Anyone who has had a
Harmony Remote knows the "is this device on" hell that follows if an IR code is missed while an Activity is firing off. To address that and the whole hidden equipment craze, Logitech now offers a IR repeater called the
Logitech Harmony IR Extender System that is available for $59. The way this works is there's one table top IR receiver that you place in the open, and then three IR blasters that you place in front of the devices you want to control -- of course this will require that you hide your equipment as otherwise the devices would receive the same IR signal twice. Not a bad deal at the price, but we do wonder if it is compatible with our own stick on IR emitters. We doubt this is as good as the RF version of the Harmony, but no doubt it's cheaper if you already own the remote.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dramane @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:18PM
I don't know about this guys set up but its a sure bet he will have to deal with RRoD if he doesn't move that XBOX out of that shelf and put it somewhere else.
Otherwise, yeah, Nice repeater will only consider it if i have my set up in living room but want to control all from Bedroom.
Snake Robot Podium @ Nov 9th 2009 9:04AM
Yup, I set up my 360 in a similar way and got an E74 error within a month.
Richie @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:36PM
Really people need to look at Control4. You can pick up their entry level HC200 for $399. This little guy could handle any Theater Setup, plus offer so much more than just being an IR controller.
Ben @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:43PM
People would try out Control4 if they didn't require professional installation.
zargon @ Nov 3rd 2009 1:01PM
There are IR repeater/blaster systems out there that cost a little more than this, but they should work with any remote.
jonathan @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:50PM
Why doesn't logitech release a wifi enabled version of this with an accompanying iPhone App?!
zargon @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:55PM
Because surprisingly, not everyone has an iPhone or iPod Tocuh!
zargon @ Nov 3rd 2009 12:59PM
I have been looking at the possibilities of creating a system with a bunch of IR blasters connected to a computer. I haven't gotten far, but I don't see it out of the realm of possibility. My main goal would be to create a web interface that I could control everything from.
I guess I should start with finding a USB emitter that I can control and go from there. Ideally I would like to use a embedded system, but once the nettops start dropping in price, they may be a prime candidate. I suppose you could go as far as getting a IR receiver and then program it to relay those signals as well.
Rick W @ Nov 3rd 2009 2:21PM
Get ready for a red ring of death if they keep that Xbox in that cabinet while they are using it.
Ghoti @ Nov 3rd 2009 5:17PM
I was thinking the same thing. Unless the cabinet has air circulation, that 360 is gonna get WAY hot.
Gunbust3r @ Nov 3rd 2009 2:26PM
"Logitech helping to cook your HT components"
Peabods @ Nov 3rd 2009 3:40PM
The product doesn't look that bad but IR sensors on equipment are way to picky to work with this. The funny thing is they don't even have the emitter in front of where the IR sensor is on the equipment, anyone who has been in the industry knows just how ridiculous this picture is; guaranteed not to work.
BTW, Control4 sucks for anything more than a basic system, and their programming software is hideous!!!
Vcook @ Nov 3rd 2009 5:05PM
I'd bet other stick on IR emitters would work with this without issue, they do with my logitech 890 RF/IR base.
EXH @ Nov 3rd 2009 7:35PM
For $59 this seems like a great deal. I have a Harmony 890 RF, and while currently I have each component set up for an individual stick-on emitter, I have used the RF/IR base in blaster mode without any issues in the past. For those that don't want to spend close to $300 for the 890 (or hate the feel of the buttons), this is definitely work looking at.
kenjix @ Nov 3rd 2009 8:23PM
all that high tech equipment and then a 360?