It turns out that not everything was working perfectly.

The TiVo lacked functionality beyond using the “MENU” button as a TiVo button replacement, and then using the arrows and hitting the “OK” button.

I plugged the remote back into the computer, loaded up the Remote software, and went straight to the settings for the TiVo. It was easy enough to tell the software what buttons were missing. After that, I was able to point the original TiVo remote at the back of the Harmony 880 and push the TiVo buttons as the software asked for it. It sensed the commands I was pushing, and learned them instantly.

I was also able to fix a few other things along the way. I could rename the Actions. Instead of “Watch a PVR,” for example, I could click the “HDTV” option. (I always watch TV through the cable PVR box.) Instead of “Play Game,” I could click on “Nintendo Wii.”

I was also able to reorder the Actions, so that the most popular “HDTV” option was at the top. Then, I was able to select favorite channels. Clicking on the “Media” button displayed those options on the screen. I was even able to associate images with each channel. A quick Google search gave me the NBC logo for channel 704 — the HD NBC station. The FOX logo was associated to 705, ABC logo 707, etc. Those are the easy to remember ones. I’ll have to get to the favored cable networks next. The end result isn’t the slickest thing in the world as the logos are squished down to fit the available screen space, but it’s a bold and easy way to get to the channels I use the most.

As always, more to come in the days ahead. . .

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 9:44 pm and is filed under TV, Tech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.