Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $223.88 You Save: $26.11 (10%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $89.99 (click here) Category: Speakers See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Super product
Summary: 5 Stars
I had an old universal remote, but with all the specialized buttons on equipment these days, it had become obsolete. You pretty much have to have something with a screen that can display the correct names of the various specialty buttons, or else you need to be really good at memorizing stuff.
I not only wanted something that could control EVERY feature of EVERY device, but it also had to be convenient. When you have to go into the receiver mode to change something on the receiver, then into the cable box mode to change something there, then into the TV mode to change something there, well, it's actually easier to just pick up the remotes that came with the devices than to push all those buttons on the universal remote.
I'm happy to say that this Harmony 880 does everything I could ever want a remote to do. It can easily control every feature of every device, but also do it with the utmost of convenience. I really didn't think too much of the "Activity" mode before I purchased this, but once I started using it, I realized it's a truly brilliant idea. It makes all the difference when it comes to convenience. For instance, in the "Watch TV" activity mode, I've programmed the remote to control all functions of the cable box, allow me to go into the menu on the TV, and control often-used features (like surround sound mode) on the receiver, all at the same time. Without having to go into different modes on the remote. Very, very cool! Of course you can choose which button controls what, and label the buttons next to the screen exactly the way you want them.
But nothing is perfect - I was having a problem with programming certain buttons in the software, after which I would hit "Done", which is supposed to save your changes, but my changes weren't being saved. I called up Harmony support, and got a hold of a very nice gentleman from Canada. We figured out the problem - I had programmed the exact same command into two different buttons. It doesn't like that. Once I deleted one of those, everything went back to working perfectly.
I'm using Windows Vista, and other than the little confusion I just mentioned, the software seems to work just fine.
Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with this item. It truly does everything I could want it to do, allows total customization, looks very stylish, has an excellent button layout, and even has a recharging base so I never have to worry about running down the batteries. A solid 5 stars.
Customer Review: The best remote I have ever used - Period.
Summary: 5 Stars
What could be more brilliant than being able to go online to the Harmony website, choose the IR remote profiles for every piece of gear in your AV system, have all the necessary commands linked together for one button selection of the desired activity (watch TV, watch a DVD, listen to music, etc), and then download all of that complex programming into the Harmony 880 via a USB connection from your Mac or PC? The process is so well engineered that it almost makes you giggle at its genius. All of that programming could take an entire afternoon with other fancy remotes (like the Sony Remote Commanders that I fussed with in the past) - the Harmony 880 gets it all perfectly set up in an hour or less, and you can return to your online profile at any time to quickly update the remote for changes you may make in your equipment.
The 880 is especially suited to DVR operation, with the button mapping working very well with TiVo systems - something that many other remotes do not do well. The writing on some of the buttons is very small - something my wife complains about - but you eventually learn the layout and don't need to see the labels. Forget changing batteries - the remote charges itself in its cradle (with a slick little circular LED to help you find it in a darkened room).
There is also an intellegent built-in help feature that will walk you through the steps necessary to get your components properly managed if a device is somehow set incorrectly. That can happen if someone manually switches an input or turns a unit on or off without using the remote. The help wizard works incredibly well.
Before buying this unit I had an earlier model - the Harmony 680. One day after a couple of years of use it just died. The extra few dollars the 880 cost were worth the added convenience of the charging cradle (the 680 chewed through batteries regularly), and the color display which is easier to read. Otherwise they function in much the same manner. It was interesting to find that when I went online to program my new 880, all I had to do was update my profile to change from the 680 to the 880. I then went straight to the download, and in a minute or so I had all of the functionality of the recently deceased 680 perfectly mapped into the 880. If only everything this potentially complex could be made so simple.
Nothing else (at this price) comes close. I heartily recommend the Harmony 880, and will surely buy another one if this one ever dies on me.
Customer Review: All-in-One-Derful!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to buying this product, I visited logitech's website and test drove their online tutorial/configuration tool for the harmony remote. The registration process took less than 5 minutes, after that I found myself configuring the appliances that I have (42" HDTV Panasonic, Yamaha 6.1 AV Receiver, Sony DVD, and Hughes Satelite Receiver). After a few clicks and confirmations, all my appliances are fully configured. Now that's out of the way, time to set my activities such as Watch TV, Watch DVD, Listen to Radio, Play Game, Listen to XM Top 20). At first, I it was a little difficult, but you just have to figure out the correct inputs and you can get things to work in 20 minutes. T configure "Watch TV" I set the TV to Input 2 (Component) + Yamaha Receiver DTV/CBL + Hughes Satelite Receiver to "ON" and everything else was "Off". Next "Watch DVD" I set the TV to Input 2 (Component) + Yamaha Receiver to DVD to "On" and everyting else to "Off". Next "Listen to Radio" I set the Yamaha Receiver to Tuner and "On" and everything else "Off", Ok.. you get the idea. Once everything was configured the way I want it (things may not work right the first time around, but you can always adjust it later). Time to download the information to the remote. Connect the remote and press "Update" and wait about 5 minutes (which I think could be faster). The remote reboots itself after the update and you can then unplug and try your "Activities Action". Oh yeah, make sure your appliances are set "Off" the first time. Point it and press the appropriate action and you should see your appliances turn on. For me, I tested "Watch TV" and sure enough, my TV turned on and switched to Input 2 + Satellite Receiver + Yamaha switched to DTV/CBL = One Touch Solution!!! Let's say you want to switch from Watching TV to DVD? Press Activities and select "Watch DVD". For me, what it does is keep the TV On + Switches the Receiver to DVD Mode + Turns On the Sony DVD Player and actually turns off the satellite receiver. You can toggle between Activities if wish!
