2. home-theater
  3. 1136640202

Harmony Remote Control

I was all set to pick up a Harmony 880 remote to simplify my HT system, but read a whole lot of negative reviews. Comments like cheap construction, faulty connection to the docking station and tiny buttons scared me away. For those of you who have this or another HT remote, can you share your experiences? Are these complaints nit picking or for real? Is there a remote out there that is better?
tonyp54
prpixel
826 posts
 
I used a PC to "program" it. When you first start the software (web based) it asks for a list of equipment. Then it asks which inputs on the pre/pro and TV that things are connected to. Also, it asks if you do video switching in the TV or on the pre/pro and which device controls the volume. It then goes to the Harmony web site and downloads the IR codes and sets everything up. I then tweaked the input switching timing and the order of activities and it was done. The software is also compatible with the Mac. BTW, I've programmed all the remotes I listed above and the Harmony is by far the easiest. It's so easy that all off the High-end shops in the area refuse to carry it because they can't make any money on selling the programming and there's not a lot of margin in it.
leedistad
104 posts
 
Tvad, Harmony uses a web-based programming protocol. You set up a passworded account on their site, use their database of codes, and save the configuration of your remote. The upside of this is that if your batteries cack, you can plug the Harmony remote into your computer, log on, and reload your commands from their site.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Thank you Prpixel and Leedistad.
wahoo_envy
14 posts
 
I have the Harmony H659 and at $150 retail from Best Buy I have been very happy. A Logitech tech pretty much did the programming while I waited on the phone.
nnyc
28 posts
 
I have the 880 and it works well with the frankenstein system I currently have. I have had custom hex codes from pronto machines and others imported into my remote several times and customer support has always been responsive (within a day or two) in getting them done.
The web interface is a bit clunky and took a few tries to get everything the way I wanted, but once everything was setup I haven't had a single problem and I haven't met anyone who couldn't figure out how to work my somewhat complex system on the first try.
I saved the ROM file that is installed from the web site, so I can restore my entire remote setup easily in a few minutes without having to depend on their web site (I this tested by removing the battery).
More to discover