Harmony Remote H688 Universal Remote Control (Silver)

4 dedicated activity buttons * interactive display * navigation controls with extra keys for TiVo and ReplayTV commands * learns the IR codes from existing remote controls to quickly set up devices * 2MB flash memory * USB cable included * requires 4 "AAA" alkaline batteries (included) * 8-1/16"W x 1-5/16"H x 2-5/16"D * warranty: 1 year

DVD players have more features, receivers have more functions, and Tivo gives you unprecedented control over everything from your MP3 collection to Monday Night Football. The future has arrived, and it's great, but there's one drawback; there are a lot of buttons to push. If you've got a stack of remote controls, each with enough buttons to control the space shuttle, the Logitech Harmony H688 remote may bring some sanity to your coffee table. The H688 offers an innovative, web-based solution to corralling all of your remote functions into one device. Although there is room for improvement in some areas, this remote exceeded our expectations, even when it was asked to control a wide range of old and new devices.

The "Activity Remote"
Universal remote controls have been around for years, promising to simplify things for home theater or stereo users. The problem with these solutions, however, is that they are largely "dumb" devices, meaning they can only be programmed by pointing them at the another remote and pressing buttons on the old remote until the new one "learns" all the functions of the old. The Harmony H688 makes this hassle a thing of the past by placing solid state memory in the remote that can be updated via a PC USB connection. The information stored on the H688 is updated via an Internet connection and Logitech's (www.logitech.com) Harmony web site. The web site contains a database of virtually every electronics product under the sun that's capable of receiving signals from a remote control. The web interface walks users through a series of steps before uploading the proper controller interfaces to the H688.

Explore all the features of the Harmony remote.
While there are other web-enabled universal remote controls out there (most of which are more expensive than the H688), the Harmony H688's unique role as an "activity remote" is what really impresses. Instead of controlling each device independently, the H688 intelligently groups remote functions into activities. Each activity--which is granted a colored button at the top of the remote--corresponds to a grouping of devices. For instance, the "Watch TV" activity does more than turn on your TV, it also turns on your Tivo, A/V receiver, and digital cable box-- anything you have defined as integral to watching TV. And because the H688 knows everything about all of these devices, it knows how you want them to interact with each other. Want your receiver to control volume instead of your TV? Based on the settings you made in the web interface, the H688 knows this and promptly pumps up the volume on the receiver when you hit the volume button. It's this kind of intelligent control of all devices in, well, harmony that really places the Harmony H688 in a league of its own.

Design
The H688 obviously takes design queues from Tivo remote controls. This is certainly not a bad thing, as the remote fits comfortably in the hand and is well balanced. The all-important activity buttons arrayed at the top make it easy to trigger groups of devices that work together to perform a single function. The LCD, which simplifies navigation through device functions, is clear and bright when the backlight is on.

While the H688 offers a wealth of buttons, there is a downside. Many are too small and the button layout suffers from a focus on fashion before function. The "activity" buttons are especially cramped, and even though they are the most important buttons on the remote, they are the only ones that lack text backlighting. The ring of buttons in the middle portion of the remote are similarly cramped and they provide poor tactile response. Tivo users might find their thumbs sore after using the center directional pad for a few hours.

Setup
Once we installed the included Harmony Remote software on our computer and connected the remote via the supplied USB cable, we went to the Harmony web setup interface. After filling in information about our home theater equipment (brands and model numbers) the interface prompted us to make selections about how we wanted our devices to interact. When the selections process is complete, the web interface packages the completed settings into a file that is uploaded to the PC. The update file is then used by the Harmony Remote software to load settings onto the H688. From start to finish, the entire settings and upload process took about 20 minutes-- a pretty painless experience. One note of caution for Mac OSX users: unlike Windows, the Mac OS will not automatically launch an executable that has been downloaded to the desktop. This can confuse the Harmony web interface, which depends on this functionality to upload and verify downloads to the H688. Fortunately, we found that we could trick the web interface into working properly if we manually launched the update executable on the Mac desktop. Better software integration on the Mac side would be a welcome improvement.

