Reddit reviews Logitech Harmony Hub for Control of 8 Home Entertainment Devices

Ok so here is the breakdown of what I am doing and a couple more photos of the UI and videos of it in action.

Here is the configuration.yaml and ui-lovelace.yaml files on Github.

The main components that are currently being used on the front end are:

• TP-Link/Kasa WiFi switches/outlets
  
  • HS100, HS105, HS200, HS210, HS220
    
• TP-Link/Kasa WiFi bulbs
  
  • LB130, LB200, LB230
    
• Ecobee 4 with 4 remote sensors
  
• August Lock and Connect
  
• Automatic
  
• Harmony Hub
  
• Foscam cameras
  
  • C1, R2e, FI9928P, FI9900PR
    
• Abode security system
  
• Darksky forecast
  
• Speedtest
  
  I intend for the UI to be displayed on a few Fire HD8 tablets. One that will be centrally located on the main floor of the house. Two others will be used as nightstand clocks in the master bedroom.
  
  At a high level, all I have done is drawn the floor plan and layouts in Sketch and exported individual assets as pngs and position them within a picture-elements card mostly utilizing image and its state_image. I would basically just plop down the button or icon or whatever with style: "top":50% "left":50%. Once the asset was in the UI I would inspect it via Chrome's dev tools inspector and select the parent container that the style was being set on. I would then manually adjust the top and left percentages until I was satisfied. I would then update ui-lovelace.yaml to include the new values and double check them in the browser.
  
  For the buttons, currently the button background and button text are baked into the image but I intend to change that soon. Basically the indicator light is actually the same size as the whole button its just 95% of it is transparent.
  
  Here are some screen caps (since i just posted photos from my phone last night)
  
  Here are a couple videos of it in action:
  
  
• Flipping a couple switches
  
• Switching between tabs
  
  Thats all I can think of for now to answer the basics... I am more than happy to go deeper into anything anyone has any questions about

Logitech Harmony Hub.

Google Home can do it if you buy a Harmony Hub.
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494390393&sr=8-1&keywords=harmony+hub

Or snag a cheap refurb on Ebay. I think I paid $50 or so for mine.

I don't do this, but you could achieve this using a Harmony Hub

This thing speaks Infrared, Bluetooth and wi-fi.
You would have to create a Harmony Activity with the PS4 and TV included. If your TV isn't ancient it should support HDMI-CEC (every manufacturer calls it something else like AnyLink or EasyLink) and the TV should turn on and switch to the right input when starting the PS4 (which itself is controlled via Bluetooth from Harmony)

The only problem would be to start Netflix. You can chain commands with the Harmony but they are just timed "button presses" So if the Netflix app changes places or the PS4 somehow doesn't receive a single button press the whole command chain falls flat.

If you setup the activity you either link your Harmony account to your GHome using the command "OK Google link my harmony account) and control the activities natively, preferably using shortcuts.

Much easier would be to create IFTTT commands including the Harmony activities.

TL;DR After typing this "tutorial" I realized: Get a chromecast! Harmony is cool if you have multiple devices you want to control using Infrared.

/edit: Seriously just get a chromecast. I bet you can find them on Black Friday for $25. You can completely control Netflix just using your voice (what show, play, pause, ...)

You have 3 options.

First is just the hub with no physical remote. There’s a smartphone app that has to be used to control everything.

Harmony Home Hub https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q.

Second is the hub with what they call a “simple remote”. The simple remote is a physical remote that can control up to 8 devices and 6 activities. This is the version I use and highly recommend. The remote actually has a very good build quality and I like it better than the fancy remote because it’s battery lasts forever and it’s much more durable so not a big deal if my kid drops it.

Harmony Companion Remote https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4G.

This last one comes with the hub and the high end elite remote. The elite remote can control more devices and activities than the simple remote but most people won’t need it. It also has a customizable touch screen that you can program to do whatever you want.


Logitech Harmony Elite Remote Control, Hub & App https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014PDFP9S

No matter which of those 3 options you get it’s the exact same hub and the smart phone app works for all of them. The physical remote is the only difference.

