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What would I need to use a Logitech Harmony with my HTPC?

1453 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  miimura, 
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I'm a bit fed up with my current HTPC remote, and would like to get a new one that consolidates my existing remotes (Denon AV deck, UltimateTV, Panny projector, HTPC). I've been interested in those Logitech Harmony remotes for awhile, and am starting to move to "stage 2". What would I need to do what I want?


I'm guessing the remote itself, an IR receiver (for the HTPC), and Girder. But that's actually a lot of money - I've found a really cheap Harmony 628 for $50, an IRMan runs around $35, and Girder is $50.


Are there any alternatives to this that would cost less than $85 for the receiver and software? Girder sort of intimidates me a bit because of all the setup and capability of it (which I wouldn't use 90% of - I call this "Microsoft Word" syndrome, because basically, they haven't really added anything to Microsoft Word since way back in the days of Word 2.0 for Windows that I use).


I wonder why Logitech doesn't make their own receiver/software package for use with their Harmony remotes? Seems like they're missing out on a revenue stream there...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KlingonScum
I'm a bit fed up with my current HTPC remote, and would like to get a new one that consolidates my existing remotes (Denon AV deck, UltimateTV, Panny projector, HTPC). I've been interested in those Logitech Harmony remotes for awhile, and am starting to move to "stage 2". What would I need to do what I want?


I'm guessing the remote itself, an IR receiver (for the HTPC), and Girder. But that's actually a lot of money - I've found a really cheap Harmony 628 for $50, an IRMan runs around $35, and Girder is $50.


Are there any alternatives to this that would cost less than $85 for the receiver and software? Girder sort of intimidates me a bit because of all the setup and capability of it (which I wouldn't use 90% of - I call this "Microsoft Word" syndrome, because basically, they haven't really added anything to Microsoft Word since way back in the days of Word 2.0 for Windows that I use).


I wonder why Logitech doesn't make their own receiver/software package for use with their Harmony remotes? Seems like they're missing out on a revenue stream there...
I was thinking of the same thing yesterday (but I have the Harmony 880).
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No Girder, use HIP . Besides being free, it's a lot easier to set up and use if you're just navigating applications and don't need a lot of the scripting/command stuff that Girder is capable of. You did not mention what remote you're currently using for the htpc...if it's IR, then you need nothing besides the Harmony remote. If you need an IR receiver, check to see if HIP supports it...the MCE remote is one of the easiest to set up in HIP, and one of the cheapest IR receivers you can find.
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if you want to use media center/theatertek the easiest solution by far will to be just get one of microsoft IR receivers.... there is 0 setup as everything is built into media center edition (and theatertek uses the same commands).


this only applies to media center edition.
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I use HIP, MCE remote/receiver (buy on ebay for about $30 shipped) and a Harmony(628), and think I have a fantastic working system, totally integrated.

I can't think of anything I'm not able to do that I want to.


Of course, you'll need to spend a good bit of time getting them to do what you want, but that's expected. These are probably easier than the alternatives.
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If you spend the time setting up the harmony well, you wont regret it. I had the very original harmony (from before Logitech bought them) and upgraded to an 880 a few months back. It is a joy to watch it setup 4 different devices when I change modes. In addition, even after being bought they still have great support.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cax6ton
No Girder, use HIP . Besides being free, it's a lot easier to set up and use if you're just navigating applications and don't need a lot of the scripting/command stuff that Girder is capable of. You did not mention what remote you're currently using for the htpc...if it's IR, then you need nothing besides the Harmony remote. If you need an IR receiver, check to see if HIP supports it...the MCE remote is one of the easiest to set up in HIP, and one of the cheapest IR receivers you can find.
Currently, I'm using an old X10 combo IR/RF remote that's pretty identical to the old Niveus remote. It came with a USB RF receiver. But it's not very responsive; I'm not sure if that's the remote/receiver's fault, or the software I'm using (a piece of abandonware called "Total Home Remote"). Plus, it can't control my UltimateTV. I don't even bother with it anymore since acquiring a Gyration mouse/keyboard combo.


I like the idea of using the MCE Remote's IR receiver, I hadn't thought about that. The MCE remote is nice, but I don't think it can control my Denon/UltimateTV/Projector - I'd really like to give the Harmony a shot.


