Is there a documented way to teach the Harmony 550 about the Apple Remote? It seems to want an on/off button and a "1" button, didn't know about the "menu" button, etc. I told it I had a Mac Mini, if that matters, because that's what I have! :)

Doug

I would imagine that you would have to teach the Harmony remote what the Apple remote does by using the learning function if it does not show up on their database. The following is from their Web site:
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To teach commands to the remote for your original device's remote:

1. Click Devices your home page.
2. Select the appropriate device.
3. Click Learn infrared commands.
4. Select the commands you want to teach the device.
Note: To teach a command that is not listed, in the Learn a New Command box enter the name of the command you would like to teach and click Learn New Command.
5. Click the Learn Selected Commands button and follow the instructions to teach the commands.
Note: "Your original remote" will appear beside the command on the infrared language page, indicating the command has been learned correctly.
6. When you have finished teaching the commands, click Done to return to your home page.
7. Update the remote.
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Hope this works for you.

Thanks. I'm just surprised that they don't seem to know the Apple Remote codes already, or that it's not triggered by claiming to have a Mini.

Doug

There's a detailed writeup on how to get the Harmony to fully emulate the Apple Remote on http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10117. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to.

See also my response there - I've managed to get the Harmony to "know" my Mini has a remote, but it's still largely non-functional. Going the "learn" route may be better.

Uhhh... Isn't the Apple Remote Bluetooth?

Uhhh... Isn't the Apple Remote Bluetooth?

Nope, its IR

Boo!

I just tried the recommended teaching walk through and it didn't work for me...

It seems to recognize the *hold* command, since FFW and RW are recognized as distinct from Skip Track and Prev Track.

However scrolling through lists is extremely slow, and the remote will not queue up multiple short clicks. Basically the end result is too slow and unresponsive to be usable...

I am about to return the Harmony but I will try one more thing. I'm going to try downloading RemoteBuddy and seeing if that will interpret the Harmony signals as a different/better remote.

I am about to return the Harmony but I will try one more thing. I'm going to try downloading RemoteBuddy and seeing if that will interpret the Harmony signals as a different/better remote.

Remote Buddy won't help at all. Its slow because that is how Logitech designed all their remotes.

Other posts, here or on 123macmini.com, refer to the Harmony having some duration/repeat adjustments.

Other posts, here or on 123macmini.com, refer to the Harmony having some duration/repeat adjustments.

Yes there is an option to adjust the delays (there is a certain range you can input), but it still does not eliminate the problem.

I had one of the older Harmony remotes (can't remember version). I could never get it to be responsive enough. Add that to the buttons too small, similar, and close together. I ended up just using my SA AT8550 for almost every function. Sorry this doesn't help much on the Apple Remote, but the delay has to be even more apparent if you are using frontrow.

So the Harmony website doesn't have codes for the Apple Remote yet?

I'm really surprised by that--they had codes for everything else in my system for my Harmony 880, including an Elgato EyeHome and my Xbox 360. I'm wondering, if someone has done a successful manual 'learn', can they upload their codes to Logitech? That would be nice, if possible.

Well, it does, and it doesn't. Apparently part of the trick is what you tell it have have. Some people report success saying they have an iPod dock. If you give it the model number of a Mini it seems to know it has a remote. But in my experience it doesn't work. Once I trying training it, with some partial success. Someone on 123macmini.com has a detailed tutorial, but I think others are reporting mixed success with that, too. One person said to play with the timing and repeat parameters, wherever they may be.

Bottom line - so far I haven't succeeded, but I've heard from people who have.

Doug

I set up my Harmony 890 fine but now I moved and put all components in a closet so I want to control the Mac Mini via the Harmony's included IR extender with "bugs" to place on the device over the IR sensor...can anyone tell me where exactly the IR sensor is on the Mac mini?

It's the small dark plastic window to the right of the DVD slot. Since it's the same height as the slot, it is pretty unobtrusive and can be easily missed.

thanks

I have a Harmony 676 and used "IPOD" as the device under music server and it worked just like the apple remote including controlling the on/off fine. I had previously tried to train it and the on/off did not work.