Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Harmony Remote

I'm thinking of getting a Harmony remote for Christmas. I want to ensure that I will be able to control multiple devices of the same type, ie. two different DVD players, with one remote. My universal that came with the receiver won't do this, so it is just another reason to get a remote, since I have been thinking of getting one for a while anyway.

I assume the remote can handle this no problem, but could someone with a Harmony verify for me. Also, who has which models, what do and don't you like about it? I have to figure out which one I want. I am leaning towards the 659, but undecided as of yet. My only concern is I don't want to underby and wish I had gotten a better one later (like when I add new components in the next couple of years).

Zarak, have you also considered the Home Thetaer master MX-700? It is a beast of a remote and several on the forum own it. Both it and the Harmony are good choices.

Go over the Remote Central and check the reviews section. If you decide the 700 might be a good choice, SurfRemoteControl and BlueDo (both authorized dealers) offer "open box" specials at around $190. They come in pristine condition.

There is also a recent thread here on the MX-700. Let us know if you have any questions on the 700 as well.

I love my MX-700. I love all of my current audio/HT gear but the MX-700 is my special friend.I think all of us who own one are very happy with it.

I think that anyone who has the mx-700 will love it (and that is just from looking at the demo programming program). However, not everyone can afford it

I just ordered the 659 off of tigerdirect.ca ($170 CAD incl. shipping) but have not got it yet. I will update you later when I get the remote, but from what I've seen the only significant difference between the 659 and the 688 besides the amount of buttons is that the 688 has a hard button for a PVR. I would say that if you have one of these or are considering getting one then it is probably better to get the 688. Otherwise the 659 seems to be fairly similar to the $50 more expensive remote.

You can do what you want w/ 2 DVD players. All you would need to do is create 2 different "activities", each using a different DVD player.

I'd recommend getting one of the newer models. Seems to be a good compromise between the 659 and 688.

Thanks for the input. I haven't really looked at the MX-700, since one of the big reasons for a new remote is WAF, and everything I hear as far as ease of use points to Harmony.

Why one of the newer ones oldskool? Just because they are newer and should be better, or do they have some additonal features lacking in the older models?

Over at Remote Central, I've read some not very good things about the quality control on the 688. That and the constant adoration for the MX700 around here have started to pull me away from the Harmony camp. I'm just not happy with their button layout, either. The 688's buttons are all alike, and the 659's transport buttons are at the bottom. Useless! The 676 seems the best, but still, the transport buttons are dinky and all alike! What gives? I use the remote more for transport buttons than volume!

On that note, has anybody tried the new remotes from Universal Remote Control?

The WAF for the MX-700 is one of the main reaons I have it. The ability to program macros on the PC is fabulous. s far as acttivity based remotes, the 700 qualifies with the use of macros. I also have a device page set up (SWICH) that provides a single button (macro again) to go from one thing to another (watching DVD to watching satellite. All of the functions (TV Vid, Rcvr audio, DVD off, etc) turn on, off & switch. MAJOR WAF points here.

Also, the price fo rthe Mopen box MX-700 lines up with the Harmony prie you mentioned.

I hope this doesn't seem like I'm hitting you over the head with this thing - it's just that good.

I haven't had good luck with the macros on the remote that comes with my receiver, but that could just be that remote and the lack of the ability to program it on the PC. I'm not set only on Harmony, as long as it is easy to switch, 1 button does pretty much anything, and it meets the WAF I'd be willing to check it out. I'll check out the 700, since it does seem to have a lot of fans on here.

Let's open this up if I am considering other remotes. Any other favorites people have? How about the Pronto...I've heard that one discussed in the past.

I did some more reading, and don't really like that Harmony can only be programmed over the Internet. What happens if they go out of business someday? You can't program your remote anymore? I would think they would come out with some type of stand alone program if this was the case. I guess this is somewhat true of any company, because you need to be able to download codes to setup new devices, right?

From looking at the MX-700, it looks like it could be easy to use, but it looks more difficult to setup. What do I get with the 700 that I don't with the 500? Do I really need the 700?