In the Den
We spent some quality couch time with the H688 and came away impressed. Apart from our ergonomic gripes, we were delighted by how much more control the unit gave us over our home theater. In many ways, we felt like we were waving a magic wand, turning on whole sets of equipment and firing up movies and CDs with a single button press. For more precise control of each device we could easily navigate to that device in the LCD menu and tinker with more specific settings. We also liked knowing that we could customize the remote for more advanced needs via the web interface. The basic settings were powerful enough, though, to offer the simplicity and control armchair commanders crave.

Pros

Excellent integration of functions across all device types
Easy setup and customization via web interface
Up-to-date and accurate database of all devices

Cons

Some cramped keys and lack of ergonomics
Mac OSX compatibility could be better

The "Activity Remote"
Universal remote controls have been around for years, promising to simplify things for home theater or stereo users. The problem with these solutions, however, is that they are largely "dumb" devices, meaning they can only be programmed by pointing them at the another remote and pressing buttons on the old remote until the new one "learns" all the functions of the old. The Harmony H688 makes this hassle a thing of the past by placing solid state memory in the remote that can be updated via a PC USB connection. The information stored on the H688 is updated via an Internet connection and Logitech's Harmony web site. The web site contains a database of virtually every electronics product under the sun that's capable of receiving signals from a remote control. The web interface walks users through a series of steps before uploading the proper controller interfaces to the H688.

While there are other web-enabled universal remote controls out there (most of which are more expensive than the H688), the Harmony H688's unique role as an "activity remote" is what really impresses. Instead of controlling each device independently, the H688 intelligently groups remote functions into activities. Each activity--which is granted a colored button at the top of the remote--corresponds to a grouping of devices. For instance, the "Watch TV" activity does more than turn on your TV, it also turns on your Tivo, A/V receiver, and digital cable box-- anything you have defined as integral to watching TV. And because the H688 knows everything about all of these devices, it knows how you want them to interact with each other. Want your receiver to control volume instead of your TV? Based on the settings you made in the web interface, the H688 knows this and promptly pumps up the volume on the receiver when you hit the volume button. It's this kind of intelligent control of all devices in, well, harmony that really places the Harmony H688 in a league of its own.

Pros

Excellent integration of functions across all device types
Easy setup and customization via web interface
Up-to-date and accurate database of all devices

Cons

Some cramped keys and lack of ergonomics
Mac OSX compatibility could be better

This universal device is the world's first remote featuring Smart State Technology Activity Control, in which you simply press an activity button such as "Watch TV" or "Watch a Movie", and the remote automatically sets up your entertainment system. The process only takes a few moments and there are no macros to program. From there, the Harmony Remote provides simple, intuitive control of even the most elaborate entertainment system. The Activities are configured through a Web wizard on HarmonyRemote.com. On this site, you'll also find a community-driven database that, together with the device's IR learning, ensures future support of the remote with all infrared-controlled devices made by any manufacturer, including TiVo, HDVCR, HDTV, Plasma Displays, Monitors, Projectors, Lighting Control, CD/DVD-R, PVR, Satellite Radios, Amplifiers, DVD Players, Receivers, Dual VCRs and even combination devices like DVD-VCR components.

The H668's Smart State technology also lets you select TV shows, movies or music titles from the interactive display. You can even control devices like lights, electric fireplaces, and PCs. This remote is equipped with a backlit 84 x 48 pixel LCD screen, 56 top-mounted hard buttons, an Infrared sensor, USB communication, and a speaker. It features 2 Megabytes non-volatile flash memory, and runs on 4 AAA batteries (included) or, you can run the remote from a PC's USB port while connected. The H668 measures 8.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches and weighs 5.8 oz.

What's in the Box
H688, Harmony Software Installation CD, USB cable, 4 AAA batteries, Quick Start Guide.

