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For my television and with the default list of commands, I calculated that if I wanted to move just the �TwinView� command from its default position up to the very first spot, I would have to click the �up� arrow 118 times, moving the mouse each time to follow the command, and scrolling the window when it reached the top (roughly once every 6 clicks). Oh, how I long for a graphical representation of the screen where I can simply drag a command from the last page to the first... or even for the ability to use standard editing conventions such as cut, insert, paste!
Since it�s becoming apparent that Logitech really does prefer you to avoid accessing commands on a device level and instead use activities, let�s finish setting those up.
Finessing activities and macros.
As activities can only contain commands from devices officially assigned to that activity, before I could add a few functions from my rotor control to the �Watch HDTV� activity, I first needed to associate the rotor device with that task. Clicking on the [Settings] button, I selected �review the settings for this activity� followed by �I want to add more control of options and devices for this activity�. The next screen contains a list of the devices used by that activity at the top, and all other unassociated system devices below. Just click the [Add] button next to a new device and now any command from that device will be available for inclusion in that activity.
After clicking [Save] and navigating once again through the mandatory input selection screens, a new screen not available during the initial setup wizard appears. It contains a partial list of commands that will be sent every time that activity runs (as power commands are managed solely by the Harmony they aren�t shown here). Basically, these are the activity switching macros. It�s possible to add commands to run at the beginning or end of an activity, for example if you want your remote controllable lights to dim or the DVD player�s tray to automatically eject. Depending on the device selected to add a command from, the software will also let you insert a manual delay, add an input command, or change to a specific channel number.
One feature initially missing when Logitech changed to their current programming software was the ability to create custom macros � stringing together your own sequence of commands on a single button. A limited form of this has recently been re-introduced under an activity�s �customize buttons� option, where the new �add sequence� button will allow the creation of a key with up to 5 commands from any system devices. Short, yes, but macros still. It�s also possible to create a sequence of up to 6 custom commands from a single device when customizing the �power on� and/or �power off� macros.
If a greater number of steps are needed for any macro, it�s unofficially possible in Raw learning mode to record a �micro macro� � which is tricking the remote into learning more than one command at once. These can be difficult to capture reliably, but when you need them they�re well worth the effort!
Screen customization.
Since the Harmony 1000 is a color touchscreen remote control, users will have some expectations as to the level of customization that will be achievable. Granted, it�s understood that the Harmony concept is trying to appeal to a general audience that wants a plug-and-play experience with minimal fuss, but this is an expensive �advanced universal remote� and as such should at least offer some basic customization of the activity screens that will be used every day, right?
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Enlarge this screenshot.
Enlarge this screenshot.
Enlarge this screenshot.