iPhon.fr test: control the TV with the iPhone and Logitech's Harmony Smart Control

We
we've already talked about it hereThehub Harmonypowered by Logitech
is intended forturn iPhone and iPad into remote control
universal.

Harmony Smart Control is available
here for a little over 90€

Or how to make a little space on the living room table, which will definitely be missing
not to please the whole family.

Pournotre
130th test already, here is to discover in more detail the solution of
Logitech allowingcontrol the TV and morewith
the iPhone, photos and our opinion:

Unpacking

As you can see in the photo below,the box
ultimately contains little.There we find the hub, a sort of small
black box which is used to communicate with the TV as well as two cables: one
for the sector, the other USB which allows you to connect the hub to a computer.
But that's not all. Indeed, Logitech has also thought of those who do not have
of iPhone and offersa remote controlwho can take the
control of devices, as well as a mini infrared receiver.

Installation

As indicated in the very brief instructions provided in the packaging, for
start configuring the hub, you will need to start by downloading the app. A
once the app is downloaded and launched, that's when the serious things can
to start.

Harmony Control is available here on the App Store for free

On the hub side, simply plug it into the mains and press
on the pairing button, the app then quickly detects the device
and the configuration can begin. You must then create an account allowing you to
find all devices and profiles in the cloud. Practical for
manage multiple devices for example.

Then comes the time to have the application recognize the television.
Be careful, you'll have to do a little exercise since you have to providethe
brand, but also model numberbeing, of course,
at the back… Once the elements have been entered and thanks to a database,
the application should find the TV without problem even if it is not
latest cry. My Phillips TV which is 4 years old has not posed any problem and the
virtual remote control was immediately downloaded.

We are not yet at the end of our troubles because we will then have to
add one by one each of the devices you want to control. DVD player
or Blu-ray, game console, cinema man it is possible to add up to
8 by proceeding in the same way and adding the socket on which it comes
plug in the device. It's a bit tedious, but it's only once
and it's for a good cause.

Utilisation

Once the implementation phase has passed, it is high time to move on to
usage. Unfortunately, the Harmony Smart Control did not want to take
control of my internet box with which I receive… TV.

As a result, my use of it was limited to the home.
However, I went for a walk to try it out at someone's house who received the
TV more traditionally.

Harmony Smart Control can control the switching on and standby of
devices. Point to keep in mind for those with fiber
ecological: this means that to be able to turn them on whenever you want
seems from the iPhone,all devices must be kept in
constantly watchfulwhen not in use.

Rather than displaying a list of devices, Harmony Smart Control offers
a list of activities/scenarios such as watching TV, playing a game or listening
music… Each activity can include several actions. For example,
playing a game requires both the TV and console to be turned on
plus launching the appropriate channel.

On the TV side, the app can manage favorite channels and do everything that
the remote control and even more. No need to point like with infrared
usual, everything is done via WiFi from the iPhone application, the devices
can therefore stay in the cupboard. I tried and it works perfectly.
Likewise, a simple swipe on the iPhone screen will be enough to increase or
lower the sound.

Good point: each member of the family can create their own profile
and thus define your own favorite channels.

In addition to the app, Logitech has developed a second one with Télé7jour.
it allows you to browse the TV program by controlling your TV.And
program interests you? just click to launch it,
practical ! The app can also warn via push notification that a
program will start. Just a shame she doesn't turn the TV on to the right one
channel at the same time.

Harmony for Télé 7 is available here on the App Store for free

Conclusion

Far from being essential, the Harmony Smart Control is aimed at adults
lovers of television and hi-tech devices, to those who own
Blu-ray, home cinema, satellite decoder, game console etc. They will be able to
thus store the multiple remote controls at the bottom of the drawer. For others, I
I'm not at all sure of the benefit of this solution. For whoever receives the
TV only by ADSL, impossible to control the Box decoder with
Harmony Smart Control. As a result, the solution greatly loses its interest.
As for those who spend a lot of time in front of the TV juggling
remote controls they should enjoy this solution which allows everything
control from the iPhone. In passing, we regret thatthe owners
of iPad must be satisfied with the iPhone version in x2 mode.