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Topic:
What has changed with Harmony recently shutting down services ?
This thread has 26 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 11:14
james_aa
Long Time Member
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I havnt done any Harmony projects since about 2016.

I need to go a find out why a system of 3x ultimate remotes and base stations has stopped working.

I read online about Logitech shutting down some of their Harmony services recently. But couldn't find too much info on whats actually changes and what remains.

The system i need to trouble shoot consists of :

3 AV rooms :

- Ultimate remote and hub in each room.
- A 6000 series TV in each room
- Apple TV in central location
- Tivo Box in central location
- Xbox in one room under TV
- HDbaseT Matrix

(All the above controlled via IR)

The Harmony's forwarded their IR via the Matrix IR forwarding feature back to the source devices by the matrix.

Would the above system still work in Harmony. Or would their recent changes have stopped it working ?
Post 2 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 11:36
Hasbeen
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5,273
I'm not a Harmony expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my question to you is how could Harmony shuttering some services cause an installed system from not working?

I'd say your problem is somewhere else...Maybe the remote is just bad?  It's 3 years old.
OP | Post 3 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 11:44
james_aa
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On January 8, 2019 at 11:36, Hasbeen said...
I'm not a Harmony expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my question to you is how could Harmony shuttering some services cause an installed system from not working?

I'd say your problem is somewhere else...Maybe the remote is just bad?  It's 3 years old.

Sorry i should clarify, i dont think that Harmony shuttering services is the issues, as from what i can read online they have been shuttering services in the last couple of months, where as from what ive been told the system hasn't worked for a while eg, more than a few months.

Last time i was there they remotes had been swapped between the rooms and as they work on bluetooth to the base they had stopped working. Easy fix.

My concern was more to do with the programming software and the underling firmware.

From what i can remember Harmony is odd in that it is not 100% a local network device it seems to talk back to external servers for even when you are using the app and on the same LAN as the hub.

The programming is done through a flash / java interface which i believe is also cloud based eg. you are not pushing your changes across the LAN. Hence the shuttered services may stop me from fixing the issues.
Post 4 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 11:47
Trunk-Slammer -Supreme
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I always thought of Harmony as one of those DIY products on the edges of the CI industry.

Use them and you're stuck with a steaming pile.

Something tells me that you're going to need a new control system and the client isn't going to be very happy.

Last edited by Trunk-Slammer -Supreme on January 9, 2019 17:40.
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 15:51
james_aa
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On January 8, 2019 at 11:47, Trunk-Slammer -Supreme said...
I always thought of Harmony as one of those DIY products on the edges of the CI industry.

Use them and your stuck with a steaming pile.

Something tells me that you're going to need a new control system and the client isn't going to be very happy.

Unfortunately Yes, Yes and Yes
Post 6 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 16:16
highfigh
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They haven't shut down anything, AFAIK- they have new software and a pro portal, which allows someone access to all of their accounts and customers.

Download MyHarmony software and if you have the log in ID and password, use it but if not, you can still log in by selecting "Forgot Password". Assuming you can log in, you'll be migrating from the old software to the new and you should see a list of models at the right- select the one you want to set up.

You should be able to fix any issues with the new software.

There was a period where Logitech was considering major changes and I lost interest but in the last two years, they have really shown that they're serious about staying in the game. The Ultimate and hub haven't been blocked- they're still supported.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 7 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 19:29
FunHouse Texas
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595
FWIW i picked up a Harmony pro about a year ago to try because I needed to prove to myself that they were bad as everyone on here says they are. Guess What - it works pretty damn good much to my surprise. my Wife even likes it. it is STUPID easy to program macros and events -and integrates great with Alexa. i can see why most of you would not want to use it. I can access all accounts remotely and make changes in minutes. while this is not the $$$ maker in terms of billable hours like RTI, Savant or C4, it sure makes customers happy when i can fix a problem remotely in 5 minutes. of course the remote is a small part of the total system however it is often one of the biggest pain points for customers. if i can make this device easy - the customers remember all the other great stuff instead of focusing on the "Crappy" remote system. for $400 retail I don't make a killing on the remote but I have had ZERO "free" truck rolls to fix one.
I AM responsible for typographical errors!
I have all the money I will ever need - unless i buy something..
Post 8 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 19:54
3PedalMINI
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On January 8, 2019 at 19:29, FunHouse Texas said...
FWIW i picked up a Harmony pro about a year ago to try because I needed to prove to myself that they were bad as everyone on here says they are. Guess What - it works pretty damn good much to my surprise. my Wife even likes it. it is STUPID easy to program macros and events -and integrates great with Alexa. i can see why most of you would not want to use it. I can access all accounts remotely and make changes in minutes. while this is not the $$$ maker in terms of billable hours like RTI, Savant or C4, it sure makes customers happy when i can fix a problem remotely in 5 minutes. of course the remote is a small part of the total system however it is often one of the biggest pain points for customers. if i can make this device easy - the customers remember all the other great stuff instead of focusing on the "Crappy" remote system. for $400 retail I don't make a killing on the remote but I have had ZERO "free" truck rolls to fix one.

