Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Control mapping for Boxee

[Gamester17]

Logitech makes a very popular series of Remote Controls called "Harmony" (with a large number of different models). What almost all (if not all) of these remotes support is USB connection so that you can hook it up to your computer in order to upgrade the firmware for it and download mapping for different types on remotes that it is to replace, it also support the manual configuration of these mapping and IR (infrared) codes.

If you do create a manual configuration mapping and add IR (infrared) codes to it then you can submit this to Logitech in order to share with other Harmony owners. What I think would be a good idea is if Boxee bought one of these remotes (like for example the new "Harmony One" model) and made a mapping design for Boxee for Mac and submit that to Logitech so that other owners of Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Controls can very easility and confortably download that mapping direct from Logitech.

:cool:

[dieohd]

That would make using Boxee so much more enjoyable right now. I would be willing to actually use it over Plex if I could make better use of my remote.

[vulkan]

you can already configure your harmony to send key-combinations to enhance the regular 6-button functionality. this is still work in progress though.
we'll have something working soon.

thanks for this report guys.

[dieohd]

Dumb question but does anyone have a tutorial on how to set that up? I spent a good hour last night trying to figure out where to add key combos to the profile I have setup for my mac mini.

[vulkan]

still work in progress. we should have something shortly.
sorry...

[xain09]

Got my harmony 525 mapped like an Apple remote and works fine. Would be nice to use more buttons than the ones found on the apple remote :)

[marcel]

Check this thread out might help you ..http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=50

[bshigenaka]

I messed around tonight with my Harmony 659 and boxee, and thought I would post the results. YMMV, but these settings work for me as far as most of my navigation needs.

In the Harmony app, I have my MacBook Pro set up as a device. As a default, the software is mimicking an Apple Remote. I clicked Customize Buttons and changed the defaults on the following buttons:

Up = VolumeUp
Down = VolumeDown
Left = Rewind
Right = FastForward
Select = Play
Exit = Menu
ChannelUp = NextTrack
ChannelDown = PreviousTrack
Rewind = Rewind
Play = Play
FastForward = FastForward
Pause = Pause
Stop = Menu

Some of those might already be the defaults, and the ChannelUp/Down settings are there because they seem to be the only unassigned functions (the track functions I mean) so I plugged them there in case we can eventually use them literally in the music section. For now, it seems the PreviousTrack function acts the same as Menu.

I hope this is useful to someone, even though it didn't take that long to figure out.

[John Doe]

I have a Harmony 525 but don't have an ir receiver.

[jdarnold]

You could pick up the Msoft remote which comes with a USB IR receiver. The remote works "out of the box" with Boxee, but the ir receiver should work fine with the Harmony. I got mine at Microbarn and highly recommend them:

https://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=101090

US$30 for the remote & ir receiver isn't bad.

[DGMurdockIII]

would love to see more remote support

[bmoura]

You could pick up the Msoft remote which comes with a USB IR receiver. The remote works "out of the box" with Boxee, but the ir receiver should work fine with the Harmony. I got mine at Microbarn and highly recommend them:

https://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=101090

US$30 for the remote & ir receiver isn't bad.

So you could just use the Media Center Remote with Boxee. Very interesting !

[jdarnold]

Well, I use the MSoft Media Center remote under Linux anyway. And that is one of the remotes Boxee comes config'ed for. Not sure about the other platforms.

[Gamester17]

Plex 0.7.3 just added full support for Logitech’s Harmony remote series:
http://elan.plexapp.com/2008/12/23/release-plexseven-072-ho-ho-ho/
http://wiki.plexapp.com/index.php/Harmony_Support
http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php?showtopic=1769

"Pundy and Frank teamed up to add full support for Logitech’s Harmony remote series. They even worked with Logitech to get the profile included in the Logitech software, so it would work without ANY manual programming. Not only that, but since it uses the codes for multiple Apple Remote devices, every single command will be both instant and not prone to misinterpretation. Brilliant stuff, guys! There is documentation for this feature here"

Maybe Boxee could copy their source code for it or at least get some ideas?:
http://github.com/elan/plex/tree/v0-7-3

;)

[russellm]

I use a Harmony remote, and just configured it to work with the Apple TV. This provides basic PVR controls plus the "Menu" button and works fine with Boxee.

