Logitech Harmony

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

R.C.Anderson

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Rugby
I've just decided to have a play around with my TV setup, and rather than using a windows PC, I'm starting to use a raspberry pi & KODI.

Currently I'm using an air mouse remote (looks a lot like a normal remote, but has a qwerty keyboard on the back, and an air mouse built in which communicates via an RF dongle, but it also has a few IR programmable buttons (for TV power etc), but it doesn't quite fully work, so I'm thinking of swapping it for a Harmony remote & FLIRC.

Does anyone use this combination & could comment on how good it actually is? Harmony remotes are quite expensive if it's not worth it!

My setup is: Raspberry Pi 3 connected to my TV via a Denon Amp (via HDMI).
I want to be able to turn all items on via the remote, navigate through KODI with the remote, and control the volume on the amp via the remote. Preferably I would also like to be able to change the input of my amp via the remote (e.g. from HDMI to tuner etc), but this happens less often, so I'm less concerned about this one.

Alternatively, is there any other system that would do this that's cheaper than the harmony system?
Are there any recommendations to which harmony system would be best suited?
Are there any Harmony remotes that will connect to the Raspberry Pi via a USB RF dongle etc, rather than using FLIRC?
 
rpi and hdmi cec, have a look may be useful

didnt think you could power off a pi remotely it has to physically unplugged/disconnected

edit:
my setup, kodi box to avr to tv
cec adapter connected to kodi box (shouldn't be needed for rPi)
£4 generic ir remote (DIGIFLEX USB PC Computer Remote Control Media Center Controller)
the cheapie remote allows me to navigate etc, as the box is hdmi-cec connected it sends volume up control to the amp, also when kodi box is switched on it wakes up the avr and tv
cant change avr inputs though, so i cheat if sky box is on I switch it off then on again so avr switches to sky
 
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Harmony is expensive, but excellent. I waited until it was on the Amazon black friday deals and saved some money. To control my HTPC which is windows based I bought a cheap £10 pc remote off ebay which gave me an IR reciever via USB. Plugged this in then tuned the harmony into that. This allows me to control KODI via the Harmony.
 
Phate said:
Harmony is expensive, but excellent. I waited until it was on the Amazon black friday deals and saved some money. To control my HTPC which is windows based I bought a cheap £10 pc remote off ebay which gave me an IR reciever via USB. Plugged this in then tuned the harmony into that. This allows me to control KODI via the Harmony.
Click to expand...

What do you mean 'tuned the harmony'?
 
Tuned is the wrong word. You tell the harmony which device is what so it knows which IR signals to send to control each device.
 
To expand on my CEC comment:

In the living room we only need the TV remote.

This is how it works:
TV
Ofc it works fine controlling all the TVs features.

AV receiver
The receiver is powered on and off automatically with the TV.
If the AMP is selected as the audio output then the volume buttons control the AMPs volume.
I can select any of the AMPs inputs (if they are CEC enabled, includes chromecast)

Kodi Media Player
Selecting the media player input will power on the media player.
I can control the menus and bind buttons how I wish.
If I select (or it switches over automatically, i.e. someone plays a youtube vid over chromecast) another AV input then any playing media will pause.
The media player will be put to sleep when I switch the TV off.

PS4
Selecting the PS4 input will power on the PS4.
I can navigate the PS4 menus with the TV remote.


Basically this is the most wife friendly solution I could work out. The harmony model I had originally required the user to point it in the general directions of the TV whilst it did its work. Surprisingly this was beyond the wife and it would often be out of sync, i.e. assume things where on when off etc..
 
I did consider CEC, but I don't think my amp supports it, as I couldn't find any mention of anything like it in either the settings menus, or in the manual. I might have another look though, as it does seem like as I could save myself over £100 if I can get it to work, it would make everything a lot easier!
 
massive sale online for the elite.
just picked one up.

apparently a major firmware issue going on at the moment...but should be resolved soon.
 
Got one a while back on an Amazon sale, it's pretty decent but really but can't compete with the layout of the SkyHD remote so end up never really using it.
 
Have to say I love my harmony Ultimate. Controls everything I need it to. Virgin box, av receiver, xbox, blu-ray player, fire stick and tv. so 1 remote instead of 7 and its easy to setup. Should add only cost £99 in Black Friday sales
inc hub.
 
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From the sounds of it the Harmony is the only way I'll really get everything I want/need.
Just need to look out for one in a deal at some point/second hand then, so it doesn't end up being stupidly expensive.

I've had a little look around online, and there don't really seem to be any competitors to the Harmony. Am I just missing them, or do they actually not exist?
 
I have about 5 remotes for my system it does drive you crazy. But its wife friendly lol. Got a Minix neo u1 a Pi3 and me canton dm-55 and then the tv remote i think i could set the tv remote to learn everything i do use CEC for my pi3 but its setting it up for the canton which would get stuck on with its settings. i can use the TV remote for the Minix to but i prefer the Airmouse for that
 
lnoton said:
massive sale online for the elite.
just picked one up.

apparently a major firmware issue going on at the moment...but should be resolved soon.
Click to expand...

Where is there more info on the firmware issue please? I have had an Elite since the Black Friday sale last Nov (which replaced an old Harmony 525) and a couple of months ago an update was pushed to it. Since then, the base station regularly needs power cycling in order for the remote to see it. It was flawless before then :mad:

Would be interesting to see if its just me that has the problem.
 
R.C.Anderson said:
From the sounds of it the Harmony is the only way I'll really get everything I want/need.
Just need to look out for one in a deal at some point/second hand then, so it doesn't end up being stupidly expensive.

I've had a little look around online, and there don't really seem to be any competitors to the Harmony. Am I just missing them, or do they actually not exist?
Click to expand...

Could make an offer based on the £82 price at Amazon last week - https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18746663
 
I got my Harmony Elite from the German jungle store where it works out much cheaper than on the UK store.

I use it to control a Samsung TV and Monitor Audio soundbar and, behind a wall, a Humax PVR, Fire TV, Apple TV and Steam Link.

I can also control these devices from iPhone, iPad and (in theory) a PC as well as via IFTT.

It has enabled me to put everything except the TV and soundbar out of sight in a storeroom.

Expensive but well worth it in my opinion.
 
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