Logitech Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3 -- official, real, and in our hands

Setup
First off, if you want to control your PS3 with anything but a Harmony remote, then you'll need to explore other options (at least for now); the Harmony adapter only works with, you guessed it, Harmony remotes. If you're still onboard, then you'll need to breeze through a setup that includes pairing the adapter with the PS3 and then adding a PlayStation 3 device to your setup using the Logitech Harmony Remote app. One small hassle -- if you already have a PS3 in your device list, you must remove and then re-add it to get the IR codes that the adapter will be listening for. If you've ever set up a Harmony remote before, the whole procedure should be a walk in the park; we had a "Watch Blu-ray" activity set up in about 10 minutes.
In use
We've only performed a basic setup of the Harmony adapter so far, and if our past experience is any indication, we'll need to do a little fine tuning to get everything really dialed in "just so." But we can say this -- the Harmony adapter delivers on its promise of getting our IR Harmony remote and our Bluetooth PS3 on speaking terms, and that's a good thing. We ran through a quick test that included:
Summary
It's too early for us to give our final impressions of the Harmony adapter, but we'll have more to report after we wring it out for a few days. Until then, feel free to peruse the press release and our photos below. If you've still got questions, leave them in the comments or follow the read link to a Q&A section on the Logitech blog.
Announcement Date: May 12, 2009
Shipping: May 2009
Price: $59.99
Available at: www.logitech.com
Product Overview
Many people use the PS3 to play DVDs and Blu-Ray Disc™ movies, and are looking for a universal remote that can control their PS3. The Logitech Harmony Adapter for PLAYSTATION3 takes an infrared (IR) signal from your Harmony remote, and transmits a Bluetooth™ wireless signal to command the PS3 – so you can use a single remote to control your entire setup.
Key Features
System Requirements
Product Specifications
Warranty
First off, if you want to control your PS3 with anything but a Harmony remote, then you'll need to explore other options (at least for now); the Harmony adapter only works with, you guessed it, Harmony remotes. If you're still onboard, then you'll need to breeze through a setup that includes pairing the adapter with the PS3 and then adding a PlayStation 3 device to your setup using the Logitech Harmony Remote app. One small hassle -- if you already have a PS3 in your device list, you must remove and then re-add it to get the IR codes that the adapter will be listening for. If you've ever set up a Harmony remote before, the whole procedure should be a walk in the park; we had a "Watch Blu-ray" activity set up in about 10 minutes.
In use
We've only performed a basic setup of the Harmony adapter so far, and if our past experience is any indication, we'll need to do a little fine tuning to get everything really dialed in "just so." But we can say this -- the Harmony adapter delivers on its promise of getting our IR Harmony remote and our Bluetooth PS3 on speaking terms, and that's a good thing. We ran through a quick test that included:
- Powering up the PS3 (also the display and receiver) from standby using the "Watch Blu-ray" activity
- Navigating the XMB interface
- Starting a Blu-ray movie
- Navigating the Blu-ray menus
- Playhead control of the PS3 (pause, stop, fast forward, reverse, previous, next, etc.)
- Ejecting the Blu-ray disc
- Putting our system back into standby mode by turning off the "Watch Blu-ray" activity
Summary
It's too early for us to give our final impressions of the Harmony adapter, but we'll have more to report after we wring it out for a few days. Until then, feel free to peruse the press release and our photos below. If you've still got questions, leave them in the comments or follow the read link to a Q&A section on the Logitech blog.
Announcement Date: May 12, 2009
Shipping: May 2009
Price: $59.99
Available at: www.logitech.com
Product Overview
Many people use the PS3 to play DVDs and Blu-Ray Disc™ movies, and are looking for a universal remote that can control their PS3. The Logitech Harmony Adapter for PLAYSTATION3 takes an infrared (IR) signal from your Harmony remote, and transmits a Bluetooth™ wireless signal to command the PS3 – so you can use a single remote to control your entire setup.
Key Features
- Works with all Logitech Harmony remotes to control the PS3 just as it would any other AV component (cable box, TV, DVR, etc.). It is not designed for use with other remote controls.
- Supports all 51 PLAYSTATION3 commands so you can control the XrossMediaBar (XMB), DVD and Blu-Ray Disc movies, and all other console functions, including power on and off. Also includes a power-off macro that allows you to turn off the PS3, along with your entire entertainment system, with the press of a single button.
- Wireless link does not use PLAYSTATION3 USB ports, so they remain available for other controllers.
- Guided online setup walks you through the process of configuring the Harmony remote for your PLAYSTATION3.
- Always-on AC power means the adapter is always ready for input.
System Requirements
- Logitech Harmony remote
- PLAYSTATION3
- Windows® and Mac® compatible
Product Specifications
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 99.4 x 65.6 x 18.5 millimeters
- Weight: 49.5 grams
Warranty
- 1-year limited warranty





















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric D-J @ May 12th 2009 4:10AM
I want one now. Send me one.
