Wing Nut Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Which reminds me those Logitech wireless keyboards and mice certainly look cool......They are pretty good - especially battery life. My previous attempts at a cordless mouse was a waste of money - went through batteries inside a few days, so all I have to show for it is a recharger and some worn out AAAs. My Logitech keyboard and mouse, however, is way over 6 months old and I changed the batteries for the first time only recently - pretty amazing considering the amount of time I use my PC. Only wish I'd bought a regular size/shape/layout keyboard because I rarely use it on my lap after all (got a smallish one thinking HTPC, maybe). I keep banging keys that aren't there - it looks pretty normal, but the brain in my fingers suggests it isn't. A conventional layout keyboard next time, but certainly Logitech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I did not have to buy a new remote after all.Harmony replaced it even though it was out of warranty and even couriered it to my place.Only took one call. FANTASTIC!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdannie Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Hi, is there any functionality on the Harmony 360 remote that is not in the 520 or 525? The 360 remote can se can be found much cheaper on StaticICE cheers Lewdannie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EZYHD Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Hi,is there any functionality on the Harmony 360 remote that is not in the 520 or 525? The 360 remote can se can be found much cheaper on StaticICE cheers Lewdannie All Harmony's have the same functions, the differences being some have coloured buttons for STB's or used for Xbox etc, others have larger windows where more activities can be shown, and rechargable lithium batteries in the higher models like the 880. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdannie Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 All Harmony's have the same functions, the differences being some have coloured buttons for STB's or used for Xbox etc, others have larger windows where more activities can be shown, and rechargable lithium batteries in the higher models like the 880. Thanks...but I suppose I was hoping to know whether the x-box buttons can be configured to other activities when not using an x-box. I have a 657 and I am wondering if there will be any loss of functionality (apart from the dedicated activity buttons at the top). cheers Lewdannie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quijibo Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 You can use the buttons for whatever you want. You dont need an xbox 360. It comes pre-configured with xbox360 commands, but when you configure the remote with the software you can deselect the xbox360 and use the coloured buttons for whatever you want. It really is a great value remote, as its just as good and maybe better than the 525 and 550, and is cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdannie Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 You can use the buttons for whatever you want. You dont need an xbox 360.It comes pre-configured with xbox360 commands, but when you configure the remote with the software you can deselect the xbox360 and use the coloured buttons for whatever you want. It really is a great value remote, as its just as good and maybe better than the 525 and 550, and is cheaper. Thanks for that advice...now all that's left is to convince the wife.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Thanks for that advice...now all that's left is to convince the wife.... This is where a demo would come in handy. There's no way on earth my missus could run my system with all the standard remotes, but with teh Harmony she does it easily. recently showed my parents how it works, now they want one too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uforia Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I've got the 785 and recommend it one of the best things i've gotton for my HT...is nearly double the price of 550 model but it's almost worth the colour screen and charging cradle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhf 2 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I agree, I,ve tried 6 different remotes & the harmany is the only one that would control all of my gear. As said above it does take a bit of trial & error but well worth it in the end. Set the activities up & you will only have to push one button to watch what you want. Eg Watch dvd , Will turn on the Tv , dvd player , surround sound ,set Tv to the right input , set stereo to the right input & volume & start playing the dvd. You can,t go wrong. Also I have the bottem of the range 520 so they can only get better right? My wife finds it easy to use which is a big bonus . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hun113 Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 You can use the buttons for whatever you want. You dont need an xbox 360.It comes pre-configured with xbox360 commands, but when you configure the remote with the software you can deselect the xbox360 and use the coloured buttons for whatever you want. It really is a great value remote, as its just as good and maybe better than the 525 and 550, and is cheaper. Agreed. I have configured the coloured button on my 360 to control my Panna 50PH60A display and Philips HD STB DTR 7200, eventhough the coloured buttons on the 360 are not in the same order but it still does the job nicely. I bought my harmony 360 from Office Work when it was on special for $99.00, and IMHO it's money well spent. Also the 360 have 4 extra buttons compare to 525, they are: clear, display, title and enter. lewdannie, hope this helps with your decision. Cheers, Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampus Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Eg Watch dvd , Will turn on the Tv , dvd player , surround sound ,set Tv to the right input , set stereo to the right input & volume & start playing the dvd. You can,t go wrong.Also I have the bottem of the range 520 so they can only get better right? My wife finds it easy to use which is a big bonus . How do you overcome the problems of having a couple of the units out of sync as far as power is concerned? E.G. In a simple scenario, you walk in, the STB is still active, but the screen is off. Hit the "watch TV", and then what happens. Are you in a situation that STB goes into standby and the screen is on? I don't think that most units have separate power commands for on and off, only a toggle. Can you recover from this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 How do you overcome the problems of