Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
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Our Price: $175.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $70.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Great Remote
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got this remote with some reservations after reading some of the reviews others have written. So far this remote has done everything it advertises with few extra features not expected.
First off, when setting up and tweaking your remote the download process does take more than a few minutes just as other reviewers have mentioned. Just realize that if you make adjustments it will take 5-10 minutes for it to download the file to the remote via USB. But to start with, the standard settings for your A/V components will allow you to start using the remote out the the box. Over time make small adjustments to best operate your components and their features you use most. The software that comes with this remote is pretty good and I really like how it lets you customize each button to your liking. I have not had any problem running this on Windows 2000 with 1 GB memory. This software was a welcomed feature and made customizing this product to my A/V components very easy.
Some have mentioned that the buttons seem "cheap", but I don't feel that the button design or quality is an issue. Some buttons might take a little getting used to, but the overall quality should hold up. Having all the buttons glow with a back light is a feature that is welcomed in my dark home theatre.
I have tried several other cheaper universal remotes with the attempt to get down to just one remote, and they have all failed. This remote is the first remote to accomplish this task and I am looking at adding a few other devices like my video recorder and custom lighting controls. But the true test is that my wife can use this remote to completely control our system and does not complain, but exclaims how easy it is to use (Thank you Logitech!!!). I highly recommend this product.
Customer Review: Love it!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am probably more excited about this remote than I am about anything else in my home theater system! Okay, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration (the 52" Sony is pretty nice), but I am pleased beyond expectation with what this device can do.
Pros:
- Wizard walks you through the initial setup quickly and easily. Took me 45 minutes from opening the plastic packing container to having a fully-functional one-remote solution. Hardest part was getting the remote out of its packing.
- On-line database means your remote will not become obsolete the minute you buy a new component. And if you find a component not in their database (good luck!), it can learn from that component's remote.
- Logitech's activity based approach means you only have to hit one button and you switch from watching TV to watching DVD's to listening to CD's. The remote turns everything on and off and switches all the inputs.
- Product feels and looks good. Not cheap. After two months of use it shows no signs of wear or deterioration.
- Although the initial wizard-driven setup will satisfy 90% of users, for gadget freaks like myself, you can customize to your hearts delight. You might find something you can't do, but you'll have to work hard to find it.
- And it feels good in your hand, not cheap. I've used it for 2 months now and it shows no sign of wear or deterioration.
Cons:
- The monochrome LCD screen is just okay.
- The buttons around the LCD are a bit small. Since these are frequently used, they could be a little beefier.
- No RF
The pros are all great, and the cons are to be expected at this price point. I did a lot of research on this, and I'm very happy with my choice. Highly recommended.
Customer Review: Harmony at last
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally, a remote that actually makes our home theater system intuitive for everyone, including my wife and guests. No longer does she have to juggle three remotes and remember how to navigate the input menu on the TV, remember which input on the receiver is set to which device, or juggle remotes just to change the channel or the volume. Just press "Watch cable" and poof everything turns on to the right input. Same for Watch a DVD, or play xbox 360 (it will even turn on the console), etc.
For me the setup was fairly intuitive, although I have more computer experience than most. The software recognized all of my components from the start and so far I have not had a need to make it "learn" any commands from my remotes. After starting an activity the fact that the four buttons tied to the LCD display become "soft" buttons that can be customized for your most used functions that may not have a space on the remote is brilliant. These can be set up in multiple pages, allowing for additional commands to be programmed in that may not be used as often but are still important. Also, pressing the devices button allows for extensive control of a single device for getting into some of the more in-depth functions of a component.
The style of this remote is perfect for us - I have no desire for the gaudy full color screen or finding a place to set the charging cradle for the higher-end models and this one is classy and actually quite thin. Being able to just swap out the batteries when they get low is better to me than having to remember to set the thing on a charger.
All in all, I am very impressed and very pleased with this Christmas gift from my wife - although I wonder if it wasn't as much for her as it was for me!
Customer Review: One of the best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Logitech Harmony 550 for well over two years and I still think it is one of the best remotes, period. The initial setup was easy using the pre-defined device settings from the web based configurtaion tool. They are about a 90% solution, in my opinion, and I really appreciated being able to "tinker" with the settings and fine-tune them over time. I saw one person comment that they don't have a "period" button, so they can't enter digital TV channels. I fixed that early on by using my original remote to program the "*" button to be the dot. It has worked perfectly since.
About a year ago, I started having trouble with my DVR not powering on as part of the startup sequence, so I reprogrammed the "B" button to toggle the power on my DVR when I am in my "Watch DVR" activity mode.
The fact that the primary focus of this remote is activity based - Watch TV, Watch DVR, Watch DVD, Play radio, Use laptop, Play Wii, etc. makes it incredibly easy for most anyone to pick up "my" remote and control all of my entertainment devices, without knowing which device is which, or what inputs to select, or any of the other quirks of my configuration. And if the initial activity button doesn't quite work right, the Help button does an amazing job of walking through the individual steps to get everything configured correctly.
I have also added other odds and ends of new equipment over the years, and I found it was easy to go back to the configuration program and add them in to the remote.
I use rechargeable NiMH batteries in the remote and only have to recharge them a few times per year.
My wife says this is the best "techie" thing I have ever had. For her, it just works.
Customer Review: Universal Harmony
Summary: 5 Stars
This product made me an my family so happy; it inspired me to write this, my first review ever. A friend was raving about the best universal remote he'd ever used. I was jealous, but because our current remote worked I only half listened. Two days later our old remote dropped in a glass of water and never recovered.
I looked up the Logitech Harmony 550. It sounded impressive, but I was skeptical and a bit taken back by the price. I trusted my friend and purchased the remote. .
It delivers flawlessly on everything it claims to do. Programming was a little time consuming but not difficult. It took me about 45 minutes to do it the first time and less than 30 when programming my parent's remote. Software is provided. You enter the model number of your components and answer some questions on your computer. The investment of a little time up front is what will make this remote perform better than any other you've ever tried.
The remote's screen clearly identifies all activities, provides choices, and offers help if something is amiss. A single button press initiates a chain reaction of commands that sets up your equipment for the activity you selected. The babysitter loves it. Our friends are envious. My three year old daughter can operate it even though she cant read. My grandmother, god rest her soul, who always secretly cursed "the remotes" and all those darn buttons, could have operated the Harmony 550 without her glasses.
I can't sing enough praises for this product. My wife, who was more leery about the price of the remote than I was, agrees that it was worth every penny. Try it, you'll love it. What is the worst thing that can happen? You can always return it.