While some people report great success when using Airports, my success rate has been low. I am reluctant to touch an Airport network because it is likely to seriously damage my credibility with the customer because Apple is "easy" and if I can't get Apple to work, I must be very inept.

They did and it should have come with that remote. It's not available from Harm0ny because it's a discontinued model, but if you look on Amazon or ebay, they're out there. If you find one and need it to control more than a few pieces of equipment and the two blasters don't get the job done, you can connect the RF repeater to a Xantech, Proficient or other IR distribution block, using cables with mono or stereo mini plugs. Stereo plugs can be less than perfect, but they do work.

Here's a shot of the RF extender, power supply and blasters-

[Link: ebay.com]

It's too bad the RF extender for the Harmony 1000 and 1100 won't work- I have a bunch of those.

I may end up with a H1100 with the extender and charging base- if you're interested, let me know. I won't know for about a week, though.

The Elite is a good remote- controls via IR, Bluetooth and IP.

yup...wont touch a system with it in uless im ripping it out. apple is so simple its complicated, and complete crap!

If it's not hard wired to the router, you'll never have the speed you need for high-demand use. Sure, its signal strength will be strong, but if it's set up as a repeater, it's automatically slower.

Actually, Harmony can work very well for a lot of systems and the new models are far better than the old ones. Their IR is usually very strong, too.

I won't argue about the Apple network gear, even though I have gotten it to work well.

Why would anyone not use the network port on an AppleTV that has one?

For a remote the MX-450 is a good option but tedious to program. I would look at one of URC's CCP remotes and find a dealer willing to give you the software. Surf remote control is company that does if you can't find a local dealer.

The difference between the Mx-450 and the CCP remotes is similar to the difference between typing on a keyboard and an old 10 digit flip phone. You can do it on the MX-450 but it is tedious and slow.

To program a CCP remote you need a windows computer, so if you live in Apple's playground for computers it will not work unless you use one the windows emulators. CCP will have a learning curve but once you learn it making changes and programming will be a lot easier, faster and offer way more flexibility.

Either the MX-450 or CCP models offer more flexibility in programming than a Harmony but they are no where near as quick or as easy to learn.

He already has that, according to the first post. It just does not work that well. At least that is what I got out of it.

To the OP:

I understand that most people here are trying to sell you things they would sell to their clients. I would not sell you an Apple router either, but I used one in my house for 6 years with zero issues.

The Harmony Elite would likely be perfectly fine for your situation without having to redo the network, pay a dealer triple or more what the Harmony cost, and then more for subsequent changes/updates, etc. From the sound of it, you enjoy doing your own work, and have the knowledge and skill to do it. Harmony Elite is $349, and you might find it cheaper. Depending on where you buy it, you can return it if it does not work out for you.

If this was my system and the RF extender wasn't picking up the signal, I would move it and use an IR distribution block if I wanted to keep the remote and make it work. As long as the extender isn't behind a heavy object/dense materials, it really should work but it's possible that it's not working normally.

It could be too close to something emitting RF interference as well. Kind of like the turd MRF260. I learned first, not to place them near bluray players, and second, never to use them. :)

Sure an IR repeater would do the job, but I though I would at least give him an option that was a step forward in time and technology. :)

First, (I'll sure try to be brief) this is an excellent forum. Everyone has remained professional and cordial--even if they don't agree that my Apple network is "stable". I love the feedback that people gave me and can see there are better options for strong wifi. I have to agree, I may switch if I want better speed over wireless. Again, I'm very impressed with the level of individuals on this forum.

Now let me level set my facts, so we can build upon them, as some of you are guessing. First, its my fault that I didn't provide sufficient info to help smart folks like you help me.

Current Configuration:
NETWORK and DEVICES -
Basement Location:
1) Storage Closet
Comcast signal to owned cable modem. I Pay for 100/Mbps down.
Cable modem to Airport Express, via Cat 5 cable.
Airport Express out is a Cat 5 to 5 port switch.
Apple TV, Sony Blueray, and Denon AVR connected Cat 5 to switch.
2) Main family room (adjacent to storage closet):
Samsung 65 TV connected via wifi to basement router and HDMI to storage room.
Large left and right speakers (and rear surround) wired to storage room AVR.

