Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Logitech Harmony adapter for PS3

Sirquack - all Harmony's accomplish the same tasks in the same way. The upper models (like the One) add in color touchscreen, the ability to program different wallpapers and different form factors. The functionality is the same although you may have more dedicated activity buttons available with one model over another.

I am a huge Harmony fan, but I would caution you to stay away from the 880 and 890 models. I made the mistake of purchasing the 880 for my father-in-law. The form factor looked cool, but that meant the buttons were not tactile enough for use by feel in a dark HT. Additionally there are charging cradle issues with these models as well.

I have a lower model (670) and have no issues - just need to swap 4 AAA batteries every month or so (I bought rechargeables for this)

My only hesitation about Harmonies after owning one for a few years is that there isn't an easy way to set up macros. Normally this doesn't matter much, but in some circumstances (multiroom, namely), it could come in handy.

Sirquack, apart from button placement and number of programmable option, the larger price differences are linked to RF vs IR. For example, the 880 is IR only while the 890 has a RF/IR repeater which allows control from anywhere and very complex operation without having to point the remote or worry that someone will walk in front of the remote at an awkward moment, and also to control equipment hidden inside cabinets.

I have an 880 as well as the Harmony One, IMO the Harmony One is much better than the 880, better display, much better charging cradle and more attractive.

For those buying the Harmony PS3 device, $60.00 isn't bad considering last year I paid around $100.00 for the Shmartz PS3IR-PRO.

Awkward Moment?

What types of stuff are you watching there, Eric?

Since I am single, the real question is WHO would be walking in front of the remote!

Who else?

The Pizza Delivery Girl!

{{Cue: Swanky Music}}

Yes.

As mentioned by others, I believe the only functional differences between the cheap and expensive Harmony's are a few features such as RF and the ability to control Z-Wave products. Though even that isn't universally true, as the One doesn't have RF and I'm pretty sure that it can't do the Z-Wave stuff either. But the expensive ones have other features, like color and/or touch screens, internal rechargable batteries, and perhaps better build quality. My One feels like a fairly substantial hunk of shiny plastic. My old 550 was fine, but it felt more or less like any good-quality standard OEM remote.

When looking to buy my One, I read of several not-so-great reviews of the 8xx series of Harmony's. Quibbles with rechargable batteries and durability. At the time, the One was new and didn't have a lot of reviews yet. But the few I found were all very positive. I have not regretted buying the One at all - it's been a wonderful addition to 'the system'.

I had a Harmony 550 for a couple of years. It was my first Harmony, replaced by the One. Picked it up on sale at a local shop for like $70 or so. It uses the same software and setup as the One. Same 'Activities', same macros, same everything. It worked great for a couple of years until the D-pad stopped working. Of course, *after* I bought the One to replace it I got brave and took the 550 apart, only to find that the D-pad problem was dust and couch-lint.

NBD, I'm quite happy with the One compared to the 550. Considering that this remote is one device that I touch daily (ahem -- shuush, peanut gallery), the design is of some importance to me. I like it's curvy design and good button layout & texture. The 550 was just sort of a brick with chicklets on it. The One feels good in the hand and the buttons are very intuitive to use.

So you could spend, say, $39 on a 520 and get the same control abilities as someone who spent $150+ on a One. Not only would that introduce you to the world of 'Harmony' without spending a lot of cash, but if/when you upgraded to a $$$ Harmony, it's done with a simple 'Upgrade Remote' button in the Harmony software .

And that, is my 1,000th post. I'm such a lightweight.

If/when the One ever dies, I may have to replace it with ESPN's "Ultimate Remote". Though I wish it were a Harmony, because I'm used to programming them.

http://www.amazon.com/ESPN-Ultimate-Remote-Universal/dp/B00198LRPE

I'd just love to have a remote that gets email! Sometimes it's such a far reach to grab my iPhone or laptop that sits on the coffee table.

The PDG!
(that was a translation joke as "CEO" in the French business model is "PDG" for President Directeur General).
So this was an educative post!