Logitech Harmony 670

Pros: Flexibility of programming, USB interface

Cons: Interview based software interface clumsy for experienced users

Summary: Overall, I am very pleased. My home theater/audio setup has a different manufacturer for every component. The 670 recognized at least 85% of the device buttons. The ones that did not work as expected were easy to fix using the learning function and the original remotes.

The interview format on the Logitech web site is OK for initial setup, after that, it is a pain to have to navigate through the interview stuff to make small tweaks. That being said, the flexibility to organize commands for a given activity, and adjust delays between commands is excellent.It took me about 4 hours in total, spread over several nights, to get the programming of my system to perfection.

The USB connection is very easy to use. You can even set up the software so that your PC recognizes the 670 when you plug it in, just like synching an ipod.

I have a plasma display, DVD/CD player, VCR, 5 channel amp, home theater processor, and cable box to control. I will be adding the Onkyo ipod interface shortly.

When setting up the listening to music activity, I programmed the 670 to turn off 3 of the 5 channels on my amp so that I just have the left and right front channels active.

The way that button labels can be renamed and rearranged (at the device level or at the activity level) is just teriffic.

My wife was frustrated at times with operating our system. Once I got the programming on the 670 to where I wanted it, I put all the other remotes away, and she has not asked for them back.

Physically, I would have preferred a rectangle shape to the peanut shape. The button layout is easy to remember and fairly intuitive. If you need reading glasses, the button labels are hard to read without glasses on. Backlighting feature works well. Battery life- too early to tell.