Upstairs:
Apple Airport Express connected to basement 5 port switch via Cat 5.
Express broadcasting wifi to devices on main floor and setup not as a repeater but a bridge of the basement express.
Denon AV near Express is plugged into express via digital output to run 2 channel stereo to area/Kitchen on main floor for streaming iphone/ipad audio (or itunes from computers) to main floor stereo.

As noted, I have a Harmony 900--BUT JUST IN.....after posting my son handed the very remote to me (no kidding) and the screen is broken. Kids were roughhousing and it was destroyed. So I'm starting over.

WIFI speeds:
Downstairs, when standing within 15 feet of the basement Express I get 90 Mbps, sometimes 100.

Upstairs, when in the same room as Airport express I get 90; when I'm in my home office it drops to 20 to 30. Home office is half my house distance away. Both expresses are in the middle of the home; one in basement one on main floor. Again, the upstairs is NOT repeating signal but a full bridge, so we don't have conflicts. My home is 4100 sq. feet, 2 levels. Office is furthest corner from routers (of course it is...always makes it difficult).

In the future I may try a more powerful router deployment to boost signal in the office, but most of the family loves to stream music to the Denon in the Kitchen (main floor) and I've not learned how to stream from my iphone to a different brand of router that connects to a receiver via digital out. That's another thread, so I'm open to that.

As for my BROKEN Harmony 900, it worked if you were seated close to the storage closet. But if you moved to a game table or furthest seat, NO GOOD. You just had too many dropouts in signal.

I'm really not interested in paying someone to set me up; I'm clearly a DIY and we've done well with my work thus far. Due to some budget issues, I really can't afford a $500 setup.

Right now I'm considering, based on my research, buying either:
1) Harmony Elite and seeing if its signal is sufficient, or
2) URC MC-450 (new), MRF-350 and RFX-250 (used to keep cost lower). I think I can get this option for around $250 if I use ebay to buy a used 350 and 250. I figure those don't get moved or tossed around like a remote, so less chance of failure to go the used route. As for used remote, naw. I don't like to think about other remotes in other hands and I what they do when watching their TV....yeah, I'll stick with a new remote.... ;-)

Again, I would really consider the Harmony--if I just knew it had stronger broadcast than my NOW DEAD 900. I suppose I could try but right now the MX-450 with used 350 and 250 would be less than a new Harmony.

If my 900 DIDN'T JUST DIE, I would have moved the receiver as it is currently sitting on top of the Denon receiver. I'm sure I'm getting interference from my AV equipment and I have shelves (wood) above it I can easily move it higher and have the blasters pointing at the devices. But alas, my 900 is now going into the trash. Screen is a mess....

Anymore thoughts now that I explained my facts a bit more closely?

I think both the Harmony you are considering or the MX450 will be a good choice for you. Both will put the power of programming in your hands and not someone elses. The Harmony will be a lot easier and quicker to program. The MX450 will probably be a more solid remote. I, personally, do not like the layout of the Harmony remote. I find it to use with its screen position, but it seems to work well from the few times I encountered it in clients jobs. That is something I could NOT say about previous models. The MX450 works and works well, just a bit more of a pain to program.

As for the network, the issues I see are not speed issues, but how fast (or slow) it processes larger systems which lead to system crashes. If you are doing the very basics and using just your phone and tablets, a computer or two a few other devices, you likely will be ok. Not my favorite but you should be ok. If you build your system with more IP devices (especially if you go that Harmony route as it can do quite a bit with IP control from my understanding), then you may find issues using the Apple network gear that will not be present with a better setup.

See my post above, Audiophiliac....you were probably SPOT ON. My Logitec remote receiver was sitting on top of my Denon, right next to my DVD. I'm sure that's 1/2 the issue.

Cable boxes and Amps are usually the biggest culprits. Having the antenna next to HDMI cables can also be an issue.

Good points. We have 1 iMac, 1 Winderz and 1 Chrome book in the home. Also, a wireless printer. Other than that, it's just wifi to our Iphones that roam here and there. Oh, I suppose the TV is wifi also, but I seldom stream to it as I prefer to stream to the apple TV when we pay for content as its wired and the TV is wifi.

I've not put in an IOT (internet of things) device yet; letting that market mature a bit more first. When I do, my first stop will be streaming security cameras for sure. By then, I will probably have to jump up in router space to control those ports better.

For now, I personally struggle with with IOT security. As they say, the "S" in IOT stands for "Security". ;-)