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"A Real Suprise" on by jmg018
Pros: Easily interacts and controls almost any imaginable device. Easy to update and reprogram buttons to your hearts content. Well lit and comes with ability to operate the Xbox 360 out of the box.
Cons: Because it can match all the features of almost any device out there and its remote control, scrolling through several screens to find the command you want can be a bit bulky. High price for a remote
Summary: I have several high tech video components (hdtv, dvd, dvr, xbox 360.) I also have an older universal remote that I use to operate these systems. Training it to perform required lots of code entering and lining it up with other remotes infrared sensors so it could learn commmands. Even with all of this it still did not perform as well as the individual remotes did on each item. So, I am in Best Buy and I see this remote. I just got a 360, so I am turned on by the fact that it operates the AV functions of my 360 out of the box, but I am also curious about the fact that the packaging promises that it can operate every item in my Home Theatre setup. After a little inner debate, I dubiously decide to pay $130 for the item (with a $30 rebate for 360 owners,) and tell myself if it doesn't meet all of my expectations that I will bring it back.
I am here to tell you that after installing the software and connecting the unit via usb to my computer the setup was incredibly easy and intuitive. It simply required me to put in the model number of my devices. It then asked some very pertinent questions about how I use my home theatre items and began to download settings into the remote. Much to my suprise, I discovered that it flawlessly operated every component I had and actually was able to perform every function that the individual remotes for the compenents could as well. Not only that, but because it understands how I use my system, it downloaded several very hand macros onto the activities button that make any action a 1 button affair.
Ex. If I press activities and "Watch Cable", it knows to turn on the Tv to component 2, put my receiver on TV/Sat and turn on the cable box/dvr. It is amazing.
Also, I didn't quite like some of the assigned buttons for things, so I went into the program and it allowed me to reassign them to any button I wanted and immediately uploaded the changes to the remote.
I know that this is an expensive remote, but I can promise you it is a great investment. The menus are so simple, my wife now has perfect control of all of our HT components for the first time. You will not regret getting this remote. -
"How did I ever live without this?" on by caseyahenry
Pros: Easy to use, easy to program, supports Xbox 360 out-of-the-box
Cons: Some of the usual Harmony buttons are missing, small number pad takes some getting used to, Expensive
Summary: This is not my first Harmony remote. Even though I don't yet have a 360 (I know I'll be getting one sooner or later), I decided to go ahead and upgrade so that I could pass my older Harmony 688 on to a relative who really could use it. As soon as I heard about this remote, I knew I had to have one. As someone who is excited about the Media Center Extender abilities of the new Xbox 360 (because I've been looking for a way to hear my multiple gigabytes of mp3's and wma's through my home theater's sound system), I was thrilled to find out that I'd be able to use a Harmony remote to control the 360.
I really need say only one thing about this remote (or any other Harmony remote, for that matter), and that is that once you've used this device for a week or two, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Sure, I've got small gripes about the Harmony 360. Because of the added Xbox 360 compatibility, some of the buttons usually present on other Harmony remotes (such as Sound, Picture, Page Up/Down, and dedicated Activity buttons) have been replaced by the YXAB buttons necessary to emulate the Xbox 360 controller's inputs. Additionally, the number pad feels as if it's been squished into the bottom of the remote; the number buttons are extremely small and very tightly packed together, and I've already inadvertently switched to the wrong channel several times. And then there's the price: $130 initially seems a bit high for a remote. However, I firmly believe--and I don't say this lightly--that this remote is worth every penny of its price tag (even without the $30 rebate for 360 owners). Ultimately, these gripes are very minor drawbacks to one of the best universal remote controllers ever.
