I put this here due to it being home theater based but mods feel free to move it if you feel it needs to be elsewhere.
My dog ate my Harmony One so I needed a replacement remote for my home theater. This was recently released and is a nice hybrid of the available designs. Previously you have the choice of a regular universal remote or using your phone/ipad alone. This combines them. It comes with simple universal remote and allows the use of your iPhone/iPad as well.
Hardware:
I comes with three pieces of hardware. The first is the hub. This is the main piece and is similar in size to an Apple TV. It performs two functions. First it receives inputs from your remote and idevices. It then outputs these commands to your devices. The hub connects to your network with wifi.
Here's the catch with the hardware side. You have to "see" the devices you want to control. If they are within the same contained space then your fine. If your cabinet has separate spaces you can run into some issues. The system comes with one remote blaster. The hub itself acts as a blaster. Essentially you'l use the hub to blast your devices and the remote blaster for your TV. If you have a seperate space with equipment you can buy a second blaster. I had to consolidate how my equipment was arranged to have everything in two cabinets, my DVR and streaming devices in one and my receiver in a second. Previously they were in three but it works out. Just keep this in mind if you need to buy a second blaster before you get started, I already had one from my Harmony One.
Also this will control your PS3 via bluetooth. You no longer need an additional piece of hardware like with other Harmony remotes, it is native now.
Software:
There are two ways to set-up the system. The first is with the iOS app and the second is via a computer. I set mine up with the iOS app. I have used the webapp software on the computer with the Harmony One and while it works it's kinda jinky. I'm not a fan of it.
But the set-up via iOS app was a breeze. Just follow the prompts and as long as you give it the right info everything will work the first time. I had it up and running very very quickly.
Usage:
Macros work perfectly. One button press and you can have all the equipment turn on and set to the proper input. Very very nice but not Earth shattering or new. What is new from old Harmony is you can rename them. So now I have Apple TV rather than "Watch a Movie", I like that a lot.
The hardware remote is good enough for 99% of your usage. You can use up to six macros with it. It has all of your common controls for movie watching and DVR use. Only thing I've found missing is a "Live" button for your DVR TV viewing, not a big deal and I rarely use it anyhow. Just fast forward. Biggest downside is it is does not have backlit keys.
The iOS app is surprisingly good considering how new it is. Looks wise it fits with the current iOS theme of things. Initially you get a screen with all your macros for you to choose what you want to do. It then goes to a screen with the applicable controls. There are dots at the bottom to show how many screens of controls are there. Typically one for arrow controls, second with numbers, and third with play/pause/ff/etc. All main controls are available here.
Another cool feature is a favorites button. A little star is at the bottom for your favorites and you set-up your favorite TV channels here. It shows them with the network icon, very nice.
Main thing they need to do is a dedicated iPad app where they could combine all controls into one screen with the added real estate, right now it's just an iPhone app.
In conclusion I feel it is an outstanding value. For $129 it's cheaper than a Harmony One with more utility. For me it's the ultimate compromise. A software only solution is not ideal, for instance I like to be able to just pick up a remote and adjust volume by feel. But one the other hand the added functionality that the iOS software brings is cool too. More features for less money is always good in my book. It should only get better as they develop the app more. It's an easy buy recommendation from me.
My hardware:
Panasonic Plasma
Yamaha RX-V473 receiver
DirecTV Genie
Apple TV
Western Digit Live TV media streamer
Playstation 3
My dog ate my Harmony One so I needed a replacement remote for my home theater. This was recently released and is a nice hybrid of the available designs. Previously you have the choice of a regular universal remote or using your phone/ipad alone. This combines them. It comes with simple universal remote and allows the use of your iPhone/iPad as well.
Hardware:
I comes with three pieces of hardware. The first is the hub. This is the main piece and is similar in size to an Apple TV. It performs two functions. First it receives inputs from your remote and idevices. It then outputs these commands to your devices. The hub connects to your network with wifi.
Here's the catch with the hardware side. You have to "see" the devices you want to control. If they are within the same contained space then your fine. If your cabinet has separate spaces you can run into some issues. The system comes with one remote blaster. The hub itself acts as a blaster. Essentially you'l use the hub to blast your devices and the remote blaster for your TV. If you have a seperate space with equipment you can buy a second blaster. I had to consolidate how my equipment was arranged to have everything in two cabinets, my DVR and streaming devices in one and my receiver in a second. Previously they were in three but it works out. Just keep this in mind if you need to buy a second blaster before you get started, I already had one from my Harmony One.
Also this will control your PS3 via bluetooth. You no longer need an additional piece of hardware like with other Harmony remotes, it is native now.
Software:
There are two ways to set-up the system. The first is with the iOS app and the second is via a computer. I set mine up with the iOS app. I have used the webapp software on the computer with the Harmony One and while it works it's kinda jinky. I'm not a fan of it.
But the set-up via iOS app was a breeze. Just follow the prompts and as long as you give it the right info everything will work the first time. I had it up and running very very quickly.
Usage:
Macros work perfectly. One button press and you can have all the equipment turn on and set to the proper input. Very very nice but not Earth shattering or new. What is new from old Harmony is you can rename them. So now I have Apple TV rather than "Watch a Movie", I like that a lot.
The hardware remote is good enough for 99% of your usage. You can use up to six macros with it. It has all of your common controls for movie watching and DVR use. Only thing I've found missing is a "Live" button for your DVR TV viewing, not a big deal and I rarely use it anyhow. Just fast forward. Biggest downside is it is does not have backlit keys.
The iOS app is surprisingly good considering how new it is. Looks wise it fits with the current iOS theme of things. Initially you get a screen with all your macros for you to choose what you want to do. It then goes to a screen with the applicable controls. There are dots at the bottom to show how many screens of controls are there. Typically one for arrow controls, second with numbers, and third with play/pause/ff/etc. All main controls are available here.
Another cool feature is a favorites button. A little star is at the bottom for your favorites and you set-up your favorite TV channels here. It shows them with the network icon, very nice.
Main thing they need to do is a dedicated iPad app where they could combine all controls into one screen with the added real estate, right now it's just an iPhone app.
In conclusion I feel it is an outstanding value. For $129 it's cheaper than a Harmony One with more utility. For me it's the ultimate compromise. A software only solution is not ideal, for instance I like to be able to just pick up a remote and adjust volume by feel. But one the other hand the added functionality that the iOS software brings is cool too. More features for less money is always good in my book. It should only get better as they develop the app more. It's an easy buy recommendation from me.
My hardware:
Panasonic Plasma
Yamaha RX-V473 receiver
DirecTV Genie
Apple TV
Western Digit Live TV media streamer
Playstation 3
I was a bit concerned at first as I have spent many hours programing the One to my needs. I was excited to find using the Harmony web site I can swap all functions to my new remote. After doing so my Apple TV would not respond, back to reprogramming. After quite some time I all but gave up but then discovered this little gem in the ATV settings that ive never seen before. Settings/General/Remotes/Learn Remote. Made my life a lot easier.