• About

LIVEdigitally

I'm living in perfect Harmony!

Posted on June 28, 2006 by Jeremy Toeman

Harmony vs the pile of remotesI first saw the Logitech Harmony remote back when they were a small Canadian company, demonstrating it at a trade show a couple of years ago.  Their initial demos focused on giving EPG functionality to a LCD screen on the remote, but thankfully they made a switch into offering what I will have to call the best damn remote control on Earth.  Then Logitech bought them, and 2 years later they’ve managed to not screw it up!  Is the Harmony 880 perfect?  Nope, but it’s as close as I’ve seen.

In my mess of living room devices are the following:

  • Sony AV receiver
  • Syntax Olevia LCD TV
  • Motorola HD DVR cable box (DCT-6412 Mark III)
  • Moviebeam
  • Samsung DVD player (with HD upscaling)
  • 2 Slingboxes
  • Xbox (no 360 yet)
  • Sonos
  • Gefen 4×1 HDMI switch

Harmony vs the pile of remotesI have a lot of remotes – 6 of them to be precise.  I’ve connected the video for the Moviebeam, DVD player, and DVR to the Gefen switch, which is connected to the LCD.  All audio runs directly through the Sony receiver.  Changing inputs requires 2 remotes, and then I need the actual device remote.  As of about 2 hours ago, I only need one remote now, the Harmony 880.

The Harmony is shipped in Logitech’s signature green packaging (with a nice bubble exposure to show the actual unit), although I almost lost a finger trying to open the thing.  it comes with a docking station, a rechargable battery, a USB cable, a quick start guide, and the setup software.  After the initial charge was complete, I moved right into setup.

Harmony packagingHarmony packagingHarmony in cradleHarmony in cradleHarmony vs the pile of remotesHarmony vs the pile of remotes

Harmony vs the pile of remotesFirst step was to download and install the Harmony software (easy, but I’d rather not have had to register just to do it).  A few minutes later I followed the very intuitive step-by-step setup wizard, and within about 10 minutes everything other than the Gefen switch and Moviebeam were in my devices list.  You may be wondering why I was using my laptop to configure my remote control, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.  I’ve tried many many different programmable remotes over the years, and they are all awful (yes, especially including the horrific Pronto from Philips).  Whether its entering bizarre 4-digit codes or worse yet, pointing two remotes at each other and pushing buttons in odd sequences to ‘learn’ functions, the experience is always bad.  Enter Harmony and the PC.

Harmony vs the pile of remotesIn the PC setup wizard, you simply identify the devices you own by category: TV, DVD player, DVR, etc.  All you need to know is the make and model, they have it in their database (although I’ll explain later what happens if they don’t – but don’t worry, they do).  The software then uses USB to automatically program the appropriate infrared signals into the Harmony for you.  Done.  Game over!

Harmony GUIAnd that’s when Harmony starts getting cool.  They also have the concept of ‘activities’.  An activity is “watch TV”.  When I push the “watch TV activity” on the screen of the remote, it automatically performs a macro (a series of commands) to turn on my TV (if its off), switch it to the right input, turn on my Sony receiver, switch it to the right input, and turn on my cable box.  Automatically.  Best part is this: at the end of the macro, the remote asks you if it worked properly, and if it doesn’t, it helps you get it working right!  The on-screen instructions take you question by question to identify the problem (which can happen if you don’t leave the remote pointed in the right direction long enough, something I did a few times while getting used to it).  The screens below reflect the key steps in an activity:

Harmony GUIHarmony GUIHarmony GUIHarmony GUIHarmony GUI

Harmony vs the pile of remotesAlso nice in the system is the ability to rename devices, create channel shortcuts, and have discrete volume control (when I push volume up or mute, it affects the Sony receiver, not the Comcast cable box).  Altogether a great experience.

Harmony GUIHarmony GUIHarmony GUIHarmony GUI

With all of the glowing remarks above, I will say it’s not without it’s faults.  While I didn’t have the same problems as Steven did, I found the PC software has a lot of clunkiness to it.  When setting up the ‘activity’ to control Moviebeam, for example, I couldn’t get it to accept the concept that my Samsung DVD player doesn’t need to do anything for Moviebeam to work (I did eventually find a manual override, but it was buried deep within the user interface).  Also, integrating the Gefen 4×1 HDMI switch was much harder work than it should have been (not due to Gefen, but because Harmony doesn’t have the concept of separate audio and video switching).  Finally, the software requires a lot more confirmations and clicking ‘next’ a lot than I think is really needed – I would like to see an ‘advanced users’ version that gives you more direct control over the system (obviously this should be an optional mode, but it should be there somewhere).

