3 dedicated activity buttons * interactive display * navigation controls * 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 1-1/4"H x 2-5/16"D * warranty: 1 year
If you've got a stack of remote controls, each with enough buttons to control the space shuttle, the Logitech Harmony H659 remote may bring some sanity to your coffee table. The H659 offers an innovative, web-based solution to corralling all of your remote functions into one device. 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 H659 makes this hassle a thing of the past by placing 2 MB of solid state memory in the remote that can be updated via a PC USB connection. The information stored on the H659 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 H659.
Explore all the features of the Harmony 659 remote. |
While there are other web-enabled universal remote controls out there (most of which are more expensive than the H659), the Harmony H659's unique role as an "activity remote" is what really impresses. Instead of controlling each device independently, the H659 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 A/V receiver and digital cable box-- anything you have defined as integral to watching TV. And because the H659 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 H659 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 H659 in a league of its own.
Design
The H659 is well-designed and the buttons are logically laid out. 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 directional buttons at the center of the button are handy for DVD menus and digital cable interfaces. The LCD, which simplifies navigation through device functions, is clear and bright when the backlight is on.
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 H659. 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 H659. 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 H659 and came away impressed. 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 - Mac OSX compatibility could be better
1 Did not stack up
I thought this remote would be the answer I was looking for to control all of my components but I was very disappointed. I could not get the "Watch TV" and "Watch a Movie" buttons to function properly. Just about every time I would press one of the buttons the remote would fail to turn on one of my components (usually the cable box).
I was constantly going back to the setup menu to reprogram it and change delay times. After a week of this I went back to using the individual remotes.
2 Awesome! A well thought-out product!
This thing is awesome! I am a self-confessed geek, so having 6 or 7 remotes never really bothered me, but it drove my wife nuts! I made up a nice, colored chart for the inputs for the TV and AV Receiver, but she was never happy with it.
Along comes the Harmony remote. Now, one remote controls everything (TV, Receiver, Cable Box, VCR, DVD, TiVo). The "activity" keys are great - one touch sets all the devices for playing a DVD, or watching TV, or watching HDTV.
The remote feels much like the TiVo remote - very comfortable in the hand, all the keys are easy to reach.
Programming is very easy - just enter the manufacturer and model number of each of your components on the Harmony remote website, walk through the menus to set up your activity buttons, connect the remote to the computer via USB and viola!
The help key is well thought out, too. If something does not work right when you press and activiy button, the help function will walk you through getting it set properly.
The reviewer who said you have to "stare at the help screen" to set a specific component was wrong (or not digitally savvy to use his term). If you press the "device" key on the remote, you can control each individual device very easily.
Overall, I give this thing a 5 out of 5!
3 A reasonably priced USB Remote that works
With 5 remote on the table things were getting out of hand, and the wife was getting downright hostile.
Tried a Sony AV3100 but it was too difficult to set up with my equipment.
The 659 is a breeze. 95% of the set up was done with the USB, minor troubleshooting and 2 learning functions later and it was good to go.1 button and the DVD is on, a 2nd button and you can switch to HDTV, or the tuner etc.With one button, it turns on the components, selects the inputs while sit back and relax
I just ordered 2 more. One for my mother who is hopeless at getting her system working, she can never remember which remote does what.
Manual does not have alot of information, but there is a downloadable manual available. I downloaded it but did not need it. Need phone support, the people at Logitech are top notch, quick answers and very pleasant and helpful.
4 does not feel good, complicated to setup as desired
the buttons on this remote are very hard. nothing like the nice squishy rubber on my TiVo remote or my Pioneer tuner's programmable universal remote. it doesn't fit or feel good in the hand or fingers.
It is also prone to getting into strange states if one of your devices didn't receive its command. Instead of just seeing that "oh, the tv didn't turn on or off" and pressing one button to fix that you have to stop, stare at the screen and follow its little menu guided button presses to "fix" things. that may be desirable for digitally clueless people who don't understand that all devices have a simple set of states but certianly not for me or my so.
setup is a bit complicated but they've done a reasonably job of trying to hide the complexity from the types of mortals that will be setting it up. just hope your equipment is supported directly as programming in remote codes for other devices is tedious.
i bought this, tried it for a week, let it sit on the shelf for a month and "returned" it by selling it on ebay.
