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 $77.98 (click here) Category: Speakers See more product details |
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Great Universal Remote and Mac Compatible
Summary: 5 Stars
This remote does everything except dry your dishes and mop your floors. Both my wife and I love the 880 because it makes using our home entertainment system easy and more transparent than having 5 different remotes or one remote that we have to constantly mess with to do simple things like switch from watching a movie to watching cable.
To set up the remote the first time you connect the charged remote to your computer, using the included USB cable, and the software will prompt you to create a username and password. After doing so you select the model of your remote and then you're ready to start adding your components. From then on you can log in and, with your remote hooked up to the computer, make any changes you want.
With the 880 you look up your component by manufacturer and model name/number. This same feature makes adding or changing components a breeze in the future. This is a million times more easy than trying all those 3 and 4 digit codes over and over, on most cheaper universal remotes.
Since the component list is updated and online, new products are constantly being added, so the remote is always up to date with the latest set up for new audio and video components. If the software doesn't recognize the component you input, it'll offer specific suggestions of products you might be trying to add, which can be helpful when you transpose characters in the model number of your TV.
Logitech has some common usage presets based on the components you select, like "Watch a DVD" or "Listen to CDs," so most of the set up work is done for you as soon as you pick a few components. That's the beauty of this remote, it has common sense functions. I've owned other universal remotes that I could use to turn on individual components and change their settings, one at a time. That was cumbersome and could get old when I had to hit the "DVD" button to stop a movie and then I'd have to press the "TV" button to change the TV to the cable setting and then I had select another button to change to the cable box, so I could change the channels. It's amazing to me how far we've come from the days where we had to sit right next to the TV (or worse yet, we had to get up to walk over to the TV) to change the channel with the clicking channel changing knob.
The Logitech 880 is the first remote I've owned that allows me to press a single button and turn on all the components I need for a particular function, like watching a movie. For example: "Watch a DVD" turns on the DVD player, turns on the amplifier and sets the output to DVD, and finally it turns on and sets the TV to Video 2 -- every setting is fully customizable as well, so if you want to keep your amp on all the time, you can tell the remote to not turn it off or on. The remote is very versatile when it comes to programming ability.
Beyond all the simplicity, the software and remote are Mac compatible, which is something I appreciate and one of the selling points for me.
Overall, if you want a full featured remote, that has functions that make sense, and is easy to set up and keep updated, buy this remote.
Customer Review: Fine with Mac OS X Tiger
Summary: 5 Stars
The software that came with the remote had some interface problems, but functioned properly as far as what it was supposed to do. The current version from the Logitech site is virtually flawless. The only thing I expected for it to do, which it did not, is to automatically launch and connect my browser to their web site. No big deal--I have the page bookmarked.
As far as the remote itself is concerned, it performed better that I ever expected, and I have had a good number of universal remotes. Because of the soft keys, all of the functions on the factory remote of my HD-DVD player are available on this one, including Setup and the A/B/C/D contextual buttons. The same holds true for the HDTV/monitor and 5.1 audio system, both of which are not very common brands which you do not expect to readily adapt to any universal remote. Both of these were in the Logitech/Harmony database, so no programming was required.
In spite of these boilerplate settings, you are not limited to the preprogrammed sets and you are allowed to redefine button assignments as much as you like. One setting on my TV which was not included with the presets was HDMI input. I simply added that entry, was prompted to pair the Harmony with the HDTV remote while pressing the HDMI button, and voila, it works!
I was able to do all this and complete the setup regardless of the pathetically scant information provided on the installation sheet that came with the remote. Later on I found out that they do have a fairly comprehensive user manual available for download. They should provide this information as part of the installation (i.e., the download link to the manual). It could possible save some users a lot of grief. But with enough technical savvy, I am certain you will be able to figure everything out, albeit with a little more effort. But I consider that the fun (and rewarding) part anyway.
As far as the connection to their web page is concerned, I encountered not one problem. And not because I had to do it, but just to become more acquainted with the system, I have made the connection at least a half dozen times already without a single hitch. The connection problems reported by some other users may have been due to extraneous factors. I happen to connect directly to the internet, static IP, no (hardware) firewall, on a T1 line.