There are also a few snags in the physical design of the 880.  For example, the playback controls are not distinct in shape, size, or layout, so until you learn that ‘play’ is the upper right button, you’ll never go there instinctively (but the backlight ‘glow’ effect of the remote almost makes up for this).  Also the volume and channel change buttons are a little tricky to get comfortable with.  Finally, there’s no ‘cancel’ button to exit out of the help or other interactive screens.

Harmony vs the pile of remotesBut these complaints are really just minor nuisances.  If you own 3 or more living room gadgets, grab a Harmony.  Think I’m the only one who likes it?  Check out Bombippy, Keith, and DigitalGrabber for some other reviews (nope, don’t know any of em).  Without any further hesitation, I’m declaring the Logitech Harmony 880 absolutely LD Approved!

LD Approved

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Reddit

Related

Posted in Convergence, General, LD Approved, Product Reviews, Video/Music/Media | 7 Comments
« World of Warcraft update, because I'm the site's dork King.
SeV Performance T-Shirt by Scottevest »

7 thoughts on “I'm living in perfect Harmony!”

  1. smorty71 says:
    June 29, 2006 at 7:03 am

    I bought the 880 last August and love it. There *is* a bit of a learning curve to the software when doing advanced activities; however, after you get it set up, it is great.

    I bought an X-10 IR box that converts IR signals from the 880 into X-10 commands so I can control lights with the activities. Very handy when firing up and DVD and you want the lights to dim.

    Reply
  2. tivoboy says:
    June 29, 2006 at 11:25 am

    Yes, the 880 is about the best one can get, but there are some annoyances.

    I am on the third one since getting it about eight months ago. There was a battery issue, in that the battery didn’t seat too well. company said, put in some paper to snug it up. Then, there was a reboot issue, and the screen would go dead. this time, they simply swapped out the remote.

    I am happy to say that this last one is just about perfect.

    some nits though: Setting up multiple tivos with discreet remote addresses, is apparently only something that can be done by the people at harmony. A quick phone call and description was all it took but still, I would like to be able to do it myself.

    Get into some of the advanced setting for key repeat, delay and delay between controlling multiple items, and the remote will really shine and show its strengths.

    Final nit: You mentioned that the remote “helps” you when an item doesn’t work correctly, but my point is it doesn’t LEARN. If the setting for VIDEO selection for example is always wrong, I cannot get it to CORRECT this by hitting HELP everytime and then FIX THIS nd the correct. I think this should be included in the firmware or software as perfmanent corrective settings.

    But, then it would be just about perfect.

    nice review

    Reply
  3. Patrick Joynt says:
    June 29, 2006 at 4:29 pm

    Don’t get rid of the Xbox when you grab that 360!

    Reply
  4. Jeremy Toeman says:
    July 23, 2006 at 1:10 pm

    Check out Dave Zatz’ how-to-add channel logos to your Harmony, something I had only half-figured out (unsuccessfully) on my own…

    Reply
  5. Freewill says:
    February 27, 2007 at 9:03 am

    Help!! I have had my 880 for a couple of years. Problem is I can no longer figure out how to get this thing to control multiple items with one push of a button. Ie I used to be able to go to DVD and when I hit play, the lights would dim via a macro I set up on X10. I can no longer figure out how to get that option to work. I cant find it on the programming website. Has something changed here?

    Reply
  6. Jim says:
    August 2, 2008 at 11:41 am

    One thing no one has touched on yet:

    I have a Motorola PVR cable box. The manual that came from the cable company only discussed the most frequently used command, and didn’t say a word about all the other commands that are available. After programming my 880 I discovered about 20 commands that I didn’t know existed.

    The most useful ones are the DayUp and DayDown commands. If I want to scroll through the guide to program something that’s going to air a week from now I would have to move hour by hour for an entire week. Anyone who has sat there for 10 minutes doing this feels my pain.

    After programming the 880 user defined keys, I click GUIDE, hit DayUp 7 times then scroll to my program. 10 minutes of mind-numbing boredom transforms into a 30 second task!

    Reply
  7. jeet says:
    October 10, 2009 at 7:24 am

    my volume plus button doesnt work but same button volume down doe sis this sofwear or mechanical

    Reply

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

Recent Posts

  • Back on the wagon/horse?
  • 11 Tips for Startups Pitching Big Companies
  • CES 2016: A New Role
  • Everything I Learned (So Far) Working For a Huge Company
  • And I’m Back…

Archives

Pages

  • About

Archives

  • January 2019
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004

Categories

  • Convergence (81)
  • Gadgets (144)
  • Gaming (19)
  • General (999)
  • Guides (35)
  • LD Approved (72)
  • Marketing (23)
  • Mobile Technology (111)
  • Networking (22)
  • No/Low-tech (64)
  • Product Announcements (85)
  • Product Reviews (109)
  • That's Janky (93)
  • Travel (29)
  • Video/Music/Media (115)
  • Web/Internet (103)

WordPress

  • Log in
  • WordPress

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© LIVEdigitally
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.