Harmony universal remote with XBMC [Archive]

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ethan_9219

2009-04-08, 09:32

Hi all,

Have just purchased a Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/4738&cl=us,en

I've now got it working to turn on my TV, DVD player etc. But i'm not exactly sure how to configure it to work with XBMC.

I'm using the Antec Fusion Remote Black case http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NzE4

This case comes with a built-in IR receiver, so would i be able to use that with the Harmony remote?

So, that's the easy part, right?

But when it comes to this sort of stuff i'm a complete newbie.

So, my questions are;

What steps do i need to take in order to get this remote working with XBMC?
I have read many threads to do with LIRC, IR, Eventghost and all other such things but, quite frankly, i can't make any sense of it all.

Lucleonhart

2009-04-08, 11:19

You should check if logitech has this ir receiver in their database, than it is a one click thing.
If not, the harmony is able to learn all commands from the original remote.

nymart

2009-04-08, 17:05

Ethan,
Pretty easy really (or at least it was for me and I'm a noob as well)...Download and install Eventghost (it just makes things soooo much easier). Start Eventghost...go Configuration/add plugin/xbmc. As a base to start, go to the harmony configuration tool and add a media center to your activity (I use Microsoft MCE). Then just point your remote at the IR and start pressing buttons. In the Eventghost window you should see your button press recorded on the left. If it's already mapped to an XBMC action (some are) then it will show your button press and the resulting xbmc action, if you are happy with that button performing that function, move to the next button, if not drag your button press from the left pane in EG to the action that you want it mapped to on the right...repeat as necessary...if you run out of buttons, create new ones in Harmony setup and continue process.:)

Oh and make sure you save your configuration after you're done...and go to file/options and select "launch on windows startup"

xanadu1979

2009-04-08, 17:15

quebert

2009-04-08, 21:19

Add the MCE device to your Harmony remote. I think it's under Computer, then Microsoft, then type in Vista Media Center.

We really need an EventGhost tutorial in the Wiki. It seems like we're getting a lot of questions about this every day and we'll probably be flooded with them when 9.04 comes out.

I'll offer to write it, I just set up a friends Harmony for XBMC and had a trying time. I've been on computers since the TRS-80 days and I couldn't figure out a few things without a lot of hassle. Maybe it was just bad luck on my part. But any n00b or semi n00b who tried and went thru what I did, I don't think they would have figured it out. My biggest problem was getting the Harmony to launch XBMC without it also launching VMC. I finally figured out I had to edit my registery and delete a windows system file (ehome.exe) which required me to take rights of it and the directory before I could actually delete it. Maybe this isn't how I was supposed to do it, but it was the only way I could figure out to get to the point I needed.

During the 1 1/2 day process I learned a lot about EG and the Harmony software. I could write up a draft WIKI and let somebody else with knowledge read over it. It would definitely be helpful to people new to EG + remotes on a PC.

xanadu1979

2009-04-08, 21:27

An easier method to disable VMC is to take ownership of and rename ehTray.exe to something like ehTray.old. Then to re-enable it, just rename it back to ehTray.exe and reboot.

You can use the following method. But the 1st step, deleting the registry key, isn't necessary.

Vista Media Center Edition ehtray.exe instructions
Even if you disable the task and delete the registry entry Vista will start it again the next time you start Windows Media Center. To disable this from happening you need to perform the following steps:
1. Delete the Registry entry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run\ehTray.exe
2. Type cmd in the search box on the WIndows menu. Right click cmd (at the top) and click Run as administrator.
3. In command prompt, type takeown /f C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
4. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully. This will give you ownership of the file.
5. In same command prompt, type icacls C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe /grant (your username):F NOTE: Substitute (your username) with your current username.
6. A message will be displayed that this completed successfully.
7. In the same command prompt, type cd C:\Windows\ehome to change to the ehome directory.
8. In same command prompt, type rename ehtray.exe ehtray.old
9. Now reboot and ehtray.exe will no longer start when you start Windows or when you start Windows Media Center.
NOTE: You will need to reboot for this setting to take effect.

quebert

2009-04-08, 21:33

An easier method to disable VMC is to take ownership of and rename ehTray.exe to something like ehTray.old. Then to re-enable it, just rename it back to ehTray.exe and reboot.

that's what I did, but if I didn't edit my registery it would still try to load it on boot. Once I figured out which file it was, it wasn't too hard, but somebody new to computers wouldn't have figured it out, and as for taking ownership? Nobody without knowledge will even know how to do that. Once I got that figured out, getting EG to load when Vista booted was also difficult, Vista wasn't allowing it and wouldn't let me set it as an app that was okay to run at start up.

