Mobe1969 Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 On 27/03/2021 at 6:26 PM, cwt said: Thats a downer ; reminds me why Rotel ditched their front panel osd on the 1098 pre pro Rotel RSP-1098 A/V Preamp/Processor | Sound & Vision (soundandvision.com) ; just flakes after awhile when using ; pressing a touchscreen . Strange place for transport controls indeed ; my 650;s have better ergonomics and less pressing on its dinky touchscreen Yes, I'm no fan of the touchscreen. I guess though with the harmony, worst case, so long as the buttons still work, you can use the smartphone app to start the activity, and then use the buttons. It'd be nice if there were decent alternatives to the Harmony. There really aren't though. I keep wondering if I should buy a spare 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 4 minutes ago, Mobe1969 said: Yes, I'm no fan of the touchscreen. I guess though with the harmony, worst case, so long as the buttons still work, you can use the smartphone app to start the activity, and then use the buttons. It'd be nice if there were decent alternatives to the Harmony. There really aren't though. I keep wondering if I should buy a spare I too, prefer buttons for a remote, hence the 650 which has lasted at least 7 or 8 years. I suggest getting a spare while you can.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted April 14, 2021 Administrator Share Posted April 14, 2021 3 hours ago, Mobe1969 said: There really aren't though. I've been contacted by a company as a result of this thread with what they say is a cost effective alternative to the Logitech, albeit far more powerful in its ability (if desired). I have a sample coming. First task will be to replicate the configuration I have in my media room now, and if it works, I'm happy to get behind it going forward. It does require more complex programming, which is offered in the price, and you can DIY as well but it is definitely more complex than the Harmony system. Will start a new thread in due course. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugPowderDust Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Please keep us posted @Marc, I'd be a willing guinea pig and I'm not far from you in the Macedon Ranges so happy to help out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 It will be interesting to see who can replace the Harmony. Any one new will not have the huge database of remotes, a competitive advantage that killed the competition. There was a range of products that covered the needs of those who wanted simple buttons and those who wanted to show off the expensive touch screens. Setting up to start the HT, with various gear at the right settings was easy to do. Less well known is the ability to do complex sequences and macros, but they got me out of trouble a few times. Last, but not least, the Harmony made our hobby, family friendly and improved WAF. Sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satanica Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Mobe1969 said: It'd be nice if there were decent alternatives to the Harmony. There really aren't though. I keep wondering if I should buy a spare I've got a good working Harmony Elite and I thought about it for a couple of days and take Logitech on their word that they will keep the online service running long term so I've got another new one on the way. Edited April 14, 2021 by Satanica 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwt Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 5 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: I too, prefer buttons for a remote, hence the 650 which has lasted at least 7 or 8 years. I suggest getting a spare while you can.... You wouldnt credit this snoopy but having just unpacked my Acurus Muse what do I find but another 650 remote only this one has the words "logi" up the top - the "tech'' has been eradicated /air brushed out A stroke of luck for a change 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woadl Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 3 hours ago, Marc said: I've been contacted by a company as a result of this thread with what they say is a cost effective alternative to the Logitech, albeit far more powerful in its ability (if desired). I have a sample coming. First task will be to replicate the configuration I have in my media room now, and if it works, I'm happy to get behind it going forward. It does require more complex programming, which is offered in the price, and you can DIY as well but it is definitely more complex than the Harmony system. Will start a new thread in due course. Would be very interested as well thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobe1969 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Marc said: I've been contacted by a company as a result of this thread with what they say is a cost effective alternative to the Logitech, albeit far more powerful in its ability (if desired). I have a sample coming. First task will be to replicate the configuration I have in my media room now, and if it works, I'm happy to get behind it going forward. It does require more complex programming, which is offered in the price, and you can DIY as well but it is definitely more complex than the Harmony system. Will start a new thread in due course. Nice! I'm eager to hear more! Every other one though I've looked into, even the ones with bluetooth, the bluetooth was limited (Eg you couldn't control an Apple TV bluetooth, just IR - so no keyboard, no power off). Some of the other high end ones too were just too hard to even figure out what you needed - like the MX 990 and the Control4. And anything requiring paying someone to set it up, I'm just not interested (and amusingly enough - that exactly was the last Harmony released - and that was I imagine a very silly waste of money and time for them, putting them in a negative frame of mind on the whole division...) Edited April 14, 2021 by Mobe1969 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimeat Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Fortunately I had decided to purchase a new 650 and a Companion just before the news broke so paid regular prices and they arrived this week. To be honest my home theatre barely needs a universal remote thanks to the HDMI CEC integration that seems to be working - for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Anyone interested in a Harmony Hub? I found 5 items in stock at a retailer. Price is $199 - Iam planning to buy all 5 and get a group discount. I