IceTV Forum

IceTV Guide for IceTV enabled PVRs => SKIPPA => Topic started by: injidup on June 15, 2015, 01:01:23 PM

Title: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: injidup on June 15, 2015, 01:01:23 PM
Question for the IceTv guys-
Will you be providing the remote codes to Logitech for their Harmony remote database (please)?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Leon K on June 15, 2015, 01:06:02 PM
Hi injidup,

Yes we will be submitting those to the Harmony Database, and also to the Bose Universal Remote Database too.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: injidup on June 16, 2015, 10:50:55 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Carljh on July 19, 2015, 10:49:44 AM
 Just wondering if the codes have been passed on to Logitech yet?  Don't know how long it takes them to add new devices to their database but the earlier they get the codes the sooner it will be hopefully.  I guess like a few others on this forum, I don't want to have to use 3 remotes to watch TV for long. Many thanks.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on July 19, 2015, 12:50:47 PM
Quote from: Carljh on July 19, 2015, 10:49:44 AM
I guess like a few others on this forum, I don't want to have to use 3 remotes to watch TV for long
now that's a first world problem if I ever saw one...
the stress of having to use multiple remotes
For now I think most of us will be quite happy to actually get our hands on Skippa's
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: prl on July 19, 2015, 01:07:20 PM
Are there any requests/questions about Skippa that couldn't be characterised as "first world problems"?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: IanL-S on July 19, 2015, 01:33:52 PM
Quote from: prl on July 19, 2015, 01:07:20 PM
Are there any requests/questions about Skippa that couldn't be characterised as "first world problems"?

How about ftp support?

Ian
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on July 19, 2015, 03:32:23 PM
Quote from: injidup on June 15, 2015, 01:01:23 PM
Question for the IceTv guys-
Will you be providing the remote codes to Logitech for their Harmony remote database (please)?
I believe that submitting Skippa's remote codes to Logitech for their Harmony Universal Remote database, and to Bose for their Lifestyle Database is scheduled to be done early this week.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on July 19, 2015, 03:36:51 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on July 19, 2015, 01:33:52 PM
Quote from: prl on July 19, 2015, 01:07:20 PM
Are there any requests/questions about Skippa that couldn't be characterised as "first world problems"?
How about ftp support?

Ian
I think you missed the sarcasm in prl's tongue-in-cheek comment.

But, since you asked about FTP. Anyone who is tech-savvy enough to use ftp should be able to use dlna to copy the recording's download link and past that link into a web browser to download the recording.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: scottn1 on July 19, 2015, 03:56:13 PM
I would like to know why the powers that be, decided the Skippa remote won't be able to control your TV's volume?
And is this likely to be changed in the future considering every other current pvr on the market can do this?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Leon K on July 19, 2015, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: scottn1 on July 19, 2015, 03:56:13 PM
I would like to know why the powers that be, decided the Skippa remote won't be able to control your TV's volume?
And is this likely to be changed in the future considering every other current pvr on the market can do this?

Hey Scott,

The SKIPPA remote has volume control for the SKIPPA output, so as long as you initially set your TV volume to your required level, you can then use the SKIPPA remote to control the volume from there. There is a mute button on the remote too.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: prl on July 19, 2015, 05:00:46 PM
Yes, but that violates Prl's Volume Control Maxim - in the sound reproduction chain, always control the volume at a point as close to the speakers as possible.

In our setup it's:

PVR --HDMI--> HDMI switch --HDMI--> TV --analog--> AM/FM Receiver [control volume here] --analog--> Speakers

Activity-based remotes like the Logitech Harmony series help in doing that, first-world problem and all... ;)
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: scottn1 on July 19, 2015, 05:01:39 PM
Quote from: Leon K on July 19, 2015, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: scottn1 on July 19, 2015, 03:56:13 PM
I would like to know why the powers that be, decided the Skippa remote won't be able to control your TV's volume?
And is this likely to be changed in the future considering every other current pvr on the market can do this?

Hey Scott,

The SKIPPA remote has volume control for the SKIPPA output, so as long as you initially set your TV volume to your required level, you can then use the SKIPPA remote to control the volume from there. There is a mute button on the remote too.

Really, that's good news. I was under the impression that you couldn't control the volume.
That certainly puts my mind at ease that's for sure, I can now look forward to receiving the Skippa!
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: FMB on July 30, 2015, 04:04:20 PM
Any word yet on when the Skippa will be available in the Harmony Remote database? I'd like to be able to configure everything on my remote before the unit arrives. I assume we'll need to know the Manufacturer and Model Number to find it in https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility (https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility).
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Klink1313 on July 30, 2015, 05:12:02 PM
Quote from: FMB on July 30, 2015, 04:04:20 PM
Any word yet on when the Skippa will be available in the Harmony Remote database? I'd like to be able to configure everything on my remote before the unit arrives. I assume we'll need to know the Manufacturer and Model Number to find it in https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility (https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility).

