Finally! Control your PS3 with a Harmony remote

[Steve]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I really like the device, but it gets unpaired from the PS3 on a regular basis. I don't blame the Harmony remote or the Harmony adapter though. I think it happens when you try to control the PS3 with your remote before the PS3 is finished powering on, but I'm not sure.

I've heard this complaint before and this is my only concern about getting one. I hope you're right on the timing issue, but I don't see how that would cause it to unpair from the console.

Originally Posted by MarkG

Is there any lag with this? I remember when I used to have the nyko, I would push a button and then a second later it did the command.

I know exactly what you mean and it's a PITA sometimes.

Originally Posted by xneox

I thought HDMI-CEC took care of PS3 control...

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Could you elaborate please?

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I've heard this complaint before and this is my only concern about getting one. I hope you're right on the timing issue, but I don't see how that would cause it to unpair from the console.

I am almost certain it's an issue with the power-on cycle of the PS3. When I try to control the PS3 before it's fully on I have to re-pair the remote. This involves cycling the PS3's power again and pairing it with the adapter. However, since I've been paying more attention to it lately I have noticed that when I wait until the PS3 is fully on I do not experience this issue. This is just a guess, but I think the unpairing is caused when the PS3 tries to assign controller slots (i.e. Controller 1, 2, etc.) For some reason it just "forgets" about the adapter, which is identified as Controller 7.

I will continue gathering data.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Could you elaborate please?

http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/208hook/

Panasonic calls it Viera Link

Sony calls it Bravia Link

All trade names for HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). Basically, a protocol established to allow the control of devices connected via HDMI using the host's (typically the display) remote. Doesn't even have to be a universal remote, as the commands are traveling thru the HDMI cable rather than being transmitted to each device via IR.

Seems to me, if the Harmony is connected to an HDMI-CEC compliant display, and the proper settings are turned on in each device, it would control the PS3 (and any other connected HDMI-CEC compliant device).

[Steve]

Originally Posted by repete66211

I am almost certain it's an issue with the power-on cycle of the PS3. When I try to control the PS3 before it's fully on I have to re-pair the remote. This involves cycling the PS3's power again and pairing it with the adapter. However, since I've been paying more attention to it lately I have noticed that when I wait until the PS3 is fully on I do not experience this issue. This is just a guess, but I think the unpairing is caused when the PS3 tries to assign controller slots (i.e. Controller 1, 2, etc.) For some reason it just "forgets" about the adapter, which is identified as Controller 7.

I will continue gathering data.

Thanks for the response. I have a $75 Amazon GC coming in a couple of weeks and I'm gonna use it to buy the adapter, but was just wondering about this issue. I'll keep an eye out and see if I can learn anything more about this in the meantime.

Originally Posted by xneox

http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/208hook/

Panasonic calls it Viera Link

Sony calls it Bravia Link

All trade names for HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). Basically, a protocol established to allow the control of devices connected via HDMI using the host's (typically the display) remote. Doesn't even have to be a universal remote, as the commands are traveling thru the HDMI cable rather than being transmitted to each device via IR.

Seems to me, if the Harmony is connected to an HDMI-CEC compliant display, and the proper settings are turned on in each device, it would control the PS3 (and any other connected HDMI-CEC compliant device).

Thanks for the response. I've heard just a little about this, and I'm going to read the page you linked to.

EDIT: The good news is my TV has CEC (Samsung FP-T5084), so now I have to investigate whether or not I can make it and my PS3 play nice with each other. Thanks again.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by xneox

http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/208hook/

Panasonic calls it Viera Link

Sony calls it Bravia Link

All trade names for HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). Basically, a protocol established to allow the control of devices connected via HDMI using the host's (typically the display) remote. Doesn't even have to be a universal remote, as the commands are traveling thru the HDMI cable rather than being transmitted to each device via IR.

Seems to me, if the Harmony is connected to an HDMI-CEC compliant display, and the proper settings are turned on in each device, it would control the PS3 (and any other connected HDMI-CEC compliant device).

As far as I know HDMI-CEC is proprietary, with only devices of like manufacturers working together. Unless there were some sort of control signal standard I don't think you could (for example) control a Sony Blu-ray player with a Panasonic TV. Besides, if you have a receiver in between the two devices you might have some serious handshake issues.

That's not to say such a solution is impossible, but there would probably be some issues. I do know that right now it's not an option with the PS3.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by repete66211

As far as I know HDMI-CEC is proprietary, with only devices of like manufacturers working together. Unless there were some sort of control signal standard I don't think you could (for example) control a Sony Blu-ray player with a Panasonic TV.

Not true. I can control my Samsung BD-P2550 through my Panasonic V10's Viera Link. I'm only limited to the buttons available on my tv remote (which happen to be just basic functions + RGBY). Still, plenty for when I simply want to watch a movie using the tv speakers. For serious watching, using the surround, I use my universal, as I do not have my receiver in the HDMI loop.

Besides, if you have a receiver in between the two devices you might have some serious handshake issues.

Can't speak about that, due to the fact that my receiver is not in the HDMI loop.

That's not to say such a solution is impossible, but there would probably be some issues. I do know that right now it's not an option with the PS3.

Depends on which PS3 you're talking about. The original...not sure. The new PS3 slim - you're wrong.

http://www.psu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218565

[repete66211]

Not true. I can control my Samsung BD-P2550 through my Panasonic V10's Viera Link. I'm only limited to the buttons available on my tv remote (which happen to be just basic functions + RGBY). Still, plenty for when I simply want to watch a movie using the tv speakers. For serious watching, using the surround, I use my universal, as I do not have my receiver in the HDMI loop.

Well there you go. That surprises me, but I stand corrected.

Depends on which PS3 you're talking about. The original...not sure. The new PS3 slim - you're wrong.

I was talking about the original PS3, but if asked I would have assumed the PS3 Slim would be the same. Thanks, good to know.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by repete66211

Well there you go. That surprises me, but I stand corrected.


I was talking about the original PS3, but if asked I would have assumed the PS3 Slim would be the same. Thanks, good to know.

No problem. Based on limited reading, I think the CEC compatibility is in fact new with the slim. Also, it requires that a setting be turned on in the PS3 menu, as it is defaulted to 'off', and from what I understand, it's buried pretty well.

Typical Sony bullshit...trying to get people to buy more stuff with their name on it, not allowing for, or at least not being forthcoming with, open-source compatibility.

Case in point - Memory Stick. Enough with that, guys. Use an SD card like the rest of the world and maybe you'll sell more cameras. [/rant]

[repete66211]

I notice that when the Harmony is unpaired from the PS3 I can't pair a PS3 controller either unless it's plugged in. So I am required to plug the PS3 controller in, power cycle the PS3 and repair the Harmony adapter. This is what convinces me it's an issue with the PS3 rather than the adapter. Does anyone know if there is a solution to thise PS3/controller pairing issue? If I solve that problem it's possible the Harmony pairing problem will be solved as well.