5 does what it says
the hardest part of this is getting all the model numbers of your equipment together. the website walks you through the whole process fairly quickly. there is some tricky wording as to how you use your system but all in all it's pretty straightforward. the only glitch i encountered was the particular remote i purchased needed a firmware update, which it did with no problem. the learning curve for the remote is small and just experimenting helps a bunch. for the money and ease of use you can't beat it.
6 At last.
Over the years I have tried countless universal remotes. The problems vary from not knowing the codes for my equipment (Usually my Marantz SR5000) and not being able to learn them (My Samsung SIR-TS360) to being difficult to remember which button does what and which buttons I have to hit to switch from watching a dvd to using tivo. This remote nailed it all. It's near perfect. It has all of the codes for all of my equipment, the activity based setup makes it easy to remember what buttons do what, and to top it of when your watching a dvd and you hit the button for using tivo it will automatically switch all of your equipment. There only seem to be 1 limitation. Other then switching modes it will not do macros, though supposidly the learning feature can handle multiple codes. Also if you wish to fully customize your remote don't expect to be done with the setup in a half hour, (or even an hour for that matter) but it's worth it.
7 It really works....It really, really works I promise
Here's the thing. I was skeptical when it came to this remote, I have had the Sony 3000, and other "wonder remotes" and they all blow. You always have to keep the other remotes to perform one off functions. No more my friends. This remote is easy to set up, it is intelligent. It has a help function on the remote to help iron out smal details. You can receive program guides on the LCD. It lights up well, and is easy to navigate. One guy said "not for heavy tivo users", well he is just a crybaby and needs to loosen up. Yes the button are at the bottom, but they work. Everything on this remote works. The USB functionality is awesome. Setting up macros is a breeze, and IT WORKS. The Macros actually work!!! Plus, with the USB you know in the future they will have all of the new codes for updated products, so it will not become obsolete. Even my wife can use this remote with no instruction, she just picked it up and went to town, she also loves it. So in conclusion, this remote is sent here by angels, and it was the best christmas present I could have ever gotten!!!
8 If you are a heavy Tivo user... think twice
Just bought this for Christmas and have been using it for about a week. We are sort of junkies in terms of electronics, and were getting sick of the pile of remotes on the coffee table, and after reading a lot of positive reviews, decided to give this a try.
First, the positives. The "activity" buttons are pretty cool, and actually do work, even in a complex set-up like ours. You press the "watch a movie" button, for instance, and watch all the components come on, the TV switch to the right input, etc. It does take maybe 10-15 seconds for the remote to send all the infrared commands for that to happen... so it will be interesting to see what kind of battery life we get.
After a week, we're thinking of exchanging it for a different model number. We are Tivo fanatics and the main problem with this remote is that the Fast-forward and Rewind buttons you use constantly when watching Tivo to get through the commericials are at the very bottom of the remote... you have to grab the remote and then shift your whole hand down, and sort of hold it by then very tip as you move backwards and forwards through the commercials. I know, I know... it sounds like a really small thing, but it's ANNOYING.
The initial set-up wasn't nearly as easy as the reviews said. The concept itself is great... the main problem is the process for walking through the set-up. Getting the components right wasn't easy, and some of the default settings weren't optimal for some of our devices--HOWEVER, it does give you the flexibility to re-program what some of the buttons do.
9 At last!!
God bless the Harmony remote! I have gone through countless "universal" remotes. Most recently, my wife (in an attempt to reduce clutter) gave me yet another for Christmas. I punched in all kinds of codes and it was yet another failure, despite a $120 price tag. I returned it and bought the Harmony for $20 more. I cannot explain how glad I am that I did!