The 700 is not difficult to set up at all; it's a dream to work with. What you will need to do is download the Programming Manual and the MX-Editor software from the Files section of Remote Control for the MX-700. The manual is an easy read and you can actually perform programming in the MX-Editor without having the 700 in hand. I did my programming while the 700 was in transit to me and then donwloaded the file I set up .

The MX-500 is a good remote. I had one before I upgraded (there's that word again ) to the 700. The 500 has only 10 devices vs. 20 for the 700 and the 700's macro capability is more powerful.

Most notably, the 500 only works on a PC with the IRclone software. It is a SW package that a couple of gentleman have develoed as a small cottage industry. Great guys, very helpful and most users give it pretty good marks. The MX-Editor SW is much more powerful and user friendly. I'd recommend the 700 on the strength of MX-Editor alone.

The difference in cost between the 500 and 700 became a non-issue for me as soon as I started to use the 700. No-brainer upgrade. The other thing to keep in mind is that the cost of the MX-500 plus the IRClone SW is not much cheaper than the MX-700, which includes the MX-Editor SW.

Another major consideration. There are 219 MX-500 device files available at Remote Central. For the MX-700 , there are 713 MX-700 specific files and another 7,048 (!!!) "Philips Pronto and Pronto Pro" files.

I downloaded the MX700 editor software. My Pioneer 578A and Panasonic RP62 both don't show up in the device list. I'm assuming I can get an updated device list somewhere?

Harmony's not going to go away--Logitech just bought them.

Did you update the list. Click on "Help," on the toolbar menu, and then click "Live Update." It will download all the latest files. You should do this periodically because they are always adding new devices. I didn't find either of the two DVD players you mentioned, but they had the Pioneer 563 which I believe was the predecessor to the 578. You might try that to see if they have the same codes. And though they didn't list the Panasonic either, one of their other models may use the same codes. You can test the code set of each model on the list, one at a time, to see if it will operate your device. Read page 21 in the manual. It's easy.

If you can set your printer up to print on both sides of the paper, it's a worthwhile thing to print the manual. It makes using it much easier.

Even if they don't have those particular devices, read the manual about the "learning" function. I've programmed a LOT of my MX-700 with the learning function, and once you get the routine down, it goes quite fast.

You do this in the "Edit and Label Buttons" window. If you activate the middle button in that window's toolbar, when you "teach" a button it's command, the software automatically moves to the next button. It can move right along.

Zarak, if you can't find an exact match for you model, it's not a problem because manufacturers use the same codes for their specific components. For example, the Panasonic RP-56, RP-82, XP30 and XP50 commands will operate your DVd player. As a matter of fact, the Denon DVD-1600 files will also operate it.

Also, take a look in the "Philips Pronto & Pronto Pro" files at Remote Central, which are also usable with the MX-700 (I actually prefer using these files), for your specific devices.

I have has a harmony 768 for almost 2 years. It is the easiest remote. It is by far the easiest to train and use.

I unfortunately had a small issue recently that my backlight would not turn off....so I had to send it in for repair.

John

If you keep reading what Ray and Jack keep posting about the MX-700...you will end up buying like I did!

In reply to:

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If you keep reading what Ray and Jack keep posting about the MX-700

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well, according to ray, this thing does it all. mows the yard, cleans the house, cooks you dinner, unclogs your plumbing, opens your beers, washes the car, cleans out the garage, feeds the dogs, picks up your shoes, and i believe the MX-700+ can be programmed to wipe your a$$.

this is all just rumor, of course..

bigjohn

Yeah, I looked at the software though. It does not look easy to setup. A remote should not need a 72 page manual to get it working. I'm leaning away from it again after looking through that a little bit.

Zarak, john may have overstated the MX-700 capabilities just a bit. . As far as the manual goes, I think you'll find it is there for support. I don't know if you have tried it, but the software is incredibly easy to work with. Harmony - MX-700, can't make a mistake with either and that's what's important.