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Logitech Harmony Hub Universal Remote Controller $99 (Was $199) Delivered @ Amazon AU

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Logitech Harmony Hub Universal Remote Controller $99 (Was $199) Delivered @ Amazon AUAffiliate
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jimojr on 31/01/2022 - 12:12 amazon.com.au (2571 clicks)
Last edited 31/01/2022 - 12:46 by 2 other users
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Control your home from your smartphone; Dim the lights, close the blinds, crank up the volume and start the action movie – all with one touch; Streamline your life with integrated home entertainment and home automation devices.
Simply the “world’s most compatible”, Harmony Hub works with over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands.
Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3. Just enter model numbers and brands into Harmony App on your smartphone or tablet, and you'll set up control for new devices in minutes.
The hub sends commands to your devices using IR, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless signals, so you can even control devices sitting behind closed cabinets.
Harmony Hub controls up to 8 devices and lets you start multi-device Activities with just one touch; No need for multiple remotes or remembering what to turn on or which input setting to use – Harmony does it all for you.

You can find more details here.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
Electrical & Electronics Logitech Remote Control

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closed Comments

  • CyberMurning on 31/01/2022 - 12:17
    +1

    so this doesnt have the actual remote ? just that hub thing and we need mobile phone to do the controls ?

    • brandogs on 31/01/2022 - 12:19
      +1

      Correct

    • Damnsmart on 31/01/2022 - 15:34
      +1

      correct, honestly you just link it to your smart home gadgets like google home or alexa and use voice commands. i havent touched the remote in these 5 years.

  • JustNotGod on 31/01/2022 - 12:19
    +9

    If it’s Elite, it’s very good for this price atleast. Only catch is Logitech has retired it’s unvirsal remotes now. But they are still supporting it as past of their sales, service and community.

    • fookos on 31/01/2022 - 12:47
      +2

      That's a shame to hear - our Harmony Hub (and remote) has been going really well for a long time. At least they are continuing support.

      I use the phone app as a backup for when I can't be bothered getting up to get the remote, but the actual remote, with its physical buttons and shortcuts, is so much better to use than a smartphone.

      I prefer to have the best of both worlds.

    • Smigit on 31/01/2022 - 12:47
      +18

      The vague ongoing support commitments certainly something to think twice about if buying into the system now. It’s an EOL product and could be turned off at any time, really. The controls require a cloud service to work so you’re at their mercy, and I doubt they can easily make these work offline, so once the servers are shut down that’ll be it.

      While it may be different, in 2017 Logitech gave customers around 5 months notice that their Logitech Link devices would cease to function in early 2018. At the time I recall customer backlash saw them give those customers newer Harmony devices as a replacement, but obviously there’s no new devices here this time.

      Anyway, it’s a good product, just dont buy it if you want to be certain of ongoing support. That is unless someone has any sort of concrete dates as I’ve been unable to locate them and instead just a vague commitment to support the servers while customers still use them, but who knows what their threshold in terms of usage actually means.

      For those buying, my preference is to use the Smart Controller (even above the Touch one) rather than the mobile app as it’s a much quicker experience. If there’s one going with the basic remote then I’d suggest getting that.

      • fookos on 31/01/2022 - 12:49
        +2

        Is there someone else filling this space, if Logitech is going to exit? I'm just thinking ahead in case I need to retire the Harmony (with Hub).

        • ESEMCE on 31/01/2022 - 12:54
          +1

          Nope… HDMI CEC is apparently good enough

          • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 12:57

            @ESEMCE: Doesn't work so well for non HDMI devices…
            But maybe people don't care too much about non TV and non HDMI connected device remotes? Don't know. I am guessing the sales figures are driving logitech's decision.

            • ESEMCE on 31/01/2022 - 16:50
              +3

              @g1: I don't even think it works all that well with HDMI devices.
              Does a good job if all you have is a TV and a Soundbar, but as soon as you add in other devices it's an all or nothing approach.

              It'll do stupid things like automatically change to an HDMI input cause the Chromecast demands attention even though you wanted to watch TV.

          • blade1981 on 31/01/2022 - 20:04

            @ESEMCE: HDMI CEC sucks. My PS4 randomly decides to just turn on anytime it gets a sync signal from anything and then changes everything else to the PS4. Bluray sometimes turned on correctly with it. I am more than happy to stick with the Harmony as long as it works, and when it doesn't I am going to be finding a new remote even if I have to hack it to work with homekit or something.

