New Sky Box (NZ3151) and Logitech Harmony Remote Setup

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mminehan

22 posts

Geek

#304324 24-Apr-2023 10:50

Thought I'd start a new thread on getting the Logitech Harmony remotes to work with the new full Sky Box, the one with the recording service.

So, I have been playing round and the new Skybox responds to being setup and a basic Google TV device in Harmony. If you choose "Harmony/Harmony Beta AndroidTVTest" in the device settings in the Harmony app, and then pair it with the Sky box (My Hub/Android Settings/Remotes and devices) you can get basic controls.

But the problem is there are some buttons missing. Namely record, and channel up/down, planner, live TV etc. But the basic navigation and transport controls work.

There is a slight bug with the Sky box Bluetooth pairing. It gets stuck on 'pairing' once you choose pair. But if you back out, you'll see the 'Harmony Keyboard' listed as a device.

So, I thought I would start this thread so we can make some progress.

Maybe there are other Android TV devices with all the correct buttons in the Harmony library.

I notice the model number on the box from Kaonmedia is SkyNZ3151....but that's not in the Harmony library.

Marty

1 | 2 | 3

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3067787 24-Apr-2023 22:34

I guess the Sky Box doesn't show up in the app when searching WiFi? That is how I added my MiBox and other media box.

Don't they support blutooth? Although it looks like they can only learn IR manually.

Hopefully all these issues will be resolved when I upgrade (which will be a while by the sounds of things)

MightyApe

You will find anything you want at MightyApe (affiliate link).

TheMightyKiwipeso

70 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#3067812 25-Apr-2023 02:34

I think the harmony remote needs a database entry for the new sky box first to support all the buttons.

You might be able to learn most of the functions to the keys through your specific computer companion app.

I will dig mine out and try see if the app works with Apple Silicon when I get the new sky box for our house.

rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3067838 25-Apr-2023 09:56

For me, the Harmony app on iOS doesn't see the Sky Box when you do a network scan. Google Home does see the box (assume as it's via Chromecast).

I've tried a few different devices in Harmony but no luck - thought I'd list them there to see if anybody else has more luck or to rule them out:

Virgin Media 360 (the remote looks very similar...)
Ziggo Mediabox Next
Sky Q
Kaon Allente 1

And CEC doesn't seem to work for volume control of the amplifier but it does power on (but that's for another thread)...

mminehan

22 posts

Geek

#3067863 25-Apr-2023 11:56

rcooke:

I've tried a few different devices in Harmony but no luck - thought I'd list them there to see if anybody else has more luck or to rule them out:

Virgin Media 360 (the remote looks very similar...)
Ziggo Mediabox Next
Sky Q
Kaon Allente 1

I read on the Home Assistant site that people have had some luck using Windows PC in Harmony for Google TV device: "I have setup my CCWGTV as a Windows PC in Harmony and this works with Button Mapper to provide many more buttons for controlling CCWGTV via Bluetooth. "

I haven't had time try this as the TV is in use today.

rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3067887 25-Apr-2023 14:00

Great! I’ve given it a go and it seems to work at least mostly.

I need to find a few mappings (eg for the Live TV button) but record works and I can search Google for example.

Worst case I can navigate to live TV from home….

mminehan

22 posts

Geek

#3067889 25-Apr-2023 14:23

rcooke: Great! I’ve given it a go and it seems to work at least mostly.

I need to find a few mappings (eg for the Live TV button) but record works and I can search Google for example.

Worst case I can navigate to live TV from home….

Oh that is good news. I reckon with a little bit of experimentation we should be able replicate most, if not all, of the Sky remote.

Let's make a list of key mappings we discover.

rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3067913 25-Apr-2023 18:04

I'll let you know where I get to. I've also connected a real bluetooth keyboard to the sky box to also test keystrokes. One thing I could if there is no direct key map for (say) Live TV, I could ry a key sequence.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
7273 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

#3068000 25-Apr-2023 21:33

Saw this recently - just in case it’s of interest to anyone here:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/sofabaton-u2-review-best-budget-universal-remote/

It references Logitech/Harmony.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3068248 26-Apr-2023 21:05

Ok, here's what I have found works so far:

Media Center button = Sky Home Button

Guide button = Sky Planner

Record = Sky Record

Windows = Sky Google Search

Ctrl-Alt-Del = Reboot the device

What doesn't work

Home button, Live TV - doesn't work at all

I have tried all remote control keys and nothing brings up the Live TV. Looks like I'll need to make a sequence, something like Media Center, Left, Down, OK. Bit clunky!

Also, although I have no idea what it does, on the Sky remote do this:

Go to My Hub > Android Settings > Device Preferences > Android TV OS version and click OK on the remote three times - pretty green ;-)

hsvhel

1092 posts

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#3068250 26-Apr-2023 21:19

Not had one of the upgrade boxes yet, but i am sure it wont be long until the call comes in.

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rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3068520 27-Apr-2023 20:03

My sequence for keys to get to Live TV does work. It's a bit slow, so I'll play with the delays to get it right.

So pretty much everything I need works - record, home, live TV, guide, volume.

darkhor5e

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#3068557 27-Apr-2023 22:26

Does the Harmony remote you have transmit via bluetooth?
What model do you have?

rcooke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3068614 28-Apr-2023 06:13

I have a Harmony Elite, and yes it support Bluetooth.

https://support.myharmony.com/en-nz/elite

Great remote, shame it's end of the line for the range.

arrowarrior

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3069205 29-Apr-2023 13:34

Sorry I'm not as tech savvy as you guys but would someone please be able to give me step-by-step instructions on how to get the Harmony Elite to work with the new Sky Box? I have just upgraded to the new sky box, but not being able to use my Harmony Elite remote is driving me a bit nuts. I'm on an iPhone so not sure if I can use Button Mapper.

I can see there are a few different approaches to it until hopefully Sky NZ can get the new sky box added to the list of supported devices. Any idea if new devices are still being added given that they have discontinued support for the remotes?

MePLUR

32 posts

Geek

Trusted

#3069433 30-Apr-2023 02:20

arrowarrior:

Sorry I'm not as tech savvy as you guys but would someone please be able to give me step-by-step instructions on how to get the Harmony Elite to work with the new Sky Box? I have just upgraded to the new sky box, but not being able to use my Harmony Elite remote is driving me a bit nuts. I'm on an iPhone so not sure if I can use Button Mapper.

At a high level:

Add a new device.
- I added it as a Windows Computer
You can then either:
- Modify your existing Sky activity (change your settings/re-run the Activity setup process) and replace the old Sky box with the new one
- Create a new activity using the new Sky box
Before you can control the new Sky box with the Harmony remote, you need to pair it by adding it as a remote in the Sky box settings.
- Steps adapted from here:
  - From the Sky box home page, go to settings.
  - Scroll down to Remotes & accessories and choose Pair remote or accessory. You will see that the Sky box is searching for accessories.
  - Start the new Activity on the Harmony and follow the prompts. It will appear as a Harmony Keyboard, so choose that and connect.

A few things I've noticed:

~~The Harmony Hub lost its pairing with my existing Google TV. Not sure if it's a limitation, I haven't tried re-pairing with the Google TV.~~
- Re-pairing the Harmony Hub to Google TV fixed this.
Can't get the channel numbers to work. I replaced the existing Sky activity, and the num pad that appears on screen changes the channels on my TV and not the Sky box. Haven't figured out how to change channels on the Sky box using the Harmony remote.
- Added a Watch Movie activity allowed me to use the on-screen num pad to change channels but I am not able to set favourites using this activity type.

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