how does the Harmony 680 remote connect to a PC?

September 13, 2005 10:51 PM

The Logitech Harmony 680 is looking like a good way for me to control my Media Center Edition PC plus projector/audio receiver. However, its specs do not list a USB infrared receiver. It says it's good for controlling MCE PCs, but I can't figure out how it connects. I do not already have a remote hooked up to this MCE PC. Probably a dumb question, but... help!
posted by scarabic to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Response by poster: I do notice it has a USB cable, but I think that's for connecting it straight to the PC for programming purposes. Yeah?
posted by scarabic at 11:11 PM on September 13, 2005

Yeah, the USB cable is for dumping remote codes and macros to the device.
posted by mathowie at 11:19 PM on September 13, 2005

Response by poster: Are they assuming that all MCE machines already have a remote receiver? Perhaps a lot of the MCE boxes being sold already come bundled with a remote? That's the only thing I can think of.
posted by scarabic at 12:01 AM on September 14, 2005

This review says "You’ll still need the USB receiver as the remote doesn’t come with one. But replacing the regular MCE remote, it’s ready right off the bat."

I presume that refers to the generic Microsoft one.
posted by cillit bang at 1:19 AM on September 14, 2005

It is an excellent remote for a MCE machine, and if you have a MCE machine, you have the remote receiver (it's a required component for a machine to be considered an MCE machine)
posted by Merdryn at 5:12 AM on September 14, 2005

Response by poster: Yeah mine isn't like a certified, stickered box. I just built a box and installed XP Media Center Edition. So I guess the nice low price of $60 I found for this item has a hidden cost. Dang. Thanks for the info.
posted by scarabic at 12:56 PM on September 14, 2005