        • barg99 on 31/01/2022 - 12:59
          +1

          There is https://www.amazon.com.au/Broadlink-RM4-pro-Universal-Automa…

          Apparently they work OK. Never used one.

          Still have 4 harmony hubs in use. Once they're configured they work locally without internet access. But yeah if logi turn off their end then…no new devices for a start.

          • Joejoeinc on 31/01/2022 - 20:15

            @barg99: I have two of these they work pretty well. They also integrate with home assistant

        • MadMax1972 on 31/01/2022 - 13:58
          +1

          I'm waiting on a Sofabaton X1 from Kickstarter. They have been around a while I think.

          • blade1981 on 31/01/2022 - 20:05
            +1

            @MadMax1972: If these eventuate and have decent software then they may well be the replacement. A lot of ifs at the moment though.I do kind of wish I had jumped on the kickstarter though, missed that one.

        • kfcfatfat on 31/01/2022 - 23:10
          +1

          IR remote will not be around much longer. They are slowly being replaced with bluetooth remote.

          HDMI CEC will not last long either. Too much fiddly with cable length, quality, spec, blah blah blah

          IoT is the next (or already) big thing. Eventually everything will have wifi/network and they will be linked and connected. All you will need is just and app to control everything. I would expect there will be a universal API that support basic. Don't be surprise when Samsung and others stop providing remoted control with their TVs..

          My prediction everything will be switched via your network Imagine you have a TV and is connected to you network. You bought a PS7(whatever). All you need to connect the PS7 to your network and you can stream the game on the TV. No more HDMI cables. You can literary place your PS7 anywhere in your house, and switch to play in your bedroom TV from the lounge TV. PS remote play is already doing this for the mobile devices.

          When logitech exit your Harmony will still work but you may not be able to add new devices or control via the cloud. It will still work with your existing setup.

          • Borg on 01/02/2022 - 00:10
            +2

            @kfcfatfat: Nah….having a remote in hand is always easier than having to rely on network connections and devices or worse still having to speak to your TV. Remotes will be the go to for many regardless of IoT options so can't see TVs etc coming without one in the box.

            • kfcfatfat on 01/02/2022 - 00:58
              +1

              @Borg: Now days many people already have Amazon/Apple/Google smart speaker that can control TV and other items. Imagine when most people have a device similar to the Google Nest Hub but with a removable tablet, which is already capable to control your tv. Why would the TV manufacturer not think of saving money by not providing a traditional remote, and make some money by charging your for one?

              The other thing is, for all the buttons on the TV remote, how many do you actually use daily? Volume, Program, On/off? Most of us are streaming anyway so the number pad is almost obsolete..

              Harmony is a great device becuase it provided a solution for integrated multiple remotes. But, if I'm correct, it did not provide mapping to all buttons on the remotes it is replacing. It only maps the common buttons.

              We are already relying on the network connection for lots of things, and the routers/switches are pretty reliable for the internal network.

              I think is not the matter of "will" but "when"…

              • Borg on 01/02/2022 - 09:17

                @kfcfatfat: I hear what you are saying but for myself and everone I know, we all like a physical remote with nice buttons.
                In my case, being a automation hobbyist, have lots of things in place and also use Home Assistant. I can already do most of what you note BUT still use my basic remote for the TV/Google Home TV. It's much easier rather than using Tablet, Phone apps or Google Assistant etc. I do have one of these Harmony hubs and the Elite remote but much prefer the remote as easier (no fuss) and quicker to use.

                One major benefit of a Harmony remote is one can pick it up and use it in any room where as the hub is in static position. Different things I know and both have their uses. The remote is also handy for programming in misc items whereby orignal remote is broken or lost.

                Oh the joys and complexity of Home Automation. Hours of fun and frustration :-)
                Perhaps it comes down to what we are used to.

          • Italkdigital on 01/02/2022 - 00:19

            @kfcfatfat: The bandwidth on HDMI for 4K I doubt current WiFi would keep up, the streaming us excessive, imagine 8K streaming over WiFi anyway a terrible way to utilize one's home Wifi

            • kfcfatfat on 01/02/2022 - 00:32
              +1

              @Italkdigital: How many people are stream at 8K right now? Eventually wifi 7 and wifi 8 will catch up and should resolve all the latency issues too..