I too would like to set up my Harmony Remote before the unit arrives, one less thing to set up on the day.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on July 30, 2015, 05:12:42 PM
I don't how long it takes Logitech to add a new device to their database.

Once it's there it should be listed as:

Manufacturer: IceTV
Model: SKIPPA
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on July 30, 2015, 05:44:51 PM
Quote from: FMB on July 30, 2015, 04:04:20 PM
I assume we'll need to know the Manufacturer and Model Number to find it in https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility (https://support.myharmony.com/en/compatibility).
Interestingly even the SKIPPA alter ego the Altech 9600 is not in the Harmony database either  (at least not that I can find) - so we can't even try using that
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: warkus on July 30, 2015, 06:20:10 PM
Yes it is...

Which ever dill at Logitech entered it in did so under..

Al Tech
Model 9600

Mark
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: prl on July 30, 2015, 06:40:20 PM
Entries for the Beyonwiz T2 and T4 have only recently made it into the Harmony database. I'm not sure when Beyonwiz gave them the information.

I also don't know who's responsible for the fact that it looks like the entry for the T4 has T2 codes.  :(
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on July 30, 2015, 07:30:54 PM
Quote from: warkus on July 30, 2015, 06:20:10 PM
Which ever dill at Logitech entered it in did so under..
Al Tech
Thanks - I should have tried that I guess  :-[
So worst case that might provide some basic functionality for a SKIPPA if the correct one isn't available
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on July 30, 2015, 07:37:23 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on July 30, 2015, 07:30:54 PM
Quote from: warkus on July 30, 2015, 06:20:10 PM
Which ever dill at Logitech entered it in did so under..
Al Tech
Thanks - I should have tried that I guess  :-[
So worst case that might provide some basic functionality for a SKIPPA if the correct one isn't available

No. Worst case is that Skippa's remote codes are completely different to that Al Tech device in the Logitech database. So don't waste your time with that device code.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: warkus on July 30, 2015, 08:34:46 PM
Which is exactly what I would have thought, just because it's made by the same OEM doesn't mean the remote shares codes...

I'm really not sure where this rumour started that the skippa is the same as the 9600, that is simply untrue. It may share manufacturers, but as has been mentioned, it's not the same beast, it's another generation beyond. And even if it was the same, it's made for a different vendor so sharing remote codes is not guaranteed.

Just because it has similar EPG guides and manual info doesn't make it the same.

Mark

Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: IanL-S on July 31, 2015, 09:50:31 AM
Quote from: warkus on July 30, 2015, 08:34:46 PM
Which is exactly what I would have thought, just because it's made by the same OEM doesn't mean the remote shares codes...

I would expect it to have a different device code. Many of the individual command codes may well be the same; however RCUs transmit both the device code and the command code each time you press a key.
Quote from: warkus on July 30, 2015, 08:34:46 PM
I'm really not sure where this rumour started that the skippa is the same as the 9600, that is simply untrue. It may share manufacturers, but as has been mentioned, it's not the same beast, it's another generation beyond. And even if it was the same, it's made for a different vendor so sharing remote codes is not guaranteed.

Just because it has similar EPG guides and manual info doesn't make it the same.

Mark

Definitely a different SoC on the Skippa. As far as I can work out the specifications of the two SoC are identical except that the one used by Skippa has on-board wifi. The 9600 is heavier and has a larger case (to support the 3.5" HDD). The way many of the functions appear to work, and the functions included or excluded, suggest that they may well share a significant amount of code (assuming the (OEM is Altech).

Ian
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: FMB on August 07, 2015, 10:52:04 AM
It's become a bit of a ghost town in here since the recent announcement about the latest delay.

In an attempt to break the monotony, I have some good news. The Skippa is now available in the Harmony remote database. You can add it in as a device and set up activities.

I figure that by the time I've finally finished setting mine up, my Skippa will be here.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: warkus on August 07, 2015, 10:55:13 AM
Great news! Thanks. For the post dude...

