Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote Control

mossym

if the lg smart remote is a pointer tyoe, where you can move the cursor on screen by pointing, no remote will replace it

UsedToWait

mossym wrote: »

if the lg smart remote is a pointer tyoe, where you can move the cursor on screen by pointing, no remote will replace it

Ah no, it's just a regular remote with arrows for navigation through the apps / menus..

I realise I'll probably need to keep the keyboard, with the trackpad, for kodi, but it would be handy to use the remote just for navigating, and only pick up the keyboard to type in searches...

bk

Of the three you list there, I'd get the Harmony Ultimate for 135:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C80JFSS/

In fact I've this one myself! And also an Elite.

Strictly speaking they are all the same and could do the job, but the above linked one also comes with the Harmony Hub, which offers a lot of advantages.

Most important of which is that it acts as an IR blaster. This means you can use the remote without pointing it at the TV, etc. That might not sound much, but once you have used it, you will never want to use old remotes again. It is far more reliable.

Also it allows you the option to hide away your various AV gear in a cupboard or another room if you like.

Also you can use the Harmony app for iPhone or Android if you lose or misplace the remote.

It also makes setting up the remote much easily.

Finally if you later decide to start doing mad stuff like the rest of us, voice control, etc. you will need the hub, you can't do it with the other remotes.

For the sake of 20 it is well worth it for all those reasons IMO.

bk

UsedToWait wrote: »

I realise I'll probably need to keep the keyboard, with the trackpad, for kodi, but it would be handy to use the remote just for navigating, and only pick up the keyboard to type in searches...

BTW If you get the hub, you can also use the keyboard in the Harmony App on iPhone/Android to type searches, etc.

UsedToWait

bk wrote: »

BTW If you get the hub, you can also use the keyboard in the Harmony App on iPhone/Android to type searches, etc.

SOLD!! (well, as soon as the price drops to nearer its previous low of £80 odd)

Thanks bk..

Hope this isn't the start of a slippery slope into the realms of madness :P

Nelbert

UsedToWait wrote: »

SOLD!! (well, as soon as the price drops to nearer its previous low of £80 odd)

Thanks bk..

Hope this isn't the start of a slippery slope into the realms of madness :P

It's a beautiful ride down the slippery slope...... the real danger is when you pick up an echo..... and then realise you want 5 of them dotted around the house......

Mrs Nelbert tried to change the radio station in my mam's via Alexa earlier...... my folks don't have an echo...... I've moulded her.....

bk

Nelbert wrote: »

Mrs Nelbert tried to change the radio station in my mam's via Alexa earlier...... my folks don't have an echo...... I've moulded her.....

Well now you will have to get your folks an echo! :P

Bluefoam

UsedToWait wrote: »

Hope this isn't the start of a slippery slope into the realms of madness :P

Do what I did and get the harmony hub+controller bundled with a discounted Echo... That's when I fell off the cliff...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Harmony-Companion-Generation-Smart/dp/B01N6GHEHU/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1484626995&sr=1-7&keywords=harmony+hub

BTW. I was worried about getting the basic control without the touch screen thingy, but It's great. In reality, I just want something that does things simply & it does that... The Harmony arrived last night, so far we are up to 'Alexa, turn on the telly', 'Alexa, turn off the telly'... She turns on the telly, primes the soundbar and opens the HDMI3 source...

Jayop

How would you be able to tell if this will work with a particular sat box? Are they pretty standard?

Also one of the early posts in the thread was referring to having all the gear in a study with a hdmi switcher including an Xbox. A few questions about this.

1) my TV only has 2 hdmi ports so that sounds ideal, how does the TV know which one is on though?
2) does the Xbox work at a distance, either controller and the head set.

setanta1984

Harmony Compatibility checker:

https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/compatibility

flangemeistro

Guys is there any way of getting Alexa to turn up the volume, mute the TV or change the channel without first saying "ask harmony" or "tell harmony"?
I have turn on TV and turn off TV working through Yonomi by creating a group in Alexa containing the harmony hub but after that it's just a highly convoluted way if you have to get Alexa to understand" Alexa tell harmony to mute tv" from across the room especially when she also picks up the TV audio and gets totally confused and I get totally frustrated.

Bluefoam

flangemeistro wrote: »

Guys is there any way of getting Alexa to turn up the volume, mute the TV or change the channel without first saying "ask harmony" or "tell harmony"?
I have turn on TV and turn off TV working through Yonomi by creating a group in Alexa containing the harmony hub but after that it's just a highly convoluted way if you have to get Alexa to understand" Alexa tell harmony to mute tv" from across the room especially when she also picks up the TV audio and gets totally confused and I get totally frustrated.

Alexa will do 'turn on' turn off' commands natively... so no need for Yonomi. But as far as I understand, you'll need to add 'ask Harmony' for more complex stuff. By the time I need to do anything more complex, I'm on the couch, controller in hand...

bk

Jayop wrote: »

1) my TV only has 2 hdmi ports so that sounds ideal, how does the TV know which one is on though?
2) does the Xbox work at a distance, either controller and the head set.

I've an AV system. It takes in 5 HDMI's and outputs just one HDMI to the TV.

The harmony remote takes care of switching the HDMI input on the AV.

The xbox works fine at my distance, but you would need to test it for your setup.

Jayop

bk wrote: »

I've an AV system. It takes in 5 HDMI's and outputs just one HDMI to the TV.

The harmony remote takes care of switching the HDMI input on the AV.

The xbox works fine at my distance, but you would need to test it for your setup.

What kind of av system or switch would do that?

bk

Jayop wrote: »

What kind of av system or switch would do that?

