Switch on Harman AVR upon detection of TV HDMI Input?

[jang430]

Hello. I have my pc connected to my monitor as a computer, and after work and play, I'd like to watch XBMC. I also have my PC's hdmi input connected to my Harman AVR, then output to TV HDMI input. I'd like to know if there's a way to initiate power on of Harman AVR upon detection of TV switching to the correct HDMI input (Input 5).

The scenario will be:

TV turned on
Switch to input 5
Turn on Harman Receiver
Start XBMC on TV screen, not the monitor

It has to follow these sequence otherwise, XBMC starts in my computer monitor instead of TV. Somehow, because the sequence is out of order, the Harman Receiver is also not detected as an output for playback during xbmc. It will be using computer speakers.

Devices I use:

Sharp LC-52D64u LCD TV (has RS-232)
Computer using Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H (monitor connected to VGA port, receiver connected to HDMI port)
Harman Kardon AVR-247 receiver
Microsoft MCE receiver RC6 (with holes for IR transmitters I think, though I don't know how to use them)
Logitech Harmony One universal remote

For a little more clarification, I've been using the Logitech remote already. Though the sequence in which they power on cannot be set executed properly all the time. So what happens is either TV turns on but not yet switched to HDMI input, and receiver gets turned on first, or XBMC starts at monitor since TV is not yet switched to correct HDMI input. Not set and forget.

Hope someone here can help.

[blaher]

Ideally you would want to use the RSÔÇô232 of your TV to detect, switch on, and choose inputs.

I've attached an example where my receiver is switched to a particular input and it selects the HDMI audio, rather than the computer speakers.

My projector doesn't have RS-232 so occasionally I lose sequence as well, and XBMC doesn't like already being started, and then being switched from computer screen to projector.

To get around this I've made a little sequence in EventGhost that kills XBMC if it is already running, which is in the.xml as well.

Using the RS232 http://www.harmankardon.com/resources/B ... otocol.pdf for your receiver would be the best way too.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2839 has some ideas that might help too, but they won't help with knowing whether the correct input is selected, just if something is connected.

[jang430]

Hello Blaher,

Will Eventghost be able to detect TV input via rs232?

Sadly, my receiver doesn't come with rs232. It has those Stereo plugs though that I can control it's on/off function, I believe.
How do you command PC to select HDMI audio rather than built-in speakers?

Can EG also detect where XBMC is displayed (computer or TV) then restart when it's in the computer?

Thank you so much.

[blaher]

Hello Blaher,

Will Eventghost be able to detect TV input via rs232?

Yes, with a suitable plug-in. I'm not sure whether one already exists, and unfortunately I don't know how to create one. I've relied on others to do the hard work!
http://www.eventghost.org/docs/pluginlist.html lists a generic serial port plug-in, and also a Samsung TV one.

http://www.pcmediacenter.com.au/forum/t ... via-rs232/ and your TV manual would be good places to start, if one doesn't already exist.

Sadly, my receiver doesn't come with rs232. It has those Stereo plugs though that I can control it's on/off function, I believe.

When I googled your model, it had rs232, but may be different countries have different model variations. The stereo plugs you are talking about are for receiving infrared signals, for instance when you're receiver is in a cabinet, or out of line of sight.

How do you command PC to select HDMI audio rather than built-in speakers?

You can see how it's done in the example.xml file I attached: it's under the audio folder. It's called kill "xbmc.rar", and contains the.xml file.

Can EG also detect where XBMC is displayed (computer or TV) then restart when it's in the computer?

I'm not sure, I just run the catalyst control panel shortcut (CLI.exe) which disables my monitor, and turns on the projector each time I run XBMC.

Thank you so much.

No worries

[jang430]

Great! Will absorb all the things you mentioned here.

Lastly, if Harman does have rs232 and TV has it as well, do you mean PC must have 2 rs232 ports to control both? As I believe each device don't have pass through.

[blaher]

Lastly, if Harman does have rs232 and TV has it as well, do you mean PC must have 2 rs232 ports to control both?

Yes, or because they're so rare now, something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-USA-19 ... B0000VYJRY

[jang430]

Thanks again blaher