| Author |
Thread: Harmony Internet Powered Remote Control Review |
    
Brian Mitchell |
| Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 04:27 am: |
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Harmony Internet Powered Remote Control by Intrigue Technologies
If you are right-handed, a little internet savvy, and have a little patience, the Harmony is the ultimate universal remote control.
The size of a cell phone
The Harmony is one of the most compact universal remotes on the market. It only has 13 buttons on its face, plus a scroll wheel and one more button on the right side. It naturally fits in the palm of your hand, and can be effortlessly controlled in your right hand. The scroll wheel is easily navigated by your thumb to select a list of commands.
Simple commands at your fingertips
The most used commands, e.g. channel or volume up/down, are large triangular buttons and placed right where they need to be. A two year old could figure out how easily these buttons work.
The power of POWER ON
Are you always looking for 3 or more remotes just to get your equipment turned on? With the Harmony, one click can turn everything on or off all at once. That's right, everything! It can turn on a TV, receiver, dvd player, cable box, vcr, etc... with just one press of the power button.
A smarter way to get started
It gets simpler. A graphical LCD display helps you select an activity. Want to just watch TV? Just select "Watch Television". Other options can include: - Watch a DVD
- Play a Videotape
- Listen to CDs
- Listen to Radio
The Harmony will only turn on the components needed for that activity.
Few buttons, lots of functions
How can so few buttons control so much? Once you have selected an activity (Watch a DVD) some of the buttons on the remote are re-configured to match what you are doing. Suddenly the Harmony is controlling your DVD player with functions like play, pause, stop, fast forward, reverse, etc.
Why the internet?
When you first get your remote, you must create an account on the Harmony website. Here you select the manufacturer and model number of every component you have. A custom configuration file is generated, sent to your computer, and then to the Harmony remote via a USB cable.
Patience and planning
I wish I could say the configuration process was flawless. It took me about 30 minutes to input my components and step through an online questionnaire about my system. Then it takes about 3 minutes on a standard dialup (56k) to send the configuration to your Harmony. Once I thought I was done, I was a little distraught when things didn't work perfectly on my first try. Only a few commands were causing many problems. The configuration must be perfect.
Trial and error
So it's back to the Harmony website to find out what went wrong. You can step back into any part of the setup. Another hour later, I was able to figure out what the problem was. Usually it comes down to a user entered error or a missing command. In my case, I had to teach the Harmony a correct command by aiming my current TV remote at the Harmony and pressing the correct button.
Unlimited learning capability
You can teach the Harmony any command from any infrared remote control. Your remote will be configured with most commands you need, but I found it helpful to teach every command from all of my remotes. This way you can be sure, you will never need your old remotes again.
Programmers will love this
Once you get past the basic operations, you can tweak this remote control to your personal taste. There are tons of advanced options and settings for experts. Serious programmers even have the option of hand coding XML for further customization. You can actually re-program any button to any function.
No numbers
Something to get used to, is that this remote has no number keys. So how do you select a channel? The LCD screen displays the channel number and name. Simply select a channel with the scroll wheel, and the Harmony sends the channel number to your TV, cable box, or satellite receiver. For example, select ESPN and the channel is changed to 206 on a DirecTV system.
TV guide in your remote
Instead of selecting a channel, you can select a TV show. When you get your configuration from the internet, it automatically includes a program listing. Somehow it knows the current time and tells you what is on. Now you can select from a list of current shows, e.g. Survivor, Friends, WWE SmackDown, etc.
Can it get any better?
The keys to any remote are ergonomics, usability, and customization. The Harmony shines in each category. It is the best remote control I have used to date, but it could get better. Here is my small wish list of improvements: - Move LCD screen to top (since that is what I am used to with my cell phone and other remotes)
- Make shape more form fitting to your hand (possibly curved or larger at one end)
- Make a left-handed option which moves the scroll bar and select button to the left side
- Improve configuration website (could be a lot more user friendly)
- Add an RF transmitter/receiver (so you don't have to point directly at your components)
The Harmony excels in so many areas, putting a few minor personal gripes aside, it truly is a state-of-the-art remote control. The Harmony brings universal remote controls to a whole new level. At just $199 US, it's competitively priced, and well worth the investment. It's the simplest universal remote control the whole family can use. Now you just have to decide who gets to hold it.
More Reviews
Pictures and Info
Specifications
http://www.harmonyremote.com
Remember I am just one man with one opinion. If you own this product, or have a comment or question feel free to add your thoughts below.
Brian Mitchell
Founder & CEO
eCoustics.com |
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Relevant Product Info
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Robby Threesticks |
| Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 03:38 pm: |
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Does it work with TIVO? |
eCoustics |
| Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 04:15 pm: |
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Yes, Harmony does support TiVo (there is a "watch TiVo" activity) which allows you to Navigate, bring up the Menu, select channels etc. All the TiVo commands are available via the hard buttons (which are mapped depending on which menu is displayed in the LCD screen) or via the menu screen. |
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| Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 05:17 pm: |
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Will the Harmony 768 work with Replay 5000 series? |
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| Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 05:19 pm: |
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Can anyone compare the Harmony 768 with the Pronto remote? Thanks |
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| Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 12:29 pm: |
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Have a look at the Wall Street Journal Review and comparison of the Pronto and the 768. http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/solution-20030409.html |
Derek |
| Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 12:56 pm: |
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Go to http://www.remotecentral.com for all of the remotes you are asking about. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 11:37 pm: |
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Intrigue's website makes their remote controls sound like they're easy as pie to set up. They weave a picture that all you have to do is tell their internet-centric installation tool what equipment you have and everything is pretty automatic from there.