Update: Since my previous review, Logitech has come out with an "update" to their software and it has only screwed things up, big time. It took me hours to figure out for myself how to make it do what I want it to do. Customer support was no help. Things started to go wrong with the unit which they refuse to acknowledge, like poor contact with the base, and the tilt mechanism not working.
It functions satisfactorily right now, even with the mechanical defects, but I really believe that the average users would not be able to get this thing to work right by themselves. Good luck with tech support.
Unfortunately, Amazon does not give you the ability to change the star-rating on the review page. My estimation for this product has gone down from five to two stars.
Customer Review: Excellent engineering design, poor decision by the Logitech marketing division
Summary: 1 Stars
One thing stands out about this remote: IT IS COMPLETELY UN-USABLE WITHOUT AN INTERNET CONNECTION.
You absolutely must have an internet connection, the first and all subsequent times you attempt to configure the remote control. You literally cannot do anything with the remote until you connect to the internet and register with Logitech. The remote just keeps going into an infinite "tutorial" loop. There is only one single possible purpose behind this requirement: data mining.
Besides the data-mining internet requirement, the remote is extremely customizable. It's basically a little PDA with seperate IR receiver and transmitter (2 bulb wide-angle transmitter on the front, receiver on the back). It has 2MB (now, is that metric "mega" or binary "mega" [mibi]??) of nand memory, which you can also use to store pictures for backgrounds or a slideshow. There is an incredibly complete list of "components" in the Logitech database, so you are assured of finding your component if it was manufactured after 2000.
The remote screen is mainly dedicated to "activites", which amounts to a macro setting followed by a configuration profile for all the buttons. Activities such as "watch tv", "watch dvd", "listen to radio", "listen to cd", "listen to radio while sleeping", "listen to cd while sleeping" are examples. When you click one of the 8 buttons on the side of the screens, the remote sends it's series of commands to all the components, turning everything on and to the right inputs. At this point, the remote button correspond to the associated "activity" profile. You can press the "device" button to be able to reconfigure the remote to control individual components, then exit out of the "device" menu to return to the "activity" profile.
The remote has a fairly standard type lithium ion battery, which are available at Radio Shack or Amazon. Lion's crystalize over time, so after 18 months it's only going to output 60% of it's original charge.
My cradle works fine. I think most people aren't cramming the power cable into the grooves (on the bottom of the cradle) very well. Use a fingernail to jam them in there, flush.
I have a quirky television (Envision) which requires two attempts at turning the power on. The remote cannot be setup (on an "activity") to send the power command twice, so this was alleviated by making a "power toggle TV" button on the screen, and then making the "+" key a power toggle button as well.
The remote comes with a CD-ROM, which has a 48MB program on it. It's basically a little web-browser and daemon designed solely for Logitech's website. Probably also has most of binary codes for the devices, and even if it doesn't there's still 500MB of space left on the CDROM, so there is simply no valid reason to require an internet connection.
Overall, I'm disgusted with the remote. I wouldn't recommend it, and I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known it required an internet connection for data-mining and marketing purposes. It's an excellent engineering design, poor decision by the Logitech marketing division.
Customer Review: Nice....but has a few flaws.
Summary: 3 Stars
Yes, I too was juggling 5 remotes to controls all of the different functions of my entertainment center until I saw the Logitech Harmony remote series. I was interested in the item but the price seemed way too high when shopping in my local Best Buy/Circuit City. I was finally able to buy the item for $108 ($133-$25 discount) from Amazon during a recent price decrease. Make sure to watch the item daily after you have purchased as Amazon changes prices daily. As for the remote....it's true....I have not used another remote besides the Harmony 880 for the past 4 weeks. The units finish and quality looks very good and what you would expect from Logitech. The rechargeable battery has a 2-3 week life before having to place it on the charging pad. The remote works well from different viewing angles when not facing the entertainment center straight on. And finally, the unit works great with my DirecTV HD DVR (HR-20).
