Harmony Remote Control Owners & Discussion Thread

[bacco|007]

http://www.propellerhead.com.au/company/harmony/main.jsp

[gadgarra]

I've heard back from BlueDo, and they will NOT be carrying the 885.

I guess our next step is to try to find a UK outlet at a good price that will ship overseas.

[glenncol]

I've heard back from BlueDo, and they will NOT be carrying the 885.

I guess our next step is to try to find a UK outlet at a good price that will ship overseas.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Guys lets try and find an Australian out let and do a group buy on this

[SPDF]

I've heard back from BlueDo, and they will NOT be carrying the 885.

I guess our next step is to try to find a UK outlet at a good price that will ship overseas.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Guys lets try and find an Australian out let and do a group buy on this

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Glenn,

If you want to go this way, check this site out. They obviously have a local distribution agreement with Logitech:

http://www.digitalhome.com.au/

Scroll down and you will see the 6xxx series remotes, which indicates they should be able to get the 885 as well

[Guest EZYHD]

Good call finding a local seller APDF but I checked out that site and the H676 is near twice the price in OZ $ rather than buying off Bluedo heavens knows what the 885 would be.

[fattchoi1503559854]

I've heard back from BlueDo, and they will NOT be carrying the 885.

I guess our next step is to try to find a UK outlet at a good price that will ship overseas.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just logged on and got an email from Bluedo. They are not likely to stock the 885...

Cheers.

[holo1503559724]

Interesting article/review on 880 and the 885 from Toms Hardware.

Also I have asked Scan.co in the UK if they will ship to Aus.

[gadgarra]

Pixmania UK say they deliver to "most countries of the world", but they use DHL, and this would get us into the customs/duty area. Also their price for the 885 is 251.91 euro, which converts to about $A415, close to UK list price, I think.

[SPDF]

Pixmania UK say they deliver to "most countries of the world", but they use DHL, and this would get us into the customs/duty area.  Also their price for the 885 is 251.91 euro, which converts to about $A415, close to UK list price, I think.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have posted a query on the US RemoteCentral forum to see if they have any ideas how we can get hold of the 885 at a more reasonable rate. Will advise when I get some answers.

Tell you what though, I think unless one is available at a reasonable price, the 880 with power adaptor might be the next logical step. Mind you, having just bought a 680, and checking out the 880 controls and layout, I don't think I could justify the extra dollars. The 680 is just so easy to use, heaps cheaper, and to my mind better in that you have more 'hard' buttons than the 880/885 (which saves you scrolling through menus).

"Just 'cause it's a new model, don't make it better" - quote from a drunken coyote lying on a log.

[Guest EZYHD]

SPDF, Well I'm glad I took your advise and ordered the 680, waiting for it to arrive, been a week now from Bludo. One tink I was really amazed about when I took a test drive was the huge data base they have of components many going back many years.

[Dir]

Awwww, give up on finding a cheap source for the 885, bite the bullet, and just order the 880 from Bluedo. It's AUD$300 all up including voltage converter. You know you want to. You know you need to.

I'm sceptical that trying to arrange a bulk buy in this forum will achieve much. You >might< get 10 people saying they want one. A retailer might give you 10% off for that at a guess, but if it was sent from overseas then Customs will grab it, and if you get it locally then you're paying a lot more anyway.

The 885 has the coloured buttons; the 880 can "do" coloured buttons on the display instead. The voltage converter is a little thing about the 2/3rds the size of a rubic's cube and sits hidden away at the power point. And you'll have to wait at least a month extra for the 885 from what I've read.

So chomp down on that cartridge and order it from Bluedo and sit here like I do hitting Refresh on the Bluedo website waiting for "Shipping Now!" to appear.

You know you need to. It's calling you. It's calling us.

Dir.

[fattchoi1503559854]

Dir: Hahahahaha. I sure like your selling pitch. Almost click 'OK' too. But nope, I am waiting for the 885. For once, I won't be budged... And when I got my 885, I will keep harping on how useful the colored button are being available without having to call it up on the lcd screen...

Cheers.

[cruro02]

I've had the 659 for around a year and love the unit as does the wife.  It is just so easy to setup and use.

As for Aus resellers, www.idt.com.au should be able to put you in contact with a reseller in your area.  (I don't think they sell direct to the public).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

taggartc - just wondering - I have a 659 myself, but I have mislaid the USB cable for it - don't suppose you know if it's a standard mini usb cable or not??

[Guest EZYHD]

I'm awaiting the arrival of my 680 Harmony from Bluedo and have questions for those in the know.

After downloading the info into the Harmony how does it asign buttons for each piece of home theatre gear?, for instance, my Infocus 4805 has buttons for screen size (4.3/16.9 etc.), source, menu etc. so how would one know which buttons they are on the Harmony?.