As for switching to MCE, I don't want to - I currently am on WinXP, I use myHTPC as my frontend for movies, and to spawn DScaler for the satellite feed from myHTPC, and to spawn WatchHDTV to handle my A180 HDTV card. This does about 95% of everything I want it to do with the exception of a "pretty" grid style HDTV scheduler (and I'm hoping hdtval21 will add TitanTV integration to fix that problem soon). MCE doesn't appeal because it's $130, plus $65 for a HW analog tuner I don't need other than to make MCE work.
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No need to go MCE if you don't want to, but pick up an MCE remote/receiver. You can probably find the receivers on fleabay, but the combo is cheap and it's handy to have the remote to train the Harmony in the event that what's in the database doesn't quite work for you, then stow it with all the other remotes you'll get rid of once you get the Harmony working :p
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Yes, I also bought the MCE remote/receiver just for the receiver, and the remote is stowed away with all my other remotes, with just the Harmony gracing the coffee tabletop.


For the record, I have not had to train even 1 remote code into my Harmony for all my devices, including the MCE remote. The Harmony database is incredibly comprehensive. It has a lot of duplicates and extra codes that don't work, but every code that exists for the device is there in the database.
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So I guess since I have the 880 all I need is a usb IR radapter??? Those seem to be quite a bit cheaper than the receiver/remote bundle. (I have more remotes than I know what to do with right now....don't need another.)


My media cente PC didn't come with the remote. Will I need any additional software or drivers (or will the adapter be enough)?
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The MCE IR receiver works out of the box with MCE or XP w/SP2 with most things, though some buttons may not work. Without the remote you should be able to use the MCE remote device found in the Harmony's database, though you will not be able to change or learn commands. If you use HIP, you can use any remote you have to teach the PC commands, and have HIP translate them to do whatever you want, then teach those commands to the Harmony. That's what I did with my MCE remote, since I found HIP to work better than the native Windows driver.
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btw, anyone using xlobby may be interested in the XRemote plugin. It acts as a gateway between girder and, well, most everything else on the box. Much easier than beating on girder directly.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maximum360
So I guess since I have the 880 all I need is a usb IR radapter??? Those seem to be quite a bit cheaper than the receiver/remote bundle. (I have more remotes than I know what to do with right now....don't need another.)


My media cente PC didn't come with the remote. Will I need any additional software or drivers (or will the adapter be enough)?
Where did you find the receiver(any good PC IR receiver for that matter) cheaper than the receiver/remote bundle? I dont think I found any.
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There's sometimes a benefit to having a remote along with the receiver. If the IR command isn't in the harmony database, you can use the learn-function on the harmony remote.


My htpc is mostly only used for Sagetv and MyHD 130. For Sagetv, I just use the receiver from a Streamzap remote. It's one of the cheaper remote/receiver combos. It's a little short on number of buttons, but enough for Sagetv uses. And the MyHD uses it's own USB receiver. Both work nicely with my Harmony remote.
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I use my Harmony remote (Xbox 360 version) to control HTPC through my Hauppauge PVR USB2. Works great.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foobart
Where did you find the receiver(any good PC IR receiver for that matter) cheaper than the receiver/remote bundle? I dont think I found any.
Would this work?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...p?keyword=2335


Seems like I may be able to kill two birds with one stone (since I'm thinking of getting a wireless keyboard and mouse).


BTW, Monoprice rocks. :)
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No. IRDA is not the same thing.
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Can I use my ir receiver from the myhd mdp-130 to control mce/theatertek with a harmony remote? I don't mind buying the mce remote/receiver , but if I could use the ir receiver I have that would be great. :)


Thanks,
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom J. Davis
Can I use my ir receiver from the myhd mdp-130 to control mce/theatertek with a harmony remote? I don't mind buying the mce remote/receiver , but if I could use the ir receiver I have that would be great. :)


Thanks,
I don't think you can use the ir reciever from the mdp-130 to control anything except the myhd. I use the myhd remote and USBIRT/Girder to control Zoom player but the learning curve was steep for me however it works great.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by himey
I don't think you can use the ir reciever from the mdp-130 to control anything except the myhd. I use the myhd remote and USBIRT/Girder to control Zoom player but the learning curve was steep for me however it works great.
Was that the MyHD USB or serial receiver?


- Mike
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