[DGMurdockIII]

look at plex that would be a big help

[Zenara25]

I also use a harmony remote. It would be nice to have more than just the basic controls that copy the apple remote.

[bobda]

Just an FYI: The Plex team has gotten this figured out. There's even a Plex profile in the harmony software now. Boxee has much fewer controls then Plex, I'm sure it will get figured out at some point.

[iBeech]

I'm writing a tutorial on how to configure EventGhost to make boxee work with any remote control. This guide however will only work for Windows :)

[DARKFiB3R]

http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?p=33904

[unisonband]

I just synced my Harmony with Plex, and I am really impressed. This would make boxee so much better if they implemented what they did!

[Xerobull]

Put me on the list of folks who want native support of the Harmony line. Come on, Boxee team! Logitech probably has a form to fill out and they do the rest!

[unisonband]

bump ^^ :)

[justinny]

So it's been about a year since the initial request was made and the response was that you should have something "shortly." Anything? Thanks!!

[unisonband]

Thus the bump...nobody is responding to this, I'll even be happy with a "we have abandoned the boxee remote with Harmony for now" :p

[sixstorm]

I wanted to bump this as well . . . Harmony or at least Windows MCE Remote support should already be implemented by now . . . Just trying to give a push :p

[s881628]

I too am bumping... Plz Boxee... Love the app, far best of its kind out there... Harmony one support would make it complete :D

[tylerismith]

I'd love to have some sort of official harmony support. Shouldn't be too hard and like others have stated they have it in XBMC.

[johnb]

What's the status on this? I'm thinking of getting a Harmony One for christmas, to work with my Asrock ION 330HT with Windows 7 where I'll be running Boxee (as soon as I get access to a version that supports DXVA anyway).

[ksyme99]

Have to say quite disappointed - still not very good remote support! Thought that would be a big thing considering the market Boxee seems to be going for. Does the Beta have any better support? If that is what they are putting on their Boxee Box surely it has better support for use with remote controls??

[Trey]

Any updates on this?

I think I'm close but need help......

I have a Harmony One mapped for XBMC on the XBOX and that has been working reliably.

I am currently using Boxee Beta (boxee-0.9.20.10261) on my XP SP2 laptop with the original XBOX DVD IR Dongle connected to this USB adapter (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-USB-Adapter-Cable-Controller-PC-MAC-XBOX_W0QQitemZ110479077852QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo _Games_Accessories?hash=item19b910f1dc#ht_4391wt_1 165) using this IR Driver (http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd_rc.html) and this AutoHotKey script (http://dlangenberg.googlepages.com/XBCDHelper.ahk) from the web .

I have everything working except UP, Down, Left and Right. The AHK script moves the mouse when I press UP,Down, Left and Right with the remote but I want it to emulate the UP,Down, Left and Right keyboard keys so navigation in Boxee is easier.


^#NumpadRight::MouseMove, 30, 0, 0, R
^#Numpad6::MouseMove, 30, 0, 0, R

^#NumpadLeft::MouseMove, -30, 0, 0, R
^#Numpad4::MouseMove, -30, 0, 0, R

^#NumpadUp::MouseMove, 0, -30, 0, R
^#Numpad8::MouseMove, 0, -30, 0, R

^#NumpadDown::MouseMove, 0, 30, 0, R
^#Numpad2::MouseMove, 0, 30, 0, R

^#Enter::MouseClick,left


I've tried messing with the script above and have no idea what I'm doing there....I've tried using Send{Up} for the UP button key press but really don't understand how to code a script correctly.


Here is a great reference for all of this as well: Click Me (http://dlangenberg.googlepages.com/diycomputerremote)


If someone can tweak the script that would be awesome!


....or I could wait for the Official Boxee Logitech support.





.

[Trey]

I figured it out.....

With the above as a starting point, I stopped (removed) the AHK Script with the mouse settings and I then installed IR Server Suite (http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ir-server-suite-irss-165/ir-server-suite-version-1-4-2-test-build-3158-3281-a-33512/).