              Most people are streaming at 1080p and 4k right now. 4K only need 25Mbps which wifi 6 is already sufficient.

              • Italkdigital on 01/02/2022 - 01:13

                @kfcfatfat: I agree future Wifi routers/Wifi modems will certainly improve and capable of faster speeds and capable of more devices connected at those faster speeds

                And also if they improve compression of data further that also will help big time for higher quality 4K/8k streaming

      • whatisk on 31/01/2022 - 13:00

        Is the cloud needed all the time or just to program and sync? Can't recall if when the net has been down whether the remote still works or not as usually the electricity is out as well.

        Though seeing as you don't get the remote with this, if the net is down it may not work…

        • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:48

          Might work within your home wifi network not sure anyone tested theirs?

          • mgf909 on 31/01/2022 - 14:36

            @Italkdigital: i think it does continue to work, but cloud services obviously wont, and you cant modify the config…..

            i bought new telly ( samsung Frame ) and the HDMI CEC works great to control CCwithGTV and FetchTV box… so back to single remote anyway!…so ive retired my Harmony….

            • blade1981 on 31/01/2022 - 20:06

              @mgf909: HDMI CEC is fine for a basic setup like this. Add in a surround sound, bluray, gaming system, lights etc. and that is where the Harmony shines (or shone?).

            • Italkdigital on 01/02/2022 - 00:21

              @mgf909: So your Samsung TV Remote is controlling Fetch id say the most basic buttons needed like changing channels, volume on and off of your Fetch box

    • blade1981 on 31/01/2022 - 20:01

      Its just the HUB, no Elite Remote

  • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 12:29

    Umm tempting cheaper then their expensive universal remotes which reviews tend to state they have issues after a period of time, well no wear and tear with remote buttons with this device, remote control all done from your phone👍

  • hrcdan on 31/01/2022 - 12:29

    Yes, newer products are unlikely to be supported, got a new tv Boxing Day and not in database, tried similar tv but earlier model still in database and is ok for now

    • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 12:30

      With this device?

      • hrcdan on 31/01/2022 - 19:12

        No, but all harmony devices use same database, may still be able to learn from original remote though

        • Italkdigital on 01/02/2022 - 05:21

          And one can manually teach each button on remote? I know time consuming

  • abs898 on 31/01/2022 - 12:32

    I reckon Tuya is getting.updated better than these.

    • Mr Bargain on 31/01/2022 - 12:41

      @abs898

      What do you mean by "Tuya is getting updated better than these"? Does Tuya also make a hub similar to this product?

      • abs898 on 31/01/2022 - 12:42
        +1

        A lot of manufacturers are using Tuyas cloud I frasyructure. Ex: Lenovo's IR hub is nothing but Tuya backed.

      • MBix on 31/01/2022 - 13:20
        +4

        I replaced my Logitech Ultimate One (this hub + fancy remote that I never used) with a Kmart IR Hub (https://www.kmart.com.au/product/mirabella-genio-wi-fi-smart…)

        Worked just as well as the Logitech. Logitech wasn't playing too nicely with Google Home Assistants and individual device commands, so found it much easy with a hub like above. The Logitech was great for what it was, but now it sits in a cupboard in it's box haunting me

        • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:32
          +2

          Umm maybe I should cancel my Amazon order and get the Kmart one, though I read reviews of the Logitech hub and it can act as a smarthings hub, doubt the Kmart one can do that, either way will keep this bookmarked well at that price and your recommendation it works perfectly, Mirabella there a well known company too, lightning etc

          Edit: cancelled, here I come Mirabella hub

        • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 15:56

          Hi. Does the Mirrabella allow for combining devices for an activity eg Watch a Movie controls three different devices? Cheers

          • MBix on 31/01/2022 - 16:42

            @d34nus: It does indeed at least when using the Tuya Smartlife app to set it up anyway, I think they call it "Scenes / Tap to Run"

            I've got it set up to turn the Xbox on and switch input to that channel.

            • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 17:42

              @MBix: Thank you. Will buy and try!

          • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:41
            +1

            @d34nus: No, it's a basic device remote. I have it to control my air con, but glad I still have the Harmony for everything else. You don't realise how amazing Activity based remotes are until you try and go back to the old way!

            Edit: looking at Mbix's reply, you might be able to switch on multiple devices with a macro-like function, but you won't be able to control all of them at once, you will need to switch to each device. You would also need separate macros for on and off.

            • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 17:44

              @whatgift: OK thanks. This is the "deal breaker" for me! Thanks

            • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 17:50

              @whatgift: Aha! I've come from years of Logitech based remotes and Activity is the main selling point. I looked at the documentation but wasn't totally clear as to ease of use. Thanks

            • MBix on 31/01/2022 - 18:10
              +1

              @whatgift: you're mostly correct. It's very easy setting up a custom device that would do most of the things you're asking it to do, though you'd be teaching multiple IR codes from multiple devices and doing it the long way whereas the Logitech is much much more seamless.

              For me personally I got got the cheap hub from Kmart up running everything just like I had the Logitech Setup, plus better integration for Google Home and individual controls. Both options are fantastic for what they do, there is obviously pro's and con's for both though.

        • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:47
          +1

          This device doesn't replace the Harmony in terms of Activities and being able to control multiple devices at once (on the same screen), it is a basic device remote that has some macro-like capabilities.

          • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 17:56

            @whatgift: Bought Logitech. Cheers

            • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:57

              @d34nus: If you can get the Companion remote to use with it that would help, I don't use the app much these days.

              • d34nus on 31/01/2022 - 18:05

                @whatgift: Will give the app a go as I find physical remote buttons start to play up after a coupla' years.Think I got one of the last 650's. Must be my third or fourth. Second Squeezebox Touch.

                • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 18:08

                  @d34nus: Yeah I hear you, I've been through several physical Harmony remotes over the years myself! I find the app can be a bit slow to send the signals at times, but it does work well and is highly customisable.

        • Orangewarrior77 on 01/02/2022 - 00:54
          +1

          Just a quick message to say I'd never heard of this device before you posted the link today and was amazed that something so clever could be so cheap. I popped down to Kmart and got 2 after work.

          Now with 1 simple voice command to Google, the box fires up my TV, sets the air con, turns on and mutes the home cinema amp, and then navigates to my Plex home page.

          (Tap to run in Mirabella app for composing sequences of activities; then that's Adapt Scenes in Google home Routines to trigger it).

          So, cheers! Much more efficient than yelling at the kids. ;)

    • 0lllllll0 on 31/01/2022 - 13:17
      +4

      +1 for Tuya IR blasters. I got this one from bunnings (also available from kmart) and works well with my TV and AC. Not sure what extra perks you get with Logitech, but anything that's not in the Tuya IR library can be programmed by the user.

      https://www.bunnings.com.au/mirabella-genio-smart-ir-remote-…

      EDIT: The Mirabella app sucked and wouldn't connect with Google Home. Definitely use the Tuya app instead.

      • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:49

        Agreed, didn't even bother with the Mirabella app since I had smart switches on the Tuya app already. One less account and more powerful customisation.

  • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 12:38

    Reading the reviews this can be integrated into ALEXA and SmartThings, so would one assume this can replace a SmartThings hub? Well I wasted $100 on an older SmartThings hub and the new latest SmartThings hubs are very expensive so yeah

    Edit: bought it as I had a $15 promo code to use with my Amazon Prime account so only cost me $84, anyway another gadget to play with, I'm sure this a lot better then the past China IR-blasters I've bought in the past and hope this also works as a smarthings hub

    • bamzero on 31/01/2022 - 13:31
      +2

      Don't think it will do Smartthings as doesn't support Zigbee (they sold a Hub Extender box seperately to support Z-Wave and Zigbee) but works well enough with Alexa.

      • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:54

        Yupz your right and extender only works in the United States
        https://support.myharmony.com/en-gt/home-hub-extender

        Cancelled my Amazon order might try out the Mirabella one from Bunnings or Kmart so thanks, umm I have flybuys cash to spend 👍😁

        • bamzero on 31/01/2022 - 14:07
          +1

          You may be able to connect to your Smartthings account and control via an existing hub, I don't have one so haven't tried and sounds like not an option for you anyway.