What kind of Harmony product are you looking for? I have the Home Hub that's been just sitting in a drawer for about a month now. Barely used it... just doesn't fit my setup.

Any interest? I've been trying to get rid of it on Craigslist but no luck. Would love to see it go to someone who would use it.

I'm using Logitech Harmony Hub and I can control my tv via voice with Alexa. I'm using Smartthings in between (had to add new Logitech Harmony device), but it works pretty well. Logitech Harmony mobile app is far from good, but with Smartthings works quite well. You can also add IFTTT in between (and skip Smartthings hub), but it might be more laggy. Here is the model I have: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/

I was using a Logitech Harmony Hub and Companion Remote on my old 700D. It uses all three (as needed). IR, BT, and WiFi.

When I got my A9G, I didn't even have to reprogram anything. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work on the A8F.

I'm sure you know this, but if you want a new phone that can still control your TV, then just get one of these. I have one and love it.

They go on sale typically around black Friday or whatever holiday season you might have. Typically down to $50US or so. The one you want is this one: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Entertainment-Devices/dp/B00N3RFC4Q. Comes with the hub and a remote.

You can just get the hub and use your smartphone as a physical remote when you want one:

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480471744&sr=8-1&keywords=harmony+logitech

Or you can get the hub with the most basic physical remote (this is the one I own):

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Companion-Control-Entertainment/dp/B00N3RFC4G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480471744&sr=8-2&keywords=harmony+logitech

I ordered the harmony hub before I saw this comment. Thttp://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000238-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462321232&sr=8-1&keywords=Harmony+home+hub the one I ordered was $99 with no remote, It does have the hub receiver thing so I should be good, I plan on doing exactly what you did and will put the app on the Vizio tablet. Should be delivered tomorrow, can't wait to get my little table back from all the remote clutter!

The Logitech Harmony Hub does exactly what you need https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZqxhAbH2Y4DN7

I’ve had one for almost two years now using it with Alexa the entire time. It’s my most valuable Alexa usage, even more than my Hue lights.

hell of a deal. it's never been lower than ~$88:

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Logitech-Harmony-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/product/B00N3RFC4Q?active=price_amazon&context=home_alerts

temporarily out of stock, but you can still purchase while on sale.

I have the Harmony Home Hub and it integrates well with the Alexa.

I first downloaded the Logitech App to my desktop, connected the Harmony Hub to the desktop via USB, answered a few questions about my TV & STB (DirecTV) brand/model, and it loaded the Hub with everything it needed to know. Then I enabled the Logitech Harmony skill on Alexa, and "linked" the accounts (told Alexa my Logitech ID & password.)

I can do the following by voice with Alexa: TV on/off/ volume up/down/mute. DirecTV: pause/resume, "channel ###" (e.g.: "Tell logitech to go to channel 854" or many favorites by name (e.g.: "turn on espn").

I can't have Alexa navigate the DirecTV channel guide or DVR features (beyond "pause"/"resume"); I have to find the remote for that.

You can do more with the Harmony Hub from the Logitech Harmony App on your IOS or Android smartphone or tablet, and you can add other tricks to the Harmony Hub by programming it from any existing IR remote, but those things don't have Alexa voice control.

There is just one hub, and then there is the Z-Wave/Zigbee "extension unit." Yes they do sell just the hub without remote.

I use my old HTC M8 phone as a universal remote as it has a built in IR blaster. It controls both Roku, FireTV and my Vizio TV (on,off, volume, input switch) using the AnyMote app. You can add as many TVs, cable boxes or devices as you want. They can show up as separate remotes or you can build your own combined panel.


If you don't have an old phone or tablet with an IR blaster you can buy their blaster. It's a bit pricey, though.

Logitech has something similar.

I have the Harmony Home Hub 915-000238...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=psdc_10967581_t3_B00LTKGFDQ

Not going to lie, I'm a bit confused as to all their different 'packages' for the hub. As far as I can tell it's just the hub and then depending on the package you get a different add on (or no add ons in my case?)

