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Harmony control of HTPC

631 Views 8 Replies 2 Participants Last post by mdavej, Feb 24, 2014

nelluk

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2014

To enable my Harmony 650 to control my HTPC, I bought the generic remote with IR receiver described here:

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Remote_control_reviews#Unbranded_MCE_remote

Setting my Harmony to the Chinavision CVSB-983 device works great, I can control the mouse and do all the functions on that limited remote.

Since I now have a working IR receiver, shouldn't I be able to emulate other HTPC remotes just by changing the device in my harmony? I want something that has more buttons, so I can send specific commands to Plex or XBMC, but that still has mouse movement and clicks.

I have tried using the Microsoft / Windows Media Center SE device as described in this thread: http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Remote-Control-Software/how-to-map-on-a-button-an-HTPC-command-like-win-1/td-p/1184749 but nothing happens when I send the commands with the remote. Is the IR receiver not compatible somehow?

Any other devices I can use for this purpose, or does this IR Receiver somehow only work with that Chinavision?

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mdavej

· #2 · Feb 16, 2014

No, you got the wrong dongle. Each responds only to the protocol it was designed for. If you want to use MCE commands, get an MCE (RC6) dongle, or use Event Ghost.

The Chinavision dongle has other disadvantages like several missing commands and can't wake your PC. It's really the worst option if you intend to use a universal remote.

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nelluk

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej /t/1518135/harmony-control-of-htpc#post_24365244

No, you got the wrong dongle.

Ok, thanks for the info. Just to make sure I don't buy the wrong thing again, will this receiver work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Receiver-for-Media-Center-RC6-MCE-/221324404694

I like the USB-Stick form factor, since the USB ports on my HTPC are perfectly positioned for that.

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mdavej

· #4 · Feb 16, 2014

I actually have that very one. While it does do every MCE command, it gives me a lot of problems. It won't wake my PC, and when I do wake it, the drivers don't always load. Best not to cheap out and just get a mainstream dongle known to work, like HP or Rosewilll. If you want to give that one a try anyway, you can have mine for $5. I used it for about half an hour.

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nelluk

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 16, 2014

Sure, I'd like to try it. I do not plan on having my HTPC go to sleep. Thanks for the offer. PM me a paypal address if that is convenient for you?

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nelluk

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 24, 2014

Thank you for sending that. The $6.50 experiment confirmed that the RC6 receiver will do what I want, but that that particular one is kinda crappy

It actually gets me 95% of the way there, but it is a bit too picky about how closely the remote is pointed at it.

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mdavej

· #7 · Feb 24, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by nelluk /t/1518135/harmony-control-of-htpc/0_100#post_24399860

Thank you for sending that. The $6.50 experiment confirmed that the RC6 receiver will do what I want, but that that particular one is kinda crappy

It actually gets me 95% of the way there, but it is a bit too picky about how closely the remote is pointed at it.

Glad it arrived intact. Sorry it didn't get you 100%. I agree it is crappy. It's a shame since it's such a nice, compact size. That's why I got it initially. Just don't be tempted by any other cheap ones. I've tried most of them, and all are even worse than yours.

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nelluk

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 24, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej /t/1518135/harmony-control-of-htpc#post_24400071

Glad it arrived intact. Sorry it didn't get you 100%. I agree it is crappy. It's a shame since it's such a nice, compact size. That's why I got it initially. Just don't be tempted by any other cheap ones. I've tried most of them, and all are even worse than yours.

One last question...

I've heard Rosewill's name mentioned as being a recommended brand for the receiver. I've found a couple of form factors:

Large: http://amzn.com/B005ZAK4W4

Small dongle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101008R (click the extra images button to see)

I assume the large one is the one that most people get and I am hesitant to buy the dongle just for line-of-sight issues, but if you could confirm for me before I make what is hopefully the last IR receiver purchase for this year

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mdavej

· #9 · Feb 24, 2014

I use Ortek, not RC6, so someone else will have to answer. I've never had range issues with all the RC6 dongles I've tried in the past, including the one I sold you. May also be worth asking in the HTPC forum here and at TheGreenButton forum.

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