If any of you are like me, you tried to program a universal remote with all your devices, but the functionality just isn't there, so you end up using the individual remotes for things like your PVR, XBox, etc.

Just bought a Harmony 680 remote to replace my array of coffee table remotes.

These smart remotes are absolutely unbelievable. Using their website, you enter all the devices (make and model) that you have. Their website has a database of the IR codes for most devices (other devices can be learned). Next, you add activities like "Watch PVR", "Watch a Movie", "Listen to the Radio", or "Play XBOX". You can tweak all the buttons, and add custom buttons that appear on the LCD screen. The configuration is stored on their website and downloaded via USB to the remote.

Hitting "Watch a Movie" will turn on the Receiver, DVD, and TV, and select the appropriate input on the receiver. Devices not in use are turned off (if desired).

To my surprise, my 12 year old SONY 5 disk CD player which didn't come with a remote, can now be controlled with the Harmony. I can see adding some Lutron IR light dimmers so that the lights will dim when I press "Watch a DVD".

The best part is my wife and daughter had no problems with it at all.

If you are looking to consolidate/simplify remotes for your home theatre, look no further than the Logitech Harmony remotes.

Very high kewlness factor!


BarilkoBart

Finally - a harmony convert!

Stick that in your pipe, Ray... !

He's not alone, my wife set up the whole thing (688) I think the harmony remotes are the best. I have a voltage stabilizer, that also has no remote, just the rear pin plug-in for the add on sensor. The harmony controls it, and everything elese flawlessly. With seperates, and some less common electronics - no problem LOVE IT!

another happy harmony(676) owner for about a month or two

I love my 688. I got a Lutron IR controlled dimmer switch. Now I can adjust the living room lights w/ the same remote.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have the Harmony 688 as well and this was the easiest thing in the world to program and I have lots of stuff.

Just to tell you how much I like this one; I have a Marantz remote with the big LCD screen and while it is damn nice I have to get an act of congress to either change the macros or add a new component. Not to mention taking a component away and then adding a new one. Holy Crap! What a nightmare. This isn't a slam on the Marantz. More like a slam on me and that I must not be very gifted in the remote setup dept.

Max

I have a couple friends with Harmony's. One has the MCE version the other is not, but both of them love those remotes. I will prolly have to get one too.

=)

Harmony remote = good.


www.jr.com has some on sale.

When does the new one come out and what does it do that the others don't?

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here owned, and operated, both a Harmony, AND a Home Theater Master remote?

880 has
- a docking station to recharge the internal batteries
- color screen that can disply custom icons (IIRC)
- slightly different button layout from 688
- motion sensor to turn on screen when you pick it up

Jack - if nobody answers, I'm sure we can talk curtis into buying a Harmony. He's WAY overdue for a Jack/Ray-induced spending spree!

Yeah! I LOVE spending Curtis' money . I asked my question because I was just curious to know if anyone had owned and operated both, and preferred the Harmony. I'd be surprised if nobody had done that. The Harmony is an excellent remote, with many happily satisfied users.

I never owned an MX500 but father in law has it. It's probably more due to how his av consultant programmed it (not me, a real one), but I HATED it. It was not intuitive and it didn't really have any macros enabled. My father in law had to have instructions printed on how to turn on his own system. I would end up watching tv in the kitchen. If a engineer can't figure it out, it's too complicated.

I'm sure if it was programmed correctly, I could've liked it. Price is decent for $99 at costco but I'd still pay more for the ease w/ the Harmony.

i've owned and used both...i actually replaced the HTM with the harmony when i got tivo.

the harmony is not perfect, but i like using it so much better than the HTM it's not even funny. with the HTM, any time anyone that was not "trained" in the remote i cringed because i knew that something was going to get screwed up. my wife was pretty good with it, but she had occasional troubles as well. exactly one week after i got the harmony my father came over and i jokenlly tossed the remote to him - he never had any trouble and things have gone pretty good since.

Interesting! I have my HTM remote set up so complicated that I, too, cringe at the thought of anybody else trying to use it. But the fault is mine, not the remotes. Fortunately, I don't have anyone else using it . If someone else wants to use my equipment, HEY, get your own remote. (it's a "guy" thing)

What makes it complicated is the many macros I have set up. In addition to the obvious "watch TV," "watch a movie," "listen to music" macros (keep in mind I have 3 DVD/CD players, and have macros set up for each activity on each player), I have macros that allow me to "switch" activities. For example, If I'm watching TV, and the football game ends, and I want to listen to some music, I just push one button and the macro (not in this exact order) lowers the TV volume, and turns the TV off; turns off my cable box, turns on my receiver and CD player, sets the receiver to the correct input, and opens the CD player's tray.

I have macros that will switch from the TV to each DVD/CD player for either movies or music. I also have a macro to switch from each of those activities back to TV if I wish. I have macros which allow me to switch between players if I wish, each with the push of one button. Complicated? Yes! And, I would understand anyone who didn't want that much complication, particularly if they must (gasp!) share the remote with others. Versatile? You betcha.

I do apologize for HTMing a Harmony thread. As I said before, the Harmony is an excellent remote with many satisfied owners. I only wanted to make the point that you can make the HTM as complicated, or as simple, as you wish. That's why I prefer it.