I hired a guy to wire a new addition and help me set up a new home network and an AV system. Historically, I’ve set up all of my AV systems myself but this one is a bit more complex because all of my equipment will be in a basement closet while the main theater room is on the first floor. Originally, we planned on using my existing Harmony One and a Niles IR system with the receiver mounted on the TV. But my installer is now strongly suggesting that I get an RTI T1B+ at over $1300. That is a big expense I didn’t plan for and I don’t know if it’s necessary given my setup. Here is my setup:

Room 1 – Samsung TV and 5.1 sound – amp + processor, sources are DTV, Roku, DVD player, and Sonos. Processor has Zone 2 that (with a separate, always on amp) will power speakers in another room with the only source being a sonos.

Rooms 2 -6 – music only, each driven by a separate sonos connect. TVs in other rooms will have DTV boxes in each room - not in the basement.

All Sonos boxes will be operated solely with Sonos app on iphones or Sonos CR200 controllers.

So, really just a fancy TV remote - no lights, no drapes, no pool heaters, etc - not even multi-room TV.

What advantages will I get using the T1B+ over the Harmony? Why is my installer pushing the T1B+ -- I’d like to think that it’s not just to make a few extra bucks but all he tells me is that it’s a bulletproof system and he prefers RF because he doesn’t have to see the IR receiver on the TV? Is it worth another $1300?

Any advice would be appreciated

Do you trust him or not?

If you're not happy with it then don't get it, but do not pretend that RTI and Logitech are even in same category.

Your not paying $1300 for a remote. It's for a system that should have a processor, remote, antenna and programming.

If you can afford it do it. It's ten times better than a crappy ir repeater with a POS harmony.

Sure I trust him. But I'm not sure I understand him. I know that the RTI blows away the Harmony - the RTI is a home automation controller, the Harmony is a TV remote. But in my relatively simple system, what advantage am I getting from the RTI. He hasn't been able to articulate the advantages to me. That is why I posed the question.

Ok, I'm sorry if my ignorance is irritating. But what will the RTI do in my system that the Harmony will not? Will it be more reliable? Faster? Easier to operate (although the Harmony is pretty easy)? I don't think its reasonable to simply tell the customer that its "better" (or even 10x better) without explaining why.

RTI does not have a help page when things get out of sync, because a help page is not needed. When programmed and installed properly it just works. FYI, the T1B+ is an entry level RTI remote so it does not look like you are being over sold.

Yes. Also gives you the option for iPad control, programmed events, expansion if needed. Can even basically control sonos, like whole house off.

Better build quality, longevity, it can be made to do whatever you want. If he does all of the programming as macros, he can even log in remotely to make changes assuming you are willing to let him install an appropriate network.

If not, ask him about network, fios routers don't always like all of the streaming.


If it is possible to do it, then I'd do it. Chances are he will be much happier to support an rti system than a Logitech. I've been doing this for 10 years. Done big rti systems, done 3 harmony none of which I provided. There's a reason.

Hope it helps

Your installer prefers an RTI remote control system. It's not a remote control, it's a system.

Why? Because he can program it to do what you want it to do, then know he won't have to come back to tweak it, or to explain to you how to mess with it to get it to work again. We installers need to provide equipment that doesn't require work later. (Those are called free service calls, and the RTI doesn't require the except in the rarest of cases.) You, as your own client, can be very happy with something you program yourself and that you futz with when you want to bother with it. You, as our client, have to have something that doesn't break.

The Harmony is a dog turd with buttons. The RTI is a scalable control system. It can work from a simple, one room system up to a full automation system (well, full being debatable). Your wife will love it over a crappy IR based remote and IR repeating system. Codes won't be missed because you didn't hold the remote towards the IR receiver long enough. And the macros can be truly customized for fool proof operation.

Or, you can stick with the dog turd and listen to your wife always being frustrated.

I thought if you were married, you did this regardless??

Listen up Brendon :)-

whoa whoa whoa, whos talking about marriage already!? Dang you guys really want me to get hitched! ;)

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned it yet but 1300 seems a slight bit steep for a T1B+ plus processor / flashers, install, etc. I don't think it's a ridiculous price but there could be variables that aren't being conveyed. Programming on a system like that should really take an hour or less and the installation of the processor and routing flashers should take about the same or slightly more by my estimation.

Could the harmony operate that system? Absolutely. Could the RTI system be more reliable? Yes. Could be RTI system be worse if programmed and set up improperly? Without a doubt.

$1300 is not steep. It's VERY fair. It's a good installed price. And an even better installed and programmed price.

Xp6 is $600, t1b is $400, install is an hour, program and test is 1-2 hours. Could do an rp1 and call it a day. Shameless plug. I have 2 used on a shelf that need homes.

DougF,

There are a lot of nice points about the Harmony that make it the darling of the D.I.Y. crowd -- particularly cost. As a pro I don't like working with Harmony because I cannot achieve the user interactions that I consider basic to a remote's function. I know that the D.I.Y.'s feel that Harmony is easy to program, but I find them to be frustrating because I attempt, then fail, to achieve my interaction.

The Harmony "help" function that many tout is a little crude in my opinion. Essentially, this is provided to work out of situations where the programming cannot reliably turn units ON and OFF. The "help" essentially asks the user if the system is working yet. If the user replies "No", the remote will try another strategy for turning everything ON or OFF. One must step through a bunch of "No's" before the system might start working. When I use professional grade remotes, I don't need a "help" function because my program always works.

I'm not attempting to increase the size of the sale when I recommend a professional remote, I want professional results. While I'm sure that there are some dealers that are simply trying to load the sale with as much stuff as possible, many of us are results oriented and suggest the equipment that will achieve the results that we believe the customer wants.