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| Date Reviewed: 02/20/2007 |
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Strengths: Please Read Below
Weaknesses: None
Summary: Logitech Harmony Is The "World's Best Remote. Period!!!" Let me start out by saying that any negative reviews that you hear about Logitech Harmony remotes are from people that don't have patience or from those that did not pass 5th grade. I have had Onkyo's RC model universal learning remote for more than 5 years till a few of the buttons started dying. I wasn't very sure that the Logitech Harmony 550 would work; since it had fewer buttons and you had to use a program or website to program it. But, I was proved wrong towards a very pleasant surprise by my Logitech Harmony 550. Great Features: * Can customize almost all buttons to your preference * Knows which units are on, so that only those are turned off, when you press the single power off button * Can learn any IR command from the original remote * HUGE database that already had 7 out of my 8 components... WOW! * Remote goes into power save mode after 2 hours of non usage to save battery life * 550 model has 4 extra buttons: Sound, Picture, A & B; I'd rather have more button, hence I picked this model * LCD display itself acts as 4 additional buttons once you are into an activity such as watching tv, watching dvd etc. * Great build quality and a high quality rubberized finish throughout the bottom of the remote so that it won't slide off your hand * You can even control the speed of delay between IR signals to the same device, between devices, during power on and a couple more. Basically you can control any little thing you want to the finest level of detail with this remote Important Tips: * Software: Use the program from the CD, provided it is the latest or better version. My CD came with version 7.0.2 while the web based program is 7.0.1. I chose to use my CD program and I like the much cleaner interface of the CD program versus the web based program * Forums: The logitech forums are amazing and you can get to it from the 'More Help' -> 'Contact Us' -> 'Forums'. Look for posts in this forum by a user by the name 'WannabeActuary' of 'Logi Guru' level and he seems to know answers to all your Logitech Harmony questions * Programming: The basic programming if you know all your device model numbers takes 10 minutes. For advanced i.e. more picky users you can customize the remote to perfection and you can spend a whole day doing this, because of the sheer fact that you can customize anything and everything, which is great! * Activity Buttons: Make sure that once you are inside an activity, that you customize the first two pages of the LCD screen to show the commands that you use most frequently. E.g.: In the activity of 'Watch DVD' with a DVD changer, you probably would want 'Subtitle', 'Audio', 'Next Disc', 'Previous Disc' commands are displayed on the first page of the LCD screen and so on Conclusion: This is best remote you can find for under $70 and it can do everything you want it to do and it is truly a universal remote. In final analysis, the only thing I can say is that this is the "World's Best Remote. Period!!!"
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| Date Reviewed: 07/13/2006 |
- mehul73
- Member Since:
Jul 2006
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Strengths: Easily Programmable. Help button solves most of the problem. Activity option rocks.
Weaknesses: Some learning curve. It wont work right out of the box for all your device. Some programming required.
Summary: One Activity button allows you to turn ON and OFF the right components of your home theater. Say you want to watch DVD, you just program this as an activity on your remote, so when you press that one button it will turn on your DVD, TV - set the correct input for TV and turn on audio receiver. You can control almost everything. I have Directv HD DVR, Dishnetwork DVR, Directv DVR, FTA unit, Samsung DLP, Onkyo receiver, Sony CD system, Oppo HD DVD player and this unit controls everything like a charm. Above all all your programming is stored on Logitech website, so you can program it from any PC with USB connection.
This remote can also learn commands from other remotes using Infrared. This feature is awesome, because you can make this remote learn some commands which it may include by default.
This one remote will replace all the remotes you have for all the components.
I would highly recommend this remote to others.
80% of People (4/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/15/2006 |
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Strengths: Looks nice, additional buttons, nice feel, activity buttons
Weaknesses: No favorite channel activity like other models, monotone screen
Summary: For the price (bought for $75), the remote functions good once setup. The setup software took some time to study and understand. I'm sure I'm still not taking full advantage of all the features. I just wish there was the favorite channel activity; probably no other reason to upgrade to pricier models unless you want color screen or recharging cradle.
