delight this configuration controls the 50PV60A perfectly. All inputs except one (AV4) have a discrete code that works (AV1, AV2, AV3, PC, Tuner (analog), HDMI1 and most importantly HDMI2). AV4 is the front panel inputs, which I don't use anyway (that's what the AUX inputs on the receiever are for!).

Matt

Matt .... what a find. I have a Hitachi so not affected(always had discrete inputs) but I know a lot of Pana owners who are going to be very happy campers!!

Well done.

Philip

[mattis]

Call logitech Harmony Support directly, my pana px600 has the same input/scroll/select issue, the Logitech harmony remote guys are FANTASTIC !!!

There ARE discrete input commands to take you directly to your required input, for the px600A, I got them working with Logitech's support help.

They looked at my profile while I was logged in, I held the phone for 5-7 mins, then they told me to sync my remote and try it and they have the EXACT list of inputs for my pana 600, and when I want to make changes i select the input I need to switch to for DVD, Foxtel etc, and it just works.

I think they modified their IR database with discrete commands.

They are on 1800 726 063 - 8 am - 5 pm on Saturdays, and 8 am -11 pm weekdays.

Good luck, I wasted 2 days fartassing around with it, then I read on AVFORUMS someone mention the excellent phone support, and then checked there was an australian 1800 number and BINGO.

Oh I didn't waste much time on it. With the exception of getting to HDMI2 it always worked happily as expected, albeit not ideal. I've had my Harmony 880 for 7 months now and my Pana for 5 of those months. I was aware of their excellent support but I have never felt compelled to use it to date. I actually only started these changes because someone (probably you) posted something about a new HDMI2 discrete command in a 525 thread elsewhere, that Logitech had just added to the database. I went in looking for this new command but didn't find it. So then I thought to myself I wonder if I pick a newer model and play with that and hence where I am now.

Matt

[diesel]

I love my Harmony 525 and my Pana PX600 - life is good!

[Terrian]

A lot of us here have a Panasonic Plasma and probably also a Harmony remote of some sort (such as the 880 like I do, though this applies to the 525 going for $99 and 520 going for $97 at Officeworks - get one!). With that in mind I thought I should post something interesting that I discovered this week with these pieces of equipment.

mind telling us which officeworks you saw the above prices ?

DSE has the 525 for $189, so the above is quite a decent saving...

[mattis]

mind telling us which officeworks you saw the above prices ?

DSE has the 525 for $189, so the above is quite a decent saving...

All of them as far as I know, it's in the current cattle dogs. There is a lengthy thread on this in the Home Theatre section of these forums. People have been snapping up this bargain like hotcakes.

Matt

[diesel]

OW doesn't sell the 525, however a typo on their last two catalogues mentions the 525 for $99. It's actually the Harmony 360 that I believe they were advertising. Most people have been getting other retailers to price match.

Thread

[Terrian]

OW doesn't sell the 525, however a typo on their last two catalogues mentions the 525 for $99. It's actually the Harmony 360 that I believe they were advertising. Most people have been getting other retailers to price match.

Thread

best be getting diwn to OW monday then and see what I can get, I bought a kameleon 6 from DSE today, but not happy with it really (keypad not very bright, doesn't want to work all that well with my teac 160t pvr, the online test drive shows the harmony should pick up all the stuff here via codes)

thanks for the prompt reply.

cya

[Anton-P.]

Anyway I got to thinking that maybe the later model may behave differently (600A) so I setup a 2nd test TV device in my remote (TH-50PV600A) and had a play and noticed this model has discrete input controls and indeed discrete power on/off codes. To my delight this configuration controls the 50PV60A perfectly.

An important difference with PV500A is it has only one HDMI versus two on 60/600A.

Can someone please confirm if the method above does work for PV500A?

[Chui2]

An important difference with PV500A is it has only one HDMI versus two on 60/600A.

Can someone please confirm if the method above does work for PV500A?

I have a 500A, and have been using discretes for many months without a problem. This has been mentioned in a few other threads over time as well. From memory, when I set it up, there was no discrete for AV4 and HDMI. These were accessed using the PC input as an anchor, then programming, for instance, two 'blues' to get to HDMI.

If discretes now exist for AV4 and HDMI, I guess I'll get around to having a look at it. But for the moment the above programming works perfectly.

Cheers,

Chui

[DLJ]

This is very interesting, but I have a problem for which I am bug......d if I can see a solution. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Panasonic TH-42PV500A and the Harmony 880. All my TV stations are digital, except Prime which remains analog in the regional area in which I live.

