A Harmony Bluetooth and IR universal remote: for PS3

I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't happen for a while. I think the PS3 is the only A/V device currently that uses BlueTooth for remote communications. AFAIK most A/V equipment is still IR.

I bet one comes out in the next 3-6 months. I wouldn't be surprised if one or two are shown at CES.

I am in the same boat. I have the 880 and it kind of irks me that I have to use the ps3 controller. Not a huge deal, but a little annoying. I was going to go the same route and buy a ps2 remote with IR dongle, etc..

I was thinking, do you think someone would release an IR receiver that would repeat signals in bluetooth? Is this even possible? You could just put the IR eye next to the ps3 (usb powered?) or receiver or wherever and bam, problem solved..

Jason

Someone please put a question mark in the title of this thread. Thanks.

you made the best choice with 880. The 1000 is basically the same thing except bigger and with a touch screen and you will still be using the same database for either remote. If Logitech have to re-engineer the Harmony site for bluetooth commands it's going to be long time coming. Next week is the likely place to see new kit at CES, so if it's not there it probably won't be out for a long time.

The irony is that not even some of the best and most expensive remotes on the market work with the PS3. Even those with extensive software. They all use standard remote RF. Adding a Bluetooth controller chip for one product might not be cost effective at any point for them.

I think is easier and cheaper for Sony or any third party company to come up with a USB-IR receiver for the PS3 and use it as the receiver for all the universal remote controls like the Harmony. maybe even logitech can come up with something like that and sell it like an extender for the remotes and specially made for the PS3 so all the commands work fine just like on the original BT remote.

I have the PS2 control myself and I had the PS2 to USB adapter on my hand at radioshack ($6) but I rather just wait and get a fully functional solution for my Harmony.

I am not looking forward for a Bluetooth remote because then it would be good just for the PS3, and not for the rest of my devices. if that wasn't the case it would be easier just to get the Playstation 3 remote for $25 at walmart.

None of these IR remote solutions would power on / off the PS3 remotely, correct? If so, that's a real bummer.

Anything new on this. Thinking about taking the plunge on an 880.

THere is a couple options for this now. I know some folks are buying this remote and using the dongle with a harmony.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R5H7KE

In case the link doesn't work, it is a Nyko PS3 IR Remote.

I am certain that it will NOT work work for power on since it is USB and the USB needs power in order for the dongle to work...

Well on the harmony site when you watch some video about the harmony 1000... they clearly show the playstation 3 during the boot up process for watching movie... has to know if its true or not...

I posted the question in the remotes section about a year ago. The answer was that is was unlikely because the frequencies need to be registered and licensed, which is fine if you are doing just a few but would be a nightmare for a universal remote company to try to do.

This one looks and works better than any other IR solution available. It's also supported by an AVS Member. It can't do on/off due to Sony douchebaggery, but it works great with my Harmony360 remote.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post12341448



http://www.schmartz.com/main.sc

Bluetooth operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band. The devices themselves have to be registered with the FCC, but there are a ton of Bluetooth devices out there that have been through the process.

In fact, it's probably little different than building an RF remote.

Maybe it was RF they were talking about.

I can also vouch for Schmartz's dongle product that Truckondo linked above. I have a H880, and this new USB dongle has made DVD/BD playback wonderful.

- Dave

Ditto.

Dan

It can now http://www.schmartz.com/product.sc;j...=1&productId=4

is anyone using this that could provide some unbiased feed back? On off work, will it work with the H880?

Well, you can read this thread, which has mostly been dedicated to the Schmartz products for the last 5-6 months, for lots of opinions, as well as the dedicated thread. I've been very happy with it myself, using the USBIRX1 (which is an earlier model with different physical packaging but functionally identical to the PS3IRX1) and the Harmony 659. It works great with all the Harmony models.

Power-on and -off and PS button functionality don't work, but that's due to Sony-designed limitations in the PS3 and its USB interface. There are two possible upcoming solutions to this. First, the PS3IRX1 is capable of providing PS button functionality, but Sony has to add it to a list of devices permitted to trigger the function via USB, which Mike is working on. Second, Mike's got another product in the works that will allow power-on and -off using a direct physical connection to the PS3's on/off button, but that's not on the market yet.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't realize you were asking specifically about the +PWR version. Since it's not available yet, nobody's got experience with it.

It's (On/Off Power version) available for pre-order - expects to ship by Christmas.
I have the existing model and will not be upgrading. Inserting a DVD/BD turns the PS3 on and after removing the disk it is simple to turn it off as you are again at the unit.

Ricavision is supposed to becoming out w/ the VAVE100 this month. It includes Class1 BT and full universal remote capabilities. Price seems a bit high at $349 but is the only one I've seen with built-in BT.

http://www.ricavision.com/vave100.html

Is it really that big a of deal that you have to control your PS3 with an additiontal remote? I have the Harmony 880 to control my TV , receiver, 360, STB, etc and I have the official Sony PS3 remote.

My 880 replaces like 8 remotes for me, whats the big deal with having 1 additional just for the PS3? Its cheap it works great and no IR dongles sticking outta your PS3, no codes to program, etc.

I don't see the big fuss but thats just me.


*waits for inevitable If I have more than 1 remote in my home theater = worst thing in the world arguement*

I doubt that will work with the PS3. My wife's cell phone has bluetooth remote capability, and it won't work with the PS3. They wouldn't talk at all. The PS3 doesn't use the standard "remote control" profile. Or, if it does, it does not use a standard pairing method.

Besides, it looks like it is meant to pair with a PC and use Vista's sideshow capability for the display. I don't think you can count on it being able to pair with more than one thing at a time.

Bluetooth just doesn't make a great universal remote addition.

If I have more than 1 remote in my home theater = worst thing in the world

But seriously, I can see where people want complete control from one device. I personally have all my controls, and althought it's a pain in the ass, I still at this moment am not frusturated enough to buy a uni remote.

But I can certainly see someone striving for perfection in their control scheme, especially after they have gone through all the trouble of getting the rest of their equipment in line.

Case in point, is 2 controls a big deal, nope, but you certainly cannot say it's crazy to only want one control after they have their other 5 pieces of AV equipment managed to one control.

What's the big deal about having a little IR dongle sticking out which can cost less than the Sony remote plus control the PS3 through a universal remote?

Plus, didn't you get a Harmony to replace your other remotes? The goal is to replace them all, not just most of them. Bottom line is that Sony should have provided an IR option.

My big push towards a "smart" universal remote was for other people to be able to use my system without going through a training course. Saying "Hit Watch Blu-ray" is a lot easier than saying "Hit Watch Blu-ray, pick up this other remote and hit play, use the first remote to control volume, switch to the other remote if you want pause, skip, or rewind....".

You have to use TWO remotes? Poor guy...

I went with the Nyko solution as it was cheap and it works. As everyone knows, it does everything but power on/off. This hasn't been an issue for me or the misses as putting in a movie requires a trip to the ps3 anyway.

AHHAHAAHHAA sadly yes. I dunno I just see everybody bending over backwards to get it all done with a single remote, not worth it to me. But to each his own.


good luck to you all and your perfect single remote controlled utopia.