Vince @ May 12th 2009 4:31AM
Just in time for me. I'm about to pick up a PS3 soon and I've already got the Harmony
TheIcemanCometh @ May 12th 2009 6:30AM
Sweet, sign me up.
I've had the Harmony 360 for about two years now, and it works pretty well with my Xbox and other home theater equipment. I'm REALLY not a fan of the PS3 controller - especially for watching Blu-ray movies, which is what use the PS3 for 99.99% of the time anyway.
The extra cost for this - for me - would be WELL worth it.
Ironhide @ May 12th 2009 7:12AM
The Nyko and Intec dongle based remotes just don't cut the mustard I'm afraid. This is possibly the best product that Logitech has released aside from the regular Harmony remote line. Only thing better would be a bluetooth/ir remote. But... this will do very nicely in a pinch.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ May 12th 2009 7:57AM
$60!?!?! Dear lord...I mean I don't think I'll be getting this even with me planning on getting a Harmony remote....might come off better just buying a Stand-alone Blu-ray player
normychas @ May 12th 2009 8:48AM
No Thanks i will be sticking with the IR2BT that I already have. If you are looking for a more versatile solution ie one not tied to harmony i would look into the ps3 tooth fairy as the old school IR2BT is no longer available. I'm not sure y EngadgetHD continues to claim that this is the first device to support IR to Blue tooth while at the same time supporting on off functionality. This may be the first truely commercial i can get it at best buy type solution but there have been home grown easy to purchase adapters out for quite awhile now. I wish the reviewer had put this adapter through its paces by testing the off functionality in all modes ie from a Game and From the XMB as well. The challange with the ps3 is that there is no off button so for most adapters you have to come up with a clever sequence of keys to turn the ps3 off from all modes and not just from blue ray mode.
Mojo_Yugen @ May 12th 2009 10:04AM
You reading comprehension is on par with your spelling ability.
"...and it handles switching the PS3 on and off (not unique, but some other solutions don't)"
Cossa @ May 12th 2009 9:31AM
Just ordered from Amazon w/ one-day shipping (Prime). Will be here tomorrow. Woot!
LONGWORTH702 @ May 12th 2009 12:39PM
Thanks for the heads up on Amazon just bought one too! No prime thought:( but worth every penny.
WebDev511 @ May 12th 2009 10:02AM
This is worth the price if for nothing other than getting the stop button out from between Play and Pause.
In for one.
King Biscuit @ May 12th 2009 10:46AM
$60? Really? That's twice what I thought the high-end full MSRP would be.
Amazon exclusive?
I think I will just buy another Blu-ray player and put my PS3 in the playroom.
Thanks for nothing Amazang.
Derek W. @ May 12th 2009 12:09PM
Sooooo.... you're angry at Logitech for making a decent product at $60.... and instead you go out and buy another $200 blu ray player?
LOGIC FAIL
pip @ May 12th 2009 4:14PM
PS3 is basically a started Blu-Ray player with a lot of faults. I'm in the same boat, this has pushed me to go for a stand alone player as well. The internal DTS-HD codec decoding within the PS3 is pretty muted, so it'll be nice grabbing a player that can send the signal for my receiver to decode and get the best sound possible.
$60 is 45 too much for something that should have been standard in the PS3 to begin with.
Chris @ May 13th 2009 5:05PM
$60!??!?!
Rolow @ May 12th 2009 12:11PM
So i like the looks of the harmony and the price compared to the PS3 tooth fairy. I only paid $64 for the bare elite but then i had to tear up the Sony ps3 remote I already had. The great thing about the tooth fairy is it can use any always on usb port for power if you have an extra. So it doesn't take up an electrical outlet. I use the usb port on my Panamax and the tooth fairy works flawlessly with my URC MX-850.
WhyNotV2 @ May 12th 2009 12:39PM
Sadly, it's not RF as well. That means sticking an IR sensor thing from the extender onto the adapter. For $60, I'd have expected it to work with RF as well. I'll continue using my PS3 controller to navigate.
Wryker @ May 12th 2009 1:10PM
And i'll use my $15 Nyko dongle just fine thank you....now if only 2 out of my 3 Harmony remotes didn't start having 'fail' issues regarding buttons no longer functioning!!!!
Cellulose @ May 12th 2009 4:09PM
Does the Harmony Adapter have any noticable latency or lag?
I have noticed with the Nyko kit, there is a slight, but noticable delay... somewhere in the range of 150ms-250ms at times. Not sure if it's the PS3 that's causing the delay, or the IR-to-USB converter...
clara @ May 13th 2009 10:12AM
I think this is a little silly.
Rather than sell a $60 adapter, why not add BT to remotes (harmony etc)? They could add not only ps3 compatibility but pc and others. What would this add to the cost of the remote, $15?
elangomatt @ May 16th 2009 12:50PM
I expect logitech to add bluetooth support to their next remote, but I think that the current owners of harmony remotes (like me) are thankful for not having to buy a brand new remote. I just got a harmony one a few months ago after my 880 gave out. I would not buy a new Harmony just for the BT ability, but I am very close to buying this adapter.