The Harmony remote is a breeze to set-up (though it may take some time if you want to really customize it). Best of all, it worked with everything, even my ancient stereo receiver (the original remote doesn't even work for it anymore!). Now, with a single button, I can turn on my TV, switch the receiver to "DVD", turn on the DVD player, turn off my ReplayTV, switch the TV to "Input 2", and enjoy the movie! It even works flawlessly with my ReplayTV. Truly some of the best money I've ever spent. Toss your old remotes and give Harmony a chance!
10 Great remote!
This is truely a "One Remote Solution". It does everthing like it says it will. The setup is a little time consuming, but well worth the effort. The original setup will ask detailed question about your equipment and how you want the remote to respond when accessing different modes. The best part of owning this remote, is the excellent and polite customer service. I called the toll free customer support line (on hold for 2 minutes during Christmas week) and the Techie solved my problem in less than a minute. Get this remote, be patient when setting it up and enjoy!
11 Simply outstanding - the simplest and easiest remote ever
Universal remotes are seldom universal. This one really is 'universal'!
I bought my first one in 1991, by Pioneer. It was a great remote, still works today. But the single biggest frustration was that my wife, kids, etc. had to be trained how to use it. Partly my own lack of imagination on how best to combine functions, but still, it has an intimidating appearance.
And, the battery compartment cover is missing. So, I saw an ad for this remote and after investigating it I bought one.
All I can say is that my girlfriend picked it up the day after I set it up and used it without any instruction. Very successful and she's happy as can be with it! That's worth the cost all by itself! :-)
One of the neatest features about this remote, that has not been discussed here, is the help feature. If you press a button to perform an activity - like watch TV - but a piece of equipment isn't working right, you can use a help function to fix it, without getting up to use another remote or do something manually.
For example, I have an older 30" TV. If I'm watching a DVD or video tape, then switch to the Satellite, sometimes the TV will get confused and start scanning for channels (I run it on Line 1 all the time, so there are no channels setup). I can hit the help button and within a few seconds get it back to Line 1 input, right from my sofa. This is one of the many great features of the remote. Buy one or more, you will NOT regret it!
12 AWESOME!
This is the only universal remote I've ever used that actually controls EVERYTHING. I've had some that only control certain components, or that only control minimal functions of each component, but this one does it ALL. I've had no problems with it, and the setup is super easy. I have a Turtle Beach AudioTron in my setup, and it even controls that! I've NEVER found a universal remote that would control the AudioTron before. The list of components it can control seems almost endless. The only bad thing is that I didn't buy it sooner! It's WELL worth the price.
13 Incredible Remote
I love this remote!!! Awesome product. I don't know how I ever lived without it.
Amazon has a great price on this remote and free shipping. Buy this remote, you won't regret it!
14 Easy enough for the wife and kids
Yes with any universal remote you can turn on a dvd player, turn on the tv, change the input on the TV, turn on the surround sound receiver, set it to the right input, but the Harmony does this all with one button marked 'watch a movie'.
This remote is a must for anyone with a home entertainment system.
It will take you almost an hour to set it up on the internet. But it's not complicated, just time consuming to make sure all the settings are right.
Overall a great device.
15 How much do I love this remote?
TONS! This thing works as advertised. Setup was a snap and it functions EXACTLY as I want it, controlling my tv, HD receiver, DVD player, and VCR...PERFECTLY! It's exactly what I wanted in a universal remote.
16 The God of all Remotes!!
There is no other remote out there that compares. The easiest most controlling remote I have ever seen. I love this remote. It can control anything with an IR sensor from your Tv to your lights/fan or even Laptop. I work at Ultimate Electronics as a salesmen and suggest this remote to everyone.
17 Harmony Remote is the Real Deal - Really!
Finally! I have been so skeptical of remotes. No matter how good they claimed to be, I could never get any to work all of my devices. Not even close. This one does. Including a Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR, not the simplest of devices. Set up is easy, if a bit time consuming with a number of devices. You can easily get all of your basic functions to work in about half an hour, because the library of devices set up to work right away is extensive.
