In perfect Harmony

December 29 2006

Thank you again to all those who suggested the Logitech Harmony 880 as the universal remote to buy.  This bad boy arrived today, and as I was using my last vacation day of the year, I had some time to get it configured.  It took more time than I would have hoped, though some of that was pilot error, some of it was pedantic troubleshooting, and some of it was rookie inefficiency.  Still, the result was darn impressive -- my entire entertainment center is operable by five clearly-labelled choices.


Image:In perfect Harmony

The biggest stumbling block is that my DLP TV is very slow at switching inputs.  Everything else worked "out of the box", but switching from DVD to TiVo to HD Cable was just not working.  I followed several different wizard-based processes on the Harmony configuration to try to get this right, each making things more complicated than the last.  I was also having a tough time with what seems like an obvious feature -- take the device's individual remote, point it at the Harmony's infrared port, and the Harmony "learns" how the other remote issues the command.  Note to all who are attempting this -- do not put your Harmony right next to your computer's infrared port..

Eventually, to get the TV's inputs right, I had to delete the TV and start over (as any good technician does, right?), explaining to the device that the TV really does need 2100 milliseconds between "button pushes" to switch inputs.  Now that this is correctly configured, all is right with the remote.

Some things about this remote I really like --
  • The "help" button really does do something, and is context-sensitive.
  • The programmable buttons are very easy to program, are task-specific, and in many cases, Logitech has anticipated what you'll want them to do.  In all but one or two cases, I found that there was an obvious button on the remote to do what I thought I was going to have to program manually.  Even putting the Comcastic "on demand" on a programmable button was as easy as choosing from a drop-down list.
  • The remote has a sensor in it such that when you pick it up, the display/backlight instantly lights up.  So good battery management -- we'll have to see how often it has to return to the base.
  • It feels like the TiVo remote, which is something several commented on.  I found it very easy to navigate TiVo from the Harmony.
  • Subtle configuration options are a walk in the park for this guy.  I want to leave my TiVo and cable box on all the time, and it was just a few clicks to set that up.  Heck, I didn't even know before today that you -could- turn a TiVo Series 2 box off.  I wonder if it would wake up automatically when it is set to record a show.
  • Logitech has a heck of a database for electronics that can be programmed for use with this remote.  Many, many brands I had never heard of.

As was pointed out in the comments on the earlier thread, I did not set out to buy a high-end universal remote.  But the appeal of "so easy my child/grandma can use it", combined with Logitech's generous discount to IBM employees, won me over.  I am SO glad to have put five other remotes in the cabinet tonight!  Thanks, everyone!

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Toys  Add/View Comments [10]

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  1. 1  Karen Demerly  | 12/29/2006 10:36:32 PM

    Programmed a universal remote AND fixed the doorbell? tssss.... you're SMOkin'. ;-)

  1. 2  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 12/30/2006 10:10:40 AM

    <puffs up chest>This week has also included patch/paint/towel rack mounting, and if I play my cards right, installing a timer switch on the outside light. Ah, domesticity....</puff>

  1. 3  Tim Rand  | 12/30/2006 11:37:28 AM

    Domesticity? or the price you pay for so much travel?

  1. 4  Henry Ferlauto http://www.geniusinside.com | 12/31/2006 2:46:50 AM

    Working on the lights you say?

    Have you ever seen the SmartHome catalog?

    { Link }

  1. 5  Charles Robinson http://cubert-codepoet.blogspot.com | 12/31/2006 9:57:01 AM

    Wow, a wireless doorbell *and* a towel rack *and* a universal remote? All I did was put venetian plaster in my 30' long hall, paint an accent wall, customize some picture frames, and upgrade my mail server to Domino 7.02. :-)

  1. 6  Simon Barratt http://apps.fmc.com/blog.nsf | 12/31/2006 3:19:42 PM

    So Ed, with this great discount you get, does that mean we can all place our orders through you???

  1. 7  Alan Dalziel  | 1/2/2007 12:24:11 AM

    Now you need to get a new receiver that allows you to have a single input to your TV so you don't have to switch them anymore :-)

  1. 8  Kevin Mort  | 1/2/2007 7:11:33 AM

    Ed,

    Thanks for the update/review....sounds like your setup is very close to mine (and yep my 61" Samsung DLP also takes its good old sweet time changing inputs). This 880 looks like something I'll be considering for myself.

    K.

  1. 9  Stephen Shores http://regen2.blogsome.com | 1/8/2007 2:05:03 PM

    Where'd you see the IBM discount? Can you email me with the link?

  1. 10  Ed Brill http://www.edbrill.com | 1/8/2007 2:27:13 PM

    @9 I sent the info to your IBM internal e-mail address.

    @6 in the same vein, IBM employees only. Logitech limits the quantity of any one device that you can purchase in a quarter or a year.