The biggest draw of the Harmony remote--and what sets it apart from the other 99% of universal remotes available today--is its simplicity. Whereas other universal remotes have a dizzying array of buttons and modes for individually controlling every component of a home theater system, the Harmony keeps things simple by operating a home theater the way it should be operated: by understanding and executing the activities that the user wishes to experience. When I want to watch DirecTV, for example, I simply press the large Activities button at the top of the Harmony remote, which then displays all of the available activities on the backlit, easy-to-read screen. I then press the button next to the option for "Watch DirecTV," at which time the remote turns on my television and switches to the Video 1 input, turns on my home theater system and switches it to the Video 1 input, and then turns on my DirecTV reciever.
What's even better is that the remote's "Smart State Technology" is cognizant of the power status (on/off) and current input setting (video 1/2/3/etc) of all of my devices, so that I always get to do what I want when I press that Activity button. And even when something isn't quite right (such as having the sound system set to the wrong input, resulting in no audio--which occasionally happens), the remote's Help button guides the user through a step-by-step troubleshooting procedure that even the most technologically impaired can use, by asking questions such as "Is the stereo receiver on?" or "Is the stereo receiver set to the Video 1 input?" As soon as you press the "no" button, the remote then changes the input of the stereo receiver and asks, "Did that fix the problem?" Because of this activity-based functionality and intuitive help system, my wife can operate our fairly complex home theater system like a pro, even though she doesn't have the first clue as to how each component is connected to all of the others. For those of you who have friends and family who are "technologically challenged" (and you know that we all do), this is the perfect gift.
The remote's setup couldn't be any easier, either. Programming the remote is accomplished using Logitech's web-based software and a mini-USB cable (included in the box). You simply input the brand and model number of each of the components you desire to control with the Harmony, and the software automatically configures all of the buttons and settings, in addition to suggesting which "Activities" (such as Watch TV, Play Xbox, Watch a DVD, Listen to CDs, Play Radio, etc) it can setup for you on the remote. After initial setup, the software allows you to add and remove devices, activities, and even individual button functions, so if one feature is working exactly as you'd planned you can manually "teach" the Harmony a specific command from that device's own remote and program it to a specific button. I, for instance, wanted my Harmony's "back" button to jump to the previous channel on my DirecTV receiver, so adding the new command was as simple as pointing my DirecTV remote at my Harmony, telling the web-based software to learn a new command, and then pressing the "back" button on my original DirecTV remote. Voila!
THe design, styling, and fit-and-finish of the Harmony 360 remote are top-notch. Even though I prefer the TiVo-esque design and button layout of my old Harmony 688, the 360 remote is nice; and it's definitely sleeker and sexier-looking than the 688 (or just about any other Harmony remote, for that matter). It also has a nice, solid, and substantial feel to it; it doesn't feel as if it's simply made of flimsy, brittle plastics. Bottom line: if you're home theater setup includes more than just a television and an Xbox 360, then go buy this remote now. If you don't have an Xbox 360 but your home theater has more than one or two components, then go buy this or any other Harmony remote now. Truly, the greatest products and technologies are those that are so successful that we can't imagine how we ever got along without them (the Web, anyone?), and this remote definitely falls into this category. -
"beautiful remote with great functionality, yet failed basic design" on by neegeewah
Pros: easy to program, looks beautiful, flawless harmony functioning you'd expect from logitech
Cons: terrible ergonomics (something you'd never expect from logitech)
Summary: i've been wanting a harmony remote for the last few months and once i saw that logitech made one for the 360, i snatched it up without hesitation. it really is as easy to set up as it's supposed to be and it worked all of my components flawlessly. ultimately, i was dissatisfied and returned it after a week of use, simply because i could not get used to the feel of the remote.
for something made by logitech, the ergonomics of the device are terrible. don't get me wrong - it works great and looks beautiful. it's just that the remote does not feel right in my hand and it's difficult to navigate by feel alone, as i constantly needed to look down at the remote to visually locate the correct buttons. it just wasn't as intuitive to use as previous remotes i've owned have been. you may notice from angled/profile views of the remote that it's razor thin near the top of the remote, and thicker towards the bottom. i feel that this design causes the remote to feel unbalanced in a user's hand, depending on which navigation buttons are being used. not only does it feel unbalanced to hold, but the weight and design of the device does not even allow it to lay down horizontally when placed on a table; rather, it rests at a slight diagonal from top to bottom. its thinness is nice (even at it's thickest point, near the base, it's still quite thin), but i think that consistency from top to bottom would have been a better design choice.
