Review: Logitech Harmony PS3 Adapter

I find it really annoying that I have to spend $50 on a single-function machine to control my PS3 with my Harmony when Sony could have spent an extra $0.25 per unit to add an IR receiver to the PS3. Argh. Anyway, the Harmony PS3 Adapter just works. It's easy to set up and does what it says. It's just way too expensive, and the concept of needing this in the first place... well, you already get my point. If you have a PS3 and a Harmony, this thing is, unfortunately, essential.

Top 10 Electronic Devices I Own

10. Sony PCM-M1 DAT w/ CSBs

In my more formative years, I was very interested in recording concerts, specifically of bands that I liked the most. The best thing you could use before flash memory came out was the Sony PCM-M1 DAT Walkman. It can record at 16-bit/48KHz and is small enough to fit in your pocket. Pair that with some clip-on binaural mics, like my Core Sound Binaurals, and you can make some fine bootlegs. My concert appetite has mellowed recently, hence my bootlegging appetite has as well, but I did make some fine recordings with this thing. Even though it's obsolete, I can't bring myself to sell it.

9. Linksys WRT54G w/ DD-WRT

Out of the box, the Linksys WRT54G is a damn fine router, but add the open souce firmware DD-WRT to it, and it becomes the best and most versatile router within $300. Most useful to me is the wired or wireless network bridge functionality. I still use mine every day.

8. Panasonic TH-42PZ85U Plasma HDTV

I bought my TH-42PZ85U without having seen it in person, instead relying on online reviews. I really do love this TV, especially for what I paid for it. If it didn't have horrible phosphor trails in black and white scenes, it would be perfect. Other than that, it's superb for TV and movies.

7. Onkyo TX-SR606 Receiver

With only one minor flaw, this reciever is the best bang for the buck sub-$1000. It has four HDMI ports, 1080p pass-thru and decodes every type of audio codec, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA. It's last year's model, but I can't see needing anything else from a receiver for a decade.

6. Oppo DV-980H

Before Blu-ray, this was THE all-in-one disc player. It plays DVD, DVD-A, and SACD, and scales to 1080p like a dream. NTSC and PAL both work great. If you have no desire or money to go Blu, get this. Your DVD collection will never be obsolete.

5. Logitech Harmony 550

I have almost a dozen devices in my living room that require remote controls. The Harmony rules them all. I honestly don't know what I would do without it. Sure, there are newer and more expensive models than the 550, but it does everything and does it well. You need one.

4. Asus Eee PC 901

Ah, the 901. I was an early adopter. I really and truly love this netbook. Short of HD video, it does everything I need it to, has a 6 hour battery, and weighs 2.5 lbs. Webcam, mic, speakers, Bluetooth, Wifi. Runs XP and Windows 7 perfectly (except Windows Media center). Of course, I have to mention that I added a Runcore SSD to the thing, and without it, the 901 moves like mud. If you like th 9-inch form factor, one of these can be had on the cheap. Add a Runcore SSD, and the thing will fly.

3. PlayStation3 w/ Media Server

I got a PS3 last year for Xmas. It is the best Blu-ray player around, it's a solid gaming platform, and with the free PS3 Media Center suite for PC, it streams all my HD videos with full surround, basically all but eliminating my need for an HTPC.

2. FiOS w/ HD-DVR

FiOS is the best TV service in the USA. Best video quality, best channels. I thought I was going to have to spend $600 on an HTPC in order to record HDTV. The FiOS HD-DVR (QIP6416-2) has great video quality, easy use, and intelligent seeking. I love it. I just need more storage.

1. Modded Xbox running XBMC

My Xbox has been very good to me. What do I do with it, you ask? I have my entire music, video and picture libraries on it for couch-based enjoyment. I have 16 vintage console emulators running approximately 10,000 games. I can watch streaming TV shows. Apple movie trailers, too. No machine can do all this so well. I also have a Xir installed for ease of use with my Harmony remote. Thanks XBMC.

Further proof of Logitech's Awesomeness: Harmony-to-PS3 Adapter

As reported here, Logitech is once again making my life easier. One of the downsides to owning a PlayStation 3 as I do is that the remote/controllers are bluetooth and not IR like every other remote on the planet. Well, soon this won't be a problem anymore. The little beauty you see above is an adapter that will translate IR to bluetooth for all Harmony remotes. The rumor is that it won't even require a USB port, but this seems far fetched, as USB would be a nice way to at least power the device. Either way, I once again can use 1 remote to rule them all.

Logitech Harmony 550: One remote to rule them all!

Most people have more than just a TV and cable box in their living rooms. Most have some combination of a stereo, TiVo/DVR, video game console(s), DVD player, etc. Each of these devices undoubtedly comes with its own remote. I personally had 7 remotes at one point. One day I decided that 7 remotes was for the birds and that I need a universal remote. I didn't want to spend a lot, and I wanted a device that I could use in the dark and that would be future proof. Enter the Logitech Harmony 550. Let me say, firstly, that I love Logitech. They're famous for making keyboards and mice for PC's. Their products are high in quailty and usability and low in price. They have yet to let me down. So, it made perfect sense to look at their remote controls as well. Across the net, you'll find very few bad reviews of the 550 remote. It supports literally every IR device ever made, and comes with software that is updated daily for new devices. It is very easy to program, as the software is designed for novices and pros alike. It uses "activites" to combine commands in order to achieve some functional result, like "turn on TV, then cable, then Tivo, in that order." It has a backlit display and buttons for night use. It has customizable buttons that you can map to any 1 command or series of commands for any items(s). In short, there is nothing you can't do with this thing. It controls my TV, DVR, Receiver, DVD Player, Xbox, PS3, and Cable Box. Put 4 rechargable AAA's in it and never buy remote batteries again. Logitech makes more expensive versions of this remote with many more bells and whistles, but this one is really all you need. Highly recommended.