AVS Forum banner
Cancel
  • Take part in a short activity and share your valuable opinion on new design concepts for AVSForum! >>> Click Here
  • Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

how does adding a harmony hub to a 950 work?

10839 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  mdavej, 
flyinion
Trying to understand how adding a hub to my 950 works. I can't seem to find any tutorials or articles anywhere on how to add and configure a hub to my 950 though I understand it can be done since it's the same remote in the Elite? It seems like the hub is a stand alone device that must be controlled via a phone or tablet? Or does the remote control the hub via IR but then how is that configured since currently my remote controls all my activities and devices? Basically I was going to look at adding a Hub for better control of my Apple TV, but if I have to use a phone or tablet to control the hub and use the RF commands then it's worthless to me since I can already directly control the ATV with Apple's remote control app on those devices. Am I missing something here?
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
rdgrimes
You'll find a lot of info by searching the Logitech online help pages.
Its really pretty simple, you're just connecting the hub to your wi-fi network and then linking the remote to it. Later you can decide whether to have the hub do all the controlling or still use the remote's IR emitter for some devices. The hub also comes with one IR blaster, but its rare to need that.
The main thing in setup is to have the remote and hub both in the same room during setup, since they depend on bluetooth communication. Once set up they can be anywhere.
Remote talks to hub via wi-fi, hub talks to your devices. You don't need a phone at all, but otherwise you'd need a PC with MyHarmony software. Once set up, unless you program it differently, the remote no longer uses IR at all.
Reply
Save
Like
flyinion
rdgrimes said:
You'll find a lot of info by searching the Logitech online help pages.
Its really pretty simple, you're just connecting the hub to your wi-fi network and then linking the remote to it. Later you can decide whether to have the hub do all the controlling or still use the remote's IR emitter for some devices. The hub also comes with one IR blaster, but its rare to need that.
The main thing in setup is to have the remote and hub both in the same room during setup, since they depend on bluetooth communication. Once set up they can be anywhere.
Remote talks to hub via wi-fi, hub talks to your devices. You don't need a phone at all, but otherwise you'd need a PC with MyHarmony software. Once set up, unless you program it differently, the remote no longer uses IR at all.
Click to expand...


So the remote has Bluetooth but not RF control capabilities then? That was part of my confusion was what kind of capabilities the remote actually had. I thought it was just IR.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply
Save
Like
rdgrimes
flyinion said:
So the remote has Bluetooth but not RF control capabilities then? That was part of my confusion was what kind of capabilities the remote actually had. I thought it was just IR.
Click to expand...
Well, bluetooth is "RF". But yes, adding a hub will by default disable the remote's IR functions. (unless you go in and change that)
To clarify: the remote ONLY talks to the hub, the hub does all the controlling.
Reply
Save
Like
flyinion
rdgrimes said:
Well, bluetooth is "RF". But yes, adding a hub will by default disable the remote's IR functions. (unless you go in and change that)
To clarify: the remote ONLY talks to the hub, the hub does all the controlling.
Click to expand...


I guess that's where I'm confused. I thought the Harmony remotes were all IR only. Is that the case with the 950 and it just uses Bluetooth etc to control a hub or does the 950 have the ability to control devices that need an RF remote and I didn't know? I'm assuming it must just be for controlling the hubs?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply
Save
Like
rdgrimes
flyinion said:
I guess that's where I'm confused. I thought the Harmony remotes were all IR only. Is that the case with the 950 and it just uses Bluetooth etc to control a hub or does the 950 have the ability to control devices that need an RF remote and I didn't know? I'm assuming it must just be for controlling the hubs?
Click to expand...
Whether the remote is capable of direct RF control of devices is a moot point, since Logitech insists that you buy a Hub to get that functionality. I suspect that the remote is not capable, and since various devices require an assortment of different IP and RF control, the Hub is the way to go because it has it all.
Reply
Save
Like
flyinion
rdgrimes said:
Whether the remote is capable of direct RF control of devices is a moot point, since Logitech insists that you buy a Hub to get that functionality. I suspect that the remote is not capable, and since various devices require an assortment of different IP and RF control, the Hub is the way to go because it has it all.
Click to expand...


Ok thanks. I thought maybe I was missing something and remote had it natively on its own even if it wasn't advertised. Well this seems like a good time to get a hub then. Seeing them $30 off MSRP everywhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply
Save
Like
D
I just bought the harmony 950 with out the hub this past weekend and couldn't get anything to work for activities. Then found out I really need the hub to be the in-between the remote and all my devices. So like you I ordered a refurbished hub and will arrive the end of this week. I wanted to ask you you experience setting everything up using the remote (not a smartphone) as the main remote and setting up with the hub. I assume I will reset the remote to factory so its as though it is fresh out of the box like hub. So is it fairly easy to setup. Just plug everything in and power up. I assume plug the remote into my PC and launch myharmony.com and go from there? Is there or were there any hiccups for you?