Like I said I don't know if my problems were typical, but I'm sure at least some others have encountered the same ones. I wouldn't expect anyone without knowledge or A LOT of patients to stick with it. I'm going to take some screen shots tomorrow and write up a HOW-TO with detailed instructions. Once I got the problems figured out, EG itself isn't hard at all. But the initial problems might be deal breakers to some.

escristian

2009-04-09, 02:16

I have exactly the same setup as ethan. My remote works very well with Media Center and some basic functionality works with XBMC. I downloaded the latest build from Eventghost.
Downloaded the XBMC plugin which I had to look in 5 threads to find (sorry I lost the link if not I would put it here)

I start Eventghost, Load the MCE plugin plus the XBMC plugin. When I click on a button (play for example) nothing happens in the eventghost UI. There''s no event that I can then associate with the XBMC action.

Also on VFD of my case it says not defined when I press play. Can anyone help on this? I'm sure a lot of people did the setup for a Harmony (I have the 720)

Thanks

supernoman

2009-04-09, 02:28

ethan_9219

2009-04-09, 04:16

Thanks everyone for the replies... I think a wiki or some sort of manual would be great for those (like me) who have no idea what to do.

Livin

2009-04-09, 04:19

Thanks everyone for the replies... I think a wiki or some sort of manual would be great for those (like me) who have no idea what to do.

there is a ton of info already in many threads and stickies and the EventGhost forums... all the info you need is there. Not likely anyone is going to build a "manual" with all the possible combinations of software and equipment... and a Wiki would be fine but XBMC does not allow many people to access it. I've asked for access to put in stuff like (since I'm a bit tired of seeing this same post once or twice a week) this but never heard back.

ethan_9219

2009-04-09, 04:31

there is a ton of info already in many threads and stickies and the EventGhost forums... all the info you need is there. Not likely anyone is going to build a "manual" with all the possible combinations of software and equipment... and a Wiki would be fine but XBMC does not allow many people to access it. I've asked for access to put in stuff like (since I'm a bit tired of seeing this same post once or twice a week) this but never heard back.

Yeah, i understand a manual wouldn't be likely. But a wiki would be great. I guess i will just scrounge around for the info i need then.

Livin

2009-04-09, 04:48

The 5 threads on the 1st page of the forum specifically talking about remotes including many with exact how-to info is "scrounging"?

xanadu1979

2009-04-09, 15:51

The 5 threads on the 1st page of the forum specifically talking about remotes including many with exact how-to info is "scrounging"?

The problem is that a lot of the EventGhost info is outdated. You don't need to download the xbmc plug-in or mess with any replacement drivers for the remote any more.

ethan_9219

2009-04-11, 03:06

The 5 threads on the 1st page of the forum specifically talking about remotes including many with exact how-to info is "scrounging"?

No, i don't mean it like that. I guess, what i'm saying is that i have quite a specific setup (not fully mentioned here) and i just need a push in the right direction.

I dunno, i'm not saying other people's information is bad or unappreciated if that is what you are implying?

Livin

2009-04-11, 03:25

ethan_9219

2009-04-11, 03:35

None of the info on it in this forum is outdated - it is all recent. And MANY people have different setups - myself having a USB-UIRT which most people here do not.

The point is, no one is going to set it up for your specific situation but all the setups are 95% exactly the same no matter what equip you have. If you cannot figure out the other 5% you are not trying hard enough since all the needed info is vey easy to find at this point.

I appreciate all your comments...I can't do it not for lack of effort, i just have very limited time currently. So, i guess i was hoping someone might provide me with a quick fix. For that, i am guilty. And sorry, now that i think of it.

