Lag on Logitech Harmony 950 with Flirc USB Receiver

[mjnman]

I'm using a Logitech Harmony 950 remote control with a Flirc Second Generation USB Receiver to control Kodi v21.2 on a Mac Mini 2018. All functions work correctly, but there is a noticeable lag—for example, when pressing a direction key, the image on the screen responds with about a half-second delay.

I have tried many settings in the MyHarmony software, including "Input Delay," "Inter-key Delay," and repeated key press options, but nothing has helped.

In the MyHarmony software, I selected the vendor "Flirc" with the model "Kodi," while in the Flirc software, I chose "Full Keyboard."

I also updated the Harmony 950 to the latest available firmware: version 4.15.330 with hardware version 01.00.

Strangely, I used the same MyHarmony configuration and settings with a Logitech Harmony One+ remote control, and the lag almost completely disappears—even though that remote is less expensive.

Does anyone know how to eliminate this annoying lag with the Harmony 950 remote?

[mjnman]

On 7/21/2025 at 9:43 AM, wisokylela said:

 

Even though you have selected “Flirc” and “Kodi” in MyHarmony and “Full Keyboard” in Flirc, the Flirc receiver may have learned commands from the Harmony One+ or a generic profile. It needs to learn specific IR signals directly from your Harmony 950.

thanks for the answer. How can I learn a specific IR signal? Do I need to reset the FLIRC USB device first?

[mjnman]

Thanks, I’m using the latest firmware:

$ flirc_util
Version: flirc_util.release.v3.27.15+
FW Version: v4.10.5
   SKU:     Flirc 2.0 [dori]
   Branch:  release
   Config:  release
   Hash:    0xF7261C8C
 

In the Harmony settings, I have already lowered the inter-key delay.

[robert112]

What you’re seeing isn’t a Kodi or Mac issue—it’s almost certainly how the Logitech Harmony 950 is sending IR signals compared to the older Logitech Harmony One+. The 950 tends to be more aggressive with repeats and timing, which can introduce that “half-second” feel when used with a Flirc USB Receiver (2nd Generation).

A few things that actually fix this (not just the usual delay sliders):

1. Reduce repeats in Flirc (this is the big one)
Open the Flirc software → go to Advanced and:

• Disable built-in profiles (to avoid conflicts)
• Try lowering the inter-key delay (or enabling noise cancellation depending on firmware)
• Most importantly: re-record your keys very lightly (quick taps).
  Flirc is very sensitive, and if the Harmony sends multiple repeats, it feels like lag.

2. Change the Harmony device profile
The “Flirc → Kodi” profile often causes sluggish behavior on newer Harmony remotes.
Instead, try:

• Add a device like “Microsoft → MCE Keyboard” or “Panasonic TV”
• Then re-map buttons in Flirc manually

This works because those profiles send cleaner, shorter IR bursts.

3. Set Harmony repeats to minimum (hidden setting)
In MyHarmony:

• Go to device → troubleshoot → “device responds too many times”
• Set repeats = 0 or 1 (default is often too high)

Even if you already tweaked delays, repeats are the real culprit here.

4. Turn off Harmony 950 “long press” behavior
The 950 sometimes adds a built-in hold before repeating keys. You can:

• Reduce or disable “press and hold” actions in button customization

5. USB polling / macOS side (less common but worth checking)
On your Mac Mini (2018):

• Try a different USB port (avoid hubs)
• Make sure no other IR/keyboard software is interfering

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Why the One+ feels faster

The Harmony One+ sends simpler IR signals with fewer repeats. Ironically, that makes it feel more responsive with Flirc, which prefers clean, single presses.

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Bottom line

The fix is usually:
Use a different Harmony device profile + set repeats to 0/1 + re-record keys in Flirc

That combination eliminates the lag in most setups.