To get ALL of your TV, Cable, Stereo and DVD functions to work - just the way you want them - might take a couple of cycles through the setup process (downloads of settings from the internet to your remote) and a couple of hours. But it will be worth it to have one remote that the whole family can use. Yes, my wife too loves this thing.
I bought the first for the family room and now I have another on order for the living room. As a skeptic, there was no way I was buying 2 until I proved it could work. It works.
18 This is the only universal remote to buy!
I have tried several remotes, Including the"Unifier" remotes. This one is so simple and the support line took me through the set up step by step. Very patient and thorough. They are the best phone support for any product I have ever used!!!! You plug the remote into your computer(USB port) after you go to the Harmony web site, and they help you program it, then download it into your remote. It worked perfactly the first time I tried it. I went from 5 remotes to 1.
19 Best Universal Remote I have every tried...
I have several older and newer electronic devices in my entertainment system. Trying to keep up with all the remotes are trying to get a universal remote that recongnizes all of the components has been a big hassle. Until I found this remote.
My wife gets fed up trying to work with 4 remotes and gets more fed up with trying to figure out a universal remote, the switching back and forth between buttons...
The harmony remote fixes all of these problems.. Setup can take around an hour, if for any reason the remote doesn't respond as expected the Customer service is excellent. They log on to your website account to see how your remote is setup and then change the settings for you.
The activity settings that the remote have make having a multiple component system easy to operate. The remote is worth ever penny you spend on it.
20 Amazing Remote
I just purchased this remote last week. So far I cannot find any problems. The remote operated all of my devices right after the initial programming. I went from 6 remotes to 1 in about 2 hours. One of these devices was my Linksys media adapter which remote I never thought I would be able to eliminate.
It did require some tweaking through the help menus on the remote and through the online programming. After about an hour I was able to get my most used buttons and commands available and up front on the main screens. Once I got used to the online programing the process became easy.
I have not tried any command-learning because all of my devices worked. Which I found to be amazing because even the odd and seldom used commands for my Onkyo reciever and Linksys adapter were pre-programed.
I am working with Tech Support to fix problem with the Media function that lets you see what TV Shows are on. Tech support has always responded within 24 hours and we seem to be progressing towards a resolution. The problem is software related not hardware.
Beware where you purchase this device: Not all online retailers are authorized retailers and if they are not authorized then you have no warranty. I bought mine through JR's electronics who is an authorized retailer.
21 This remote rocks!!!!
I have to say that I have used now about 3 universal remotes and was about to give up and continue to use the 4 that I ordinarily need until I read about this one. The 659 is in one word - Spectacular!!!
I am an average computer user and bought this remote online about 3 weeks ago. All I can say is that it took me 15 minutes to set up out of the box FULLY PROGRAMMED!!! That to me is unheard of instead of programming and reprogramming silly numberic values to a remote which would take me days to figure out - I was again up and running with the Harmony in 10 minutes.
The remote is completely user friendly and intuitive here are my pros/cons on the remote:
Pros: 2 things set this remote apart:
(1) Great, Web-based configuration with a vast database of electronics devices. Forget about punching in obscure codes into your remote -- just select the Manufacturer and Model of your device, and you're off to the races.
(2) Activity Keys -- the simplicity of just pressing "Watch TV" or "Watch Movie" cannot be underestimated. No more powering up components, switching inputs on the A/V receiver and the TV. Just press one button, and you are doing what you're supposed to be doing: using your gear. The Harmony Remote was designed simplicity and a great experience for the end user -- not the techno geek. I bought one for my brother and brother in-law this week as gifts!!!!
Cons: I have used it for 3 weeks and have yet to find a fault with this remote.
For those who write negative comments - my only guess is that they are not computer frinedly at all b/c all you need to do is install the software and follow the prompts and you are done!! Truely a great experience in a market that is full of disappointment.