Wrong.
While their expensive plastic is pretty, it is far from easy to setup.
Want to play a movie on your DVD player? Sorry - that's not possible without several button clicks. Do you expect to be able to switch from watching TV to watching a video, with the Harmony turning on and off the right equipment? Good luck... you're better off turning everything off each time you want to switch media. Have a DVD player with dolby encoding? Watchout! The Harmony managed to permanently remove my center channel sound from my DVD player.
The email support is about two days late in responding to requests. Their telephone support is friendly and genuine in trying to be helpful. But they can't overcome a series of design flaws that prevent Harmony from delivering on the promises they make on their website. |
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 01:20 pm: |
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Dude are you are major drugs. The Harmony works with all my equipment (HDTV, DVD, HDTV Decoder, Recevice, Lights, CD, VCR, TiVo). You have to have some what of a brain to make it work. BTY: you can program the Harmony to not turn off your equipment when you switch activities. I have 5 devices turned on with a single click to watch a movie.
What's with a DVD player having a center channel, that would be your receiver, unless you opted for the cheap all in one; which was less than the $200 remote |
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New member Username: Candymanaz
AZ
Post Number: 2
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Friday, July 23, 2004 - 11:15 am: |
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The harmony remote DOES work well.
I have had it for 6 months and love it.
Not only that, my wife and GUESTS love it.
I have 5 devices that it controls and it does it well.
I didn't even have to tell my latest guest how to use it. She just pressed Watch TV and the 3 devices came on.
I have it programmed for my dvd player and even my XBox! |
Bronze Member Username: Condor
Post Number: 42
Registered: Oct-04
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| Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 11:40 am: |
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Marty B,
Unbelievable!
My Harmony 680 remote with 20 minutes of setup on the website works flawlessly! One button access to ANY activity.
My wife thinks it the best thing since sliced bread!
You must be "technology" challenged, a 10 year old could set this up! |
Bronze Member Username: Condor
Post Number: 43
Registered: Oct-04
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| Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 11:41 am: |
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One more thing.
I have not needed customer support at all to set this up. |
Bronze Member Username: Gnnr
NJ
USA
Post Number: 53
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 11:49 am: |
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I have a DVD player (very new Toshiba), a spank-ing new DLP Sammy HLP 46", a HD cable box from cablevision/IO, and a Yamaha amp in my HT setup currently (though I have a phono, dual tape deck, and VCR that may end up connected from time to time when not plugged in to a PC or other things). My big concern is with NOT switching off devices with each 'mode'. I assume you can program it with a power button to turn everything on and off (with various delays) and use the mode buttons to have it switch TV devices and what not to the right mode for what ever activity you want?
Will the Sammy DLP even allow for discrete source switching via a single remote input (all I find is a source button as well as source menu selection - no independent source switching with a press of a button is obvious). |
transistoradio Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 09:59 pm: |
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read your tv manual! and findout. |
Bronze Member Username: Gnnr
NJ
USA
Post Number: 64
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 02, 2005 - 12:33 pm: |
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Well, aren't you helpful... thanks!
Putz.
It's not in the manual as far as I can discern... I wouldn't have asked otherwise. |
VIP Member Username: Ecoustics
Fairfax,
VA
USA
Post Number: 191
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 12:06 am: |
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Yes, the Harmony Remote can handle source switching.
Even if the TV only has a source button, the Harmony can remember how many presses (cycles) would be needed to get to the right input.
Harmony's remote code database is usually up-to-date, but enabling this option could require some manual tweaking during the online configuration. |
ezdraft Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 11:38 pm: |
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OK, I have CableTV and Directv, what activity do i create that will switch from cabletv to directv? |
New member Username: Colehill
San diego,
Ca
Usa
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 02:49 am: |
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How do I program the remote to go to the last channel viewed on the cable box when turning the set on? I am just learning how to program the remote and am confused. Thanks in advance. |
New member Username: Hawkssr
Mesa,
Az
Post Number: 5
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Saturday, October 28, 2006 - 10:37 pm: |
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I did not set up my Harmony remote 880 so pretty much have no clue on how to fix this problem. Somehow (I'm blaming it on my grandson) the tv no longer has a picture or sound when I push "watch TV" everything else operates - TV, AV receiver, Mediacom Motorola PVR, Dvd comes on. When I push help the only thing that I can't figure how to do is when Harmony tells me to ensure that the pvr input is to tuner so I don't know if that's why I no longer have a picture or sound when I want to watch tv. Any suggestions? Thank you |
Bronze Member Username: Cobra11
Post Number: 85
Registered: Oct-06
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| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 07:24 am: |
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I just got my Harmony 880 remote this week. (Mid November 2006).
My equipment list is:
Samsung HD TV
Oppo DVD
Denon 2807 AVR
Sci Atlanta HD DVR Cable Box 8300
Kenwood CD Jukebox
I started out by installing the Harmony Software on my PC from the CD that ships with the remote.
Meanwhile I had the remote charging for about 5 hours.
After the software installed it suggested that I upgrade to a newer version which I did via a download.
I decided to start off simply by just programming Listen to FM Music activity. This worked remarkably well and easy.
Then I added more devices and activities...
Watch TV (Samsung and AVR and Sci Atlanta box)
Watch DVD (Samsung and AVR and Oppo)
Play CD (AVR and Kenwood)
Each and every one worked well the first time.
This is a pretty remarkable device.
I have to get used to the buttons on the new remote.
I am pleased so far. |
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