Go buy a Harmony Smart Control

[RoyMi6]

I've had two of these (one in my living room, one in my cinema room) since they came out.

Being able to put my AV stuff in a cabinet and out of sight was definitely a bonus, but using the "actions" that let you turn on and switch a variety of gear without having to hold it in line of sight has been a god send.

Fast forward to yesterday and I decided to do a similar "AV cabinet" set-up in our bedroom and move all the AV gear (just an ATV3 and NowTV) into the cupboard and get another one of these remotes.

My GOD, I forgot how big a difference it can make using a decent remote that every button press is registered 100% of the time!

The actions don't make a massive difference to us as the setup is so simple, but having a really nice, responsive remote control makes it SO worth it.

If you don't already have one of these remotes in your life then you need to get that corrected!

Pro Tip: Wait until they drop to £69 on "the forest". They usually sit at £79 (which is a fair price) but if you see it at £69 snap it up.

EDIT: Also, to clear up some confusion regarding this line of Harmony products.

Harmony Hub (RRP £80) - Can be bought separately. Works as an IR transmitter and can be controlled by your smart phone that connects to it via bluetooth to set it up, then wireless after that.

Harmony Smart Control (RRP £110 but can be bought for ~£80) - The "smart control" package INCLUDES the Harmony Hub described above, but also include the "harmony smart" remote which is a RF remote that talks directly to the hub. This is what I think is the best package and remote.

Harmony Ultimate One - (RRP £149 but can be bought for ~£95) - This is the touch screen remote that has less buttons that the "harmony smart" remote. It can work independently from the hub as it has an IR output but it can also talk to the hub via RF. This remote requires to be kept charged in a cradle but does also have backlit buttons.

Harmony Ultimate - (RRP £230) - This is a package deal of the Harmony Hub and the Ultimate One remote.

The key fact is that all the remote and hubs can be bought separately but work together (although each remote can only be assigned to link to one hub) When paired with the Harmony Hub all the remotes offer the same functionality. E.g. they all control Bluetooth devices and work with Phillips Hue lightbulbs.

#### IMPORTANT EDIT ####

Harmony are now releasing the "home" range of these remotes that have some extra functionality (ability to control more home automation devices). These don't appear to be out in the UK yet still.

They cost a bit more but already there's some functionality that's being released for the "home hub" that the "smart hub" can't do - like integration with IFTTT!

 

[RoyMi6]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I wouldn't be able to use CEC with my setups that don't have an HTPC in the loop would I?

All my devices are either ATV3 (running Plex from server), Roku3 (for catchup) and XboxOne.

Each room also has a AV receiver or HDMI switch in the way...

 

[RoyMi6]

I've got a 650 at the moment, but will be upgrading to a Harmony Ultimate at some point as it'll do PS4 too.

The Neet IR Blasters work really well with the Harmony as my AV kit is in a cupboard too, USB powered about £15 off Flamazon.

Pretty sure the Harmony Smart Control does PS4 as well so it's not required to get the ultimate. Also, as a hater of crap touch screens, remember that EVERY button on the Smart Control (the one without a touch screen) can have double functions (short press and long press) and that includes the 3 activity buttons at the top (so you get 6 activities).

Added advantage of the non touch screen remote as well is that it doesn't require a charging cradle and the batteries in my older two have lasted since launch.

I'm all with you on the NeetIR blasters - I had those as well but it still annoyed me if someone walked in the way of the remote during an action!

P.S. Keep your stick on IR blaster as they can be used with the Harmony Hub just by using a 2.5mm adapter.

 

[RoyMi6]

Hmm interesting, that would be about half the price of the ultimate. So the Smart does BT?

Yup, the Harmony Hub works with my PS3. It even acts as a "bluetooth keyboard" for my Apple TV. Although this is a new development and I'm not quite sure how to use it. I think I have to use the keyboard on my iPhone - but I never type on the Apple TV anyway so not had a reason to work this out.

Bravia Sync should control your amp through your TV. I have a Sony TV, Sky and a Sony Amp and only ever use the Sky remote. I only need the TV remote once in a blue moon to switch inputs or whatever.

Yeah, it's the "once in the blue moon" part I don't get. Get an all in one and you never have to find that second remote.

Also, a fundamental improvement that can not be over looked is the quality of the Harmony Smart Control remote itself. All the buttons have a tactile "click" to them and combined with 100% responsiveness of the button presses with your IR devices (with IR repeaters from the HUB) it just functions sooooo well.