22 Not for me.
If you believe your home entertainment equipment is smarter than you then this is probably the remote for you. If, however, you believe that you are smarter than the equipment, then this remote will do nothing but frustrate you. It thinks it is *way* smarter than you, and by default includes many, many superfluous commands that just impede rather than enhance the control experience. This is really designed for people who don't understand (or remember) how their equipment works and it is intended to provide a "dummies" safe environment. If that doesn't describe you, then you will be disappointed in this remote.
23 Great remote.
This is the best remote I have ever used. It takes a little time to program it, but the time spent is worth it. It controls everything I have and evrybody in my house can use it with no trouble. I would recomend this remote to anyone who wants to get ride of a collection of remotes. The price is high, but it does what is says it will.
24 A Real Marriage Saver
I am a techno-geek. My wife is not.
She just doesn't like seeing a coffee table with four remote controls (TV, Cable Box, DVD player, TV) on it. She loves to watch movies on the home theater, but there is no way she can ever set it up to work correctly, and so if I don't do it, it doesn't happen.
This device is unbelievable! It took me about half an hour to gather the names and model numbers of all the various components of the home theater, and then enter them into the website of the manufacurer (go to harmonyremote.com to see exactly how easy the setup is). Then, the remote is updated by the USB cable (included) you connect from the remote to your internet-connected PC. All the settings of your components and the remote-control language that came with each component is updated into your new all-in-one remote. The update is done in a matter of 45 seconds (cable internet connection), and then it's ready to go.
It is organized by activity rather than by device. This means there is an actual button that says "Watch a movie", another that says "Listen to CD", etc. It can even control things like minidisk players, DAT playes, CD jukeboxes, satellite boxes, etc. If you have more than one music source, you can control multiples. And if you have both cable and satellite, you can make a "Watch Cable" and a "Watch Satellite", for example. It can even control projectors, combination devices (TV/VCR, DVD/VCR's, for example), switching devices, and even your room lighting or fireplace(if they have an infrared control)!
When you pick "Watch a movie", for example, it will turn on your TV, set it to the proper video input or tune the correct channel, turn on VCR, turn on receiver and set signal source to VCR, and change the remote control keypad to a VCR controller. If this sounds like gibberish (and to my wife, it does) get this device.
The setup is so easy, she could have done it herself (but she was afraid to try because the thought it would be too hard). It was absolutely painless.
Summary: If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
25 Best remote ever!
The internet programming of the remote was a breeze. Every component in my home theater system was on file at the harmony web site. I just entered the model numbers, answered a few questions and the information was sent to my remote via the included usb cable. The only improvement I would suggest is to allow users to make changes to the settings without having to hook it up to the internet.
26 Harmony remote
Was easy to set up but apparently my equipment was rather different compared to the built in capabilities of the remote. I had to program many new IR signals, commands, profiles etc online to "make" it compatible with my equipment even though I did input model brands and numbers. Thus, many of the prelabled push buttons would not apply. But the remote compromised by adding "new button" commands to the 6 undefined buttons around the display once I "told" it what I was missing. This was ok but for some devices I ended up with as many as 24 "new button" definitions divided up between those 6 around the display and many of those didn't even apply! So I had to scroll the display (4 commands at a time with the NEXT button) to find the command I wanted and then press the button lined with said command. This was agravating, to say the least, as it took many NEXT button pushes to find a needed command. One can only scroll forward and must "loop around" if the needed command was mastakenly passed the first time around. Also, the display is not big enough to display the full text of those button commands. Many are similarly labeled such as: VCR1, VCR2, VCR3, etc inputs and since the full text couldn't be displayed, the three would appear as "VCR". Therefore I would have to go by trial and error to get an input to match what I wanted to select.