Overall, I've only been testing the remote for a few hours and found it very useful. The next test is to actually modify the commands for each buttons pressed. I believe that this is a great investment if you have a lot of remotes that you control your different equipments... in short, less clutter!
Oh yeah, I don't work for Logitech!!! Just simply expressing my opinion on this great product.
Thanks!
Customer Review: one of the best universal remotes!
Summary: 5 Stars
this is a great universal remote. I have tried many and this one is really worth the money if you're in search of something to replace all your remotes and -still- be able to control every small esoteric function of your surround reciever or DVD player. Logitech's database of remotes it always growing, staying up to date, so you can update it to work with any new equipment you get. The programming part of it takes a little time, but it's not too complicated. Adding and removing devices from the profile is pretty easy, editing and adding specific control buttons from your devices remotes can be a little tricky.. but once it's all done, this thing is like buttha! put all those other remotes down and sit on your couch with that one magic device.. ahhh, yes. It feels nice. :)
Every function from all my remotes was available to program and in many cases the default layout was almost perfect.. I had to tweak things a little, especially for my suround controls, but all in all when you add a device to the profile, the buttons they chose to add were actually the most useful ones. yay. Anyways, the LCD screen wraps around, so I can bury less used controls in the second page of the LCD, like all the surround modes + tweak speaker levels of my Yamaha surround receiver which I like to tweak a lot, then have all the most commonly used functions on the first page of the LCD..
Battery life is pretty good. I can leave the remote off it's cradle for days and it only goes down one bar... I use the remote a LOT also.. the only thing about the cradle I have noticed is that it needs to have the charging contacts wiped down often otherwise they don't make connection with the remote and it will not charge.. oh well. One other thing is I wish the volume up down button was larger and less surrounded by other buttons.. it's not always easy to find the vol button, then while your feeling for it it's too easy to hit mute.. again, not a show stopper, but worth a mention...
I think this remote is worth the money if your looking to control a whole home theater system with many devices which have many very specific remote fuctions. If you're only looking to control a TV, DVD player, and a cable box, you'd be better off with something more simple. This is a real home theater enthusiast remote. I love mine.. my wife loves it also.. only one button now to play a DVD.. yay. no more calls "honey, which mode to I need to play a...". whew.. thanks Logitech!
Customer Review: Best remote over owned...by far!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned several "universal" remotes in the past. However, I made the mistake of buying the cheap ones hoping they could solve my "too many remotes" problem. They failed to, each and every time. Until I decided to fork over a little more money and try the Harmony 880.
I am amazed at how awesome this product is. Remember the days of setting up a remote that involved trying each and every code for your brand of device, only to find that one code turns on the device but won't turn it off? Or that no code works? Or better yet, you've got a device remote with a specific function that your new universal remote doesn't have? Those days are over. With the Harmony 880, you have an extremely easy setup and a remote that has ALL the buttons your specific device's remote has. You can even change the assignment of keys, or the order of buttons on the screen, to your liking.
The best part of this remote comes though when you have someone using your system that is not familiar with it (whether it's guests or your wife). I no longer have to post instructions on how to turn everything on and off when guests are in town, or worry about those calls from my wife when she can't get the TV/DVR/Stereo on. One push of a button and everything happens automatically (powers on appropriate devices and sets inputs accordingly), including turning everything off. I can't tell you the number of times my wife would hit the button on our DirecTV remote that is supposed to turn off the TV and DVR, only to have it turn off the DVR. I don't know about you, but I'd like for my $1,500 TV to turn off as well. The same goes for my receiver...I'm not a fan of it staying on all night because the user forgot to turn it off.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't only convenient when the novice user is trying to watch TV, or turn it off. It saves me from grabbing multiple remotes and adjusting settings on each device individually. I also programmed in an activity that turns on the DVR and stereo, and turns it to my favorite satellite radio channel. This of course is in addition to the normal Watch TV, Watch Blu Ray, Listem to FM Radio activities.
To top it off, I just setup the background this morning to display a Denver Broncos logo! Are you freaking kidding me?!?!
The only regret I have is that I didn't buy this remote sooner. It's absolutely worth every penny.
NOTE - I have had no issues with the charger.