How do the Harmony remotes connect/work? Any better solutions?

[drewkaree]

I got the 500 dual-tuner card without a remote or anything, and I've been fine up until now because I've been working/tweaking GBPVR, but now I'm needing a remote. I can't watch some ripped DVD's because they stop at the main menu, and I can't leave the "remember the keyboard shortcuts" solution for the wife. She's getting pissed at not being able to watch some movies

I've been eyeing the Harmony remotes, but there's nothing that tells me if it'll "work" with my setup. Is there some sort of signal receiver that plugs into the back of your PC, or how exactly do the Harmony remotes interface with a PC?

Sorry if this seems remedial, but I haven't been able to find anything definitive on Logitech's site regarding this.

I'm also not locked into the Harmony remotes, I've set up OmniRemote to work with my PDA, and the Sony remotes seem to be utilizing something similar, if not EXACTLY the same software. How would I go about setting up something like that to work with my PC and its keyboard/mouse (thus far) setup to be more Wife-friendly?

On the plus side, our DVD player just took a crap, so she's looking at any money invested into making this work (such as for a nicer/more intuitive interface) as money we'd have spent on replacing the DVD player, so I've got more latitude on solutions.

Thanks for replies/recommendations/solutions

[reboot]

Take a look at the Firefly remote.It's RF, so it goes through walls, cabinet doors etc.

[drewkaree]

Take a look at the Firefly remote.It's RF, so it goes through walls, cabinet doors etc.

Does the WinTV 500 natively pick it up somehow, or is there a reciever that would plug into the back of the PC?

I'm not understanding how these things will control my PC without a reciever, ala a cordless keyboard/mouse.

I definitely WILL check out the Firefly though. I H-A-T-E IR stuff since it always seems I have to go through odd contortions for the signal to be received It seems as if ALL the Harmoney remotes are IR, which is a big check in the minus category.

[drewkaree]

Does the WinTV 500 natively pick it up somehow, or is there a reciever that would plug into the back of the PC?

I'm not understanding how these things will control my PC without a reciever, ala a cordless keyboard/mouse.

Answered my own question! I dig seeing a receiver, now I just gotta investigate how customizable/ease-of-use it'll be for the wife's happiness AND my happiness!

Thanks for the tip!

[capone]

The benefit of the harmony is it can control other devices (tv, receiver, etc)

[sub]

I'm actually going to sell my harmony 880. I gave it a good try, but I just couldnt adjust to it. I'm going to stick with my trust MX-500 remote.

The 880 buttons feel really cheap and plasticy, and the buttons are also not positioned anywhere near as good as my MX-500.

[drewkaree]

What and how do you use the MX-500 with GBPVR? That's an awfully nice looking remote, and not too outrageously priced, comparitively speaking.

[sub]

Its a learning remote, and I've just learnt one of its devices as the MCE2005 remote. The PC has an MCE2005 receiver unit plugged in - you'd also need something like this even if you were using a harmony remote.

[spaceghost]

Answered my own question! I dig seeing a receiver, now I just gotta investigate how customizable/ease-of-use it'll be for the wife's happiness AND my happiness!

Thanks for the tip!

I know this is just my opinion...I own two firefly remotes - but I found that the 45 button hauppauge remote and a well placed ir receiver worked better. Better in that the receiver was more sensitive than the receiver for the firefly. Currently I am not using either of the firefly remotes I own. Also there is some overhead when using the firefly software. Also, in case you have any cats, the firefly receiver has a wire antenna - cats like it.

I am interested in any opinions on universal remotes. Especially remotes with macro capabilities - turn on tv, turn on stereo, select inputs and play dvr - sounds so attractive. I need to decide which one soon so Santa can get me one...