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/25/2006 |
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Strengths: Great look and nice performance
Weaknesses: NA
Summary: I've been using this remote for at least 2 months now and I must say this thing is awesome. Despite what other reviewers would have you believe, the ability to have every button from all your remotes is what I think makes this remote so great. Any "soft button" logitech doesn't include in the initial programing of your device can be learned through the IR port.
Also, my remote never misses a beat when switching between viewing modes. If I go from "watch TV" to "watch DVD", it gets all of the inputs right every time. This may be another issue of knowing how to program it properly.
I just had to give my 2 cents after seeing people giving this bad reviews based on improper use or not reading directions. I would buy this remote again in a heartbeat!
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/28/2006 |
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Strengths: Every thing from ease of programming to ease of use. When you set up activities it turns on the proper equipment and sets everything up for you. No more turning on your TV then you receiver and so on.
Weaknesses: None that I found.
Summary: This remote is a godsend. I've been very skeptical about not buying enough remote or too much. The Harmony 550 is more than enough yet not too much. I read many reviews and most people complained about software and I'll admit it made me even more of a skeptic but they also seemed to say it worked wonderfully. For the price I do not think you can find a better remote. I saw some complain of button size but they seem pretty standard to me. I compared them with all of the remotes they were replacing and they were very close. I had no issue with button size or programming. I assume software was updated because it was quick and painless for me. It actually took less than 10 minutes. My only advice is to make sure you have the brand name and model number written down before you program as that will only keep programing quick and smooth. For the novice to semi advanced system this is a best buy! I've already recommended it to my friends and co workers and I'm buying two more one more for my bedroom and one for my parents!
60% of People (3/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/15/2006 |
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Strengths: (1) Database with over 15,000 devices to set the remote to (2) USB port and cable for easy updating of software and firmware (3)Can control 15 devices (4)Help button that solves problems itself
Weaknesses: Software and setup might be a little complicated for some
Summary: At first when I got this remote I couldn't wait to mess around with it. It just looks and feels great. The blue light is a perfect addition to the LCD screen. As of now the remote is controlling my Xbox 360, Samsung HDTV, and DirecTV HD receiver. It took a couple of tries to get everything setup right though. There were some advanced settings I had to choose because I have a Samsung TV. But after that the remote is a great addition to your entertainment setup. I don't have to use 3 remotes now. The remote can even setup custom buttons to act like the A, B, X, and Y buttons on the Xbox 360. All in all I recommend this remote highly.
50% of People (5/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/13/2006 |
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Strengths: Ease of operation, backlighting on remote great easy to program with software once you get the hang of it
Weaknesses: None that are not worth the trade off of having to mess with 6 seperate remotes.
Summary: GREAT REMOTE!!!! My wife thinks this is the greatest remote we have ever tried to use, it's even easy for her to understand how to work it. I only wish I had more electronics to program for it.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/07/2006 |
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Strengths: Controls everything, Easy to use Backlight
Weaknesses: Buttons are small and it takes a while to learn how to program
Summary: This is a great remote for a small home theater system. It works great after a little bit of getting used to. I definitely recommend this remote. Be patient and this remote will pay off.
50% of People (2/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/13/2006 |
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Strengths: easy to program and use
directions that make sense
Weaknesses: Buttons slightly small for my big fingers
Summary: The software installed painlessly-
I was able to connect to the remote using the provided USB adapter cable-
The directions make sense and are easy to follow.
Most every brand and model can be remotely controlled quite effortlessly.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/29/2006 |
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Strengths: Works well with all my devices. Activity control is excellent!!! Help button is a by far the best idea in a remote. Works with all my components
Weaknesses: Buttons are too close together, will take some geting used too.
set up is esay but software is very slow.
Summary: Love the activities control, it allows you to turn on all the components needed for the activity, like watch a dvd, with one button. It will turn on all the components needed and select all the proper inputs, like video 2 and input 3 on all components. It will even turn off components not needed if you were doing a different activity like watching cabel or listening to cds all with one button. Beats the macro buttons on other remotes, it's much more sophisticated and easer to setup and use.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/21/2006 |
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Strengths: Control just about any device out there, easy setup and maintanaince via the software.
