[schmiggyjk]

I have a harmony 550 and I would like to control applications on my PC with it. Mainly Windows Media Player 12 in Windows 7 but I wouldn't mind being able to use Hulu desktop as well.


What do I need to accomplish this? Some sort of IR receiver I presume? Any one one? What is the cheapest/least hassle?


After that it is just a matter of programming the harmony. What steps do I take in that regard? I am not using Media Center so do I just select "add computer" or would I add a Media Center PC anyhow to control WMP 12?


Thanks for any help

 

[bryansj]

You will need an IR receiver for your PC. The most flexible choice would be the USB-UIRT. As to how you program the Harmony, it would depend on the IR receiver. Using the USB-UIRT with a program such as EventGhost it wouldn't matter. You could pick a VCR from the 80s and EventGhost would allow you to map the commands however you wish.

 

[schmiggyjk]

Ouch, $50? Is that about as cheap as it gets? I guess I assumed I'd be looking more at 15-30.


Will I need a third party program like EventGhost regardless to act as a translator for the IR commands into commands WMP and Hulu can understand?


There isn't like default Windows Media Center controls that would be auto recognized? I realize that probably wouldn't give me the ability to run 3rd party apps however.

 

[mdavej]

I use THIS $9 USB receiver and no extra software to watch Hulu all the time using my harmony. I had to learn all the commands though. The rest was plug-and-play. It's got media controls, but I use it mainly as a mouse.


As for the steps, first I had to create my own device and learn all the commands. Then I made a "Watch TV" activity to set the right inputs, etc., included my new device in it, and customized the buttons. Then I renamed it something like "Use PC". Took a while doing everything from scratch, but it works fine.

 

[schmiggyjk]

So I never got around to picking up this adapter but I am getting more annoyed of late as I find myself watching more hulu/netflix and stuff on my PC.


Problem is, I upgraded to the 700 and am already over my 6 device limit.


Am I officially screwed when it comes to this option?

 

[mdavej]

You can always learn the HTPC commands to an existing device, but it's kind of kludgy.


Samsung and Sony have netflix/hulu streaming blu-ray players pretty cheap these days. That's my preferred solution.

 

[schmiggyjk]

Well I also watch a lot of content in Media Player, backed up TV series and what not from DVD so my hopes were to have some sort of control over that.

 

[mdavej]

... they do DLNA too for that kind of thing.