Pretty much all AV systems do that. I've one made by Denon.

If you don't want surround sound, then a HDMI 6x2 matrix will do the job.

Jayop

setanta1984 wrote: »

Harmony Compatibility checker:

https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/compatibility

Great job, thanks for that and my Amiko mini combo is compatible.

bk wrote: »

Pretty much all AV systems do that. I've one made by Denon.

If you don't want surround sound, then a HDMI 6x2 matrix will do the job.

Cool. I don't want to take this thread off topic but I suppose I just wanted ot muse bout what I'd like to do.

This stuff has really caught my attention in the last few weeks. I'm going to redecorate the house this year starting with the living room but I really want to incorporate smart tech into the job. I was going to start this by buying some hue lighting and an echo with the intention of having the lighting there for when I get the room done up.

However maybe getting this and that HDMI matrix would be a better more practical way to start and then when the room is being done I can properly bury the hdmi cable from where I'd hide the stuff from the living room.

I might start a project thread if it wouldn't be frowned upon.

mossym

A lot of the current av receivers outside the budget units will have 2 (or even 3 in the high end units) HDMI outputs.

Switch or av receiver, the bit you need to be careful about with more than one output is what the switch allows. Some onky allow the same input on both outputs, some can't show the same input on both outputs at the same time. You may want a matrix switch that allows the full combination but is a bit more expensive

Irish Gunner

Anyone using this with Android box? Have a Minix and checked and it's compatible. Currently using Neo A2 lite remote.

Have Samsung, Yamaha amp and speakers,Horizon box and Minix remote along with remote for old Sharp stereo and checking if all compatible.

Also using wireless plugs as modem upstairs and have Philips Hub connected to modem and now not much more space left for another device.

Does hub have to be near remote as uses Bluetooth i believe?

Would performance be affected if just plugged into Ethernet port on wireless plug?

Cheers

bk

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Does hub have to be near remote as uses Bluetooth i believe?

Would performance be affected if just plugged into Ethernet port on wireless plug?

It actually uses RF, they say it needs to be in about 30feet or so. They say it is better to plug straight into the router, but lots of people are using wireless AP's without trouble.

Kurn

I noticed my Logitech Harmony Activity no longer turns on the telly, it will turn it off, but since I've been away for a few days it will no longer turn it on. Anyone any experience with this?

setanta1984

bk wrote: »

It actually uses RF, they say it needs to be in about 30feet or so. They say it is better to plug straight into the router, but lots of people are using wireless AP's without trouble.

Harmony Hub doesn't have an ethernet port, it uses wifi only.

bk

setanta1984 wrote: »

Harmony Hub doesn't have an ethernet port, it uses wifi only.

Sorry, you are right, I was mixing up with the Hue hub! Haven't had my coffee yet!

Irish Gunner

Perfect if it works from WiFi can plug it in downstairs.

Just now need to find model number of stereo system and then decide if I can afford it

UsedToWait

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Perfect if it works from WiFi can plug it in downstairs.

Just now need to find model number of stereo system and then decide if I can afford it

On the afford bit, if you can wait, the prices seem to fluctuate wildly on Amazon..
I've a camelcamcamel alert set up, and am biding my time..

bk

BTW Even if your device isn't listed in the compatibility database, as long as the device uses IR, you can teach the Harmony remote to use it. It does mean more work, but at least it will work.

B-D-P--

Sorry lads, few questions from the newbie in the classroom;

Do I need a IR extender from hub in different room to living room for TV where I'll be sitting or does remote have this?

How would it work with hub in office and smart tv in living room?

Does it work well with dreamboxes, Mine is Zgemma star 2S?

I'm building new home at foundation now, not likley to move in for 1.5 years, so might hold off buying until closer as might be newer model on market or price would be cheaper then.

But planning what goes in what room, at the moment I'm thinking to add all devices to office, use hdmi splitter and use cat6 over hdmi to other rooms.
Its a lot of cat6 cables though.

Opinions and thoughts on how you would do things if you were building a new house and could chase all walls again.

Irish Gunner

UsedToWait wrote: »

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Perfect if it works from WiFi can plug it in downstairs.

Just now need to find model number of stereo system and then decide if I can afford it

On the afford bit, if you can wait, the prices seem to fluctuate wildly on Amazon..
I've a camelcamcamel alert set up, and am biding my time..

It seems to be at the lowest price now for a while but Sterling rate has gone up....Murphys law !!
May hold off for a bit or see if I can get it in the States as over there soon but USD rate not great either
Damned if I do, damned if I don't

Jayop

1) As far as I know the remote to hub comms is done by wifi so that wouldn't be a problem.

2) AFAIK remote comes with a set of IR Blasters

3) Zgemma STAR 2S - All Harmony products can control this device https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/compatibility

4) Maybe there will be a new model, but for a year and a half I'd probably just get one now then you'll know exactly how it all works and will give you a better idea of how best to set up your new home.

5 & 6) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I DUNNO LOL.

Jayop

Irish Gunner wrote: »

It seems to be at the lowest price now for a while but Sterling rate has gone up....Murphys law !!
May hold off for a bit or see if I can get it in the States as over there soon but USD rate not great either
Damned if I do, damned if I don't

I ordered the Ultimate yesterday from Amazon Warehouse at about £116. I'll post here what kind of condition it's in but from other people's experiences with warehouse it's essentially new quality.

Irish Gunner

Jayop wrote: »

I ordered the Ultimate yesterday from Amazon Warehouse at about £116. I'll post here what kind of condition it's in but from other people's experiences with warehouse it's essentially new quality.

That's still available I'm very tempted