[Warner306]

Logitech Harmony Remote Configuration Guide – Kodi
Last Updated: 2016-6-16
Krypton v17

Please share your experiences with various IR receiver models and Windows 10. I don't want to recommend any IR receiver with poor driver compatibility or impaired function.

This guide is dedicated to configuring a Logitech Harmony remote to control Kodi Entertainment Center. Set up is specific to Windows. Linux users should start here before visiting this thread dealing with Harmony remotes. Mac users should rely on set up from this thread.

You will need:

• Logitech Harmony Remote;
  
• IR Receiver (built-in or external);
  
• Harmony Remote Software;
  
• Windows OS.
  

This Harmony Configuration Guide Includes:

1. Guide to Microsoft eHome RC6 IR Receivers;
   
2. Guide to Non-eHome IR Receivers;
   
3. Adding Devices;
   
4. Creating a Kodi Activity – Microsoft eHome Devices;
   
5. Creating a Kodi Activity – Non-eHome Devices;
   
6. Reducing Lag & Improving Responsiveness;
   
7. Other Resources.
   

1. GUIDE TO MICROSOFT eHOME RC6 IR RECEIVERS

Definition: A Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver is a type of IR receiver designed to work with Windows Media Center, Windows Media Player and other native Microsoft media applications. This type of receiver is easiest to work with and the most compatible with Kodi. Its ease-of-use comes from its ability to use devices in the Harmony database that can be directly mapped to keyboard commands in Kodi without having to translate through a third-party such as a keyboard.xml. If possible, you want to get your hands on one of these.

To determine if your IR receiver is a true eHome RC6, open the Device Manager in Windows and see if your receiver is listed as a Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver under Human Interface Devices. Even this may not be a guarantee of performance. I have experienced an issue with an HP OVU400102/71, which installed the correct drivers but wouldn’t recognize commands correctly. It turns out, this receiver uses a different chipset than other HP receivers, and, as a result, does not function as a true eHome remote. But, chances are, if the eHome driver installs, you have the correct receiver.

Genuine eHome receivers can be purchased alone, but it may be just as easy to remove an IR receiver from a combined remote/receiver package. Many small form factor (mini) computers contain built-in CIR receivers, which are also RC6-compatible. Examples of computers with built-in receivers include the Intel NUC and ZOTAC ZBOX.

A list of external Microsoft eHome receivers can be found here.

Popular eHome RC6 receivers:

HP 5188-1667 / OVU400103/00


HP 5070-2584 / TSGI-IR01


Microsoft A9O-00007


Phillips-Dell OVU4003/00


Rosewill RRC-126 / RHRC-11002


MediaGate HA-IR01SV / TSDX-IR