It allowed me to send the IR code from the remote to the PC and then it translates it to anything I want...in my case:

{Right} for Right
{Left} for Left
{UP} for Up and
{Down} for Down

I also added > for Next Chapter and < for Last Chapter and \ for Display (Fullscreen), x for Stop, i for Info, f for Fast Fwd, r for rewind and h for Home (Menu).

The Harmony One and Original XBOX remotes both work now. I can navigate the screens with Up, Down, Left and Right..use Select, Info, Back, Pause and Play, Rewind, Fast Fwd, Next Song, Last Song, Stop, Home Menu.

I exported the settings as an .xml. Here it is if you need them and want to import them into IR Server Suite for either Boxee (boxee-0.9.20.10261) or XBMC 9.11:



<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Configuration xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
<ServerHost>localhost</ServerHost>
<ProcessPriority>No Change</ProcessPriority>
<HideTrayIcon>false</HideTrayIcon>
<SystemWideMappings />
<Programs>
<ProgramSettings Name="Boxee" FileName="C:\Program Files\Boxee\BOXEE.exe" Folder="C:\Program Files\Boxee" Arguments="" UseShellExecute="false" ForceWindowFocus="false" IgnoreSystemWide="false" WindowState="Normal">
<ButtonMappings>
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Up" Description="Up" Command="Keys: {Up}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Down" Description="Down" Command="Keys: {Down}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Right" Description="Right" Command="Keys: {Right}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Left" Description="Left" Command="Keys: {Left}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="NextChapter" Description="Next" Command="Keys: {Right}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="PreviousChapter" Description="Last" Command="Keys: {Left}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Rewind" Description="Rewind" Command="Keys: r" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="FastForward" Description="Fast Fwd" Command="Keys: f" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Menu" Description="Home" Command="Keys: h" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="AspectRatio" Description="Music Title" Command="Keys: y" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Stop" Description="Stop" Command="Keys: x" />
</ButtonMappings>
</ProgramSettings>
<ProgramSettings Name="XBMC" FileName="C:\Program Files\XBMC\XBMC.exe" Folder="C:\Program Files\XBMC" Arguments="" UseShellExecute="false" ForceWindowFocus="false" IgnoreSystemWide="false" WindowState="Normal">
<ButtonMappings>
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Up" Description="Up" Command="Keys: {Up}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Down" Description="Down" Command="Keys: {Down}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Right" Description="Right" Command="Keys: {Right}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Left" Description="Left" Command="Keys: {Left}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Fullscreen" Description="Fullscreen Toggle" Command="Keys: \" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="NextChapter" Description="Next" Command="Keys: {Right}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="PreviousChapter" Description="Last" Command="Keys: {Left}" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Rewind" Description="Rewind" Command="Keys: r" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="FastForward" Description="Fast Fwd" Command="Keys: f" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Menu" Description="Home" Command="Keys: h" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="AspectRatio" Description="Music Title" Command="Keys: y" />
<ButtonMapping KeyCode="Stop" Description="Stop" Command="Keys: x" />
</ButtonMappings>
</ProgramSettings>
</Programs>
<Events />
</Configuration>


Enjoy!




.

[dickie]

I'm using my Firefly Mini IR with LM Remote and my 880 is working quite nicely with Boxee.

Interestingly enough, while the Firefly Mini looked like it was accepting IR from the Harmony (by blinking), commands weren't actually passed until I learned the buttons. Then, by taking advantage of LM Remote, I was able to program non-standard IR buttons, replacing the Firefly ones (for example, the BeyondTV button, set as "Launch Boxee" on the custom buttons, now launches Boxee, and if it's already running, moves it to the foreground and maximizes).

I've even got a button set as "Mouse Mode" - just in case I need to navigate around the screen without pulling out the mouse.

[emailpr]

This is crazy. Why can't boxee developers add the support for harmony remotes? I don't believe this is a logitech thingy... there should be a common mapping framework between plex, xbmc and boxee..

plex and xbmc work flawlessly with harmony remotes..

there is absolutely no reason why boxee is not working.

Developers, please fix this.. it's a BIG DEAL!.

[rmillard]

This is crazy. Why can't boxee developers add the support for harmony remotes? I don't believe this is a logitech thingy... there should be a common mapping framework between plex, xbmc and boxee..

plex and xbmc work flawlessly with harmony remotes..

there is absolutely no reason why boxee is not working.