having a couple of the units out of sync as far as power is concerned? The harmonys rememer which equipment is on when and make up macros "on the fly" to cater for switching between activities. eg in watch TV it turns on TV and STB, then you hit Watch DVD it knows TV is on so it turns off STB and turns on DVD. If in your example the STB was turned on manually or by its original remote, you still hit Watch TV and then hit the Help button. This will ask a series of questions eg is TV on, is STB on etc and through a series of yes/no answers it syncs the devices again. If you haven't already, buy one. Its a great investment for as little as $80 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gutty Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I've got the 785 and recommend it one of the best things i've gotton for my HT...is nearly double the price of 550 model but it's almost worth the colour screen and charging cradle Biggest plus to the 880/785 models is the ability to do "favourite channels". Makes life so easy, especially on fox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I'll be selling my Logitech Harmony 885, since I've now got the 1000i. Gino, Is this still for sale ? Cheers, Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampus Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 The harmonys rememer which equipment is on when and make up macros "on the fly" to cater for switching between activities. eg in watch TV it turns on TV and STB, then you hit Watch DVD it knows TV is on so it turns off STB and turns on DVD.If in your example the STB was turned on manually or by its original remote, you still hit Watch TV and then hit the Help button. This will ask a series of questions eg is TV on, is STB on etc and through a series of yes/no answers it syncs the devices again. If you haven't already, buy one. Its a great investment for as little as $80 Seems like a winner. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EZYHD Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Grampus, in a nutshell, the Harmony's know what to leave on or turn off when switching between devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Gino, Is this still for sale ? Cheers, Andrew. Most likely... I'm having some gripes with the 1000i, so it will be the 885 or the 1000i.. should know this week, will PM you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quijibo Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 There is also a devices button which lets you use the remote to control a single device. It is quite handy when something doesnt get turned on or off properly, which does happen every now and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hun113 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 There is also a devices button which lets you use the remote to control a single device. It is quite handy when something doesnt get turned on or off properly, which does happen every now and then. I love the device button. Overall I think it is an excellent remote, even now I am still trying to get the best out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen1503559573 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I love my Harmony remote (as much as it is possible to love a remote control) My girlfriend can now operate my HT system (dont know if this a good thing or not) I have a 785 and bought a 525 for my parents system. The functionality and setup is pretty much the same for both. The 785 definately has a clearer easier to read screen and I like to the favourite channel option with the chanel logos. The battery charger cradel has given me no problems at all (i think they got it right first time this time) However the 525 is a very good buy for the money. If you can spare the extra $100 the 785 is great but the 525 is also very good. My parents also really like using the remote and they are much happier operating their system now. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_marcelo Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 There is also a devices button which lets you use the remote to control a single device. It is quite handy when something doesnt get turned on or off properly, which does happen every now and then. I got the 525 today mainly for my wife to use since she likes the 'hard buttons' ..... being used to the pronto/macros/anything you would like to programme the 520 was a little frustrating/limiting.... it would be ok for most set ups, but with the DVDO/amp/multiple PVRs, multiple DVD players the little 520 is pushed to the limit..... so I'm using it mainly for the toppy 7000, oppo DVD player and foxtel .... the coloured buttons do help with the toppy & Foxtel .... the rest of the equipment is 'out of bounds' .... I liked the looks of it and it I wanted to try one out, so $129 was ok to give it a go ..... will have to play more with it and see how it goes.... I'm keeping it, but I don't think I'll ever get rid of my pronto for anything.... the programming interface is too good for complex systems.... Gino, for you type of sytem mate, with a DVDO in the mix, a pronto would make it really easy to operate ..... you can download the pronto software free from pronto philips - I'm happy to send you a copy of my file, which has all the VP30/50 dsicrete codes...... ie: press play/open curtain ....... pause/close curtain.... so easy..... I'm amazed you can't have macros on the harmony .... you can play with the file and has a 'simulation mode' so you can see it in operation .... not as good looking as the 1000 ... but more functional ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 You have a devices page on the harmony, so you can program as many of the regular buttons as you want. I basically got this so you just press an activity and presto, that's it, everything you need is on and setup correctly all automatically at a single press, then you can just use the usual navigation buttons or play/pause etc.... and you can put a favourites page in for favourite channel, and a page that you want quick access to for common buttons in that given activity, such as changing aspect ratio's on the VP. It seems to do the job, and I'm after simple and sexy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdannie Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Thanks for that advice...now all that's left is to convince the wife.... This is where a demo would come in handy. There's no way on earth my missus could run my system with all the standard remotes, but with teh Harmony she does it easily. recently showed my parents how it works, now they want one too. I got the 360 remote for $80 to replace the 657. Great decision...wife very happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts