Why should I buy a Harmony?

technogran · 21-11-2009, 8:54 AM

I am currently thinking of updating my universal remote control. I have used a Harmony remote before and found the setting up less than enjoyable experience.
I have seven pieces of equipment and the Harmony website states that all are available in its database. So has everything changed now when setting one up? Is the online site now easier to use?

I have been using a Philips universal remote which was fairly easy to set up, and doesn't need to be online' What are the touch screens like? Do they work okay, or is it too easy to accidentally select something from them?
I am considering the Harmony One if I buy another Harmony, or alternatively the Philips Prestigo SRT9320. Trouble is, one has no colour buttons, the other has no transport keys. (available instead from the touch screen on both)
I need help to decide which one to buy, so feedback please.
(They are both about the same price to buy so that's not a problem.)

TG (thanks in advance)

Strawbs · 22-11-2009, 5:53 PM

I can't speak for the Phillips as I've never used one. But the coloured buttons on the Harmony are easily available in the touchscreen and can be left on display for whenever you might need them during an activity. That is not to say it's not an oversight by Logitech - it certainly is! but I've found this & the poorly written software (..a perpetual Logitech achilles heel) to be just about the only minor gripes with this remote. It's just as well then that once you've finished programming it, it's pretty much faultless.

There are reviews at WhatHifi.com that show the H-One to be the best in this price range! the Phillips you quote has only 4 stars compared to the H-One's 5. Given the choice I personally prefer transport keys over coloured buttons, but it's ultimately a case of each to their own.

**logiciel** · 22-11-2009, 10:12 PM

Yes, imho hard transport buttons are more important than hard colours, but indeed chacun a son gout.
The same applies to the Harmony software btw - I use it a lot and don't get the problems with it that others do.

technogran · 22-11-2009, 10:37 PM

Thanks both of you. I will plump for the Harmony then. If I get stuck I know I can get help on here as you guys are great in that respect.

TG

**logiciel** · 23-11-2009, 12:58 AM

That's what we're here for, so do that, and thanks for the generous comment.

Logi

technogran · 25-11-2009, 8:17 AM

My new Harmony One remote arrived yesterday and I then set it all up with my equipment. I was very pleased to see that the software has been completely overhauled and is now much more 'user friendly' than it used to be. Everything so far seems to be working like a dream, I have put some controls on the hard buttons for the Humax HDR such as Media (which I tend to access a lot) and also the Opt + these fitted nicely on the top most up down hard buttons.
I still have some hard buttons to alter for my Humax 9300T but so far so good and I am really pleased with it.
I will eventually put in some favourite channels for the Foxsat HDR and the 9300T.

Just thought I would give some feedback about it. The coloured buttons on the touch screen are a bit too far away for my small hands to reach when holding the remote normally, but as I don't often use them, its fine.

So I am very pleased with my purchase.

TG

OrmeMac · 25-11-2009, 11:50 AM

Hi there

Now that I'm faced with four remote controls for my TV system (TV, SkyHD, HDD-DVD recorder and Surround Sound) I've been looking at several Logitech remotes.

Sadly the Logitech One doesn't have coloured buttons so I've ruled that out although I like the design (similar to the SkyHD remote which is very good to use).

So now I'm looking a choosing between the Logitech 555 (coloured buttons are at the very bottom) and the older Logitech 785 (coloured buttons better placed above the number buttons). From what I can find out the 555 came out in 2008 and the 785 in 2006. I'm leaning towards the 785 but would welcome your expert comments to help me make my first multifunction remote purchase.

In addition can I make 'hybrid' devices with these remotes such as having the number buttons control the TV whilst the play/record buttons control the DVD?

Thanks in advance.

hornydragon · 25-11-2009, 1:00 PM

no need to make a hybrid device you just allocate buttons as you like in each activty. also all harmony remotes are basically the same its the button/screen layout that changes throughout most of the range dont worry about an earlier design.