The selection of TV/AV button for the Panasonic is a toggle action, i.e. it changes state from whichever state it was last in.

When we watch Prime, we use the integrated analog tuner and just turn it off when we are finished. This leaves the Panasonic in the Tuner mode. However, when we watch any other channel and turn it off, we leave Panasonic in the AV mode.

Problem is for the system to know which mode it was left in when we switch on. Should it issue the command to toggle from TV to AV input? Maybe yes or maybe no!

Not a very good description of the problem but it seems that it is a problem with most toggling commands.

[Black Dawg Down]

I had a PV60A and Logitech has updated their database to include the discrete codes for HDMI2 for PV60A a few weeks ago. Strangely HDMI1 still doesn't work. And there is also HDMI3 for god knows what for.

Once you get the code for HDMI2 loaded to the remote, there is no need to get the code for HDMI1.

You can just program the remote to go to HDMI2 and then add another 'Blue' button press to go to HDMI1.

Problem solved.

[Chui2]

This is very interesting, but I have a problem for which I am bug......d if I can see a solution. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Panasonic TH-42PV500A and the Harmony 880. All my TV stations are digital, except Prime which remains analog in the regional area in which I live.

The selection of TV/AV button for the Panasonic is a toggle action, i.e. it changes state from whichever state it was last in.

When we watch Prime, we use the integrated analog tuner and just turn it off when we are finished. This leaves the Panasonic in the Tuner mode. However, when we watch any other channel and turn it off, we leave Panasonic in the AV mode.

Problem is for the system to know which mode it was left in when we switch on. Should it issue the command to toggle from TV to AV input? Maybe yes or maybe no!

Not a very good description of the problem but it seems that it is a problem with most toggling commands.

Mmmmm,

Can't say I've ever used the analogue tuner in mine.

Is there a discrete for InputTuner? Could this be used instead of the TV/AV toggle?

I'll try and have a look at home later if no-one answers prior to that.

Yes Black Dawg, your HDMI1 solution is the same as using the PC input as a starting point on the pv500

Cheers,

Chui

[mattis]

I had a PV60A and Logitech has updated their database to include the discrete codes for HDMI2 for PV60A a few weeks ago. Strangely HDMI1 still doesn't work. And there is also HDMI3 for god knows what for.

Once you get the code for HDMI2 loaded to the remote, there is no need to get the code for HDMI1.

You can just program the remote to go to HDMI2 and then add another 'Blue' button press to go to HDMI1.

Problem solved.

Indeed this is correct. However as I said in my original post, it all works, but the sequences of coloured buttons required are silly when an almost full set of discrete codes exists. My inputs now change very quickly and I no longer have to watch the button sequences play out. This is even more obvious if you ever have to hit Help to sync things up again. All inputs now have a single command instead of 2 or 3 commands. The time required and the room for error in transmission reception is dramatically reduced.

Moreover is it now very simple to setup soft keys for each input in Device mode.

This is very interesting, but I have a problem for which I am bug......d if I can see a solution. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Panasonic TH-42PV500A and the Harmony 880. All my TV stations are digital, except Prime which remains analog in the regional area in which I live.

The selection of TV/AV button for the Panasonic is a toggle action, i.e. it changes state from whichever state it was last in.

When we watch Prime, we use the integrated analog tuner and just turn it off when we are finished. This leaves the Panasonic in the Tuner mode. However, when we watch any other channel and turn it off, we leave Panasonic in the AV mode.

Problem is for the system to know which mode it was left in when we switch on. Should it issue the command to toggle from TV to AV input? Maybe yes or maybe no!

Not a very good description of the problem but it seems that it is a problem with most toggling commands.

If you setup a TH-50PV600A device you will find that there is a discrete input code for the Analog tuner. From what you've described (which is similar to the HDMI1/2 state problem) this will solve your issue. I can confirm that the InputTuner code (I think that's its name) does in fact always go to the analog tuner no matter where your last input was at and any other discrete input command following this comes back to AV mode no problem. Not that I use the analog tuner anyway but I don't even have a need for the TV/AV button so it is not in my remote.

Do what I did and just add in this new device (and don't put it into any activities just yet) and try out the soft keys in device mode to see the effect. If you don't find the improved and simpler function you're looking for, you can just remove it again. But I reckon you'll be swapping it into your Activities shortly after playing There are multiple versions of some commands (written in slightly different ways) so make sure you make a note of which buttons are successfully doing the things you want and then check exactly which command they are sending.