Like I say, I've had two of these for years but the reason I started this thread is because I found it worked so well as a 3rd remote in my bedroom - a situation I don't even "need" it for.

 

[RoyMi6]

I use a Harmony One with an IR sender to a remote cupboard in another room and it all works great except I never know what the AV is up to.
It has so many surround modes etc and the remote just toggles options so you can only tell by going to the other room and looking in the cupboard!!

Ive asked before on another thread but no replies, can anyone suggest a decent AV amp (£300-£600) which has on screen graphics that shows everything being changed on the TV screen?

cheers

It's no doubt gone unanswered because it's an outdated question I'd say. Any modern AMP is going to have on screen mirroring of the menu/options selected. If it's a major concern I'd simply buy an AVR based on started requirements but double check video reviews to see you're happy that it does what you want.

Also, changing surround modes isn't something I've ever had to do manually on an AVR before. My AMPs faultlessly detects the input signal and adjusts to decode signal just fine DTS, HD AUDIO, 5.1, 7.1 etc. It's possible that again you're applying outdated understanding of a process that just isn't required any more.

Unless you're talking about changing EQ presets - in which case what does it mater what preset it's on if it sounds good? It's all going to be subjective if you can't tell your in "music" mode when watching a movie. If it sounds bad then press the button to change the preset and boom, you're done. Point is mute anyway as yeah, modern ones are going to show you what's happening on the screen.

 

[RoyMi6]

Black Friday...thats all I'm saying. I now have half a dozen remotes!

Got any spare? Was going to give one to my dad for chrimbo

 

[RoyMi6]

I meant I want a Harmony to replace my half a dozen remotes!

Amp
TV
Projector
Xbox
Projector Screen
HTPC

Urgh

Phate... sort you life out!

 

[RoyMi6]

Isn't an IR remote a bit "old hat" now?
I control my music selection on whatever Ipad/Iphone I have to hand.

Plenty of devices in your AV cabinet are going to be IR controlled though aren't they? Not many people can turn on their TV with their smart phone (only a limited number of phones have IR to my knowledge) but it's something which the Harmony Hub lets you do

Still, I personally still prefer a remote over a smart phone. I tried living with just a phone to control everything but ultimately it means I couldn't share control with friends or family easily.

I also much prefer the tactile feel of a remote and the ability to "pause" or "mute" in a heartbeat is nice - something I point and joke at my friend for when his parents ring and it takes him a good 10/20 seconds to unlock his phone, fire up the app (twice if it crashes the first time) and then pause.

Don't get me wrong, I still stream spotify to my AV system with my phone and often quickly use Plex on my iPhone to browse and launch short TV shows - but always being able to fall back to a remote that anyone can pick up and control everything from is something I don't think I can live without.

 

[RoyMi6]

No Harmony remote can control a PS4....
They can control a PS3 & xbox one but not the PS4

From reading up about this, it seems to be because sony will not allow it..

What the hell? Fail on their part then!

 

[RoyMi6]

I lost my Harmony Smart Control remote They sell them separately in the US for $35 but can't find them in the UK.

Ha, £25 to buy it, £35 to post it on the bay

Just buy another and attach a bluetooth tracker

 

[RoyMi6]

I made the move form harmony one to the basic smart hub and controller.

It's not a big as downgrade as you think as each button can be assigned two functions. So if you use a couple of extra buttons on your remote (maybe like change aspect ratio or something) you could assign that to "long hold" on the guide button.

In addition the app on your phone will let you use EVERY button on the original remote.

Personally I saw the basic remote as a massive improvement over the harmony one because:
1) it has the colour buttons that TiVo uses for a lot of stuff
2) it's MASSIVLEY more responsive (less delay for button presses)
3) it doesn't need to sit in a cradle all the time
4) activities are more reliable because someone can't walk in the way half way through a command
5) easier for my partner to use because we both hated the touchscreen responsiveness

 

[RoyMi6]

The app can control as many hubs as you want but the remote can only control one hub at a time unless you repair it each time you moved between rooms.

For you, like me, you'd just be simpler to get a remote/hub combo for each room.

The hub itself is an ir emitter and the single ir emitter that comes with it has about a 1m cable. However the hub has two IR outs and I use on one of my hubs a 5m extension cable connected to a ir emitter that splits into 4 stick on things.

Just buy a hub / remote combo for each room.

 

[RoyMi6]

The simple remote does NOT send IR at all. I think the ultimate might but you'll need to check.

 

[RoyMi6]

Would appreciate suggestions as I want to buy one tomorrow.