:)
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on August 07, 2015, 06:57:47 PM
Quote from: FMB on August 07, 2015, 10:52:04 AM
I figure that by the time I've finally finished setting mine up, my Skippa will be here.
Thanks - I was going to check tonight - all updated now. Some interesting commands included - nice to see things like  Auto Skip - had no idea what # , * will do until I re-read the manual (page 8)
I cant see how I will be able to switch between LIVE and Recorded TV - as I currently do on my Beyonwiz  - no commands on the Harmony look like they will do that
The other thing to do to get ready for Skippa is to set up all your programmes and series in IceTV to record on Skippa - its a good way to see if the three tuners are going to cope with all your recording requirements. I've found one time slot that I need more than 3 channels so will have to get the Windows Media Centre doing some recording as well as Skippa
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: csutak40 on August 07, 2015, 08:02:12 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on August 07, 2015, 06:57:47 PM
I've found one time slot that I need more than 3 channels so will have to get the Windows Media Centre doing some recording as well as Skippa

LOL, you'd better not update to Win10, in that case.   :P  No Windows Media Centre!  :'(  I use it not just for conflicts, but also for things I want to keep long term.  Will have to find an alternative.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on August 07, 2015, 10:30:37 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on August 07, 2015, 08:02:12 PM
LOL, you'd better not update to Win10, in that case.   :P  No Windows Media Centre!  :'(  I use it not just for conflicts, but also for things I want to keep long term.  Will have to find an alternative.
Yes it's sad that Microsoft walked away from Media Center as a product - I'll keep my Media Center (quite happy to keep one system on Win 7) and my Windows Home Server (another abandoned Microsoft product) going for as long as possible
As an aside I just upgraded one system to Win 10 today and found that one of my favourite apps - Microsoft Money (another abandoned Microsoft product - gee this is getting to be common) wouldn't run but fortunately it was easy enough to find a workaround to get it running (what did people used to do before Google and the net  ;D)
My understand is that Skippa will record in MP4 format (I'm not 100% sure of that) so keeping files for the long term and being able to play them via common platforms should be easy enough - so that means that Media Center won't be so important going forward
Can't wait for my Skippa to arrive
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Paul55 on August 08, 2015, 07:26:58 AM
Quote from: csutak40 on August 07, 2015, 08:02:12 PM
LOL, you'd better not update to Win10, in that case.   :P  No Windows Media Centre!  :'(  I use it not just for conflicts, but also for things I want to keep long term.  Will have to find an alternative.

Why not use Kodi? It's free and has the PVR function. Then you don't have to worry about maintaining an outdated and, ultimately, unsupported version of Windows.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: raymondjpg on August 08, 2015, 11:14:43 AM
Quote from: Paul55 on August 08, 2015, 07:26:58 AMWhy not use Kodi? It's free and has the PVR function. Then you don't have to worry about maintaining an outdated and, ultimately, unsupported version of Windows.
Kodi is hardly a PVR, more LiveTV, and certainly not ICE enabled or Ice Interactive like WMC. Others have asked IceTV for an Ice Interactive alternative to WMC without any success so far.

Microsoft is fond of pushing its more recent versions of Windows on consumers, but the general opinion is that every other version is a lemon. So Windows 8 users might benefit from an update to Windows 10, but hardly Windows 7 users. Windows 7 will be supported by Microsoft beyond 2020, and nothing that I have seen of Windows 10 (I have the first release installed in a Virtual Machine as an update to the Technical Preview) would persuade me to relinquish Windows 7 in favour of it.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: csutak40 on August 08, 2015, 02:47:41 PM
Quote from: Paul55 on August 08, 2015, 07:26:58 AM

Why not use Kodi?

The simple answer is - because I have never heard of them.  That is why I said, I will have to research to find a replacement.  Thank you for the suggestion.  BTW, can that be used with IceTV?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: csutak40 on August 08, 2015, 02:52:12 PM
Quote from: raymondjpg on August 08, 2015, 11:14:43 AM

Kodi is hardly a PVR, more LiveTV, and certainly not ICE enabled or Ice Interactive like WMC. Others have asked IceTV for an Ice Interactive alternative to WMC without any success so far.
;D  I should have kept reading, before answering the previous post  :D

Quote from: raymondjpg on August 08, 2015, 11:14:43 AM

Microsoft is fond of pushing its more recent versions of Windows on consumers, but the general opinion is that every other version is a lemon. So Windows 8 users might benefit from an update to Windows 10, but hardly Windows 7 users. Windows 7 will be supported by Microsoft beyond 2020, and nothing that I have seen of Windows 10 (I have the first release installed in a Virtual Machine as an update to the Technical Preview) would persuade me to relinquish Windows 7 in favour of it.
Yeah, I'm in no hurry to upgrade, but I suppose, if I want a free upgrade, I'll have to do it in the next 12 months.  :-)

However, I have lots of friends who have jumped in - some was under the impression that they had to do it immediately, or miss out.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Klink1313 on August 08, 2015, 03:31:03 PM
Just set up my Harmony. Interesting to note that Favourites command can't be assigned to a key on the Harmony remote (not listed) - only one though so thats a very good result.