my biggest complaint with the remote lies with the channel up/down and volume up/down buttons, which unfortunately are the buttons everyday users will tend to use most frequently. while most of the buttons on the remote have a soft, easy to press feel to them, the main controls (the dvd navigational arrows, ok button, glow button, and volume and channel controls) are made of a stiff material that must be pressed in quite hard to the point of a noticeable "click". while i actually preferred this "click" with the glow button, the dvd navigation buttons felt awkward to use and the volume and channel controls (which are barely raised above the surface of the remote) were frustratingly unnatural to manipulate. it was not instinctive for me to simply hold the remote with one hand and raise or lower the volume with a few gentle presses, but rather it felt necessary for me to hold the remote balanced with one hand while using a fingernail or fingertip from the other hand to precisely press the button all the way down for that "click".
i really, really wanted to keep this remote for its stylish looks and wonderful harmony functioning. however, after much debate, i decided i just couldn't hold onto it due to the frustration it caused me every time i tried to change a channel or raise or lower the volume.
overall, with the advanced universal remote for the xbox 360, logitech has developed a product that succeeds with flying colors on its functionality, but ultimately fails in its design. this is a surprising failure coming from a company like logitech. i'm debating trying out the harmony 880. hopefully, i'll find the 880 more ergonomically satisfying. -
"A must have for a multi-system home theater" on by mcmt4
Pros: Simplicity and ease setting up
Cons: Audible clicking noice when engaging buttons
Summary: All in all this remote has eliminated the need for all the remotes necessary to run a multi-system home theater. The TV, HDTV PVR Cable box, Xbox 360, DVD, AV Receiver, and Pre Amp can all be controlled by this unit. The activities button, which can be customized depending on how you want to set up the home theater, works like a charm. My wife, who for years has chastized me about all the remotes we have, absolutely loves how easy this remote seamlessly controls every unit within our entertainment setup.
One complaint - The buttons, rather than having a soft rubber construction, are made of rigid plastic and make an audible clicking noice when engaged. And if you are channel surfing, the clicking is more annoying the your spouse complaining about the channel surfing.
Highly recommended! -
"Very Solid Universal Remote" on by o2bnited
Pros: supports thousands of devices, powerful programming customizations, added convenience for XBox 360 owners
Cons: software is still improving, finish wears off of buttons after several months of use
Summary: I have used this remote for over a year and have enjoyed it immensely. Ever since buying it, I tossed aside remotes for my other devices and used the Logitech to control my TV, my DVR, my XBox 360, and even my Mac Mini a time or two.
I had no trouble setting up the remote initially, but when I went to fine tune the controls using the software, I ran into some minor snags. The software has gone through a few revisions since then, and it seems to have fixed the major issues, but there are still lingering problems. For example, in the programming for specific devices, if you remove an entire page (set of 4) commands, it does not collapse the page for you, so I have several blank pages that I have to page through if I want to get to the end of the list of commands.
Other than that issue, though, I have found the remote to be relatively flawless. The "Help" button is a favorite of mine, and didn't seem to be mentioned in the CNet review--basically, if you try to start a certain activity, and things aren't quite right, you can press the Help button and it will guide you through a series of prompts to get everything setup correctly. This is helpful if the remote isn't quite close enough to the TV when you press the button, for example. Click Help, it asks if the TV is on, you say no, it turns it on and asks if the TV is on again, you click yes, and you are done. Very handy, especially for those that are using the remote but aren't intimately familiar with the programming.
As time has passed, the cost of the remote has dropped from about $100 (which I paid) to something closer to $60 or so. I would still likely pay the full $100 for this remote and have recommended it to several friends as well.
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