With the good comes some bad, so below are the flaws I have found:
- The remote feels great in my hand except for when I am using the keys at the bottom. The back of the remote has two slots that should provide grip when holding the remote, except for when using these lower keys. The remote becomes hard to hold onto and should have some type of gripping surface to resolve this.
- Next, the remote has a "tilt" feature that turns the screen on when you pick it up so you can see the different options. I have had this remote for 4-5 weeks now and the "tilt" feature does not work when simply picking up the remote and preparing to push a button. I just know which button does what and I press that button without the screen being backlight. I could press the glow button, but just another flaw.
- Next, the Harmony 880 does NOT work with the PlayStation 3 as the remote does not support bluetooth. Still have to use the PS3 remote or controller to progress through blu-rays or dvds.
- Next, I am not able to get the remote to turn my Sony CD player on or off. The remote controls every other CD feature, except for turning the unit on or off. Since I cannot find my old CD remote, I cannot get this to work.
- Finally, the remote works 85% of the time when controlling normal TV or Receiver control options. What do I mean? The remote must switch the TV's video inputs and receivers sound inputs everytime it changes from Watch TV, to Watch DVD, to Play Xbox 360, to Watch TV Hi-fi for everything to work in "harmony". The fact is the control fails to correctly switch either the TV to the correct video input or the receiver to the correct sound input 100% of the time. In reality, it works 85% of the time correctly. You must use the "help" button on the remote to try and fix the issue, which usually works but just more key strokes.
Overall, I am keeping the remote only because I paid $108 for it after using an Amazon promotional discount. Had I paid anything over $150 or the normal retail price of $250, this remote would be returned immediatly.
Hope this helps your decision.
Customer Review: Best I have found so far...
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a somewhat complex 2-room system with multiple video/audio components. As a result, finding a remote that adequately accomplishes what I need to do, much less one that my wife can operate without frustration has taken many years/models. But I think I've finally found it in the Harmony 880.
First the good:
Price - At MSRP of $250 a little pricey, but at half that it is quite a bargain.
Set Up - Set up using the web interface is really a breeze. Actually my son did it for me while I was out with friends. He is computer literate, but not a 'techie'. The web setup automatically configures nearly all the standard as well as custom features of the original remotes, including some (like dedicated power on/off codes) not available on the originals! I haven't had to teach it a single command yet, though it's nice to know that option is available.
Ergonomics - With all the 'universal remotes' out there it seems strange to say that this is one of a very few I have found with a proper set of hard buttons vs. custom screen options. All the functions I use most (direction, enter, page, transport, numeric) are available as buttons. This is so much easier than hunting through screens. But in cases where you need more functions, everything else you need is configurable on the screens.
State Management - Pick an activity (watch DVD, Sat., XM Radio, etc.). The remote knows which components need to be on/off and what inputs/outputs each needs to be set at. This is what really sells it for my wife.
Custom Features - If you are like me, on a quest to create the perfect set of functions for each activity, with the right placement, so that you never have to look at an original remote again, you can do it with this one. Screen features include uploading your own custom background and icons for favorite channels. Mine has clouds with button shapes.
Sounds great! How could it be better?
Ergonomics - This is a beautiful remote and fits great in your hand. However it seems concessions were made in order to achieve that beauty. The buttons are small and similarly shaped, and the direction pad is thin on the left and right. I guess if you're used to texting on your cell phone this won't be a big deal.
IR Only - If the remote could handle RF I could use it from my other room. Apparently this is a feature only available at a premium cost, with luggable table-top models. Also, I have a PS-3 for my blu-ray player, so bluetooth would be fantastic. Unfortunately NOBODY offers that in a universal remote :(
Custom Programming - It would be very cool if I could upload icons for ALL custom functions as well as activities and devices, not just favorite channels. Also, my Harmony 660 included the ability to edit the xml that is used to update the remote. I could use this to get around minor issues the web UI wouldn't let me fix. It seems these last two would be easily remidied with an update in the software/firmware. Unfortunately, it seems Logitech has already moved on with their Harmony One, so I doubt we'll see it.