checked ebay and there are used and new ones avialable. So: if you want one, please send me a PM as well as the price I should ask to pay your cost will be the price I get it for plus postage my time is a donation to sna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzle Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 I just got an as new one from ebay.com (Harmony Smart remote inc hub) This is a spare for the 2 currently owned. Was $80 plus $17 shipping AU$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) I checked out ebay again and saw the rertailer is a rip off, even with discount of say 20 or 30% it wount be worth it, better to just sit and wait on ebay. Edited April 25, 2021 by Jventer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzle Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 On 11/04/2021 at 8:44 AM, Marc said: Here's an affordable potential contender? http://www.sofabaton.com/u1.html Thats the one I posted further up. Seems to be a reasonable option in my opinion. Watching with interest what one you have to play with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exitguy Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 hours ago, Jventer said: I checked out ebay again and saw the rertailer is a rip off, even with discount of say 20 or 30% it wount be worth it, better to just sit and wait on ebay. Available from HN for $128, eBay is pretty much always a rip off. You do need to do the research on there to get any good pricing. https://www.harveynorman.com.au/logitech-harmony-hub.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exitguy Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 hours ago, bazzle said: Thats the one I posted further up. Seems to be a reasonable option in my opinion. Watching with interest what one you have to play with Ordered a SofaBaton U1 from Amazon AU on Fri 12th, it's on it's way and tracking shows it's now between Syd and Mel. Hopefully will arrive early this week and I can give it a test drive. Best thing is it does BT as well so can now just use the one remote to control all the devices including a Nvidia Shield TV Pro which is BT. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RankStranger Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 (edited) Managed to pick up a spare harmony companion with hub 2nd hand for $130 shipped off eBay this morning. More than I would’ve like to pay but less than I was willing to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I’ve had one running the main tv system for nearly 5 years and the family know how to use it (more or less) but it’s starting to show its age hopefully I can get a few more years out of this new one and Logitech hold up their end of the bargainuntil a good replacement is established Edited April 26, 2021 by RankStranger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chigurh Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 I think I'd like to get a Logitech universal remote while I can. I'm thinking the 650 or the Ultimate One. For the money, which is better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 25 minutes ago, Chigurh said: I think I'd like to get a Logitech universal remote while I can. I'm thinking the 650 or the Ultimate One. For the money, which is better? Have 650, think it is best value for money. And bought spare... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thathifiguy Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 I picked up an Ultimate One late last week, we have an old One + that is looking long in the tooth, so I figured a backup wouldn't be a bad idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 Just ordered a H650, as a spare. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chigurh Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 So my 650 arrived today. Pretty easy to set up except I can't get it to work with my Samsung Q75R TV. Has anyone had the same experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Old Man Rubber Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 5 minutes ago, Chigurh said: So my 650 arrived today. Pretty easy to set up except I can't get it to work with my Samsung Q75R TV. Has anyone had the same experience? This might be a stupid question but is the remote for that TV infra red? The harmony doesn't do bluetooth without an extra accessory, so if the TV remote is bluetooth you are probably out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chigurh Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 24 minutes ago, Old Man Rubber said: This might be a stupid question but is the remote for that TV infra red? The harmony doesn't do bluetooth without an extra accessory, so if the TV remote is bluetooth you are probably out of luck. I've just checked and it is bluetooth. Oh well, thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted May 20, 2021 Administrator Share Posted May 20, 2021 On 14/04/2021 at 12:19 PM, Marc said: I've been contacted by a company as a result of this thread with what they say is a cost effective alternative to the Logitech, albeit far more powerful in its ability (if desired). I have a sample coming. First task will be to replicate the configuration I have in my media room now, and if it works, I'm happy to get behind it going forward. It does require more complex programming, which is offered in the price, and you can DIY as well but it is definitely more complex than the Harmony system. Will start a new thread in due course. OK so I did this. I removed the Logitech system, and went with a URC MRX-5 and remote. It's not exactly a Logitech replacement, as you can't do your own programming, but I decided to head down the path of a genuine home automation solution, and I have to say, I love it. Don't know why I didn't do it years ago. They're making a special offer at the moment - https://www.stereo.net.au/news/dont-be-left-behind-in-the-remote-control-revolution It won't be for everyone, but it will be for some that want an intelligent and reliable solution that is scalable for years to come. The benefit I find, is it's intelligent. It knows what is turned on and off, and doesn't rely on guessing like the Logitech does. It's flawless, and no Help or Devices button required. A bit of an outlay, but I expect this system to last years and can be change, upgraded and built upon easily. The wife and kids all approve, and that's the main thing as they're the ones using it daily! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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