FLIRC USB Fire TV Edition

This little usb device is easy to set up--but there are no instructions. The instructions that are on the web are scattered and bits and pieces are all you get. I got it to work...finally...and it works great!I use the harmony hub using the simple remote. I do not use the iphone version as a remote control using bluetooth. If I did I would not need this USB device since the Shield has bluetooth. Since I don't use the iphone as a remote--the 16gb version of the Shielld and a Harmony Remote will not work without this FLIRC as it is no IR. I think the 500gb N. shield has IR built in...but am not sure.These steps may not work for you; particularly if you have a different harmony remote than I do...and I am going off memory.I also use mac OSX.I plugged the FLIRC in my imac USB port. I downloaded the Flirc software. Once installed, the software auto checked for firmware updates. There was an update. the Flirc updated.Once updated. I pulled the FLIRC out of the imac USB port.I plugged in my harmony hub and used myharmony,com.You need to add the FLIRC as a device. DO NOT ADD the Nvidia Shield as a device on the harmony for IR on the 16gb machine. It will do you no good. You have to pretend that the FLIRC is the N. Shield basically for the set up to the harmony if you are using IR.Add device on the harmony.Manufacture: FLIRCModel #: KodiIt should appear as a device now.You have to now set up an activity for the FLIRC. (Remember, pretend this is the N. Shield in your mind)Click Add activityI clicked "additional watch tv"-- I then changed it to watch Nvidia in the next screen. On the hub and simple remote--this does not really matter what you call it except for identification purposes. You can call it whatever you want.Click your set ups that you want...just make sure you select the FLIRC as one of you choices. I clicked the TV; receiver; and FLIRC. Make sure you click the TV as how to show the video. The rest is how ever your set up is. (HDMI 1; 2 ;3 etc.)On the simple remote you have to set up the 3 buttons to power on activities. Click "buttons" from the main menu of the remote in myharmony and click which button you want for the Nvidia. Again- this is for the harmony hub using the simple remote.Sync the remote.Plug the harmony hub back in as if you are using it on your TV as normal.Take a laptop so you are near the harmony hub and your Shield. Plug the FLIRC into your laptops' USB port. Open the FLIRC Software. You should see a remote on the screen. Grab your harmony simple remote. Once the FLIRC software is open--with the FLIRC in the laptops USB port--use your mouse to click the top left under "controllers". Find Nvidia Shield and select it. You should now see the Shields remote on the screen. Click go or start ( I cannot remember) and you will see a green light highlighting what the SHIELD REMOTE DOES. For example it will highlight the top of the arrow keys as "up" etc. when these are highlighted--you click on your HARMONY remote where you want it. I did up; down; side RT; side LT and center just like the Shield remote; For " Back" I clicked on the harmony what I use for the back key; and I clicked on the harmony "menu" key when it got to the home key on the Shield. (But you can program the keys whatever your preference. Once it is done that is it. You can save the settings onto your desktop if you want.Unplug the FLIRC from the laptop USB port and plug it into the Nvidia shield's USB port.Use your harmony simple remote.NOTE: I had to use a usb extender on the N. Shield from the back to the front.; but some people report that it works fine without one. Why an extender?: If the IR signal is not "read" the remote won't work and the USB port is in the back of the Shield.I tested it and everything works great. Hope this helps. It was a hassle setting it up as I did not know what I was doing. I pieced together items from the internet and got it figured out.

WOW, this is awesome!!! I am so glad that this product exists because there is nothing out there that compares and this made my home theater setup SO MUCH BETTER!!!I have an nvidia shield and a Sony 4K TV. I use a Sony Universal remote to control my TV, Soundbar, Home theater System, Bluray Player, and the shield. It's GREAT being able to control everything with 1 remote, but there is one problem that has caused issues for me for a long time... There's no equivalent button in my TV remote for the "Home" Button for the shield (android TV) which goes through CEC. In an effort to try to get a "home" button functionality out of my IR universal remote, I bought this little device.It took about 30 seconds to program this thing and as soon as I plugged it in it started working. First off... the reception is AMAZING!!! I have this mounted directly behind the center of my 55" TV, and somehow it picks up the IR signal from my remote literally no matter where I point the remote... Even if I point it at the wall behind me. It picks up the signal every time no matter what (which is really really nice). Also, it goes home every time I push the button, and this has fixed other issues I have had, for instance, CEC control not working after switching inputs, or the shield going to sleep and not waking up through CEC and I would have to find the shield remote and press the button to wake it up... Small glitches, but annoying nonetheless. But with the FLIRC, one press of that home button and everything wakes up, turns on, goes home, and starts working. It's sort of an "oh crap" button and it hasn't failed me yet.Sorry for the long winded review, but really. A+ Guys... I thought at first that $25 was pricey for what this is, but after living with it for a month I am 100% sure it was worth every single penny!!! It works as advertised, the quality is outstanding, and it's so versatile. It works amazing with my shield. But if I decide to get a FireTV, it will work with that. If I plug in a windows PC to my TV, it will work with that, too!!BUY THIS if you have a high tech home theater... It will come in handy in ways you can't even imagine!!