Developers, please fix this.. it's a BIG DEAL!.

Because they're still in beta, and have bigger problems to resolve first.

Your remote support will come. Your lack of patience implies that you don't really understand the purpose of a beta.

[shehan2]

If you really need the Harmony remote to work go into the harmony software and add a new device. Select Media Center as the type, then put the manufacturer as Microsoft and the model # as "MCE keyboard". Then you can map any button on the remote to a keystroke. No need for 3rd party software.

[emailpr]

thanks for the tip.. I'll try that..

as far as "Your lack of patience implies that you don't really understand the purpose of a beta" goes.. well, I don't mean to sound impatient.. this is not a feature that is something new or has to be "figured out".. it's already there in xbmc and plex.. both of which share a common ground with boxee..

thats like saying if xbmc comes up with a new beta xbmc.. somehow it is justified for them to strip out the good features they already had existing in the previous versions!

thats not the point.. the point is.. boxee even allows you to add harmony remotes.. it just doesn't work with them for god knows what reason, while xbmc and plex work flawlessly with harmony.

[emailpr]

If you really need the Harmony remote to work go into the harmony software and add a new device. Select Media Center as the type, then put the manufacturer as Microsoft and the model # as "MCE keyboard". Then you can map any button on the remote to a keystroke. No need for 3rd party software.

Does not work!.. though MCE keyboard is listed as an option in the harmony setup and stuff.. it doesn't work.. and I think that is because the apple mini infrared receiver does not recognize the MCE keyboard setup.

did you make this work with apple?

[lanceram]

When using a microsoft ir reciever, setting the harmony to be a mce remote works perfectly.

[evansconforti]

I am using Logitech Harmony 880 with:
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Remote
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Keyboard
It's working with success! :D


GLOBAL
Up Arrow = Up
Down Arrow = Down
Left Arrow = Left & Previous
Right Arrow = Right & Next
Escape & Backspace = Back - Boxee Main Menu
- = Volume Down
+ = Volume Up
\ (Backslash) = Window/Fullscreen Toggle
S = Boxee Exit Menu
H = Boxee Home
Enter = Select
MAIN SCREEN
Shift + T = TV Shows
Shift + P = Photos
Shift + A = Apps
Shift + F = Files
Shift + M = Music / Movies
PHOTOS
Shift + Letter = Album Name Toggle
0-9 = Zoom Magnification
- = Zoom Out
+ = Zoom In
R = Rotate
P = Play
Enter = Menu
X = Exit Selected Picture
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
MUSIC
Shift + Letter = Album Name Toggle
Enter = Menu
I = Information & Menu
P = Play / Pause Song
L = Visualization FPS Information
X = Exit Selected Song
V = View Toggle
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
MOVIES
Shift + Letter = Movie Name Toggle
Enter = Menu
Y & I = Detailed Movie Information
P = Play / Pause Movie
[ = Rewind
] = Forward
Z = Video Information
X = Exit Selected Movie
C = Movie Information
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
Enter = Menu
TV SHOWS
Shift + Letter = TV Show Name Toggle
Y & I = Detailed Video Information
P = Play / Pause Video
[ = Rewind
] = Forward
Z = Video Information
X = Exit Selected Movie
C = Video Information
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
APPS
Shift + Letter = App Name Toggle
P = Play / Pause
L = Visualization FPS Information
X = Exit Selected App
V = View Toggle
> = Next In Queue
FILES
Shift + Letter = Share/Folder/File Name Toggle

[smeranda]

I am using Logitech Harmony 880 with:
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Remote
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Keyboard
It's working with success! :D


Are you running on a PC, or will this work with Linux/OSX?

[Thunderscreech]

I got this working and wish to share my steps. First, I added the Microsoft MCE Remote via Computers>Media Centers screen for 'Add Devices' in the Logitech interface.

It asked me about my MCE Remote but I skipped that and it seemed to take. I then modified the button mapping from the Activities editor screen so that the arrows on the Harmony mapped to Up/Down/Right/Left arrows and 'Ok' mapped to 'Enter'. I set 'Exit' to be 'Escape', SkipNext to be 'Right Arrow' so it skips forward 30 seconds, SkipBack to SmallStepBack so it goes back 7 seconds (this is roughly equivalent to what my Replay TV does, and is handy for 'Whoa, what did he say?' moments).

