Electronics Logitech Harmony 720 Universal Remote
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This little unit may have just saved my sanity and my marriage. Trying to keep track of remotes, never mind assisting the wife and kids in using them all the time, had about pushed me over the edge. Enter the Harmony 720 at a nice discount, courtesy of Costco. My research said this had the right balance of bang for the buck for me, and so far it has proven true. The bottom line is that it just works, and works very well.
For a bit more detail, this is a very nice feeling unit, it charges fast, and holds a charge well too. Plus the rechargeable battery is replaceable, should it ever need be. The buttons are intuitive, the display is crystal clear, and it sits very well in an adult hand. It was incredibly straightforward to set-up with the downloaded software (this gets you the most recent versions of software and firmware), and abracadabra, 98% of functionality for all of my components loaded automatically using the tutorial/wizard (of note, I am a Mac User, and I found the software to be relatively easy to use - I'm certain the Windows version would be similar). I then customized the remote to add the few functions that didn't pull through automatically, using the infrared learning capabilities and programming functionality. I also was able to edit the labels of the Activities more to our liking, which I greatly appreciate. All told, I only invested about two hours in programming, and we now have one nice remote, and it runs our entire system. Whether we want to watch a DVD, play the Playstation, watch TV, use the DVR, listen to music, etc, all we need do is press one button, and all needed components power up, and the remote gives full functionality to the individual components. It could not be more simple.
I am once again looking forward to growing my system, and keeping the ease of use that I now appreciate with this remote. Comparing the available online images to my unit, it also appears that Logitech may have fine-tuned the design a bit (removing painted labels under the transport buttons that have been reported to wear off quickly), which means they are paying attention to their user base - and that's great news. About the only feature missing is RF transmission (available in the 890), but I wasn't yet ready to pay the extra bones to get that functionality. Besides, I'm certain that Logitech will soon introduce some of the same styling from this unit into their higher end products, and then I may be ready!
Logitech gets a "Great Job!" for improving on a proven Harmony product line. Do yourself (and the family!) a favor and pick one of these up.
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I've been trying to tame an ever growing morass of A/V components for the last 5 years. Between the TV, DVR, A/V Receiver, CD, DVD, Xbox 360 .... I was juggling what seems like dozens of remotes all the time. A few years back, I picked up a Universal Remote MX-500, which the "experts" all agreed was the best and spent (literally) an entire weekend programming it ... but it's inability to accept discrete codes and limited "macro" ability meant that every "action" (such as 'watching a DVD') required numerous key presses, and I still needed to keep other remotes handy. After sketching out a 6 step process for the baby sitter last week - just in case she wanted to watch a movie - I decided it was time to re-evaluate the "universal" remote technology out there on the market.
I was looking for a remote that offered ease-of-use, but still gave me enough power to customize the most minute settings so that my components would behave exactly how I want. I initially was leaning towards the Harmony 550, but after reading a number of reviews online, it seemed like the 720 had more of what I was looking for.
I received my remote two days ago, and had it set up within 40 minutes. It could have been done in 20 minutes, but I kept poking around the software to see what settings I could "change" (Answer = Almost Everything) After specifying the components I had, and the way in which they were connected (ie, DVD uses Input 4 on my TV and the CD-R setting on my AV-Receiver), the program downloaded all the settings to my remote. My first test of the initial set-up ? Virtually flawless. Everything worked as labeled, and the only customizing I had to do was to decide what features I wanted on the custom display.
To test the ease of the new setup, I had the ultimate arbitrer of "ease of use" (my wife) give it a try. I left the remote on the table and said "figure out how to watch a DVD" ... a process that left her confused and angry with the MX-500. Amazingly, she picked the remote up, it lit up, and she saw "Watch a DVD" on the display. Pressing it, the tv switched on and changed inputs, the AV switched on and switched audio inputs, and the DVD switched on and started playing. Ouila !
I'm looking forward to customizing the living heck out of this, but truth be told, it doesn't need it. A virtually idiot-proof setup, with tons of room to grow as needed.
This is my first go with a Logitech remote, and I am suitably impressed. Excellent product, folks.
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Absolutely the best in universal remotes. I have tried so many of them and always had to go back to using 2 or more of the original remotes because setting the codes never seemed to work. With this remote, the setup is very easy on the computer and works like a charm. Even if the remote doesn't turn all the components on, just push the help button and it asks questions until everything is set up like you want it. I love the charging feature instead of using batteries as I can place the remote on the charger overnight and be ready the next day. This is a very good product and one I would highly recommend.
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This is the first Harmony remote , I've owned. Has a rechargeable dock , so you don't need to keep buying batteries. The 720 needs to be recharged about once a week. That was a BIG plus. I did some research on which of the Harmony remotes to get. I also thought about the HK-TC30, but saw that the LCD screen was much clearer on the Harmony 720. I didn't like the feel of the other Harmony's as well( the big peanut shaped ones). I use this remote myself, wife is too scared to use it( not electronics savy AT ALL), but I'll get her to learn it.The setting up was very easy & only took me about 15 minutes to set up.I had it operating almost ALL major functions of my Sony LCD TV,Motorola DVR, OPPO DVD Player, Sony VCR & PS2. I still have to adjust minor settings to get it exactly the way I want it.[...]
One more thing, if you have a DVR just set up as if you have a PVR. You don't need to ad the set-top cable box as another device. It will operate all functions of the box, just as a PVR. The HELP button is very helpful when something didn't turn OFF/ON when you wanted it to & didn't. Only minor problem is the slight clicking noise heard when pushing only certain buttons( VOL. +/- & CH. +/-)not a major problem to me.
I do highly recommend this remote to anyone trying to consolidate many remotes into just one.
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My entertainment center has a TV, amplifier, tape player, CD player,
VHS/DVD combo, and a 2nd DVD player. My side table was overflowing with
individual remotes, all of which I wanted to replace with a centralized
controller. Enter the Harmony 720. This remote stores its settings on
the internet and you use your laptop with a USB cable to program the remote.
Within a period of about 2hrs, I was able to program a couple of basic
functions, such as turning on the TV and Amplifier to watch a TV program.
However, individual remotes were still required to do things like change
the TV input source. This is where things get tricky and wonderful at the
same time. The 720 is activity/device based. It displays an icon such
as 'Watch TV'. Pressing that button turns on my TV/Amplifier/Equalizer.
However, you have to do custom programming on an activity to setup the
remote to say 'Copy DVD'. I've had to contact the support center 3-4
times by phone and/or email to sort out issues. They are knowledgable,
polite, and patient; although you may have to wait for some time in the
phone queue. I have about 20 hrs into programming the remote and am about
half done. But when I do get done, my life will be so much easier with
the 720. I love it and purchased it with no regrets.
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