I bought a new Samsung The Frame TV, and a new Verizon Fios One 4K cable box and my 9 year old Polk Audio Surroundbar 6000(which only works with IR not bluetooth). I guess that was part of my issue even with the remote that came with the TV. That remote starts the TV via IR then everything after needs to be able to be controlled via Bluetooth which the cable box and speaker are not set to do hence the need for this hub

Any insights would be warmly welcome.


flyinion said:
Ok thanks. I thought maybe I was missing something and remote had it natively on its own even if it wasn't advertised. Well this seems like a good time to get a hub then. Seeing them $30 off MSRP everywhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
flyinion
dvint1970 said:
I just bought the harmony 950 with out the hub this past weekend and couldn't get anything to work for activities. Then found out I really need the hub to be the in-between the remote and all my devices. So like you I ordered a refurbished hub and will arrive the end of this week. I wanted to ask you you experience setting everything up using the remote (not a smartphone) as the main remote and setting up with the hub. I assume I will reset the remote to factory so its as though it is fresh out of the box like hub. So is it fairly easy to setup. Just plug everything in and power up. I assume plug the remote into my PC and launch myharmony.com and go from there? Is there or were there any hiccups for you?

I bought a new Samsung The Frame TV, and a new Verizon Fios One 4K cable box and my 9 year old Polk Audio Surroundbar 6000(which only works with IR not bluetooth). I guess that was part of my issue even with the remote that came with the TV. That remote starts the TV via IR then everything after needs to be able to be controlled via Bluetooth which the cable box and speaker are not set to do hence the need for this hub

Any insights would be warmly welcome.
Click to expand...
Sorry no idea, I actually never bought one. Still just using the 950 with the occasional use of my phone or tablet for AppleTV control
Reply
Save
Like
D
Had the remote 950 already but just purchased the hub as it appears I will need it to make all this work. I see you have to connect the hub to the wifi network. I assume you do all this via myharmony.com correct? Do I add the hub as a device within myharmony.com? I assume I can keep the TV, cable box and speaker that I have already added as devices into myharmony prior to getting the hub. Is that correct? Or I do I have to delete everything and essentially start from scratch as if I just got the remote and hub today and setting up for the first time?

rdgrimes said:
You'll find a lot of info by searching the Logitech online help pages.
Its really pretty simple, you're just connecting the hub to your wi-fi network and then linking the remote to it. Later you can decide whether to have the hub do all the controlling or still use the remote's IR emitter for some devices. The hub also comes with one IR blaster, but its rare to need that.
The main thing in setup is to have the remote and hub both in the same room during setup, since they depend on bluetooth communication. Once set up they can be anywhere.
Remote talks to hub via wi-fi, hub talks to your devices. You don't need a phone at all, but otherwise you'd need a PC with MyHarmony software. Once set up, unless you program it differently, the remote no longer uses IR at all.
Click to expand...
Reply
Save
Like
D
Just as a note the Samsung 2020 The Frame QLED UHD 4K tv the remote that comes with it fires the TV on via IR and then apparently all other TV functions once the Tv is on are controlled via bluetooth. So the default remote that comes with the TV submits both signals which I suspect may cause some of the issues setting up the 950 with a hub. Especially when tryign to set up a watch TV activity which will the 950 will need to fire the TV up via a IR signal, then anything thereafter will need to be bluetooth signals. Thats where I hope the hub will bridge the communication divide.

rdgrimes said:
Well, bluetooth is "RF". But yes, adding a hub will by default disable the remote's IR functions. (unless you go in and change that)
To clarify: the remote ONLY talks to the hub, the hub does all the controlling.
Click to expand...
Reply
Save
Like
D
Should I basically wipe all previous settings, erase and reset the remote etc. So it is like starting from scratch and I select Harmony Elite this time when adding the new remote into myharmony.com? Dont leave any previous devices or settings from when attempting to just set up the 950 alone without the hub.

dvint1970 said:
Had the remote 950 already but just purchased the hub as it appears I will need it to make all this work. I see you have to connect the hub to the wifi network. I assume you do all this via myharmony.com correct? Do I add the hub as a device within myharmony.com? I assume I can keep the TV, cable box and speaker that I have already added as devices into myharmony prior to getting the hub. Is that correct? Or I do I have to delete everything and essentially start from scratch as if I just got the remote and hub today and setting up for the first time?
Click to expand...
Reply
Save
Like
C
dvint1970 said:
Should I basically wipe all previous settings, erase and reset the remote etc. So it is like starting from scratch and I select Harmony Elite this time when adding the new remote into myharmony.com? Dont leave any previous devices or settings from when attempting to just set up the 950 alone without the hub.
Click to expand...
Wondering how all of this turned out... I also have the Harmony 950 without the Hub, but am wanting to look into light dimming control options, which require the Hub. Has anyone figured out whether or not the 950 will work through the Hub to accomplish this? The Mrs. isn't going to like having to learn to use her smartphone as a remote if I get the Hub, but brick the remote - she is barely able to use the 950...
Reply
Save
Like
M
chucklee said:
Wondering how all of this turned out... I also have the Harmony 950 without the Hub, but am wanting to look into light dimming control options, which require the Hub. Has anyone figured out whether or not the 950 will work through the Hub to accomplish this? The Mrs. isn't going to like having to learn to use her smartphone as a remote if I get the Hub, but brick the remote - she is barely able to use the 950...
Click to expand...
A 950 is an Elite without a hub. Add a hub, and you can do everything an Elite can do. So just make sure your lighting system is compatible with the hub.

Device Compatibility

Look for your television, stereo, dvd player or other home entertainment devices in the Harmony database
support.myharmony.com support.myharmony.com
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
AVS Forum
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Receivers, Amps, and Processors LCD Flat Panel Displays Speakers HDTV Programming Home Theater Computers
Top