It would also be a good idea given the differences in these two TV models to redo the inputs on the device config once you've added it so that it is ready for activity integration later on. I set it up with AV1, AV2, AV3, AV4 (with a multi sequence still), PC, Tuner, HMDI1, HDMI2 in that order and attached the appropriate code to each. I gather you are familiar with the fact you can fully customise what inputs your remote thinks a device has (nothing to do with soft keys)?

Matt

[Anton-P.]

I setup a 2nd test TV device in my remote (TH-50PV600A) and had a play and noticed this model has discrete input controls .... All inputs except one (AV4) have a discrete code that works (AV1, AV2, AV3, PC, Tuner (analog), HDMI1 and most importantly HDMI2).

I got different results when I tried TH-50PX600A on a 525/xBox. It gives all four AV1,2,3,4 (note AV4 included) and PC but strangely no HDMIs !!

Where am I supposed to look for them, in the "Devices" then "TV" pages??

I've scrolled thru all 23 pages could not find HDMIs.

[mattis]

I got different results when I tried TH-50PX600A on a 525/xBox. It gives all four AV1,2,3,4 (note AV4 included) and PC but strangely no HDMIs !!

Where am I supposed to look for them, in the "Devices" then "TV" pages??

I've scrolled thru all 23 pages could not find HDMIs.

Ahh......try TH-50PV600A and not TH-50PX600A

Though it is interesting that there is an AV4 (and I am assuming it works) in the TH-50PX600A. I am starting to think we need to get Logitech to copy a full set of these discrete codes across to each model.

Matt

[Anton-P.]

Ahh......try TH-50PV600A and not TH-50PX600A

Though it is interesting that there is an AV4 (and I am assuming it works) in the TH-50PX600A. I am starting to think we need to get Logitech to copy a full set of these discrete codes across to each model.

There's no PV600A on the market, wonder why Logitech provides a codeset for it

Yes I have verified AV1/2/3/4 and PC from PX600A work, but HDMIs not found.

In contrast AV1/2/3 from PV500A work, AV4 does not, HDMI1 seen but does not work.

Would be great if Logitech combine them all, too inconsistent at present.

[diesel]

I got different results when I tried TH-50PX600A on a 525/xBox. It gives all four AV1,2,3,4 (note AV4 included) and PC but strangely no HDMIs !!

Where am I supposed to look for them, in the "Devices" then "TV" pages??

I've scrolled thru all 23 pages could not find HDMIs.

I found the HDMI1 discrete shown as AVS DVI in my 525 buttons

[Anton-P.]

I found the HDMI1 discrete shown as AVS DVI in my 525 buttons

I assume you mean AVS DVI *does* bring up HDMI1 on your 600A TV?

When I tried on my 500A, both AVS DVI (from 600A device) and HDMI1 (from 500A device) didn't work

[mattis]

There's no PV600A on the market, wonder why Logitech provides a codeset for it

Yes and No! Look here!

Matt

[gbernard]

Just call logitech support, they fixed the issue perfectly in 10 mins.

See my earlier post.

Or you could try every different pana display in their database and you get lucky . . . or just go by a lotto ticket . . .

Wish i had as much spare time as you guys to pursue the trial and error and error and error approach.

[mattis]

Just call logitech support, they fixed the issue perfectly in 10 mins.

See my earlier post.

Or you could try every different pana display in their database and you get lucky . . . or just go by a lotto ticket . . .

Wish i had as much spare time as you guys to pursue the trial and error and error and error approach.

I have nothing to fix therefore no-one to ring! And I expended no more than 30 mins total on this and that is only because I am a perfectionist. The experiment and resulting fix were achieved in less than 10 minutes.

Matt

[Anton-P.]

Wish i had as much spare time as you guys to pursue the trial and error and error and error approach.

I use a SONY learning remote which I'm very happy with except for lack of direct input switches. If I can locate these discreet codes on the Harmony then "learn" them to the SONY it'll be perfect (for me), that's why I persevere

For Matt, it's trivial but since you're a perfectionist Pana Aust first released the PA60A and PV60A, then straight to the PX600A (PX denoting built-in digital tuner), so technically there's no PV600A.

[mattis]

For Matt, it's trivial but since you're a perfectionist Pana Aust first released the PA60A and PV60A, then straight to the PX600A (PX denoting built-in digital tuner), so technically there's no PV600A.

Given that the Logitech remote is not an Australian remote, then why limit discussion of devices to what did or didn't ever come out to Australia?

You will find that the TH-50PV600A is/was actually available across the Tasman. It was the faint existance of such a model that gave me the idea to try it on the remote.

Matt