Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3 review
By Steven Kim 
posted May 19th 2009 1:09PM
posted May 19th 2009 1:09PM
Background
When it debuted in 2006, the PS3 packed in some interesting technology. Depending on whom you ask, the use of Blu-ray was good/bad decision, but the PS3 certainly helped get the new physical disc format in front of the public. What's more suspect is the PS3's exclusive use of Bluetooth technology for remote control. Despite the existence of an official Bluetooth audio/video remote control profile, it's hard to find any devices other than the PS3 that use Bluetooth for remote control. That's too bad -- ask anyone who has used a RF remote, and they'll tell you that having to point the remote directly at a component to send commands is for the birds.
So the PS3 is caught in a bind -- it is supposed to act as a converged media device, but it's not controllable by the remote control you have for the rest of your equipment. Ask any couch potato and they'll tell you that "convergence without convenience" is a no-go in the market.
As much as we bemoan the fact that Sony didn't include a (dirt cheap) IR receiver in the PS3 to address this shortcoming, the PS3 is unrepentant. Necessity is the mother of invention, and a number of solutions for getting your existing IR remote control talking with your PS3 have come to market. Sony hasn't made things easy for enterprising developers, however. The lack of always-on USB ports on the PS3 means that devices that control the PS3 through USB cannot issue a "turn PS3 on" command. Powering down the console is also troubling, since it requires a macro that walks through the PS3's modal "turn the PS3 off" dialogs.
At $60, the Logitech PS3 Adapter sits right between the two camps that have emerged for PS3 remote control. In the neighborhood of $20, there are IR-to-USB devices that receive IR commands and then control the PS3 through one of its USB ports. These solutions are cheap, but can't power up the PS3. North of $80, there are IR-to-Bluetooth devices that provide full control of the PS3, including products that combine sensors that detect whether the PS3 is on or off and combine this intelligence with appropriate macros for switching the console on/off. These are fine solutions, but certainly they don't have the big name backing and market footprint that Logitech enjoys.
Living with the Adapter
In terms of setup, our initial hands-on spelled out pretty much everything you need to know about dropping the Harmony PS3 Adapter into your system. Simply perform a Bluetooth pairing between the Adapter and your PS3, use the Harmony configuration app to add a PS3 to your list of AV devices, setup any activities you want, and you're set. The Adapter can accept IR commands directly through its front dome or the IR blaster cable port around back. As we noted in our initial impressions, the Adapter is only intended to work with Harmony-brand remotes; but sure enough, we've seen the IR Harmony codes pop up on the interwebs. However, the codes we found on RemoteCentral do not have the power-off macros yet, which makes it clear that the power off sequence is indeed a macro that is stored in the Harmony remote itself, and not the adapter. We'd guess that it will be another week before some solid IR macros for turning the PS3 are incorporated into the other Harmony codes into a nice tidy package.
In use, we've found absolutely nothing to complain about -- the Adapter sits silently and does its job of gobbling up IR commands from our Harmony remote and issuing the appropriate Bluetooth commands to our PS3. In terms of functionality, the Logitech Adapter delivers on its promise -- full power control is available, and XMB navigation is there, too. Control of the PS3 was very responsive and never showed any lag that we've seen with some of the IR-to-USB solutions. Removing power from the Adapter and then plugging it back in caused no problems, either, which we were happy to see as the summer seasonal brownouts are getting ready to descend on us.
It's hard to overstate how much easier it is to use the PS3 as a media playback device from a universal remote control. We'll admit that we're pretty lazy when it comes to soaking up a movie, and not having to put down our universal remote in exchange another remote (Sony's own Bluetooth PS3 remote, for example) made using the PS3's media playback much more enjoyable. That's doubly true when comparing a universal remote to a DualShock 3 or SIXAXIS controller.
Conclusion
In our book, Logitech's PS3 Adapter is a success. We wish it would break out of its Harmony-only restriction (we're confident it will eventually), and we wish it were cheaper (that will come as well). As it stands, it's the cheapest solution going for complete and responsive control of your PS3 via your existing IR remote. Several commenters to our hands-on post didn't like the price, but in terms of the value delivered, we feel the Logitech solution is competitive. If you've already jumped in the pool for a PS3 and a $60 (minimum) Harmony remote, another $60 to get the most out of your PS3 as a media device probably isn't going to break you.
On the other hand, if you're looking at using the PS3 primarily for movies, then the days of the PS3 having a claim to the title of "best Blu-ray player" are long past. As media playback devices go, the field of standalone Blu-ray decks has caught up to -- and surpassed -- the PS3. There are plenty of Profile 2.0 players, and the lack of bitstream or analog output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA is a real knock against the PS3; add in features like Netflix Watch Instantly and Pandora support on the latest crop of Blu-ray decks and the PS3 has a hard time keeping up. Consumer electronics being what it is, the competition isn't letting up, either.
