When I moved into my house in 2010, I completely revamped my "entertainment hub." Since my house was a brand new build, I was able to pre-wire for built-in speakers. I purchased a Yamaha receiver and a set of speakers for a complete 7.1 surround sound system. The front wall where the TV is has a center speaker above the TV and left and right speakers. There are two speakers mounted in the ceiling in the center of the living room, one on the left and one on the right. There are two speakers mounted in the back. So what's this .1? That's the bass speaker that sits in the corner.
The receiver drives everything. I have the Apple TV, DVD player, and XBOX plugged into it. I used to have the Satellite box plugged into it before I got rid of DirecTV. The problem with all of these components is all the remotes that are required to operate everything. You need a remote to turn on the receiver and set the input to the correct device. You need a remote to turn on the TV. You need a remote to turn on Apple TV, XBOX, DVD player, etc.
Enter the Harmony One remote, which is my favorite non-Apple gadget of all time. It is a programmable universal remote that allows me to use one remote to program actions and execute them all with one button press. Watch Apple TV? Hit the Apple TV button and the Apple TV turns on, the TV turns on, the receiver turns on, and is set to the right input. It's a dream come true!
This particular remote control was discontinued several years ago. I find it comical that Amazon still lists a brand new one at over $400. For the record, I bought mine when it was around $100. The only thing I've had to do is replace the rechargeable battery. Oh, and when I get a new device, I have to plug the remote into an old MacBook that still has the software that allows me to program it.
Recently, Logitech announced that the company is discontinuing the Harmony line of universal remote controls. It's the end of an era. I understand why. Nowadays, people aren't using an old-school setup like mine. People have a TV, and a soundbar, and one device. Usually, remotes can handle all of these devices now.
I've had my Harmony One remote for eleven years, and I hope to keep using it with my old-school setup far into the future.
The receiver drives everything. I have the Apple TV, DVD player, and XBOX plugged into it. I used to have the Satellite box plugged into it before I got rid of DirecTV. The problem with all of these components is all the remotes that are required to operate everything. You need a remote to turn on the receiver and set the input to the correct device. You need a remote to turn on the TV. You need a remote to turn on Apple TV, XBOX, DVD player, etc.
Enter the Harmony One remote, which is my favorite non-Apple gadget of all time. It is a programmable universal remote that allows me to use one remote to program actions and execute them all with one button press. Watch Apple TV? Hit the Apple TV button and the Apple TV turns on, the TV turns on, the receiver turns on, and is set to the right input. It's a dream come true!
This particular remote control was discontinued several years ago. I find it comical that Amazon still lists a brand new one at over $400. For the record, I bought mine when it was around $100. The only thing I've had to do is replace the rechargeable battery. Oh, and when I get a new device, I have to plug the remote into an old MacBook that still has the software that allows me to program it.
Recently, Logitech announced that the company is discontinuing the Harmony line of universal remote controls. It's the end of an era. I understand why. Nowadays, people aren't using an old-school setup like mine. People have a TV, and a soundbar, and one device. Usually, remotes can handle all of these devices now.
I've had my Harmony One remote for eleven years, and I hope to keep using it with my old-school setup far into the future.