Logitech's Harmony Adapter for PS3 arriving soon
The Harmony Adapter for PS3 will retail for $59.99.
(Credit: Logitech)A few months ago, we reported that Logitech was getting ready to launch an accessory that would allow its IR-based Harmony remotes to control the PS3, which only has a Bluetooth wireless interface. Well, according to Logitech, the Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 is a couple of weeks away from hitting stores in North America. Europe will see a July launch, while Australia will get it any day.
Logitech has a blog post up that offers a full FAQ on the $59.99 adapter, but the long and short of it is the accessory simply converts your Harmony's IR commands to Bluetooth signals. For better or worse, unlike some PS3 IR dongles already on the market, the adapter requires an AC adapter. But Logitech explains that it not only didn't want the adapter to use up one of "your valuable USB ports," and without an external power source, you wouldn't be able to power on your PS3 using the adapter because the PS3's USB ports are dead when the unit is powered off.
While we still think it's tragic and outrageous that Sony failed to include IR, Logitech's entry into the PS3 adapter arena is good news for home-theater fans and Harmony owners. In case you're wondering, no, it doesn't work with non-Harmony remotes--and no, it isn't compatible with the Wii either.
The underside of the adpater.
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
It's too early for us to give our final impressions of the Harmony adapter, but we'll have more to report after we wring it out for a few days. Until then, feel free to peruse the official fact sheet and our photos below.
I just paid like $85.00 to d the same thing just three months ago. Bummer.
I'm sure you could get this to work on a non Harmony remote, although you would most likely need a Harmony to learn from( I assume they will jumble up what button does what and the adapter will decode and output the proper commands so using someone elses codes would not work).
The annoying thing about IR is you have to point the remote at the TV to use it, I prefer Bluetooth because of that. It's not that big of a deal to use the controller for the PS3 anyway. Buy the Sony remote, it's half the price.
We love Bluetooth with the PS3 controllers and remote
then again I count 4++ remotes next to the tv. If they were all Bluetooth I would still have a bunch
but would not have to point directly at the tv and other devices.
(I logged in via Facebook - nice!)
I gave away my Harmony remote. It was so "easy to use" that I could never force it to work right. Now that it has an expensive dongle instead of a cheap BluTooth chip. Meh and more Meh.
- by skunkpuddle May 13, 2009 11:42 AM PDT
- Wow. It is "tragic" and "outrageous". A little overstated I would say there cnet.
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