Logitech Harmony 688 LCD Remote Control
- Type: Universal Multibrand
- Universal Remote Control Type: Multibrand
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Applicable Devices: TV, VCR, DVD Player, Cable\Satellite Receiver, Amplifiers, CD Player
- Devices Controlled: 1
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Great remote, very useful
Pros
Great remote; backlight; automates home theater setup; good help system on the remote
Cons
No real user manual. Web access required to program
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you have a relatively complex home theater setup, this remote is a wonderful addition. Even with the cons, I highly recommend it.
This remote worked great for all my devices. I use this one remote for my upstairs setup and my downstairs setup. I just use different names for each device. I have two other TVs to add but I'm too lazy to add them and don't use those TVs enough to really care.
You have to use their website to program the remote. It was kind of a pain to find the brand and model number for all my devices but once done, you have a nice online database of all your devices. I control about 11 devices using this remote.
This remote automates a lot of what I do to setup things to watch DVD, VCR, Cable, or regular TV. I never realized how much time I was spending setting things up just to watch a DVD for example (turn on receiver, turn on TV, set receiver to DVD, set TV to DVD, etc. -- not really that involved but still a one button push is preferable as this remote provides). The Harmony remote also has lit buttons. This makes watching a DVD, TV, or VCR in total darkness practical (I don't have to feel around for the pause button or get up to turn on the lights so I can fast forward or reverse).
One issue I had at first was I wanted to always keep my cable box on now matter what I'm watching (mostly because my Tivo needs to be recording things even when I watch DVD or when I'm not watching TV). It took about a half hour to figure out you can customize a device and there was a menu option called something like "keep device on all the time".
At first, I could not figure out how to "move cursor left" as you need when you operate the menu on a DVD or Tivo. After an hour of use, I realized that the OK button on the Harmony remote is like a joystick.
A manual would really be useful for this remote -- the manual that comes with the remote has little to no useful information except in what order to install the software. I don't like talking to customer service for any products and am glad I never had to; I'd rather peruse a manual.
The website used to program the remote could be improved. For example, when I want to delete channels, I want to do them a bunch at a time and not one at a time which you do now. For people with about 150 channels, having to go back and scroll per channel is a pain.
I had to reboot my PC once -- upon trying to update the remote, the software said another application was using it -- uh, what application? so I rebooted and everything was ok.
I tried to train the Harmony remote to learn a button on my cable box remote. The instructions said "as shown, point th e remote, etc" -- uh, as shown where? eventually, I fiddled around and found a picture showing how you send infrared commands to the back of the Harmony remote -- not the front as I did for a half hour with no result. Again, we need a real manual.
Having to be on the Web to program this remote is good/bad. Good because you can do it anywhere. Bad because if I forgot my password, I have one more thing to deal with, etc. Also, if my network is broken, I'm out of luck.
The help system on the remote is very good at figuring things out. Great idea here.
As a techie myself, I enjoyed playing with this thing. Non techie folks be cautious about buying this product or risk frustration. If you have trouble, search the Web for solutions, or contact customer support, or better yet, find a techie and have them set it up for you. Once setup, this thing is a wonderful addtion to any home theater!
You have to use their website to program the remote. It was kind of a pain to find the brand and model number for all my devices but once done, you have a nice online database of all your devices. I control about 11 devices using this remote.
This remote automates a lot of what I do to setup things to watch DVD, VCR, Cable, or regular TV. I never realized how much time I was spending setting things up just to watch a DVD for example (turn on receiver, turn on TV, set receiver to DVD, set TV to DVD, etc. -- not really that involved but still a one button push is preferable as this remote provides). The Harmony remote also has lit buttons. This makes watching a DVD, TV, or VCR in total darkness practical (I don't have to feel around for the pause button or get up to turn on the lights so I can fast forward or reverse).
One issue I had at first was I wanted to always keep my cable box on now matter what I'm watching (mostly because my Tivo needs to be recording things even when I watch DVD or when I'm not watching TV). It took about a half hour to figure out you can customize a device and there was a menu option called something like "keep device on all the time".
At first, I could not figure out how to "move cursor left" as you need when you operate the menu on a DVD or Tivo. After an hour of use, I realized that the OK button on the Harmony remote is like a joystick.
A manual would really be useful for this remote -- the manual that comes with the remote has little to no useful information except in what order to install the software. I don't like talking to customer service for any products and am glad I never had to; I'd rather peruse a manual.
The website used to program the remote could be improved. For example, when I want to delete channels, I want to do them a bunch at a time and not one at a time which you do now. For people with about 150 channels, having to go back and scroll per channel is a pain.
I had to reboot my PC once -- upon trying to update the remote, the software said another application was using it -- uh, what application? so I rebooted and everything was ok.
I tried to train the Harmony remote to learn a button on my cable box remote. The instructions said "as shown, point th e remote, etc" -- uh, as shown where? eventually, I fiddled around and found a picture showing how you send infrared commands to the back of the Harmony remote -- not the front as I did for a half hour with no result. Again, we need a real manual.
Having to be on the Web to program this remote is good/bad. Good because you can do it anywhere. Bad because if I forgot my password, I have one more thing to deal with, etc. Also, if my network is broken, I'm out of luck.
The help system on the remote is very good at figuring things out. Great idea here.
As a techie myself, I enjoyed playing with this thing. Non techie folks be cautious about buying this product or risk frustration. If you have trouble, search the Web for solutions, or contact customer support, or better yet, find a techie and have them set it up for you. Once setup, this thing is a wonderful addtion to any home theater!