Thanks everyone, though, for your help.

bramblepants

2009-04-23, 14:48

I'll offer to write it, I just set up a friends Harmony for XBMC and had a trying time. I've been on computers since the TRS-80 days and I couldn't figure out a few things without a lot of hassle. Maybe it was just bad luck on my part. But any n00b or semi n00b who tried and went thru what I did, I don't think they would have figured it out. My biggest problem was getting the Harmony to launch XBMC without it also launching VMC. I finally figured out I had to edit my registery and delete a windows system file (ehome.exe) which required me to take rights of it and the directory before I could actually delete it. Maybe this isn't how I was supposed to do it, but it was the only way I could figure out to get to the point I needed.

During the 1 1/2 day process I learned a lot about EG and the Harmony software. I could write up a draft WIKI and let somebody else with knowledge read over it. It would definitely be helpful to people new to EG + remotes on a PC.

Apologies for raising a 2 week old thread - I was wondering if you've had chance to write up your draft WIKI yet, as I would be interested in reading it?

I've had XBMC working with my original MCE IR Receiver + Remote + EventGhost and am now in the process of setting up my Harmony One remote.

For me the setup took a while as I've only just started using XBMC and EventGhost and it was a case of searching through the forums, reading stickies and just figuring out the rest. I'm pretty technical and determined, so got there in the end. I do feel though, that for people who aren't technical, or just people who dont have much time (i did a lot of the setup and reading from work using LogMeIn!) that there should be a step by step guide, from start to finish. It's all very well looking through forums for information, but to make these products more professional, proper online manuals should be provided.

I am also going to write a guide, probably for my current setup, as soon as I have time! :nod:

Psyclone

2009-04-23, 22:05

If you have a Antec Fusion, then the IR is iMON and not MCE. See if there is an iMon plugin for Eventghost.

Also keep Eventghost up, if the remote is working in VMC, then Eventghost should be logging IR inputs. It's odd that it is not and the remote works in VMC.

I bought an Antec Media Station Basic(IMON/Soundgraph OEM http://www.soundgraph.com/Eng_/Products/imon24.aspx?topMenu=2&subMenu=2&leftMenu=24)to mount in my case which comes with an RMC100 remote. I have a Harmony One that I'm planning on using with the HTPC/XBMC.

The IMON Manager software that the Media Station Basic comes with allows you to configure it for an MCE Remote. I've done this and still can't get EventGhost to recognize any commands and I'm not sure why. I can get some basic functionality in XBMC when using IMON configured as an MCE and the Harmony One configured for a Media Center PC.

A few of the things that aren't working:

1. Space bar mapping to dismiss OSD after resuming from Pause
2. Stop. Maybe this is a limitation of the AEON skin since the OSD doesn't seem to have a Stop button, only Pause. Maybe they're one in the same, not sure, I'm still new to XBMC/Aeon and haven't figured it all out yet.
3. Play/Pause. I can select the Movie from CoverFlow and the Play button does nothing, nor does the Pause button work when viewing the movie. Currently to get this functionality I have to hit the OK button on the Harmony One to start the movie playing and hit it again to pause/unpause when viewing the movie.

I'd appreciate any tips that anyone might have using a similar configuration. I'm going to play around with EG and IMON to see if I can't get my Harmony One working as I would like it to.

midgetspy

2009-04-23, 22:33

I don't think it's possible to use EventGhost. I have an Antec Fusion Black case and a Harmony 550 working perfectly. Just add the Antec Fusion Black case to your Harmony remote and use those buttons, and use the iMON software to manage what the buttons do on your HTPC. Map the buttons in iMON to the relevant XBMC keyboard keys and voila, done!

To elaborate:

1) Map Harmony button "Stop" to the "Stop" command in the "Antec Fusion Black" device. This means when you press Stop on the remote it sends the Stop command to the iMON software.
2) Map the "Stop" event in iMON to the "x" key on your keyboard, so when you press stop it types x. You can do this globally or specifically for xbmc.exe.
3) Repeat for every other button. Note that the intermediate "Antec Fusion Black" button you use makes no difference. For example I have my "Record" button mapped to "Red", then in iMON "Red" is mapped to "c" for context menu.