I guess I’m fortunate to have a good client base. I haven’t had a client balk at the cost of a remote in ages. Of course it helps that they see $199 for a remote instead of $1200.....even the the processor is in the equipment rack.
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 9 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 20:34
FunHouse Texas
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I'm not saying this is my end-all solution, but for those projects that it is a good fit for.
And if by "good" you mean "wealthy enough not to be concerned about prices" - then yes you are! I do OK.....
I AM responsible for typographical errors!
I have all the money I will ever need - unless i buy something..
Post 10 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 20:36
dunnersfella
Long Time Member
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309
I don't believe any systems have been shut down... the WiFi password may have been changed and caused dramas (no ethernet to the hub of course grrrr)... apart from that it should be business as usual and you should be able to dial into the web-portal and check things over before even leaving home base.
This industry is not getting cheaper and cheaper, we're simply convincing ourselves that we have to push the cheapest option to customers.
#makesonosgreatagain
Post 11 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 20:59
2nd rick
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4,521
Lots of Harmony hate on here from people who don't have experience with it.

Kelly, do you also hate on the 2019 Hyundai model lineup because your baby sister had a bad experience with her used Scoupe in 1992? :)

Logitech is doing some cool things with the line. There are a lot of really good control systems out there these days, but don't overlook Harmony over a 10-15 year old prejudice.

The line is absolutely suited for pro companies in 2019. Real Sonos integration, real Lutron integration, real Nest integration. Multi zone support of unique bases in unique zones, with shared common sources. All 2-way, live metadata, etc. SUPER easy to build and commission. iPad screen licenses are included for throwing an iPad in a LaunchPort (better yet, a LuxePort) and your job looks fantastic and it's simple to use and easy to support through the installer dashboard on the dealer portal.

To the OP, call the dedicated CI support line...
Message me or email me if you need the number.
Rick Murphy
Troy, MI
Post 12 made on Wednesday January 9, 2019 at 07:33
techvalley
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197
Harmony, Eero, Nest and Sonos are taking the other companies lunch in the majority of cases.
"try to become not a man of success, but try rather to become a man of value."
Post 13 made on Wednesday January 9, 2019 at 08:55
andrewinboulder
Select Member
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1,518
In general I agree that Harmony has done some pretty slick stuff with their newer remotes. Now if only it wasn't sold all over on the internet.
Post 14 made on Wednesday January 9, 2019 at 09:17
goldenzrule
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8,470
On January 8, 2019 at 19:54, 3PedalMINI said...
I guess I’m fortunate to have a good client base. I haven’t had a client balk at the cost of a remote in ages. Of course it helps that they see $199 for a remote instead of $1200.....even the the processor is in the equipment rack.

It's not a $199 remote.  It will not function on its own.  At minimum, it is a $700 remote.  If you are simply adding it to a system that already is getting a processor, then maybe you can consider it a $199.
Post 15 made on Wednesday January 9, 2019 at 09:18
goldenzrule
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Harmony did shut down home automation services due to some security risks.  There was a lot of backlash and they reportedly turned the services back on.  I don't know what exactly they shut down for the short period, but yes, there was an issue for a short period.  Everything I read is that all of the services were restored though.
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