clarkie_in_ct's Full Review: Logitech Harmony® 659 LCD Remote Control
Problem:
Four remote controls, an actual queue card on how to use each remote and which order to use them, and very discontent family members.
I am an techie, in the sense that I have a higher-end TV and sound system, and am usually closer to the leading edge of electronics/gadgets than most.
This had finally caused a problem for my family, I was the only one who knew how to use the 4 remotes we had in tandem with the desired function. For example, to watch TV,
1) Turn on TV and set TV to COMPONENT-1,
2) Turn On the Sat. Receiver with the SAT Remote,
3) Turn on the Receiver and Set to VIDEO-1 with the Receiver Remote.
Done? No. To switch the channel use the Sat Remote, to control the volume use the Receiver remote. Pure heck for my wife and family. Not to mention our babysitters could not even begin to understand, I would have to have the TV one before I left and set at the right volume so they could simply change the channels.
Answers: We originally thought a universal remote would help, but when we thought about it more, all we'd do is consolidate the remotes, NOT simplify the problem. So we limped along until a friend told me about the Harmony Remote.
Here's how our system works now. To watch a Movie, simply press WATCH A MOVIE, to watch TV, simply press WATCH TV, that's it!!! The channel and volume button on the remote know which component to use, it's amazing technology.
Now for the details:
PLEASE NOTE, THAT WHILE THE FUNCTION OF THIS REMOTE IS SIMPLE, SET UP SHOULD BE DONE BY THOSE WITH A FIRMER GRASP ON TECHNOLOGY. IT REQUIRES YOU HAVE A PC AND ACCESS TO THE INTERNET
In the Box:
Remote, USB Cable, Software on CD, and 4 AAA Batteries.
How it Works
Once you have installed the SW on to your PC You will be asked to sign-up for an account at Harmony's Website. (This is not an account for spam purposes, but one that remembers which components you have and how you use them.) Once you've logged in to your account, you are asked to select your individual components, be sure you have Brand and Model data handy. Once you've added all your components, TV, DVD, Cable/Sat box, CD, whichever you have, you are asked simple questions about each function. For example Watching TV you are asked: "When you watch TV which input is the TV Set to?", and the appropriate options are listed for your TV, or "When watching TV which controls the volume the TV or the Receiver?" and so on. When you are done, you will be asked to plug you remote into the USB port with cable provided and it will then program your remote by downloading the data you input on the website, take about 3-5 minutes. Once it's programmed your are good to go.
Functionality
When your remote is programmed it DOES work as advertised with a few exceptions. When pressing buttons, I notice it works better if you are standing directly in front of your components. If you are not, you may only get "half" of the function e.g. The TV turns on but the DVD and Receiver do not. To fix this the remote has a built in HELP feature which "re-syncs" the components. In the example above, if the DVD and Receiver did not come on, the remote still assumes they DID turn on. To fix this press Help. The remote will trouble-shoot itself with your help by asking you a series of questions. YES/NO Questions like: Is the TV On, Is the TV Set to Component-1, Is the DVD on? If you say NO, it will then turn on just that component, then the remote will ask "Did that fix the problem?" If you say yes it returns to the originally intended function, if you say NO the questions continue.
Now, not to pick on my lovely wife, but she is about the least technical person I know, so she was a good test for how well this works. She can operate, and troubleshoot with this remote easily, she loves it and has told all her friends about how well it works. We love this remote and is by far the best gadget I have bought this year!!
Features • Controls your entire home entertainment system with push-button ease • Activity-based options like \Watch TV\ or \Watch DVD\ • Easy set-...More at Digital Craze.com
Press the button representing an activity;for example, watching a DVD;and the remote performs all the required steps Backlit controls and LCD display:...More at Amazon Marketplace
Easy to use; the remote can automatically set-up your entertainment system in seconds Updatable via community-driven database together with IR learnin...More at Amazon Marketplace
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.