Logitech Harmony One remote and Windows 7 MC

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blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#81045 7-Apr-2011 09:20

Hi there

I am currently building an HTPC for a friend. He has specified a Logitech Harmony One remote for the build, and at first glance I have to say that I am impressed with the remote. The problem however is that there is no IR receiver supplied with the remote, and there isn't an IR receiver supplied with either the case or the tuner card.

When I use the remote with my own HTPC config, it works a treat. I have the standard Microsoft remote and am able to configure the Harmony One to use these standard settings to work with my Microsoft IR receiver. I understand that this uses the standard RC6 command set.

My question is, are all IR receivers equal? For example, if I were to buy this little gem from Trademe and throw away the remote, would the IR receiver work the same as the standard Microsoft one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Peripherals/Other/auction-367115530.htm

The reason for my reluctance is that I have previously used the Hauppauge remotes before. These did not use the standard Microsoft RC6 command set and had to use 3rd party software to "re-map" the commands, and I wondered if these cheap remotes would do the same thing.

My HTPC - Case Antec Fusion Remote, MOBO Intel DH67BLB3, CPU Intel Core i5-2400S 2.5 GHz, RAM 8GB DDR3 1333, HDD 120Gig Corsair Force Series 3 SSD system | WD Caviar Black 2TB data, Tuners Black Gold BGT3595 dual DVB-S/S2, dual DVB-T, Video nVIDIA GeForce GT 520, 1024MB, Sound Intel® High Definition Audio (onboard), OS Windows 7 x64

Nety

2584 posts

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#456301 7-Apr-2011 11:15

Personally I would spend the extra and try to get this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Peripherals/Other/auction-366945803.htm

I have used a couple of different IR receivers and the only one that has always worked 100% never ever missed a beat is the MS one. The one I have also comes with two basters to control other devices as well which is a bonus. You might want to check with the seller that he has the blasters though.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

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dan

1134 posts

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#456319 7-Apr-2011 11:40

I dont know for sure as never tired that particilar one, but i doubt that would be a MCE compatible receiver.

you really want a original MCE receiver or one like this which is usually cheaper, i suspect these are clones but they work fine, i have a couple.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Genuine-Microsoft-MCE-IR-Remote-Controll-Vista-Win7-/260646811269?pt=AU_Elect...

Disrespective

1886 posts

Uber Geek

#456325 7-Apr-2011 11:48

I can 100% agree on making sure you get a proper MCE compatible receiver. I tried using a cheap one and had all sorts of trouble with keypresses not registering, or registering wrong. Spend a little more on one that is 'MCE compatible' and you'll be much better off.

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#456352 7-Apr-2011 12:47

blur: I have previously used the Hauppauge remotes before. These did not use the standard Microsoft RC6 command set and had to use 3rd party software to "re-map" the commands ...

You can certainly get Haupauge remote kits that are "standard MCE" remotes and receivers for around $50. I use one, and there is no necessity to remap the commands.

blur

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#456387 7-Apr-2011 13:39

Deev8: You can certainly get Haupauge remote kits that are "standard MCE" remotes and receivers for around $50. I use one, and there is no necessity to remap the commands.

There is a small application that sits in the task bar that translates the commands. Having said this, it is not a negative as I too have found that it works really well with no issues.

All the options given in this thread are good, but it is frustrating that I have to buy them and effectivly throw away the remote to use the Harmony One.

Regs

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Snowflake

#456454 7-Apr-2011 16:21

blur:
Deev8: You can certainly get Haupauge remote kits that are "standard MCE" remotes and receivers for around $50. I use one, and there is no necessity to remap the commands.

There is a small application that sits in the task bar that translates the commands. Having said this, it is not a negative as I too have found that it works really well with no issues.

All the options given in this thread are good, but it is frustrating that I have to buy them and effectivly throw away the remote to use the Harmony One.

to be honest, the remote they ship with these receivers is probably worth only a couple of $. It would probably cost them more to split the prouducts into two that to ship them together.

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Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#456475 7-Apr-2011 16:49

Regs:
blur:
Deev8: You can certainly get Haupauge remote kits that are "standard MCE" remotes and receivers for around $50. I use one, and there is no necessity to remap the commands.

There is a small application that sits in the task bar that translates the commands. Having said this, it is not a negative as I too have found that it works really well with no issues.

All the options given in this thread are good, but it is frustrating that I have to buy them and effectivly throw away the remote to use the Harmony One.

to be honest, the remote they ship with these receivers is probably worth only a couple of $. It would probably cost them more to split the prouducts into two that to ship them together.

There are certainly some poor quality remotes out there, but I think that's an unfair comment as far as Hauppauge remotes are concerned - they seem to be built well. In quality terms they are as good as any standard remote supplied with a mainstream brand TV or Bluray Player.