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Topic:
Harmony on the way out?
This thread has 93 replies. Displaying posts 46 through 60.
Post 46 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 05:21
highfigh
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Considering the market share they took from URC and RTi, I see this as a stupid move, but hey, it's not my company and I don't see the books.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 47 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 08:42
buzz
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But what size is the market?
Post 48 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 09:49
FunHouse Texas
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with the likes of alexa and CEC the remote demand (single rooms which was Harmony focus) had dropped considerably over the last few years with no growth opportunity. Logitech is focusing on conferencing which exploded in growth over the last year. I hope someone sees the value of the software and setup. why someone else cannot mimic the easy of configuration is beyond me. they have their place. RTI/C4/Elan Ect has theirs.
I AM responsible for typographical errors!
I have all the money I will ever need - unless i buy something..
Post 49 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 10:38
Audiophiliac
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It makes sense for one of the big 3 to pick it up and run with it. The platform is solid. The hardware is solid. Voice control is there. The database is dope. And at least you know they could keep the price down...... They would have to. That's one thing neither Google, Amazon, nor Apple have....an interface for controlling a media system. Voice control is not the answer.

If they would get someone on board that could beef up the IP driver database, maybe add some CEC level options, and add some true multi zone functionality, it could work out pretty good. I had been happy with the Pro 2400. Expand the software and capability of that base station and it's a winner IMHO.

I doubt Sonos would be up for it. I really don't see Apple doing it either. My best bet would be Amazon or Google. Hell, maybe URC should buy it and make it CC Gen X.

Or it will just die a slow painful death. Either way, life goes on.
"When I eat, it is the food that is scared." - Ron Swanson
Post 50 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 10:40
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On January 27, 2021 at 09:49, FunHouse Texas said...
with the likes of alexa and CEC the remote demand (single rooms which was Harmony focus) had dropped considerably over the last few years with no growth opportunity. Logitech is focusing on conferencing which exploded in growth over the last year. I hope someone sees the value of the software and setup. why someone else cannot mimic the easy of configuration is beyond me. they have their place. RTI/C4/Elan Ect has theirs.

Control systems have aspects that are patented or copyrighted- Harmony was sued by UEI for infringing on something in the middle of 2000-2010 because of that. Apparently, the Help button couldn't be or wasn't safeguarded, because URC is using it on one of their remotes after almost 20 years of telling everyone that Harmony was crap.

If someone is smart, they'll buy this from Logitech and continue to make the hubs- they work with Alexa, Google, Smart Things, ITTT and other platforms but the real value is in the database AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THAT AREA because they can not only convert from Hex, they can see commands in real time and make corrections. They have also added to their database the complete Denon code set for AVRs that I sent, to fill in any empty commands.

By comparison, the last time I had to call URC tech support for a remote that wasn't updating correctly, I asked the droid if I should send the file, so they could look for errors. He said "I don't know what good that would do". I was so surprised that I forgot to ask for his name. I told the trainer two weeks later at a URC training session and his head almost exploded.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 51 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 11:13
tomciara
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On January 27, 2021 at 08:42, buzz said...
But what size is the market?

^^this^^

If you haven’t seen the market shift then you would certainly think they are nuts.

But with CEC options, more sound bars, etc...

More than anything else, it’s becoming rare that a client has more than one component feeding a TV. Used to have BDP, AVR, CD, Comcast, Roku... now with Comcast streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime, the Comcast remote does the whole system.

Just wondering yesterday what URC and RTI talk about when they plan for the “future”. They may be feeling like a video rental store owner 15 years ago...
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 52 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 11:18
Shoe
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It would  really be helpful if one soothsayer on here would quote a source. So far it sounds like "some guy on the internet"
Post 53 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 12:33
highfigh
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On January 27, 2021 at 11:13, tomciara said...
^^this^^

If you haven’t seen the market shift then you would certainly think they are nuts.

But with CEC options, more sound bars, etc...

More than anything else, it’s becoming rare that a client has more than one component feeding a TV. Used to have BDP, AVR, CD, Comcast, Roku... now with Comcast streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime, the Comcast remote does the whole system.

Just wondering yesterday what URC and RTI talk about when they plan for the “future”. They may be feeling like a video rental store owner 15 years ago...

Have you seen CEC work flawlessly? I haven't. One customer is using a Spectrum box and a Vizio TV, but until I turned CEC off, the TV would frequently go to the SmartTV input and, being close to 80 years old, she couldn't figure out how to get it to work. She has a technology block with this stuff, but is fine, otherwise. I discussed this with her daughter in law. It's as if she hear clicks and beeps when I explain how to use the system and I make it as simple as possible- I use no technical terminology, no long sequences, just "If it shows this, press this button".
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 54 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 13:11
FunHouse Texas
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.
I AM responsible for typographical errors!
I have all the money I will ever need - unless i buy something..
Post 55 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 13:12
FunHouse Texas
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On January 27, 2021 at 11:18, Shoe said...
It would  really be helpful if one soothsayer on here would quote a source. So far it sounds like "some guy on the internet"

My "Source" is someone who helped build the product at Harmony for the last 15 years.
I AM responsible for typographical errors!
I have all the money I will ever need - unless i buy something..
Post 56 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 14:22
drewski300
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On January 27, 2021 at 11:13, tomciara said...
^^this^^

If you haven’t seen the market shift then you would certainly think they are nuts.

But with CEC options, more sound bars, etc...

More than anything else, it’s becoming rare that a client has more than one component feeding a TV. Used to have BDP, AVR, CD, Comcast, Roku... now with Comcast streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime, the Comcast remote does the whole system.

Just wondering yesterday what URC and RTI talk about when they plan for the “future”. They may be feeling like a video rental store owner 15 years ago...

The market size is what you make it. The big players have enough money to force it into everyone's home vs. it continuing to be a small niche item for enthusiasts and "pros" (joking).
"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
Post 57 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 16:17
buzz
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I'd love to have someone integrate CEC with our control systems. I'm debating with myself about developing a Raspberry Pi helper.
Post 58 made on Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 19:09
tomciara
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On January 27, 2021 at 14:22, drewski300 said...
The market size is what you make it. The big players have enough money to force it into everyone's home vs. it continuing to be a small niche item for enthusiasts and "pros" (joking).

Force it?
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 59 made on Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 09:42
highfigh
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On January 27, 2021 at 13:12, FunHouse Texas said...
My "Source" is someone who helped build the product at Harmony for the last 15 years.

So, it was Pike?

I got the call yesterday- EOL, but they will support the database and existing remotes and there isn't a drop dead date for that. He said they have been supporting Squeezebox since it was disco'd about ten years ago and there are more Harmony remotes out there.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 60 made on Wednesday February 3, 2021 at 10:38
drewski300
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On January 27, 2021 at 19:09, tomciara said...
Force it?

When you have that kind of money, you can create demand by telling people (advertising) they can't live without a universal remote. Include voice control that also ties into Alexa or HeyGoogle and you can't imagine a world without those things.

At some point, there will be a consumer based software/hardware company that will create an "assistant" platform for everything in your home (including a remote control). Harmony has the control down and if they could integrate everything else, it would be a product you couldn't live without. Forcing everyone to run to the store. People are sheep and whoever can direct the flock will be the one who comes out ahead.

Honestly, Amazon should be the one who purchases Harmony. They have the selling platform and Alexa.
"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
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