However, we picked the PS3 as our Blu-ray deck and we can live with its limitations. For our money, the Logitech Harmony Adapter removes a pretty big gripe we had about keeping the PS3 in our equipment list, and it does it for a tolerable $60. Until we spring for a dedicated Blu-ray deck, we'll stick with the Logitech Adapter.
Very cool,
I love the harmony series of remotes.
What would be cool is if they added support for the Wii so you could switch it on and off and maybe navigate the channels using the Harmony!
I want an internal adapter for a PC. I know they exist, but why doesn't Logitech make one. I'd rather have something from a reputable brand than buy something from someone I've never heard of and program the Harmony and throw away the POS remote it comes with.
"the days of the PS3 having a claim to the title of "best Blu-ray player" are long past. "
It still is the best, those days havent past at all
Just got mine today .. FYI its way smaller then i thought from the Pics .. that's a good thing .. Works perfect .. no delay like on the Nyko usb one .. so easy to hook up and you dont need to find it on the Harmony setup guide .. just use the reg ole PS3 one from the Harmony setup and it knows automatically .. it shuts off without asking you all those annoying questions
what the hell harmony did you buy that only cost $60?
They were referring to the adapter price, not the price of a Harmony remote.
You can find a 676 for $60. Definitely not sexy, but fully functional. I get your point, though -- Harmony remotes aren't the cheapest.
The 676 is absolutely the best remote in the world if you have TiVO. They were discontinued a while ago, so grab them while you can find them.
I found the Harmony 550 on eBay for under $50 new with free shipping last summer.
It only has the blue backlit screen but I don't need the fancy color screen nor a touch screen. It's perfect for me and works like it should have cost 2x what I paid.
Harmony for Xbox is $50 at SOME Best Buys currently, Just like the 550, Just white and with green backlighting, Does 12 devices. Now I have that unit, 3 550's and a Harmony One. I can't get enough.
I bought a refurb 890 for $99 from amazon three weeks ago.
What players surpass it? Netflix streaming ones? hmmm Not convinced, personally i'd take PS3 games over Netflix streaming any day.
Well, the point of surpassing is if you are ONLY into it for the movies, not for the gaming.
SO, someone like me would take official Netflix streaming over game play anyday. Especially if that player also did Pandora, was cheaper, and had built in IR control.
I already own a PS3 though, so I sprung for the Harmony Adapter. Should have it Thursday.
If you care about multi-region playback then the PS3 is definitely not the best player.
@Leo,
I care. Which player should I get?
Aren't BD's region free? Or are you talking about DVD playback as well?
Thanks for the timely review. Just ordered it and a Harmony One from Amazon. Oboy, Oboy....
Harmony One is amazing .. Good Purchase
Hah! Yeah, I ordered mine when the last review was published. Glad to see this was a positive review though, because mine's already in the mail.
Just ordered a replacement Xbox 360 Harmony too. Also in the mail.
agreed, they did a really nice job with the One. I'm not really in love with the touchscreen, but otherwise it's their best remote.
"and the lack of bitstream or analog output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA is a real knock against the PS3"
Please don't spread this nonsense. The lack of bitstreaming is not a knock. It's the same freakin' audio quality whether the player decodes it or not. Also, you lose secondary audio when you bitstream. You guys should know better than that.
Roger -- I don't think most consumers would agree with you, The lack of choice is a minus for most people, especially when it keeps the "Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD MA" lights from coming on. Silly, I know, but that's how the marketplace works.
Oh -- and we are aware of how to use the lossless codecs with the PS3:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/21/hd-101-how-to-use-dolby-truehd-and-dts-hd-with-your-ps3/
The consumers that don't agree are simply idiots. There is no difference in sound quality. You are just reinforcing the stupidity by making comments like that. You said nothing about why a few believe it is a knock...you basically supported the idea that it is. You made it sound as if it is fact, when it is not.
Do you mean you wouldn't consider the addition of lossless bitstream output to the PS3 an enhancement over the current functionality?
No, because it add absolutely nothing. I really don't think you understand the technology. If you did, you wouldn't be making these statements.
I think it's clear that Steven understands the technology and your point. However, choice is never a bad thing. In addition, letting the receiver do all the decoding simply removes that element of confusion on if you are truly getting TrueHD or DTS HD MA.
Let's top making excuses. There is no element of confusion.
The lights on the receiver thing is the only issue. Otherwise, PCM is more universal, so it reduces the needs of the receiving device.