Will have to "learn" this command when I received the Skippa remote.

Cables set up in my cabinet just sitting there forlornly, remote all set up but unable to perform, just waiting for Skippa - then plug in antenna, HDMI, Network, power and - Thunderbirds are go.........plus learn the Favourites command.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: raymondjpg on August 08, 2015, 03:33:38 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on August 08, 2015, 02:52:12 PMHowever, I have lots of friends who have jumped in - some was under the impression that they had to do it immediately, or miss out.
I don't know what they think they are missing out on. If they haven't looked at the OS before updating they are getting a pig in a poke. As I said before, an upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10 might have some appeal, but I can't see that Microsoft would be offering a "free" upgrade to Windows 7 users for the users' benefit.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 12:59:53 AM
Quote from: raymondjpg on August 08, 2015, 11:14:43 AM
Quote from: Paul55 on August 08, 2015, 07:26:58 AMWhy not use Kodi? It's free and has the PVR function. Then you don't have to worry about maintaining an outdated and, ultimately, unsupported version of Windows.
Kodi is hardly a PVR, more LiveTV, and certainly not ICE enabled or Ice Interactive like WMC. Others have asked IceTV for an Ice Interactive alternative to WMC without any success so far.

Kodi (XBMC) needs a PVR backend to work and even then it can't set series recordings. The best PVR backend for Kodi is Windows Media Center (with IceTV of course). So unless you really like tinkering with computer settings you may as well forget Kodi and stick with Media Center 7 or 8.1
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 01:08:12 AM
Quote from: bodogbodog on August 07, 2015, 06:57:47 PM
I cant see how I will be able to switch between LIVE and Recorded TV - as I currently do on my Beyonwiz  - no commands on the Harmony look like they will do that

The My Rec button takes you straight to your recordings. From there, the exit button returns you to live TV.


Quote from: bodogbodog on August 07, 2015, 06:57:47 PM
The other thing to do to get ready for Skippa is to set up all your programmes and series in IceTV to record on skippa - its a good way to see if the three tuners are going to cope with all your recording requirements.

Skippa will create a new device in your account (even if you give it the same device name as an existing device) so don't waste too much time setting up series recordings for skippa in your account (unless you are prepared to copy them across to the Skippa later).

You will also need an empty device spot in your account for skippa to set itself up in. If you only have 4 or less devices now you won't need to worry about this.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: csutak40 on August 09, 2015, 04:57:50 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 01:08:12 AM


You will also need an empty device spot in your account for skippa to set itself up in. If you only have 4 or less devices now you won't need to worry about this.

This is just an  academic question, doesn't affect me, but I'm confused.  ???  If you're getting a separate account for the Skippa, then why do you need an empty device spot in your original subscription?  What am I missing?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Paul55 on August 09, 2015, 09:15:02 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 12:59:53 AM
Kodi (XBMC) needs a PVR backend to work and even then it can't set series recordings.

Thanks for that Dave. I was probably underestimating the effort needed to set up Kodi as a PVR. However, I was also under the impression that Kodi can use XMLTV which, I believe, is available to Ice subscribers - including the repeat flag.
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: bodogbodog on August 09, 2015, 12:16:29 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 01:08:12 AMThe My Rec button takes you straight to your recordings. From there, the exit button returns you to live TV
Thanks Dave
I need it as simple as possible - the WAF depends on that  ;D
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: JPP on August 09, 2015, 01:04:39 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 01:08:12 AM
The My Rec button takes you straight to your recordings. From there, the exit button returns you to live TV.
Dave, does the My Rec button also allow you to seamlessly see your recordings on a second Skippa? If not, what is the simplest way to see all your Skippas (plural) recordings on the one place/screen?
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: Dave at IceTV on August 12, 2015, 04:08:50 PM
Quote from: JPP on August 09, 2015, 01:04:39 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 09, 2015, 01:08:12 AM
The My Rec button takes you straight to your recordings. From there, the exit button returns you to live TV.
Dave, does the My Rec button also allow you to seamlessly see your recordings on a second Skippa? If not, what is the simplest way to see all your Skippas (plural) recordings on the one place/screen?

It is not possible to see multiple device's recordings in one menu or list. The recordings for the Skippa you are controlling with the remote will be listed in My Recs. The recordings for other DLNA devices (including a 2nd Skippa) will be listed in the Media menu.

Menu > Media > Network > Skippa2

See pages 47 to 50 in the manual. skippa.tv/manual (http://skippa.tv/manual)
Title: Re: Harmony remotes and Skippa
Post by: injidup on October 01, 2015, 04:51:47 PM
Harmony Remotes - 30% off at JBHifi until Weds 7th October