Is there any support for Universal Remote Control remotes? I was considering something like the MXHP-R500. - https://www.universalremote.com/product/mxhp-r500/
If not, is this potentially on the horizon?
Alternatively, any suggestions on a remote system that would be as robust as the one links above that has confirmed compatibility with Home Assistant.
BRAND NEW to Home Assistant to I apologize if I’m overlooking something standard.
URC remotes aren’t supported yet and I haven’t seen any mention of it coming. I was a long-time user of URC remotes (most recently an MX-980) and moved to a Harmony Elite when I wanted to integrate with my HA system. Logitech’s spotty history of supporting DIY home automation aside, I’m very happy with the remotes, configuration, and integration with HA.
Thank you! This is helpful as Logitech seemed like the next best option. Do you know if the Elite needs to be line of sight? My tech closet is at the front of the house and my television setup is back of the house. Could I setup something to control equipment in closet from great room television setup at the back of my house? How is your setup and what do you have your Logitech Elite doing?
No, and RF communication has always been a requirement for me. You used to have to go high-end for it (like the MX-980), but luckily it’s becoming more prevalent in consumer remotes.
The Harmony hub and remote actually connects to Wifi, so you can use them anywhere you have a strong signal on the same network. It also has some support for IP- and Bluetooth-based devices, where the hub just talks directly to the device, but you still need to use IR blasters for too many network-connected devices in my opinion. They are still consumer remotes and Logitech isn’t trying to compete with RTI, high-end URC, Crestron, Control4, etc. Even Harmony’s “Pro” line are mostly repackaged or identical versions of the consumer remotes.
Even though they have some home automation buttons, I only use my remote to control my entertainment setup. It has great device support, completely remappable buttons, sequences, etc., and it can all be set up via the phone app if you like. It’s lightyears better than the Harmony 900 that I had years ago. With HA integration, I can start activities from automations, use the remote state to control automations, or send raw keystrokes if I like, all while keeping the remote and hub in sync. It’s pretty great.
The only thing to keep in mind is that Logitech has a history of ignoring or outright blocking the DIY automation crowd and they unceremoniously shut off the XMPP network interface to their hubs one day in a new firmware release. Luckily, there was a peasant uprising, Logitech changed their minds, and they re-enabled it. So it’s working now, but it could change on a whim in the future.