Weaknesses: Display always on, had to change the setup of just about all my devices, too little buttons.
Summary: I love this remote, it took me a couple of days to teach it all my other remotes but now it works with no problems, it replaced mo less than 9 remotes in my house, is now known as "The Man Control"
For the price I would definetely recommend this remote, I dont see how the more expensive Harmony remotes can be any better than this, so save your money and bring some Harmony into your home.
40% of People (2/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/07/2006 |
- mmiiler
- Member Since:
Jun 2006
View Member's:
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Strengths: Great compatability
easy to use
buttons are all in the right place.
Weaknesses: nothing!
Summary: This is a great universal remote for people with multiple systems. It works with everything even my xbox360. I would recommend this to anyone who likes electronics. The only thing I would change about this remote is a bigger screen.
33% of People (1/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/22/2006 |
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 working good Strengths: able to control most of the units
Weaknesses: Small buttons
Summary: Worth the price. The programmable Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote control gives you all you want even of it is little clusmy with the buttons and there is a getting used to issue as well.
29% of People (2/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/13/2008 |
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I expected better...
Strengths: firmware upgradeable.
very programmable - learn and map keys at will
online mappings for countless devices
Weaknesses: Many - see comments.
Summary: The concept is simple: pick an activity you want and have all the keys configured to that activity. From the PC app you pick the key mappings and twiddle them as you see fit. Unlimited soft keys (4 per "page") and 5-stroke sequences (macros) round out the major configuration tools.
An alternate mode is "device" mode, wherein you control one device at a time. This is basically the world you live in today.
Issues that arise:
- It is difficult to provide a backward compatible experience with all other universal remotes. You have to completely buy into the "activity" metaphor.
- the remote component remembers component states...unless they are changed from "device" mode.
- The remote's power button should toggle power for "devices". It does not - it's inert in "device" mode. Very counter-intuitive.
- Like activities, buttons in "device" mode should allow control of other devices - they do not. So in DVD "device" mode I can only control the DVD. I'd like "volume" to control the TV volume in all cases. Instead I've got to explain to my wife and 6 year-old that "volume" doesn't always work like you'd expectand if it doesn't, well, just come and get me.
- You should be able to program keys to perform "remote-specific" actions, like "switch to DVD device mode". Obviously you can do it manually (with with multiple key presses), but then you're out of "activity" mode (having lost your control of things like "volume") and getting back to "activity" mode can be knarly. (see below)
- Activity/Device navigation on the remote is not smooth. If, while in an activity, you have to go to device mode (and you will!) then getting the remote back to the activity will cause that activity's startup commands to be re-issued. If you accidentally pick the wrong activity then you've got to unscramble all the component settings. A "back" button would be useful.
- Painful to clone settings between modes. PC app could improve this with a spreadsheet-like view so I could, for instance, apply one key setting to all modes. (When training the family I'd like the
- Custom sequences are too short. You are allowed only five key presses per sequence so if you have to do something like navigate an on-screen menu ("menu", "down", "down", "right", "down", ..., "select") you are very limited. In my case I needed to have my DVD report "time remaining" which, inexplicably, must be set every time I power it on. Unfortunately it was more than 5 key-presses away, so I'm out of luck.
- "Auto-fix" is unsettling. The simple "did that fix the problem?" leaves me wondering what on earth the remote thought the problem was and what has now changed. Did my saying 'yes' result in adding 100ms to some wait cycle? If I say 'no' will it become 200ms?
(about 12 more, but I'm limited in my response)
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| Date Reviewed: 07/07/2006 |
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Strengths: Better shape than previous Harmony remotes; strong backlight; choice between device or activity usage; intuitive, Web-based programming.
Weaknesses: No rechargeable battery option; numeric keypad buttons are too small and grouped too closely together; Web interface might intimidate nontechie users.
Summary: The PC-programmable Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote control offers a sleek design, and an impressive feature set. Worthy pick if you're looking for a universal remote under a hundred dollars. Got from Dell with 40% coupon so final price was $80.
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