1 remote for gadget lovers
bought this remote a while back works great with all my components,i ve got the hook up in the basement ,so i got dimmer switches ,for watching a movie it turns ,on the tele,turns the right inputs for all my components on and dims the lighting,and i set it all up on my pc ,as easy as 123 ,great remote

2 The Prince of TOADs
If you've owned a few TV's, you've surely kissed some TOADs - Toggle-Only Actuated Devices. Most TV's require you to press an 'Input' button several times to get to the input you want; there's no button for, say, Video 6.

Truth is, the electronics manufacturers actually do have discrete codes for things like inputs, off/on, etc. but don't put them on their remotes. They save them for high-end installers who use them in macro remotes, and you & I have to go to extraordinary means to make use of them in an average home theater.

Enter Harmony. When you set up a Harmony remote "Activity", you get the full compliment of discrete codes for your devices, so that every time you hit "Watch DVD", the devices you want are powered up and the input you want is active, without any actuator toggling. Average joes like you and me have been waiting a long time for this kind of custom-installed work.

Sure, the buttons suck. They're tiny and poorly laid-out and they feel cheap. Each feels a little like the last, so it's hard to tell what you're pressing by feel alone. As far as the other cons go, you'll be relying on Logitech, which I don't like to do. The website is a bit of a pain and support is so-so.

But the pros definitely make the device a must-have for complex DIY home theaters. There has never been such an easy way to get discrete codes and kiss those TOADs goodbye.

3 Great concept, poor execution
The nice thing about the Harmony 688 is that it can handle the most complex audio visual configurations. I have two TiVo's hooked up to different TV inputs, with sound handled by a separate amplifier and speaker system and audio switching handled by a Radio Shack switchbox. The 688 will switch from one to the other with a single button press.

Setting it up is a bit of a pain, since it must be done online, and every change requires a 5 minute download. However, the system is extremely powerful. Most infrared codes are already in Harmony's database, and if yours isn't, you can record it and upload it. It does work well with Mac OSX, but you'll need to change a default in Safari to get the small download files to autorun. Some devices require a bit of tweaking to get it to work reliably, but the Harmony web site provides a great deal of control over the timing of commands, so it seems to be able to handle just about anything. One limitation is that it doesn't offer arbitrary macros, so it may be hard to automate activities that do not fit into the component-switching paradigm.

It also has all of the buttons you'll ever need to emulate virtually any remote, and an LCD display to handle any that are left out. However, the buttons themselves suck. The remote seems to be designed for looks rather than convenience. The buttons are small, and worse, have almost no separation. The tactile feedback is poor, so often a button will "click" but not register. Be sure to consider the Harmony 676 and 680, newer models with similar features and better button layout.

4 Harmony 688 BAD!!
This remote is loaded with ideas. Just that. The programers at Harmony actually made the 5 macro buttons (watch TV, watch DVD etc) not work at all. They spent at least 3 hours on the phone with me plus about 4 hours myself on their web - programming page. It will work all my electronics separately, but so will the $29 remote I bought!! The buttons and the LCD are extremely small and hard to use. I would not reccomend this remote at this price.

5 Great Technology - Small, Terrible Buttons
The Good:

This remote is perfect for people who have a large number of AV components they need to tie together. I love the web programming capabilities (though it's not as easy as it could be).

The Bad:

The buttons are simply awful! They're way too small and don't have any space between them, making it impossible to use the remote without first finding the buttons by careful visual inspection. And what's up with that silver ring for the direction buttons? It's all for looks and not for normal use.

Why can't they just make the buttons normal size like TiVo or Sony?

6 Harmony H688 - finally a universal remote that works!
This is truly a terrific universal remote that really works as advertised, and is easy to program. Most people can't program a universal remote if their life depended on it. This one is a walk in the park. But of course that only half the story, this unit does an amazing job at operating multiple devices such as DVD, TV, and a Receiver. The H688 features web-based wizard that configures and stores settings for you AV gear. You can update your remotes functionality at any time. I was a bit skeptical at first, but after 10-minutes spent programming it and then using it, I was sold. The true test of course was my wife, who can't turn the DVD on unless I'm home, now this is one less thing I have to hear about:)

7 Finally, a universal remote that really works!
I have been struggling with five remotes to control my DLP TV (Samsung), AVR (Denon), DVD player (Denon), TiVo, and Sci-Atlanta Cable Box HDTV DVR (8000-HD).