If you don't mind adding another hub you should check out Lutron Caseta. They are a bit more expensive than GE and Insteon but they're reliable and work well with HomeKit and Alexa. You can make scenes in the Caseta app and both the Home app and the Alexa app will be able to use the scenes that you created.

As for a fan switch the only option that works with HomeKit and Alexa is the Caseta Multi-Location Switch:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017LRCG38/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_JZVyybFAGHSZQ

This wont be able to change the fan speed but it lets you turn the fan on and off.

As for setting scenes with the touch of a button, you could get a Harmony hub and some pop switches. The Harmony doesn't play well with HomeKit but it's pretty cool with Alexa. Although the app is kind of counter intuitive, it works well once you get it the way you want it.

Harmony Hub:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_I7VyybF2F7VWZ

Pop Switch:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JO8TLMQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_g6VyybPZPFZ51

Is the hub that comes along with the remote this same hub

Logitech Harmony Hub for Control of 8 Home Entertainment Devices, works with Alexa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pvLHzbR86ZBFF

I don't care too much about the included remote i just like the idea of getting the hub that will work with my echo's at a lower price

Is the Harmony Hub available by itself in AU? You don't need the remote to interact with Alexa or the IR receiver. You only need the hub. US listing

So you can do what the other guy said, but that would make sound come out of both. That could potentially get annoying, though it is the far cheaper option.

There is an alternative that sounds like it's exactly what you want, but it requires you purchasing a bluetooth receiver and a Harmony Hub. I can detail that for you if you're interested, but if you're on a tight budget, this isn't the best option.

This is probably more than you were hoping to pay. but : http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000238-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1414521710&sr=1-9&keywords=logitech+harmony

It's basically a box that sits in your living room and blasts IR to whatever devices you need.

I'm assuming your talking about a Toshiba with FireTV built in. I accomplished something similar with a Logitech Harmony hub and IFTT. I can walk into my living room and turn on/off my TV with an echo dot and the harmony. It should be easy to create a recipe in IFTT to turn your TV on every morning at a set time.

Interesting, does that work via HDMI-CEC or is it just a glorified IR blaster? I like that they dropped the price from the previous offering; I assume this is what you're talking about? https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Entertainment-Devices/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542566003&sr=8-2&keywords=hub+harmony

If all you want is Alexa control, the Harmony Hub works and is like half the price of the Ultimate. You can also use your phone as a remote if you don't like the voice control.

The remotes are exactly like they are pictured. The Harmony One is an older remote that I don't really use anymore. The other 4 are exactly what you see in the screenshot, one hub and one remote for each.

You can in fact pick up a hub without a remote.

If Nvidia is going to charge $50 for the 2017 remote like they did for the 2015 version, then I would rather spend a bit more ($67) on a Harmony Hub.

Well the Harmony hub can link to Echo natively and allow you to control any infrared device with Alexa. The fan I use is this honeywell

You could go with a separate device like the Logitech Harmony, you connect it to your WiFi and it has an ir transmitter on it, which after you program it for your TV, you connect your phone to Harmony over your WiFi network. Use the Harmony app to control your TV and other devices. Been using one for years but I use it in conjunction with my Alexa, same concept though

Logitech Harmony Hub for Control of 8 Home Entertainment Devices https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BgrFDbPK1W2FH

Yeah, at the very least to set it up through tasker to use Google Now, you would need this:https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q

You need something to actually send the IR signals to your devices, and the Harmony is (in my opinion) the best device to do that with.

OK, I have an Echo, Dot and the Harmony Hub (https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Smartphone-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1474460678&sr=1-1&keywords=harmony+hub)

1-The Echo does not natively support the Harmony Hub (not yet)

2-You have to use IFTTT or Yonomi to interface these two together.

3-The Universal Hub you linked should be able to do IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi so I don't think you need the remote control adapter.

What model do I need Harmony Hub

Like this ?

> Harmony Hub

can you link to what you're referencing? I'm seeing $75 for a hub device that you need to use a phone app for....

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Entertainment-Devices/dp/B00N3RFC4Q