Harmony 880 - One remote does it all
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This is were the more expensive Universal Remotes come in, amongst them the Harmony 880. I've been very reluctant to spending $200 dollars for a remote, but this deal for $99 over the holidays was very tempting, so I just had to order it. Actually I first ordered the Harmony 670, but canceled that order when I found out that the 880 was going to be on sale shortly thereafter.
In order to program this remote and connect it with all of your devices, you will need to connect it to your PC via an included USB cable and then use the included software. While I do see a privacy issue with Logitech knowing which products you own and storing this information on their website, the advantage is that they can manage the information about all supported remotes centrally and also backup your settings in case you have to reinstall the software or switch computers. At this point I should probably also mention that if your device is not in the Logitech database, the system will also allow you to program the universal remote based on an existing remote you might have. You simple point your old remote at the sensor of the universal remote and activate the commands as their software tells you to.
The remote comes with a charger base station, so you don't have to worry about buying batteries. The charger base has a constant blue light on it - probably just for effect, but I'd have it rather not use additional power. The remote itself has a motion sensor, so the clear screen will light up automatically when you pick it up.
The main advantage of a Universal Remote like this is that it contains action settings, like "Watch TV" or "Watch a DVD". Which works great. For example "Watch a DVD" will turn on your TV, DVD player and audio receiver. It will know to use the audio controls of the receiver and stop/play/etc. controls of your DVD player. It also will set the TV to the correct input type. Plus, even if you later own manually switch between devices etc., the "off" switch of the remote will turn off devices that you have turned on while using the remote. This also means though that you should not turn devices on/off or switch inputs without using the remote, since the remote will then assume the wrong starting point when you try using it. Basically the remote keeps track of all the device settings, in order to know what is required to change settings. This is very useful for example if you have a single "toggle" switch on your TV that "rotates" through a number of input sources.
I think the biggest challenge in creating this system is to make the programming of the remote as easy as possible, and Logitech partially succeeded. Setting up most of your basic functionality is really straight forward and easy (at least for someone as technically inclined as myself), but try to create custom functionality (i.e. a setting for listening to cable radio) and things get a little more complicated. I have yet to figure out how to tell the remote that after it turns on the receiver and cable box, the channel is to be controlled with the cable box and the volume is to be controlled with the receiver.
All in all a great and useful product, especially so your wife (love you, btw) doesn't call you and asks you which devices to turn on when she wants to watch a DVD ;-)
Update on February 15, 2008 11:19
I am so glad we added this update area to the reviews, since I forgot something really important that I've been meaning to add to this review.
There is something I don't like about the remote and that I have trouble getting used to even after having it for several months: The arrangement of the keys is somehow counter-intuitive for me. For example, when I try to blind type a channel number, I will frequently manage to hit the wrong key. Also I sometimes end up pressing the record button when I am trying to use the cable box menu.
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Harmony 880 Made By:
Logitech Purchased at: Dell.ca Price: $99 Category: Electronics / Remote Controls Published: January 20, 2008 02:28
Harmony 880 Made By:
Logitech Purchased at: Dell.ca Price: $99 Category: Electronics / Remote Controls Published: January 20, 2008 02:28
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Frank
Rank: 242nd
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Gender: Male
Age: 36
Education Level: college
City: Oakville
Country: Canada
Industry: Internet
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More reviews by this Author
Rank: 242nd
ShareScore: 100%
Gender: Male
Age: 36
Education Level: college
City: Oakville
Country: Canada
Industry: Internet
Position: COO
More reviews by this Author
- Here are three other reviews you may like.
1)
Sounds like a great remote. But way too pricy for me.
Is it wrong that I'm thinking this would be a great gift for my husband? LOL
Cool universal remote, can't wait to get my very own =]
If I make enough money here I might get one for my hubby. He has way too many remote controls in the living room !
Never thought about getting one of these till now.
sounds like it is a great remote. thanks
We bought a cheap one a while back, but it had a hard time recognizing what we were using, you had to press tv and then a channel or dvd and then play, and the buttons were small. You get what you pay for!
Never heard of it...but then again I don't even know which remote goes to what in my household...I have to get my hubby to turn on the TV! It sounds like after the initial programming this would be great for someone like me!
Our dish system came with a "universal" remote that is useless. I'm going to look into this remote. At this time we have a surround remote, DVD, CD, VCR, TV, and the dish remote--way too many to keep track of. I had to purchase a remote caddy just to hold them all. Even with the small quirk you mentioned in your update, this may be the one we need. Thanks.
I am going to have to look into this remote since I hate my universal remote.
We recently gave up on our home theater system because we were sick of trying to find all three remotes (tv, dvd, satellite). I think my hubby may be getting a remote for his birthday! :)
I had to laugh at the comment about your wife calling with questions about which remote to use! That's me! It sounds like once you get the thing programmed it could make things simpler.
So far we only have two remotes to live with, and we've managed. But this sounds like a universal one that actually works right.
I am the only girl in the house I don't get to touch the remote too often to know what they do!! So its sounds good!
Indeed thanks to you guys for the UPDATE feature. We must know the downside as well before buying.