NEW: Improved Apple TV support for HDMI-CEC and Bluetooth remotes

bobshults · August 7, 2020, 5:11pm

I am able to do this. However, the Apple TV must NOT be streaming when you turn off the TV. If is is streaming video and/or audio it will not turn off with the TV remote power button. If my apple TV is NOT streaming (at Channels Guide or Apple Home page, etc.) the Sony TV remote WILL turn off ATV4. Of course, HDMI CEC must be enabled on both the Sony TV and ATV4. Also, on Sony TV check: Settings>External inputs>BRAVIA Sync settings>Device auto power off, and make sure it is on/enabled.

pdaphone · August 7, 2020, 9:44pm

Well you finally solved my mystery. I have been trying to power off when a show is playing, like I’d do with a cable box.

timstephens24 · August 8, 2020, 2:20am

Yeah with the Elite that's the case for using the actual remote keys (for some weird reason) but you can leave the "Harmony Pro BT Apple TV 4" there in the Activity and then have the activity power it off. This way when you stop the activity with the power button it'll actually turn the Apple TV 4/4K off.

Macnbaish · August 8, 2020, 1:51pm

Went through the process with my harmony hub and Apple TV 4K today. Very nice! Hopefully you will add these instructions to the documentation area you are putting together. I know you’re planning to stick to navigation options only for the colored buttons, but I’ll still put in a plug to add some limited other options as well. Toggle CC being at the top of my list.

dexdvr · August 8, 2020, 4:36pm

Glad you got it sorted - I am trying again after giving up. Maybe I am being dim but how do you add a device to an existing activity and how do you change the connectivity from Apple TV to Window PC?

I can create a new activity with all the devices and when it asks for an Activity type selecting Watch PC will connect to the PC but AFAICT this means I get none of the Apple TV button assignments.

Any help appreciated.

timstephens24 · August 8, 2020, 4:44pm

To add a device you have to choose “Re-run activity” in the settings for the activity.

As far as the buttons, you have to actually go into “Customize Remote” and set all the buttons that you want. I have everything set to the Apple TV buttons except these for the Windows Bluetooth device on my Elite:
Channel Up = Page Up
Channel Down = Page Down
Record = Record
Guide = F3
Red = F2
Green = F3
Yellow = F4
Blue = F1

dexdvr · August 8, 2020, 5:29pm

Thanks Tim - that helped a lot!

Now trying to figure out if I can map the touchscreen number pad to allow me to go direct to a channel

nigelsmith · August 8, 2020, 5:44pm

I'm also trying to map the touchscreen number pad so I can program favourites channel screen in the Watch TV activity.

timstephens24 · August 8, 2020, 7:12pm

I haven’t figured that out yet

Edit: I did below.

dexdvr · August 8, 2020, 7:43pm

So I’m testing 2 activities

One is a generic activity with all the relevant devices added and configured. I can input individual numbers via the touchpad and that works.

The second is a ‘Watch TV’ activity as I was hoping to use the Favorite Channels shortcuts like @nigelsmith . Same devices, same remote customisations but neither the number pad nor the favourites work.

For the Watch TV activity all the buttons were mapped to my TV initially so I am guessing the number commands are also.

It’s frustrating that you can’t program the touchpad in the same way as the physical buttons.

timstephens24 · August 9, 2020, 1:47am

I created a new activity, but I just did my TV, Receiver, and the Windows PC. From there, when you start the activity I get the numbers as one of the interfaces on the screen. Then I re-ran the activity and added the Apple TV 4 and Harmony Pro BT Apple TV 4 but left the main device as the Windows PC. I had to go back in and remap all the buttons to the Apple TV 4, and then leave these for the Windows PC:
Channel Up = Page Up
Channel Down = Page Down
Record = Record
DVR = F4
Guide = F3
Red = F2
Green = F3
Yellow = F4
Blue = F1

Then I went in to the Remote Button settings and customized the activity commands on the screen and added a few Sequences. I just named it the channel, like ABC, and then put in the numbers (1006). Here's how it all came out:
Numbers

Sequences

Using the sequence video
Using the numbers video

maddox · August 9, 2020, 3:54am

We’ve added extensive docs on remote controls.

dexdvr · August 9, 2020, 10:16am

Ok now we are getting really close to perfection. If I could assign a Channel icon to each sequence I would be there.

Out of curiosity, why have you added both the Apple TV 4 and Harmony Pro BT Apple TV 4 devices?

timstephens24 · August 9, 2020, 10:48am

The Harmony Pro BT Apple TV 4 is only there to turn the Apple TV off, I don’t use it’s for anything besides that.

Macnbaish · August 9, 2020, 11:53am

Oops, should have checked before opening my mouth!

HelloChannels · August 10, 2020, 7:42am

Thank you for your reply.

With a swipe to the left/right for channel up/channel down. Many other apps do it e.g. Receiver (radio app on the Apple TV). This gesture is not used in Channels yet for anything yet.
I can entirely use Channels (and the Apple TV in general) with my Sony Bravia remote:

turn it on: green/off button (TV turns on but not Apple TV) and then I press the OK button (Apple TV turns on). Assuming that the TV was previously turned off on the same input channel (in my case HDMI 1)
turn it off: current streaming must be stopped, but no need to exit current app (e.g. Channels), turn off TV with green button and after a couple of seconds, Apple TV automatically turns itself off.
However, I prefer the Siri Remote overall as not having to click to browse (but just to tap or swipe) is very satisfying to me

Best wishes

HelloChannels · August 10, 2020, 7:46am

Hi Maddox,

Thank you for being here and interacting with us.

You (and the team) have really done an incredible job with the app.

Would it be possible to add a swipe to the left/right for channel up/channel down. Many other apps do it e.g. Receiver (radio app on the Apple TV). This gesture is not used in Channels for anything yet. Even better, you can even imagine that the entire screen slides like on a mac (with the three-finger swipe to change desktop). Wouldn't it be cool if possible?

Thanks

maddox · August 10, 2020, 12:33pm

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words!

There’s no plan to make that feature change channels. We find that the Siri remote is just too sensitive to use its gestures for things as destructive as changing channels. We used to use it for scrubbing the timeline and it was a nightmare.

Additionally we’re saving those gestures for anything we decide is a good idea inside the video player.

Thanks!

pdaphone · August 10, 2020, 6:50pm

I've noticed that the colored function keys don't seem to work after you've gone a couple of screens into the library. If I back out to the main screen, then the work again. Is anyone else seeing this behavior?

embj · August 10, 2020, 11:46pm

I absolutely love that you guys added this feature. I've switched my ATVs over to using BT with Harmony, and it's working well.

I mapped the record button, but it only appears to function if you're actually watching the program. Is functionality being added to support pressing the record button from within the guide? Not super important, but it saves an extra button press.

Would it also be possible to add a remote shortcut to navigate to the scheduled recordings and/or settings page? I frequently visit the scheduled recordings page to see what's coming up to watch in the coming days.