True, but that assumes that the PS3 can do a better job of decoding the lossless codecs than the target AVR. For the vast majority of AVR's I'd say there's no difference and for the ones that do a better job, well the people that own them probably aren't using a PS3 as their blu-ray player so it's not an issue.
There is no sliding scale of decoding quality for the lossless codecs: either the decoder is 100% accurate (ie., lossless) or it's broken. The whole point of lossless audio is that it is bit-for-bit identical with the source. The PS3 is therefore equal to the best possible decoder in this regard.
Bitstreaming lights up your AVR indicators while disabling your secondary audio. Seems like a poor trade to me.
And I can't help be amused that lossless audio seems so important to people who can't even tell it's working without an indicator light. Isn't the point supposed to be that it *sounds* so much better? ;>
As for analog multichannel, it's a feature that you either need or (like most people) you don't. It's lack doesn't affect the quality of the PS3's performance, it just means you need a different player if you want that feature. Some refrigerators have ice makers, some don't. Why pay extra for one if you don't want or need it?
You guys are not helping me by posting this article. I had convinced myself that I didn't REALLY need this adapter to go with my Harmony One. Now I opened the Amazon page again and have been hovering over the add to cart button. Darn you engadget making me spend all my moneys!
Did you test it with Harmony 1100 + RF->IR->Bluetooth, I really hope it works too! I don't see any reason why it won't hopefully the RF->IR acts just as a 'dumb' pass-through so no special protocol that may made the IR from the RF module different from the regular straight IR coming out from the remote.
I didn't have an 1100 or an 890 to test the RF, but it should work fine after being fed the IR commands from the transceiver. For what it's worth, I did test it with something similar -- a Next Generation RF extender
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/04/next-generation-remote-control-extender-review/
and everything worked fine. The Logitech Adapter perfectly happy taking orders from the IR output of the NextGen RF transceiver.
the adapter also has a connection port for an RF extender, if that's what you're referring to.
I got mine the day they were released, it does work great!
Once I get the new Denon Blu-Ray player it won't be as critical that I can use my Harmony one to control my PS3 but now the H1 is the only remote on my table!!
One thing not mentioned is you will completely lose the ability to use the PS remote when you sync the Harmony adapter so put the new PS3 device in your remote before syncing the Harmony
Just hooked mine up and I agree, easy to set up and could not find any flaws. You failed to mention that it powers down the system beautifully. I have the Harmony One and you push the PS3 Off button and the remote does the rest. It turns it off and confirms that you wish to turn the system off. This is a must have for Harmony users.
Great review and i completely agree. If your on the fence about buying one, go for it and try it out. You could always return it.
One advantage the PS3 still has over the stand-alone players is disc load time! Especially for BD-Java-heavy titles.
not any more- the 2009 players like the samsung 1600 are just as fast (if not faster on some titles).
@corey
Really? I still haven't seen a single speed test where a player outperforms the PS3 in load times. I've seen lots of players that come close but they're still priced above the PS3. The added bonus of being able to play games is like buying a snowblower and finding out that it is also a lawnmower!
Im sure its nice to have the convience of turning on the PS3 with your harmony BUT i think the 60 dollar price tag is hefty. I have the Harmony 550 and got a Nyko IR receiver for 15 bucks and it does everything you need it to do (except turn on the PS3, but the controllers are wireless so its not that big of a deal for me) so those who want to use their harmony remote and dont wanna drop 60 bux, go for the NYKO wireless IR receiver.
$60 is the same price as a PS3 game. I think its perfectly priced.
$60 for a game isn't perfectly prices IMHO... I never pay that much for my games, you really should look around if you normally pay that much for a PS3 game... And the remoteextender is pretty hefty as it only works with a Harmony, it will work ofcourse with other remotes but you must be able to send the commands to those remotes which ofcourse isn't easy if you don't have something like the harmony..
logitech need to release this to the UK market as well !
Got mine today. The whole unboxing through to use process took all of twenty minutes. Works like a charm
I'll want to get this one of these days, but the 60 dollar price tag is just too steep for an adapter. Maybe if it was half the price, I'll get it. Hopefully the prices will drop on the internet quickly... :).
Oh, and thanks for pointing out the article on how to get Dolby TrueHD working on the PS3, Steven. It'd be great getting the surround sound to work on my dvdrips!
would it be too much to expect a future version of a harmony remote with built in bluetooth?
Yes, because adding BT to a Harmony remote to support a single device would be pointless and complete overkill.
I have a PS3 and as a game console and Blu-Ray player its great, but to me its not worth dropping anymore money on it for media playback as its been really disappointing that the PS3 doesn't support NTFS usb hard drives so you're limited to files under 4GB. I'd rather take that $60 and save up for a Popcorn Hour A110.
Not true. However, you can only connect a FAT drive by usb, so you're stuck copying the file over a network.