I'm still tweaking the settings, but it's working quite well so far.

[johlag]

I've had some success using the MCE Remote setting in the Logitech software, but I've found that it has some delays and odd behaviors where the arrow keys are concerned, making it a real dog to use.

It won't do "press and hold" at all, so scrolling through long lists is extremely tedious. I also had to modify the delay times in the Logitech software, since they were insisting by default to wait 1000ms (a whole second) between presses.

Is there another generic computer keyboard template that I could give the Harmony remote? I'd like to just map Boxee's keyboard shortcut keys to buttons on the Harmony, but I'm yet to find a template that has the correct response in actual use. Even the MCE Keyboard setting had a similar delay.

[darcilicious]

It's not free but I have had zero issues with Intelliremote server running on Windows. Page Up/Down even work (mapped to Channel Up/Down by default).

I also have a number of other programs that make use of Intellirmote on my HTPC via the Logitech and can't imagine doing without it, so it was totally worth the purchase price ($24).

(Not associated with Melloware in any way, just a very happy customer)

P.S. forgot to mention, it's very easy to locally customize any function (very intuitive Windows GUI).

[leeep]

Based on this post below, I set up my Harmony 880 in a similar fashion. To extend the capability a bit further, I found out there is an additional set of keypress combinations available under the profile "Microsoft MCE Keyboard SE".

Using this profile, in addition to my base remote (Anyware GP-IR02BK) and the "Microsoft MCE Keyboard" profiles, I assigned "ctrl-shift-1" in windows as a keyboard shortcut to launch the Boxee app... using this same keycode on the MCE Keyboard SE profile allows mapping of a soft button on the Harmony to launch boxee directly from the desktop. Basically, the key here is that the IR receiver for the Anyware GP-IR02BK accepts the exact same IR codes as the MS MCE keyboards.

So basically what happens is I use a combination of the 3 mapping profiles to get direct button functionality (for things like play/rewind) as well as keyboard shortcuts (e.g. "H" key mapped to "Guide" on the 880 brings me back to boxee main menu, "S" key mapped to a "Suspend" soft button allows me to exit boxee, "ctrl-shift-1" allows a relaunch of boxee app).

For now, this appears to be the most flexible setup so far. For more flexibility, you can edit the keyboard mappings in the following file as per the XBMC codes to obtain other functionality not defined by default for Boxee (such as DVD Menu access when loading .iso images) as per this post: http://forum.melloware.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8222#p19252

edits to local file here:
C:\Program Files\Boxee\system\keymaps\keyboard.xml

reference for allowed XMBC mappings here: http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Keymap.xml

Make backups and be careful while editing! :)


I am using Logitech Harmony 880 with:
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Remote
Media Center PC > Microsoft > MCE Keyboard
It's working with success! :D


GLOBAL
Up Arrow = Up
Down Arrow = Down
Left Arrow = Left & Previous
Right Arrow = Right & Next
Escape & Backspace = Back - Boxee Main Menu
- = Volume Down
+ = Volume Up
\ (Backslash) = Window/Fullscreen Toggle
S = Boxee Exit Menu
H = Boxee Home
Enter = Select
MAIN SCREEN
Shift + T = TV Shows
Shift + P = Photos
Shift + A = Apps
Shift + F = Files
Shift + M = Music / Movies
PHOTOS
Shift + Letter = Album Name Toggle
0-9 = Zoom Magnification
- = Zoom Out
+ = Zoom In
R = Rotate
P = Play
Enter = Menu
X = Exit Selected Picture
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
MUSIC
Shift + Letter = Album Name Toggle
Enter = Menu
I = Information & Menu
P = Play / Pause Song
L = Visualization FPS Information
X = Exit Selected Song
V = View Toggle
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
MOVIES
Shift + Letter = Movie Name Toggle
Enter = Menu
Y & I = Detailed Movie Information
P = Play / Pause Movie
[ = Rewind
] = Forward
Z = Video Information
X = Exit Selected Movie
C = Movie Information
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
Enter = Menu
TV SHOWS
Shift + Letter = TV Show Name Toggle
Y & I = Detailed Video Information
P = Play / Pause Video
[ = Rewind
] = Forward
Z = Video Information
X = Exit Selected Movie
C = Video Information
Space Bar = Play / Pause Toggle
APPS
Shift + Letter = App Name Toggle
P = Play / Pause
L = Visualization FPS Information
X = Exit Selected App
V = View Toggle
> = Next In Queue
FILES
Shift + Letter = Share/Folder/File Name Toggle