Same goes for my RX-V750 Tuner/Amp it has a whole bunch of music and other modes.

Then my Opentel STB is different again.

So once the button is pressed to turn on say Pj, Amp DVD player how is each item controlled?.

Also if I have an electric screen with IR is it possible to have this in the Harmony?.

Sorry I'm in the dark til I receive it.

[czzer]

It will assign a default configuration for each device in device mode, and each activity in activity mode. If you want to change it, you use the web setup, where it basically has a page for each activity/device with a list of remote buttons, and a drop-down selection for each button where you can assign whichever function you want to any button you want. You can also assign extra functions to any hard button in activity mode. ie add a "screen down" command to your "play" button.

If there are extra commands that are not assigned to hard buttons, they will go to the LCD buttons...eg your receiver DSP modes, aspect ratio etc.

Also remember the remote is intended to always operate in activity mode. This means that you don't turn on each device, but rather press "Watch DVD" and the remote will turn on all devices you have told it are required for that activity. The remote then controlls all devices in that activity at the same time. ie transport buttons will control DVD player, volume buttons will control receiver etc.

When in activity mode, there are "picture" and "sound" buttons which are basically a quick link to the device mode of the devices used for video and audio in that activity.

As a last resort you can switch to conventional device mode, and have a list of all devices and dedicate the remote to each device much like a standard URC. However, if you find yourself using device mode more than once or twice a week, you really should map the needed command to the relevant activity.

The electric screen should work fine. You could add a "screen down" command to the start of your "Watch DVD" or "Watch TV on PJ" activity ot whatever. You just need to include the screen device when you set up the activity.

[SPDF]

SPDF, Well I'm glad I took your advise and ordered the 680, waiting for it to arrive, been a week now from Bludo. One tink I was really amazed about when I took a test drive was the huge data base they have of components many going back many years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Foxtail, I just set up my Favourite Channels on it tonight. They ask you to list all your channels, then tick the boxes next to your Favourites. Then, on the 680, you have the large green 'Media' button. If you press this, it immediately goes to your Favourites (and I only have 3 listed). This gives you the option of pressing any of those three to select a particular channel. But if you want to see all your listed channels, press the green 'Media' button again, and it shows 'All channels'. Then you can scroll through them to select one. Of course, you can still press the 'Change Channel' rocker switch, or press the 'Up/Down' ring to achieve the same. Guess the 'Media' button just shows you them by name before you select them. Very handy, and unique (I believe) to just the 680.

In fact, looking right into the 880, I don't believe it is as quick to use with it's lack of hard buttons you can assign various tasks to, compared to the 680. I just love on 'Watch PVR' pressing the hard button called 'Rec'd TV' which brings up the list of recorded programmes. Then press 'Live TV' button and it switches back to normal programming. Very simple and intuitive!

Mind you the 880/885 is pretty! But for me, I feel sure the 680 is a better choice!

Hope you like yours Foxtail, when it shows up.

[Guest EZYHD]

Thanks so much for tis wealth of info guys, much appreciated.

[holo1503559724]

In reply to my email of last week I received this reply. Alas they failed to advise if they deliver to Australia so i have asked for postage options etc.

Hi,

LN10573 Logitech Harmony Remote Control 885  £114.25  £134.24, but we dont expect stock until late next week.

Regards

Steven Aspden

Scan Computers

[gadgarra]

holo, assuming they will ship to Aus, can you also confirm with them that they will sell to us at the 114.25 (excl VAT) price.

Thanks

[holo1503559724]

holo, assuming they will ship to Aus, can you also confirm with them that they will sell to us at the 114.25 (excl VAT) price.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

will do

[Dir]

Update from Dir 2005/05/30 17:37:

Still sitting here pressing f5 on Bluedo's page waiting to see "Now Shipping". Finger sore. Strange looks. Keyboard making funny noises. Running out of caffeine.

Need 880. Must have 880.

[achjimmy]

Anyone bought a Harmony 659 of ebay?

Jim

[cruro02]

Anyone bought a Harmony 659 of ebay?

Jim

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Haven't of eBay - but if you want one - wait a couple of weeks and when my 880 arrives from BlueDo I'll sell you my 659.....

[achjimmy]

Anyone bought a Harmony 659 of ebay?

Jim

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Haven't of eBay - but if you want one - wait a couple of weeks and when my 880 arrives from BlueDo I'll sell you my 659.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks let us know. I sent a PM

Rgds

Jim

[czzer]

Found this pic of the 885. Release date has supposedly been pushed back to mid August. 880 release date still June 10.

Harmony 885