Total Control: Universal Remote Domination Continues With the PlayStation 3 Adaptor

 There comes a time in each of our lives when we finally realize that more is not always better. Take a look at your media center or living room. What do you see? A couch? Yes of course. A television? Well obviously. What else do you see?

Does the following scene sounds familiar: Cords from the DVD and Blu-ray player, CD player, cable box, sound system and PS3 are tangled and creating a fire hazard; movies are strewn, games stacked, remotes under every couch cushion. Not to mention the path of destruction every child leaves. We see it. You see it. Let's do something about it.

Should we get rid of all of these devices that bring us entertainment? Um, no. The answer is not to get rid of, but to consolidate. One simple place to start is with the remotes. If you are looking to make the remotes hiding under every couch cushion and piled on the coffee table disappear, may we suggest purchasing a universal remote control as seen in our side-by-side comparison of universal remotes.

However, even the most amazing universal remote will have trouble managing your Sony PS3. So, in addressing the ever-growing popularity of video games for this particular article, we will switch gears a bit from our obvious obsession with Logitech Harmony universal remotes and focus on the Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PlayStation 3.

OK, so we are still talking about Logitech products, but for good reason.

When creating the PS3, Sony regrettably left a key (and cheap) component out of the popular gaming console: the IR receiver. Knowing that being able to control everything around us is human nature, Logitech decided to create the PlayStation adapter to aid in their customer's total electronic domination.

How Does it Work?

The Logitech PlayStation Adaptor works only with the elite Harmony universal remote line. May we suggest the products to use? The Logitech Harmony One, Harmony 700 and Harmony 650 are packed with features and are perfect for merging all of your old remotes into one super universal remote.
After choosing your universal remote, connect it using the supplied USB cord to a PC or Mac. The computer will read the device and bring up the installation software. If you are already an owner of a Harmony universal remote and have an online account with Logitech, then all of your devices will already be programmed, including the option for the PS3. In order to install this device correctly for the adapter, however, you must un-add the PS3 device option and then re-add it. Tedious, we know, but totally worth it.

Now that the initial setup is complete, mosey on over to the couch and take a seat. When the programmed PlayStation activity button is pushed, infrared (IR) signals from your Harmony universal remote will be transmitted through a Bluetooth wireless signal and then to the PlayStation 3. Pretty cool, right?

How is it Powered?

Unfortunately, Logitech decided not to power the PS3 adapter through a USB port or batteries, but through an independent AC wall plug. This decision seems strange. We thought we were trying to get rid of cords and clutter. Yet another cord will be introduced to the tangled mass. This is the one flaw of the PS3 adapter.

When you own a universal remote, there really should be no limitation to what you can control. So when the PS3 was released without IR capabilities, it was natural for Logitech to see the needs of the consumers, step in and develop a universal remote that would solve the problem. Once again, Logitech, Bravo.

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