Quite a few people on here and rainforrest talk about the hub going into an AV cupboard so how do all these people control their TV if not in line of sight of the hub?

The harmony hub itself has two IR OUT.

It comes with ONE emitter on the end of roughly 2m long cable (that can obviously control as many devices as it needs to in line of sight). The IR OUT sockets are 2.5mm but I've successfully used a 2.5mm -> 3.5mm converter to a 5m long 3.5mm stero cable connected to 3.5mm mutli IR emitter stickon things bought from eBay.

Keep in mind the two limitations of the simple remote though. Only 8 devices can be added and only 6 activities can be created. The Harmony Touch can add more but not sure on specifics.

If you're trying to use one remote in both rooms you might hit this limitation sooner rather than later and although it can be worked around by learning individual IR commands it's likely it will be a bit of a pain.

 

[RoyMi6]

Thanks for info - it may be ok then?

I am only wanting to control everything from my lounge and all my kit is in a kitchen cupboard quite some way away and no way of getting another cable in.

However I already have an extention cable in the wall which currently connects the IR receiver in my lounge to to the distribution amp in the cupboard. It has 3.5mm stereo jack socket at TV end so I guess I can reuse this and plug in an exiting emmiter to control the TV?

If so this all sounds like it could work and I could plug the emitter it comes with in the other output to send signals to the other cupboard shelf that might not see the hub?

Thanks

I think it's worth the gamble. From what you've said I think you should be good to go (short of buying a couple converters to get your connections all wired up the right way) but it's a great bit of kit that I'd recommend you find a way to make it work rather than not buying it because it doesn't fit 100% in the first instance.

 

[RoyMi6]

I moved over to an Ultimate after using a 555 for about 3 years (until I accidently broke the screen when more asleep than awake), and love it.

Especially the way I can also use my tablet to start things off if the remote is out of charge (which is rare).

Ugh, this is exactly why I recommend the "non" ultimate. When I used my Harmony One the cradle was such a PITA. I've had my first Harmony Smart Control since December 2013 and I've never changed the battery.

I also (personally) hate the phone app for "controlling" TV. Such a hassle to unlock your phone and start an app just to mute the TV if you get a phone call or something.

Also, lawls - got one for every room in the house. Replaced all the Harmony 300's and Harmony One's used previously

 

[RoyMi6]

There's two IR outs on the hub. It comes with one external IR emitter and you can pick up a second for less than £5 on eBay (remember the socket is 2.5mm though so get a converter if your new IR emitter is 3.5mm)

That should let you control your lights no?

Also I've never had a problem of something getting out of sync like used to happen with the Harmony One. Because the emitters are so close to the devices they don't miss a beat. If you do have problems the hub can be configured to increase the delay between commands and even be set to only send the IR commands for a specific device via the HUBs built in IR, IR out 1 or IR out 2 to avoid interference that way.

EDIT:

Another super pro tips is to buy stick-on IR emitters off a popular auction site (~£10)
"IR Extender 1 Receiver 4 Emitter Emitters Repeater Kit Hidden Infrared Remote UK".

They're designed as IR extenders so include a receiver unit and power etc but the bit you want is just the emitting part. Instead of being a single wide angle IR emitter on the end of a cable it's 4 individual stick-on ones. The ones from the bay use a 3.5mm connection so you'll need a converter (any 3.5mm socket to 2.5mm plug will work - I even use stereo ones) and it's just plug and play. Mean you've got an even greater change of a solid IR signal getting to your device.

EDIT2: Sorry, just realised I've said all this before in this exact thread but my points still stand - you should be able to get everything working as you hope!

 

[RoyMi6]

Hum, I obviously don't fully understand the problem but I'd look at either reversing your setup (put the HUB in the lounge) or decide whether you want to put in the effort running the extra cable to where it needs to go.

Good luck thought!

 

[RoyMi6]

I've never had anything but problems when trying to use CEC and the Harmony software in unison.

Might have to look into this though. Although this won't work for me as my projector that the PS4 is hooked up to doesn't support CEC.

 

[RoyMi6]

Amazon dont appear to be stocking these anymore and a couple of 3rd party shops have them but not much stock.

I wonder if a replacement is coming? Maybe the one mentioned in the OP?

Oh! I hope so!

The new "Home" range look good due to a couple of extra buttons and the ability to integrate with "If This Then That".

They've been out in the US for some time now so fingers crossed they're here sooner rather than later.

Likely when they do come I'll have a couple of old one to sell on the members market