Windows HOW-TO use Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Control without EventGhost

Thanks!
Honestly, I've been searching for awhile. On here and logitech's site.

Perhaps we should add this link to POST #1 of the sticky "HOW-TO use Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Control without EventGhost"

So I went through the method in the listed link. But for some reason XBMX will only work with Eventghost running.

Any pointers on how to do this without Eventghost?

Thanks!

Not sure what the problem is. Care to give some more info?

Here is where I stand:

1) If I add a device to harmony 650 as Microsoft MCE Remote, I can get some functions to work in XBMC (through Eventghost).

2) If I add a device to harmony 650 as Microsoft MCE Keyborad, Eventghost sees the keypresses, but doesn't know what they are (Eventghost log shows "USB_UIRT.Unknown.HEX_CODES....")

I have tried to map buttons through Harmony software under both "Activities" and the "Devices."

I am starting to think this is because I am trying to use a USB-UIRT as my receiver. If I try to add the plugin "Microsoft MCE Remote" in eventGhost, I get "Error starting plugin: Microsoft MCE Remote. Device Not Found"

Perhaps the USB-UIRT driver is not compatible with a device emulating MCE keystrokes?

WannaTheater Wrote:Here is where I stand:

1) If I add a device to harmony 650 as Microsoft MCE Remote, I can get some functions to work in XBMC (through Eventghost).

2) If I add a device to harmony 650 as Microsoft MCE Keyborad, Eventghost sees the keypresses, but doesn't know what they are (Eventghost log shows "USB_UIRT.Unknown.HEX_CODES....")

I have tried to map buttons through Harmony software under both "Activities" and the "Devices."

I am starting to think this is because I am trying to use a USB-UIRT as my receiver. If I try to add the plugin "Microsoft MCE Remote" in eventGhost, I get "Error starting plugin: Microsoft MCE Remote. Device Not Found"

Perhaps the USB-UIRT driver is not compatible with a device emulating MCE keystrokes?

I have the USB-UIRT as well. You need EventGhost with USB-UIRT to get the remote keypreses working in XBMC. USB-UIRT is not natively supported in XBMC so you'd have to do some coding I think in order to bypass EventGhost. I also have an MCE remote and IR receiver and I still use EventGhost because there is no difference in lag and I can customize the buttons a little easier.

Thank you. Since you have a similar setup:

1) When you added a device to the harmony, did you add "Microsoft MCE Keyboard" or "Microsoft MCE Remote"

2) Do you need to assign keys on the harmony side (either under activities, or devices?)

3) Or are all of your "keymappings" handled purely through the XBMC plugin in eventghost (i.e. push a button on remote, then drag the USB_UIRT.unrecognized.hex over to the appropriate action in the XBMC plugin).

Thanks again!

WannaTheater Wrote:Thank you. Since you have a similar setup:

1) When you added a device to the harmony, did you add "Microsoft MCE Keyboard" or "Microsoft MCE Remote"

2) Do you need to assign keys on the harmony side (either under activities, or devices?)

3) Or are all of your "keymappings" handled purely through the XBMC plugin in eventghost (i.e. push a button on remote, then drag the USB_UIRT.unrecognized.hex over to the appropriate action in the XBMC plugin).

Thanks again!

1) "Microsoft MCE Keyboard"

2) Yep and be sure to keep track so it's easier to put them in EventGhost. Good to plan out ahead of time too.

3) If you use "Microsoft MCE Keyboard" in your Harmony, events will show up in EventGhost as "USB_UIRT.MCEKeyboard.xxxx" and then yes, I just drag-and-drop the events into actions of the superior XBMCRepeat plugin

As a side note: I rarely use my Harmony now because after about 2 years and multiple friends being confused by my setup due to button lag on the Harmony, I switched to using the Firefly PC Remote. Zero lag and RF instead of IR, but obviously it doesn't have Harmony's universal capabilities.

EDIT: If you could, would you mind estimating the lag that you get between the time you first press a button and the time it takes to see that action in XBMC?

THanks.

I just successfully assigned a bunch of keys to both the activity, and the device. I am still using the older XBMC plugin. From what I can see, there is virtually zero delay. Once I get all up and running I will update.

I am using Harmony 650, purchased yesterday from BestBuy.

WannaTheater Wrote:THanks.

I just successfully assigned a bunch of keys to both the activity, and the device. I am still using the older XBMC plugin. From what I can see, there is virtually zero delay. Once I get all up and running I will update.

I am using Harmony 650, purchased yesterday from BestBuy.

Good to hear. The newer plugin has some extra actions in it but if you don't need them then no need to update.

I guess you lucked out on the lag. So if you're in XBMC and you press down arrow, say, 10 times in a row, XBMC will keep up with the remote?

Its actually too fast... if I press down arrow quickly, it sometimes goes down 2 or 3...

Haven't seen lag yet.