          Depending how much stuff you have whether it's worth it or not (and how much time you want to put in to it) you might want to consider Home Assistant and a Conbee II (or there are cheaper USB sniffer dongles but probably a little more work to set up everything).

          I have a mix of wifi and zigbee stuff (smartthings, xiaomi, lockwood locks) but everything comes together nicely in HA. I can control most of it via Alexa by emulating a Hue hub from HA.

  • NopeNopeNope on 31/01/2022 - 12:41
    +1

    RM Mini IR blasters are ~$20 a pop. We used to use the inbuilt app to control our air conditioners, in the end went down the home assistant rabbit hole which is even better again but with a bigger learning curve.

    • Canberran on 31/01/2022 - 12:55
      +2

      Provide article on advice product is discontinued with no advice on the deal either way, get downvoted. Thanks OzB!

  • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 12:45

    In case anyone is comparing this to broadlink rm4 pro, for only IR and bluetooth (not RF) needs…
    This is easier to setup than broadlink rm4 pro, and the response to input of this is much faster than rm4 pro. Broadlink rm4 pro initial setup can be really convoluted: if it doesn't work straight away then there are workarounds with pairing it via extra devices in hot spot mode, etc, etc. Broadlink device compatibility is also hit and miss. The whole broadlink setup is very hit and miss.
    The slow response of broadlink makes their system a pain to use sometimes. Select an option on the app, wait wait wait wait wait wait wait ok action done on TV. Need a lot of patience to select virtual keyboard inputs.
    As an advantage, broadlink does have RF.

    • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 12:50

      So you have used the Logitech Harmony Hub Universal Remote Controller?

      • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 12:53
        +1

        I have used:
        Logitech Harmony Hub
        Logitech Harmony Elite
        Logitech Harmony 650
        Broadlink RM4 Pro

        The biggest advantage that I see for broadlink rm4 pro right now is RF and broadlink have not official retired the product, but logic have retired the harmony line.

        • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 12:56

          Read somewhere their remotes eventually have problems like wear and tear with buttons etc and it's very common

          Anyway I'm here for the hub so what do you think of it?, well looking at some photos one photo shows the hub sitting right in front of TV wondering if you had the same setup controlling your TV through IR and working ok, also I'm hoping this also works as a smarthings hub

          • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 13:04
            +2

            @Italkdigital: The Hub sits under the TV. A little in front (the back of the Hub is in line with the front of the TV), but the IR works anyway.
            I have never done anything with smarthings so have nothing to add on that.
            I think the biggest down side to Logitech Harmony line is the uncertainty of future Logitech support.

            • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:42

              @g1: Can the Logitech hub learn individual remotes manually, I know it would be a pain to setup one particular remote but that solves the uncertainty of future Logitech support

          • blade1981 on 31/01/2022 - 20:13
            +1

            @Italkdigital: My hub is on a shelf under the TV on top of my receiver. The IR is strong and works well. You can even connect extenders so you can place an IR emitter wherever it is needed. I have some devices is a cabinet behind a door with an emitters shoved in there somewhere that works perfectly and a couple of devices on bluetooth control and my lights via WiFi. All work perfectly for me.

    • LowRange on 31/01/2022 - 14:29

      That's odd, because i found the Logitech a pain to setup and the Broadlink much easier. Also i dont encounter any slowness with the Broadlink and i have 4 of them for the past 3 years.

      I have the Broadlink running through Alexa for voice control of all the TV's, aircons, sound system, fans etc. My "Good Morning" routine turns off Broadlink devices in the bedroom on one Broadlink hub and simultaneously turns on devices in the loungeroom, dining room and 2 different Broadlink hubs. All fire as fast as several other Wifi/Zigbee devices that get turned on with the same routine.

      • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 15:24

        The setup issue occurs for other people. Amazon reviews mention it. There are some reddit posts. I had to follow this:
        https://www.reddit.com/r/broadlink/comments/s2fpzu/i_keep_ge…
        WiFi is 2.4GHz. Had to find a second phone and download the app onto it. Turn off the main WiFi. Have the main/first phone with mobile connectivity be a hotspot with same SSID as main WiFi. Used the second phone's app to setup the broadlink device. Turned off the first phone's hotspot. Turned on the main WiFi. Broadlink device connected to the main WiFi. Could use the broadlink app and device on the main phone via main WiFi.