**logiciel** · 25-11-2009, 5:53 PM

technogran: Good to hear of your success with the new One. I've been using Harmonys for quite a long time and there have been no changes at all in the software, so I'd be interested to know what changes you found in it.

OrmeMac: The colour discs on the One's screen are satisfactory for many users, but I don't like them much and have the colour commands on hard buttons instead. The result is as you say, like the Sky remote, but even better in my opinion. Having the colour commands, channel change, volume setting, and navigation, controls all adjacent in neat groups makes for very easy and efficient use of the One.
The 555 has a separate audio/video function which is not much used, so the 525 would be a better choice in most cases.
As hd says you don't need hybrid devices with Harmonys - they work on something like that but much better - Activities, in which you get to combine as many devices as you wish into each Activity, so that each group of buttons controls the appropriate device without having to switch between the devices.

technogran · 26-11-2009, 8:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logiciel

technogran: Good to hear of your success with the new One. I've been using Harmonys for quite a long time and there have been no changes at all in the software, so I'd be interested to know what changes you found in it.

OrmeMac: The colour discs on the One's screen are satisfactory for many users, but I don't like them much and have the colour commands on hard buttons instead. The result is as you say, like the Sky remote, but even better in my opinion. Having the colour commands, channel change, volume setting, and navigation, controls all adjacent in neat groups makes for very easy and efficient use of the One.
The 555 has a separate audio/video function which is not much used, so the 525 would be a better choice in most cases.
As hd says you don't need hybrid devices with Harmonys - they work on something like that but much better - Activities, in which you get to combine as many devices as you wish into each Activity, so that each group of buttons controls the appropriate device without having to switch between the devices.

Well it is some time since I used it so, the layout, the setting up of your activities and the way that any additional stuff such as asigning new buttons such as I needed to do with Media for example are easy to do. It used to be a pain to be honest with you, both to navigate around and find how to set your remote up. I have the newest version for Windows 7 by the way.
It has now been made so user friendly that even if I was a newbie I could easily alter things and set things up.
Its the layout that has changed the most.

By the way, how do I now set up my favourite channels on the One for Freesat, I haven't yet found out how to do that?

TG

Strawbs · 26-11-2009, 1:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technogran

...

By the way, how do I now set up my favourite channels on the One for Freesat, I haven't yet found out how to do that?

TG

It's great to hear you're happy with the H-One. It wouldn't do to spend so much money on a remote & not feel satisfied.

Setting up favourites on Freesat will be similar to Sky, Go to the Activity > Settings > Set up Favourite Channels & add Icons. You can add 4 pages of favourites.

Screen icons for the H-One can be downloaded from Icon Harmony, Unzip them before using.

technogran · 26-11-2009, 2:23 PM

Thanks Strawbs, your a real help.

**logiciel** · 26-11-2009, 2:48 PM

And I'm not?

That's interesting about the software, especially as we see a lot of complaints about how bad it is. It hasn't changed in the two and a half years I've been using it, and there's only ever one version at a time, with variations of course according to the model.
The Favorite Channels function is the same with Freesat as with any other source of channels. Each WatchTV Activity provides them from the device that you specify for changing the channels, so you might have one Activity for changing Freeview channels with the TV, and another for doing it with a Freesat, or Sky, or cable, receiver.
Logi

technogran · 26-11-2009, 7:10 PM

Of course you are helpful! You all are! I have also set my new One remote up with the PS3 which is also my blue ray player (in fact that is what I use it for the most.) Of course I am well aware that I need the additional thingy as the PS3 is controlled by bluetooth but of course the Harmony is then able to switch my TV to the correct source, and my amp to its correct source plus the Playstation 3's buttons are then available for when I get around to buying the 'add on'
As for the software, it's probably about 2 to 3 years since I last used it (with a 525 I think) and it was nothing like it is now, so maybe before your time.

TG