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[Denti]

I am currently using a Logitech Harmony 665. It’s great for everything except MC. All I want is to be able to navigate Theater Mode. This uses basic Windows commands, but for some reason there is a delay, so that I cannot scroll through my movies/music smoothly the way I can with the various generic Windows remotes I have. I’ve worked with tech support at Logitech for many months and they basically have given up. So my question is: what can I use to replace the Harmony that will function well with MC?

Thanks in advance for your feedback and help.

[BryanC]

Maybe try a FLIRC with your current remote.

[JimH]

I use a Media Center Remote most days.  It works perfectly.

At one time, Logitech's software caused problems.  You could try uninstalling it, just to test.

[arcspin]

Yes, FLIRC works really well with JRiver MC.

[Denti]

I use a Media Center Remote most days.  It works perfectly.

At one time, Logitech's software caused problems.  You could try uninstalling it, just to test.

I think I haven’t been clear about what I want. I have two great, cheap remotes that work *perfectly* with MC, one a generic Windows thing and the other a generic keyboard/remote combo. No issues.

What I want is a remote that can duplicate the main commands from these (mainly up, down, left, right, ok) that I can *also* program to control everything else in my room: projector, DAC, DVD player, receiver. The Harmony I have does the latter fine. And it can *mimic* the Windows commands, but they are not fluid at all. I cannot scroll through MC like I can with the cheap Windows remotes. Too much delay.

I have spent months and hours on the phone troubleshooting this delay. Logitech cannot fix it. I’m done with them. What I’m asking is: is there another, programmable, universal remote like the Harmony that will output the Media Center commands without a problem. Surely I’m not the only one who wants to be able to do this.

[BryanC]

I think the only alternative that would come close is the SofaBaton. But a whole new remote is unnecessary to fix your issue because w/ FLIRC you can bypass whatever Logitech is doing on the network that is causing delay issues and just control the box directly via IR->MCE commands or keyboard input.

[Wheaten]

As I don't see how you programmed the remote, do you get the same delays's if you let the logitech learn the needed commands from one of the cheap remotes?

[JimH]

Does the remote have a configuration option for WMC?  That should work.

[Denti]

Does the remote have a configuration option for WMC?  That should work.

Yes, it does and they work. But the delay is an issue. I have tried everything, believe me. I have tried teaching the remote the commands. I have tried adjusting the delay settings. The tech support people at Logitech have gone in and made further adjustments to the delay. Nothing works. I just end up using two remotes, which defeats the whole purpose of the universal remote.

I don’t understand what FLIRC is and how that would help me overcome the issue. Can someone explain. Thanks!

[JimH]

Windows Media Center can cause problems and MC has an option to disable it in the Theater View settings.

Try Googling how to disable it altogether.  I have a vague recollection about something called ehome.  Renaming it?

[Denti]

Again, I’m not having issues with Windows Media Center or MC. I’m having issues getting my universal remote to function like my generic remotes that I use to navigate MC.

[EdBrady]

I went through this sort of issue years ago and settled on using a wireless keyboard/touchpad combo to control MC and other computer functions, plus a universal remote to control AV gear. I don't think there's any universal remote that works well with a computer.

[Denti]

I went through this sort of issue years ago and settled on using a wireless keyboard/touchpad combo to control MC and other computer functions, plus a universal remote to control AV gear. I don't think there's any universal remote that works well with a computer.

Bummer. And surprising! You’d think there would be a simple solution to this.

[BryanC]

Bummer. And surprising! You’d think there would be a simple solution to this.

There is, it's the FLIRC.

[Denti]

There is, it's the FLIRC.

OK, ordered one. Will report back.

[marko]

I have this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Harmony-Control-iPhone-Android-Black/dp/B00C80JGGO

It works so well, I have two, one for the living room, and one for the bedroom. How well does it work? My wife, who has unbelievable levels of tech-anxiety, can just pick it up and use it, oblivious to the fact that she's actually operating a PC.

The scrolling, as in, left-right-up-down? I had to go into the keyboard settings and slow the repeat setting down by 'quite a lot' to stop one long press from going instantly from top to bottom.... maybe, you need to speed yours up? Though, with all the support you've had, someone has to have tried that, right?

Our new, fanless, HTPC, did not have an IR receiver, so, I bought a FLIRC for it, and out of the box, it only needed minor tweaking to interpret all of the signals received from the previous HTPC box, which used default Media Center remote commands, with just a few custom tweaks.

In terms of hassle free user experience, these two remotes are hands-down, the best value for money I've spent to date on PC hardware.

[tzr916]

Been using generic WMC IR USB receiver with Harmony Ultimate + Hub for years. Preset for WMC, no lag, no issues.

[arcspin]

I use a simple programmable remote from "Oneforall" together with Flirc.
This way I can turn on and off my projector.
Control my Receiver
Navigate with arrow keys in JRiver
Start/go to full screen/turn off JRiver
and so on, all from one remote

and the remote is easy to program, just point the original remote towards the Oneforall remote and send ir-codes that way.
Same basic principle with Flirc.

[Denti]

FLIRC works. Thanks!

[sla]

also Universal Remote Controls remotes work like a champ https://www.urc-automation.com/product-category/complete-control/ or old Philips pronto remotes... they all have pre-set database of other remotes including WMC... So you basically use any Universal Remote to learn WMC codes and can control JRiver by that... I also use Intel CIR and I am able to start Audio Server with a press of the button.