        Broadlink RM4 Pro is the only device that has had issues with the WiFi. All the other IoT and smart home devices work fine, all the other appliances work.

        As far as slow responses go, it took me a very long time (almost 5 minutes) to input a fairly short (20 characters?) amount of text into the TV. Press move to side button, wait for action to occur. Press the button needed number of times (e.g. 5) to move across the virtual keyboard, wait for action to occur, have only one or two presses register, once seen that it didn't register enough presses press the move button again a few times, wait again. When needing to capitalise go to shift key at a snails pace due to button presses not registering, then go to letter, then go back to shift key, then go to next letter, etc all at a really slow pace due to the huge amount of lag. Same deal for changing channels and volume. None of these problems occur with TV remote, Logitech Hub or Logitech 650.

        • LowRange on 31/01/2022 - 15:42

          I didnt have any of those issues setting up all 4 Broadlink devices, and i've got the app on 2 phones and a tablet. But i've been using it for 3 years.

          Where are you entering 20 digit inputs?

          • g1 on 31/01/2022 - 15:48

            @LowRange: TV setup virtual keyboard. I was changing some configuration.

            I bought the RM4 Pro for the RF feature and thought it may be able to replace the logitech hub.

            After that TV experience I gave the RM4 Pro a go a few more times. Also reset it and tried it again. It was too laggy to change channels, move between smart apps on the selection screens, change volume, etc. The logitech hub will remain as the control device for everything other than RF. Once the logitech hub dies I'll see what my options are but I'd be more inclined to look for a generic all in one remote than experience so much lag.

            • LowRange on 31/01/2022 - 16:22

              @g1: Fair enough, for me it's not slow. However i rarely use the app and use voice for everything like turning the TV on/off, changing the volume, turning aircon on, setting aircon temp, turning the fans on and setting their speed and so on.

              The only time i open the app is if i want to add a new device which is rare.

  • vinni9284 on 31/01/2022 - 12:47

    Limited to number of devices and suffers from bugs at times due to no response using the remote. Good idea and not worth the exorbitant price. I think the reduced price should be RRP

    • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:54

      I've never had issues with response, I imagine it's dependent on where the unit is placed and any barriers that may cause issues with the signal. I will say I use a Companion remote rather than the app with the hub.

  • pogichinoy on 31/01/2022 - 12:53

    If you can, find the old Logitech universal remotes that go for circa $25 or just get a Broadlink RM, configure it to learn the remote IR commands, and connect it to Google Home to control it all by voice.

    I have the latter setup to control the TV, and AV receiver.

    • askvictor on 31/01/2022 - 13:00

      Which Logitech remotes are you talking about? Where is a good place to buy them?

      • pogichinoy on 31/01/2022 - 13:16

        The Logitech 650 harmony.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/626874

        Dunno these days but since they're rare, they'll cost a bit more than RRP. These universal remotes are useful if you have a busted remote or if you want to consolidate all your remotes into one.

    • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 17:56

      The older remotes don't allow app control, often require a computer and buggy software to program, and require line of sight to use. That being said, I use a remote with my hub rather than the app itself. I would never want to go back to using a computer after using the app.

      • Borg on 01/02/2022 - 00:17
        +1

        The app for PC improved in case you are referring to the really old original app. These days even the older remotes use the current Logitech App.

  • mkh1991 on 31/01/2022 - 12:56

    to use this remote for tv, does it need a line of sight, for example, if i have a tv in the lounge and this in the bedroom, can the tv still be controlled? even if it's not a smart tv?

    • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:00
      +1

      A photo shows the hub sitting right in front of the TV, that's a question I asked above my guess it's a powerful IR-Blaster and bounces of the walls and probably a 360 degree IR setup, well that's how my cheap China IR-blaster worked

      • whatisk on 31/01/2022 - 13:02
        +1

        Yeah, it's an IR-Blaster that bounces off walls, etc. I have mine on a shelf under the TV in the cabinet and it controls the TV and other equipment fine. You can obviously use the mobile app anywhere to control it though.
        I have the hub and remote.

        • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 13:07

          OK couldn't edit so @mkh1991 this would use a powerful IR blaster but walls will block the IR unless your bedroom is very close to your lounge and you leave doors open, it could maybe reach and bounce its way to the lounge room TV but this hub is meant to used in the same TV room

          • MBix on 31/01/2022 - 13:17
            +1

            @Italkdigital: I had mine sitting in an IKEA Kallax (Cube storage) with the TV sitting on top, it was still powerful enough to bounce out of that and turn the TV on. I do believe it comes with two ports to plug in IR Extenders too.

            • Italkdigital on 31/01/2022 - 15:52

              @MBix: I guess your IKEA Kallax is made out of glass well IR is light, I'm guessing when they state reaches ones cabinet devices I'd say that's an open cabinet

    • Morien on 31/01/2022 - 13:09

      IR will still need line of sight-ish. Will be like a good quality remote.

      Things like Apple TV won't, since they can use bluetooth.

    • Smigit on 31/01/2022 - 13:55
      +1

      It’ll depend. Traditionally your TV will use IR which is line of sight. Some devices and maybe TVs will use Bluetooth which will work through some walls.

      If your TV is IR you could also connect a smart device like a Chromecast, Apple TV or similar and have the Harmony interact with those via Bluetooth and then have those addon boxes turn your display on/off using HDMI-CEC.

      The Logitech also uses RF which does work through walls and doesn’t require line of sight for its own Logitech remotes. Unsure if the box will also transmit RF for devices supporting that, which would be better than the IR. Unsure how many TVs use RF though.

      The hub can also support one or two external IR transmitters. You have a limited cable run on that but if what you wanted to controller was in an adjoining room, you could run the IR transmitter through a wall if you really wanted.

    • Sfh1975 on 31/01/2022 - 18:58

      Broadlink has many models, some come with RF which doesn't need a line of sight, such as for garage doors. Not sure if TV support RF, or may be there is something that works as an RF receiver on TV's end, converts it to IR for the TV :)

  • viirgon on 31/01/2022 - 13:21

    If Logitech is no longer in the universal remote business, what's the alternatives in the market that's not from Chinese manufacturers?

    • fookos on 31/01/2022 - 13:34

      The WhatHifi article further up the thread mentions this other outfit that is in the remote game - I've not tried Sevenhugs as my harmony remote and hub has been flawlessly working for years, but I might need to consider something else for down the track I guess!

      https://smartremote.sevenhugs.com/smart-remote/

      Anyone had any hands-on experience with this product?

      • viirgon on 31/01/2022 - 13:53

        Thanks but Sevenhugs has also decided to discontinue it's Smart Remote and worse, it will stop working after June this year. The universal remote is overdue an overhaul and some innovation, in both function and form. Probably wise for Logitech to get out if it cannot innovate in this space for so many years. Even if it has not discontinued their products, I have decided not to get another Logitech product when my current one dies.

  • imurgod on 31/01/2022 - 13:25

    I've been looking to get a unifying remote for my TV, console, soundbar, etc.

    Worried about support for this one. Is there no other solution?

    I have some 6 remotes!

    • Cfer50 on 31/01/2022 - 13:52

      I dunno if people will rip me a new one for posting a Kickstarter, but Sofabaton have made their second gen of this and its shipping now. Gets decent reviews, plenty of coverage of their old model and a few previews of this one listed. Also looks handsome.

      https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sofabaton/sofabaton-x1

      • strangeloops66 on 31/01/2022 - 14:05

        Sofabaton - that is such a great name!

      • 9hundred on 01/02/2022 - 12:14

        looks cool. does it work with aircon?

    • whatgift on 31/01/2022 - 18:00

      The Logitech hub has been amazing for me, but yeah I'm waiting for the day they discontinue support, and I will be left without a remote. There doesn't seem to be a lot of players in that space now, it seems to be a dying market…

    • Sfh1975 on 31/01/2022 - 19:02

      Get an amp/ receiver. Plug everything in there. Connect it to your TV via a single HDMI cable if both the TV and amp support CEC and ARC (most do). You will most likely have a single, or at least fewer, remotes. Most amp remotes are also learning remotes, with a ton of customizable buttons for your devices.

    • boomramada on 01/02/2022 - 12:43

      Universal Remote were good like 10 years ago. I fixed that issue by Broadlink RM3 + Home Assistance + Google home. Instead of using a app. You can just say, ok google, its movie time.
      Turn on the tv, change the channel, turn on the sound bar, amp and dim the lights, all in one shot ;)

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