IR Receiver for Harmony Remote
#1
Howdy,

I just got a Harmony 650 and need to get the receiver for it so I can hook it up to my XBMC (WIn7) PC. I've seen some people mention a specific HP modem and I've seen some others as well. Is there a reason to get a specific one over another? Are there compatibility issues or anything?

Thanks.
Reply
#2
Any low cost MCE USB ir reciever will do the job. Search ebay or amazon and can find a cheap mce remote + ir reciever for < $10.
Reply
#3
Flirc
Reply
#4
I just recently got an HP one, probably the one you've seen, silver, short and rectangular with rounded corners and a big window on front. There's a particular part number known to work well in linux but I think any of them work well in windows. Linux compatibility matters less about brand/model and more about the actual chipset used inside which can vary between production runs, updates, etc.

Due to other computer problems I have only used it for a little while but I ran thru a bunch of setup stuff in xbmc and it worked great. It's bigger than I expected but it's still pretty unobtrusive in my installation and only has a very dim red led when you use it. I'm also using a 650, I set it up according to this guide:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=95063

However, I only set it up as one device, the MCE keyboard. It works fine in XBMC I just have no 2 button combos like the media center SE layout.

I have OpenElec on that machine too and my particular model number doesn't work under OpenElec, I don't know if you have to manually load drivers though.
Reply
#5
Yeah, the one I saw looked something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-NEW-Origin...0929871250
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tested-for-NEW-H...1067879435

I know there are a few that look similar but if the model doesn't matter as much in Windows, then it looks good. Just want something reliable.

Thanks.
Reply
#6
Any eHome receiver will work. I use the one that came with this crap remote: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6880101008

It works with my Harmony 300 (even powers on from S5), although it has a noticeable lag (remote problem not receiver).
Reply
#7
(2013-01-23, 18:07)latex_labia Wrote: Any eHome receiver will work. I use the one that came with this crap remote: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6880101008

It works with my Harmony 300 (even powers on from S5), although it has a noticeable lag (remote problem not receiver).

I can second the recommendation for the Rosewill RHRC-11002. The IR receiver is a nice discreet USB dongle (which you can use with the included USB extension cable or just plug directly into a front USB port if you have one). The remote control sucks and it's a bit of a shame you can't (seem to) buy the dongle separately, but paired with a Harmony the range is quite good.

It was so good and cheap that I bought three of them (two for my HTPCs and one as a spare). It works nicely on Linux as well (although if you want to use LIRC, you'll need to tell X to ignore it as an input device).
Reply
#8
If you just want the receiver: http://shop.inteset.com/Products/15-usb-...cable.aspx
Reply
#9
(2013-01-23, 22:35)Dougie Fresh Wrote: If you just want the receiver: http://shop.inteset.com/Products/15-usb-...cable.aspx
I was particularly interested in the IR receiver that came with the Rosewill remote. It's small and can be plugged directly in a front-facing USB port without any unwieldy cables.
Reply
#10
Looks like the Newegg one and the Inteset one are both more expensive than the HP one from eBay so I guess I'll go with that for now. Might even get it before I have to leave for vacation.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-NEW-Origin...0929871250
Reply
#11
Will this type of thing work with a USB 25 ft cable? My server is currently downstairs running Ubuntu streaming to DLNA to a Sony BD player. Thinking of turning it into a HTPC server with a USB IR reciever and HDMI running up to the TV upstairs thats about 20ft in distance.
Reply
#12
The HP one works great. I have one in use with my Harmony One and one in use with my Harmony 650. No issues. Just plug in and go. I do wish it was smaller. For as cheap as it is I am half tempted to take one apart and try to internalize it in my case.
Reply
#13
Got the HP one from ebay the other day, but heading out on vacation tomorrow so wont' have time to try it out until I get back. Ah well. Somethign to look forward to anyway.
Reply
#14
(2013-01-29, 05:19)highlanderhcs Wrote: Will this type of thing work with a USB 25 ft cable? My server is currently downstairs running Ubuntu streaming to DLNA to a Sony BD player. Thinking of turning it into a HTPC server with a USB IR reciever and HDMI running up to the TV upstairs thats about 20ft in distance.

If you're not using CEC you might want to try this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/produc...ew_q1_2013

It will extend IR over HDMI. For USB over that distance you will need an active cable at the least or it may not even work. I tried a printer over a 16' active cable plus a regular cable and it was a no go, computer just didn't recognize it but then my kinect sensor works fine over a different 15 or 16' active cable.
Reply

Logout Mark Read Team Forum Stats Members Help
IR Receiver for Harmony Remote0