[dglenn9000]

Can you program this remote to also open programs/applications on your computer with the touch of a button?

[ChrisJScott]

Can anybody explain why the Boxee devs haven't taken the time to work with Logitech to get this worked out? Perhaps they don't realize what a significant barrier to entry this is? Many people who are adventurous enough to set up a homebrew media server also have many other devices and would, in all likelihood, use a Logitech Harmony remote to control it all.

Not being able to use Boxee w/ the Logitech makes it useless - it defeats the whole purpose of having a single remote. When given the choice between sticking w/ Boxee and using another remote to do it or going back to Plex so that their single remote option still works flawlessly, I have a hard time believing that I'm the only one who picks option #2.

C'mon guys - it can't be THAT hard to get this fixed.

[unisonband]

To be blunt, this issue is one of the biggest reason's why boxee is not my preferred media centers. The Apple Remote sucks when compared to the Harmony with Plex or XBMC...

[gmd024]

Can anybody explain why the Boxee devs haven't taken the time to work with Logitech to get this worked out? Perhaps they don't realize what a significant barrier to entry this is? Many people who are adventurous enough to set up a homebrew media server also have many other devices and would, in all likelihood, use a Logitech Harmony remote to control it all.

Not being able to use Boxee w/ the Logitech makes it useless - it defeats the whole purpose of having a single remote. When given the choice between sticking w/ Boxee and using another remote to do it or going back to Plex so that their single remote option still works flawlessly, I have a hard time believing that I'm the only one who picks option #2.

C'mon guys - it can't be THAT hard to get this fixed.

Maybe Logitechs' hands are tied by Google (Google TV) :rolleyes: :)

[ChrisJScott]

"Maybe Logitechs' hands are tied by Google (Google TV)"

I'd buy that if it wasn't for the fact that Logitech already has control mappings for XBMC and Plex...

[darcilicious]

I'd buy that if it wasn't for the fact that Logitech already has control mappings for XBMC and Plex...

So what happens if you use XBMC's Logitech mapping for Boxee? That's basically what I'm doing via Intelliremote.

Alternatively, use the MCE mapping on the Logitech -- either of these two mappings should work.

[jbgeezus]

Yeah, I'm not sure why ppl are having problems with this. I added the "MCE remote" device to my Harmony remote, fiddled with the keymappings as described in an earlier post, and it just works. No messing with key delays, no installing additional software, etc. (I'm using a Harmony 880, btw)

For the ppl having problems: Have you tried using an actual MCE remote to test it out? That would eliminate the harmony and harmony config issues you may be having. If boxee works fine with the MCE remote, then you know it's your harmony config. If boxee doesn't work fine with the MCE remote, then something else is wrong....perhaps try controlling Windows Media Center with the MCE remote and see if that works!

Once you have the basic config sorted out, then you can get fancy and start installing other add-on software to do tricky things like starting other programs, switching between apps, etc. Darcilicious votes for Intelliremote...I don't have experience with that, but I've been using EventGhost (Free) with great results.

For example, I have "Actions" set up on the Harmony remote that will switch between boxee and Hulu (until boxee supports ff/rew in hulu and some of the other twitchy bugs are ironed out).

[ChrisJScott]

I think I should've clarified in the first place that my Boxee system is a Mac mini.

Logitech's MCE Keyboard profile does not appear to work at all with this. It seems that the best bet, for now, is to use the basic Apple Remote (either the physical remote or the Harmony set up as one).

Unless anybody else has any other ideas... Logitech's Plex profile responds but is all messed up and there doesn't appear to be a XBMC profile in the Logitech database (that I can find).