Controlling all of the above was a daunting task of juggling 5 remotes, so I got the Pronto Pro, and six months later, found juggling the 5 remotes more practical than using the Pronto Pro, which relies on a LCD pannel for most of the controlling.

Then I saw the Harmony h688. It looked very ergonomic, just like my prized TiVo remote, and had PVR buttons on the remote as well. I read some reviews which claimed programming would be easy.

This was the best purchase I have made all year! Within 25 minutes, I had the remote talking to all my components, including the following tasks:
1. Watch HDTV
2. Watch TiVo
3. Listen to Music
4. Watch a DVD
5. Use Computer
6. PC with TiVo

For all of the above, the remote would switch all the right equipment to the right inputs and knows the status of each equipment (on or off). For "PC with TiVo", it would set my Audio to TiVo, my picture to PC (DVI), and have a PIP with TiVo in it.

Everything worked as advertized within the fist 25 minutes!

(...)

8 Poor Buttons & Web Site Configuration Tool Needs Work
I bought this remote hoping to replace my Sony RM-VL900 (which I love but programming it's a pain).

First, the buttons on the H688 are flimsy and small. Feeling your way around the remote is difficult. The directional buttons (up, down, left, right) are on a small metal ring and pressing it repeatedly becomes painful - especially if you're a heavy TiVo user.

Programming this remote from the web site is also a mess unless you have a very basic setup. I have a TiVo, DVD, amp, TV and satellite box. Took me over 4 hours to worm my way around all the configuration steps and choices until I got it where I liked it.

If they could make the buttons more like the Sony RM-VL900 and improve the web site, I would recommend this remote to others. Right now, I'd say the Sony is a better bet even though you have to manually program it.

9 finally, I can put all my original remotes away
If you can consider $200 for a remote, then buy one. Instead of replacing individual remote controls the unit easily programs itself to use your system-which is a complicated feat when you listen to your TV through a stereo and use a cable box or dish to control the channels.

When I got the unit, I went to the harmony web site and told it what components I have-then I set up activities like watch TV. The web site asked what I watched TV on. (The TV of course.) Then it asked what I used to change the channels. I choose the cable box. Then it asked how to control the volume-I play the sound through my stereo. It then asked the what input to set the stereo to when watching TV and what input the TV uses to tune the cable box. Now when I hit the "Watch TV" button the remote turns on the stereo, TV and cable box, set the stereo to the proper input and sets the TV to receive the cable box. The channel buttons operate the cable box and the volume buttons work the stereo. The unit knows just how long to wait after turning something on before it tries to send further commands. In the mean time it can operate the other components. Way cool!

The remote knows what components to turn off and on when you change activities. So if after watching TV I want to listen to the radio-with one button the remote turns the TV and cable box off and sets the stereo to my favorite radio station.

That's just a couple of examples of what the remote can do. The online database has all the codes I needed to get started and I fine tuned the functions on the remote after the initial setup.

To answer the previous post, the unit can work input selection where you have to hit the input button until you get the desired input as opposed to a button that directly selects the input. I knows how many inputs are in the cycle and counts how many times it needs to send the code. The "help" button prompts you through getting the remote back in sync with components if you change the inputs manually.

The remote also has device mode where it works like a dedicated remote for each component-in case you don't like the "activity" model.

I have the H688 since it has page up and page down buttons I frequently use with my Replay TV digital video recorder-choose the unit that has the buttons you need.

10 I'd like to know how this deals with discrete codes...
My biggest challenge is my TV doesn't support discrete codes. I'd like to know if anyone has had success with this remote and being able to use it to switch across components.

The rating is irrelevant, I've never touched the product.