My Harmony 700 small review and questions!

yannis76

yannis76

yannis76

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Joined
16 Aug 2004
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804
Hi,

I have recently bought Logitech Harmony 700 and my overall impression is not that good despite all the fantastic reviews I was reading here. Let me explain why:

1) PlayStation 3 doesn't work without an adapter which costs another 50-60$ so one device is off. There are 3 remaining (TV, Amplifier, HTPC)
2) HTPC (Zotac HD-ID11) cannot be controlled without some peripheral which I don't know which is, so this device is also off. I don't complain about this very much, but the PS3 annoyance really bothered me!
3) The amplifier which is also a tuner can be turned on and off, change the inputs (DVD/BD/Tuner), change the volume and control some other parameters but cannot change the stations while in Tuner mode!!!

So what does the 700 remain for:

1) turning on/off the TV, Amplifier but not the HTPC for HD content
2) turning on and watching the TV
3) turning on/off the TV, Amplifier but not the PS3 for gaming
4) listening to radio but not controlling the stations!!!

Out of the 4 tasks, only one can be 100% controlled, watching TV...
All the others are "semi" controlled.

Personally I don't believe this should cost 96$!!!

Please, if any of you know how can I set it up in order to control the stations while listening to radio...
 
Did you not research this before buying? I contemplated it in the past but my HTPC is controlled via Bluetooth, I have an Enigma based satellite receiver that I doubt will be supported, have a DAC integrated into my system which doesn't support remote control functionality at all...all this meant I'd still need several remotes so I didn't bother
 
Can you not "Teach" the remote custom functions for the Tuner controls? I know with my Logitech Harmony its relatively simple to teach it new commands under each activity which then appear in the LCD screen... and if software doesnt know the commands you can teach them by pointing your old remote at the handset in a learn mode and giving each command a custom name?
 
Yassou yannis76,

It was Sony that decided that the PS3 didn't need Infra Red control. They seemed to forget that a lot of people would use it as a Blu-ray player and media-streamer. So far I think they're the only manufacturer using Bluetooth only for device control. It's hardly a secret though. There's no IR option on the console so using any learning remote means buying a USB IR adapter for the console. Read more here

The PC adapter - Google "Windows Media Centre Remote".

Controlling the AV Receiver tuner - I think this is simply a set up issue. You need to include the Tuner as a source as if there's one separately.
 
It sounds that you didn't do the homework before splashing the cash. All these 'issues' you mention are mentioned quite a bit on the net!
 
Darryn said:
Can you not "Teach" the remote custom functions for the Tuner controls? I know with my Logitech Harmony its relatively simple to teach it new commands under each activity which then appear in the LCD screen... and if software doesnt know the commands you can teach them by pointing your old remote at the handset in a learn mode and giving each command a custom name?
Click to expand...

The remote has the commands in its menu and I have also tried to teach it how to change channels but without any result...
 
lucid said:
Yassou yannis76,

It was Sony that decided that the PS3 didn't need Infra Red control. They seemed to forget that a lot of people would use it as a Blu-ray player and media-streamer. So far I think they're the only manufacturer using Bluetooth only for device control. It's hardly a secret though. There's no IR option on the console so using any learning remote means buying a USB IR adapter for the console. Read more here

The PC adapter - Google "Windows Media Centre Remote".

Controlling the AV Receiver tuner - I think this is simply a set up issue. You need to include the Tuner as a source as if there's one separately.
Click to expand...

Yiassou my friend!

I did include the tuner and I can listen to the radio, change the volume and turn it on/off. I cant change the channels!!!
 
GinG said:
It sounds that you didn't do the homework before splashing the cash. All these 'issues' you mention are mentioned quite a bit on the net!
Click to expand...

Indeed, it was a pretty spontaneous buy...Especially for the PS3 issues I should have known. But this is also the reason I am not so angry about that as I am with radio receiver problem.
 
Just to recap and maybe get some more help:

My Sony receiver is well recognized by the harmony. When I set the "listen to music" assignment I set the source to tuner and I can turn on/off the receiver, up the volume, even add some buttons like 2ch, music to the buttons around the LCD of the Harmony. However no matter what I cannot change the stations presets. I have tried to "train" Harmony by pressing the Sony's remote buttons on the back of the Harmony and they were recognized and also assigned to change channels on Harmony. However, I cant still change the channels...

As far as the IR on Zotac, I ordered a cheap 5,30 pounds windows remote IR controller...For the PS3, I still find a lot of money, maybe if I could find a used one...
 
I have a harmony one and yes i have had to buy an adapter for the PS3 to convert from IR to bluetooth and i bought a Media Center Remote IR Receiver and everything works fine. Takes a fair bit of setting up but once done its great. Its down to Sony that there are no other remotes available for the PS3 nad its lucky that Logitech have produced something that works. You "might" be able to find a IR Remote for the PS3 that works (With a dongle plugged into the USB) that may work with the Harmony but it would take some research to find one and it will take up one of your USB ports constantly.
 
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