[darcilicious]

I think I should've clarified in the first place that my Boxee system is a Mac mini.

Maybe he can come to your rescue:


To be blunt, this issue is one of the biggest reason's why boxee is not my preferred media centers. The Apple Remote sucks when compared to the Harmony with Plex or XBMC...

Sounds like he's found an XBMC profile for Harmony.

Also, make sure you've updated the Harmony program/application to the latest version.

[DGMurdockIII]

will this ever get added to boxee

[darcilicious]

will this ever get added to boxee

Will WHAT ever get added to Boxee? This is a long thread so you need to tell us about the specific problem you're trying to solve.

As far as I know, Boxee works fine with Logitech Harmony remotes once you select the MCE profile. What's the problem you're having exactly??

[s0ma]

If you're running the iMon software for the soundgraph ir receivers, you're in luck. found a REALLY easy way to control boxee!! Still a few bugs, as I can't get the play/pause/stop to correctly work atm (probably just need to edit the keybinding list in the manager though), but everything else is working flawlessly as it did in xbmc!!

Here's a pretty easy way to get this running:

1)Make sure you have the MCE profile setup on your harmony remote already. Read earlier in thread for more info!

2)Navigate in explorer to C:\Program Files\Soundgraph\iMON\Presets

3)Scroll down til you find xbmc.imo. COPY AND PASTE THIS FILE ELSEWHERE (desktop, w/e)

4)Open this file in notepad or your choice text editor... do not set it to always open this type of file in windows though!

5)Replace the text --- C:\Program Files\XBMC\xbmc.exe
with your Boxee app path (default C:\Program Files\Boxee\boxee.exe)

6)Save, then rename to boxee.imo. Cut and paste back into the presets folder

7)Close and restart iMON Manager

Easy as your prom date. Launch Boxee... MOST of the controls should work!! You might have to mess with some of them, or setup a new profile through iMon manager and just copy all the commands from the XBMC profile.

I'll post my progress on the rest of the buttons. Sorry, i know this only helps some... but it's a really easy fix for those of us using iMON.

edit: i should really add this. the MCE profile on harmony worked flawlessly first try with XBMC. i later added some extra key mappings and such, and a power button etc. Boxee would not function with my harmony 670 until i did the above mentioned. HUZZZAH!!!

[s0ma]

Follow Up: If you also go into the settings of the iMon Manager, and go to the profiles, you can create a new one for the Boxee app and just import the settings from the XBMC profile. Doing both of these have given me full control of Boxee via remote. Finally, a decent frontend for Netflix!!

Again:

-Harmony 670
-iMon internal ir receiver

Hope this helped some.

[Technical Difficulties]

Dear sOma,

I followed your instructions, but I am having a problem finding a "profiles" heading in the iMon Manager settings. Could you walk me through finding the appropriate screen?

[Technical Difficulties]

Follow Up: If you also go into the settings of the iMon Manager, and go to the profiles, you can create a new one for the Boxee app and just import the settings from the XBMC profile. Doing both of these have given me full control of Boxee via remote. Finally, a decent frontend for Netflix!!

Again:

-Harmony 670
-iMon internal ir receiver

Hope this helped some.
Dear sOma,

I followed your instructions, but I am having a problem finding a "profiles" heading in the iMon Manager settings. Could you walk me through finding the appropriate screen?

[Glen35102]

I have a Harmony One which I can not get to work with my Boxee but I did purchase a:
Rii Portable 2.4GHz Mini Wireless Keyboard Handheld Rechargeable Keyboard Touchpad, it is much better then the one that came with my Boxee and if you have a TV in your bedroom like I do and use your Boxee there it works great since it has a touch pad. This is the kind of remote that should have come with the Boxee and is only one third larger but works alot better. You should be able to find it for $35 to $45.

[briantack]

I have a Harmony 880. All I did was pick up a WMC remote at microcenter for like 25 bucks it came with a IR reciever ( Which I hooked up to a 6' usb extension to enable easier line or sight) The Harmony software has a Media Center option in it. This worked for some of the controls. Then I just learned the one's i needed from the remote. It controls my windows media center pc, Hulu desktop, and boxee media center. ( Now if I could get one media center that did everything)

Brian