27 Harmony is Harmonious
This has got to be the most awesome remote control there is. I was very skeptical and thought it wouldn't work on my equipment (some of which was older). I had bought and returned other remotes that promised the same thing. Universal Learning remotes that came with my equipment all failed and were extremely difficult to program as well as use. This remote is simplicity itself. Plug the connector into the computer and access the website, list your equipment name & model number and select what you want done. Programming is extremely simple, the downloadable tv guide that programs 2 weeks of listings into the remote is nice. The best is how simple it is to use. I now press 1 button and all of the appropriate equipment turns on and is correctly set. When I want to watch a DVD movie, I press "Watch a Movie" and with that 1 press my TV turns on to the correct channel setting, my surround system turns on to its appropriate setting for the DVD, and my combination DVD/VCR turns on, sets itself to DVD and opens the tray for me to insert the movie. My wife jokes that too bad it doesn't put the movie in for us. She is able to use the remote, my 84 year old mother is able to operate the remote. It also handles my Tuner, HDTV, DishNetwork, CD player, VCR in similar fashion. The price tag was a little scary, but after using this remote it was well worth the price. Now if they could only make connecting all the entertainment system components as simple.
28 Warning on warranty
WARNING: If your purchase a Harmony remote control from Amazon the manufacture of the Harmony remote Intrigue Technologies will NOT honor the warranty on the remote control unit. They claim that Amazon is a "unauthorized on-line E-tailer". We purchased a Harmony remote on Amazon and it is defective and Intrigue Technologies will not repair it under warranty. They told me that their web site states that Harmony remotes purchase from a "unauthorized on-line E-tailer" are not covered and that we should of checked their web site for warranty coverage before purchasing this item. Well duh, how many times have you gone to a manufactures web site to check on warranty coverage before purchasing an item? This a lame warranty policy that screws the buyer, beware. It is a problem with Intrigue Technologies not Amazon.
29 Fabulous!
This is nothing short of fabulous. It's extremely easy to set up via a on-line interface. The whole idea is that you set up "activities" on the website. Activities are things like "Watch TV", "Watch a DVD", "Listen to Radio", "Watch VCR", "Watch TiVo". They put you through an on-line wizard and ask you things like what does your TV have to be set to, what does your A/V receiver have to be set to, etc. Once it's set up, there's a USB cable that hooks up to the remote and it downloads all the set-up stuff. When you press the "Watch TV" button, all the right equipment gets turned on and set to the right settings. If you then decide to watch a DVD, you press the "Watch DVD" button and the right stuff turns on, the right stuff turns off, everything is set to the right settings and you're ready to go.
Of course you can also have all of the controls of the individual device at your fingertips. The normal buttons like, play, fast forward, rewind, etc. are all on the remote, but it also has a multi-function display that has the unique controls for the brand and model that you selected on the web.
My wife was ready to chuck our other 7 remotes and the notes I wrote up for her through the window. Now she's happy, so I'm happy. One remote. Really!
30 The best remote, with the best technical support.
Most "universal" remotes are very simple minded. They cannot control your viewing and listening experience, they simply control one or the other of those widgets in that stack across the room. Now this is acceptable if you know which way the cables run, and understand the difference between composite video and component video, and why the bass management needs to be different for box A than box Q and... Oh. You just wanted to watch a movie? Tough.
Until now. This remote is designed for the person holding it, not the engineer who did the rack and stack on the equipment. It is intuitive to use, and backed by the most well trained support staff it has been my pleasure to encounter.
Some months ago, my wife had a stroke. Her ability to use my carefully-programmed macros on a "universal" remote evaporated, along with a lot of her speech. It's called "aphasia" and affects emotional control as well. She literally has been in tears with the frustration of trying to watch a VHS movie on her own. That is, without calling for my help in operating the system.
I had decided to design a system-level box to control our equipment: to let her choose one button to "watch a movie" or "watch TV" or "watch a DVD" instead of trying to re-educate her damaged memory on the way different boxes provide the picture while others provide the sound. Should we really need to know all that to enjoy the higher quality of separate units?
Doing the initial research for my own design, I bumped into this Harmony unit and the others from Intrigue Technology. I didn't really expect it to be simple enough for a stroke victim to use, but I hoped I could add programming and possibly some extra electronics to make a complete solution.
No need. The company provides a web site to program the remote for your specific set of equipment. Quick and easy. The result came close, but it still tends to assume you want to revel in the intricate features of all that expensive equipment. Here a button to adjust the aspect ratio; there one to control sound processing.
Cindy does not want any of that. Can't use it. She wants to watch TV or a movie. Period. So I called Harmony tech support: Can I do this? Could I simplify that? Do you have tools to let me try those things? "Certainly, sir, but I think I've fixed it for you already. Click 'update your remote' and see if it's working the way she likes it now." Well, sometimes box A misses the command, and she can't decide how to fix that. Is there an IR amplifier I could use? "Probably, but first let me try changing how we send that command. Click 'update' and test it again..."
With great patience, several technicians over two days removed all the confusing aspects of using a home theater. And all the things a picky engineer found to complain about as well. Now, Cindy is very pleased with "her" remote and with her recovered ability to enjoy television or tapes without calling for help.
I am a retired computer design engineer, and believe me: I was prepared to build custom circuits, code elaborate programs -- do anything needed to let her enjoy herself again. (We live in a remote area, where "simple televisions" get nothing at all. We need the boxes, the satellite receivers and video recorders and what not -- just not the complexity.) This device, and tech support's encyclopedic knowledge of remote signalling in AV equipment made all that design and expense unnecessary.
And it was easy on my end. It did not require my talent. Just theirs at tech support. The actual time it took to do all this was less than an hour I suppose. Perhaps two. Spread over five or six phone calls. It only took two days because Cindy had to be allowed to use the equipment. She needed time to run into all the little aspects that she found confusing. Several times I thought the issue was beyond the control of a remote, but the simulator tools at Intrigue Technology and the imagination of their technicians surprised me with an answer for each problem.
Even with her current speech problems, I think they could have done this with Cindy being the one on the phone at this end. All you need is the ability to describe what bothers you. And quite possibly, nothing at all will bother you. The stock programming required a very simple set of questions about model numbers and worked just fine to the standards of most users. A stroke victim is simply the acid test for simplicity.
It is rare to be able to offer an unqualified endorsement of a company and product, but this is one of those opportunities. If you have anyone in your household who does not share your pleasure in that feature-rich stack of electronics, or if you yourself sometimes just want to "watch a movie" instead of comparing PLII processing to Dolby, then you want this remote.
31 Best remote on the market
After a couple of years searching for decent remote to control my entertainment system, I finally found one. In a word, this remote is AWESOME! Using the internet to set up the remote is as easy as it gets. And the big plus is that this MAC OS X user had no trouble. I had this remote set up and controlling everything in about 30 mins. And since it keeps all of your setting in a flash memory, you won't lose any of your settings, even when the batteries go dead. The fine people at Intrigue Technologies should be congradulated on making the best damn remote on the market today.
32 Best All-in-one remote I've tried
I've had two Pronto's and various other universals (including the one that came with my Receiver). This is the first one that not only works, but is so straightforward that my wife and 9 year old son can use it.
First, you should know that this is one of the "many buttons" remotes. The same company has created a minimalist remote with very few buttons. I assume that also works well, but for my family, a remote with clearly labeled buttons for each function is best.
There are two main features that distinguish this remote. First, it uses a USB connection to your PC and an Internet-based interface to set up the remote. This gives it great flexibility and access to new updates instantly. The downside is that if you don't have a fast internet connection, set up will be painfully slow.
The other feature is the use of dedicated "Activity" buttons that unify all the various commands you need to "Watch TV" or "Watch a movie". There are two buttons so labeled on the remote for those two activities and more are available as "soft buttons" via a small LCD display.
This is similar to the macro function of other programmable remotes like the Pronto. But unlike these others, the Harmony already has the programming set up - it just needs the codes and when you tell it your make and model for your home entertainment devices, it is all set up for you.
I found I had to do a little extra twiddling to get the Harmony set up for my receiver (an older Denon). But you can always use the simple Learn mode to set the correct IR signals as with any other universal remote.
The best thing I can tell you is that within 30 minutes of opening this up, I had it set up and working like a champ. And my wife and son love it too!
