Review – Logitech Harmony 880 remote

I’ve had my Logitech Harmony 880 remote for over a year now, and I love it! The WAF alone is worth it.

One of my favorite phrases to describe good technology is: It just works! And for me, the Harmony does. It just works.

For those not familiar with the Harmony, it’s a universal remote, and it focuses on Activities, rather than devices.

For example, you simply choose an activity, such as Digital Music, and it:

• turns on the receiver
• sets the receiver to the proper input (TV/DBS)
• set the receiver mode to 7 channel stereo
• turns on the cable box
• sets the cable box to my favorite digital music channel (Americana)
• turns on the Technics amp
  • the Technics amp powers my dining room in-wall speakers
  • the Technics AMP then powers on the Sony amp, which powers the two sets of speakers in the back yard
• set the Technics amp to the proper input
• turns off all other devices

So I instantly get my favority music station, in the desired audio format, and sent to every zone in the house. When in this activity, it knows that volume up/down should control the Denon receiver, and the channel up/down should control the cable box.  Nice.

All of this setup is configured by the Harmony website, which then transfers a configuration file to the remote, which connets to the computer via a USB cable. The web interface does a nice job of walking you through the setup, and it’s database contained all of my components. In addition, you can easily add commands when you start or stop an activity, which is how I have the Digital Music activity automatically start on my favorite station.

You can also customize the icons, text, and background of what shows on the LCD screen, so I was able to upload a custom background, as well as icons for all of my favorite channels. Here’s one site that has a downloadable set of icons and backgrounds.

I currently have my Harmony setup for 7 different activities:

• Watch a DVD
• Listen to Digital Music
• Play VCR
• Listen to CD
• Listen to Radio
• Listen to iPod
• Watch TV

It currently controls 9 devices:

• TV – Sony TV (KDF-55WF655)
• VCR – Panasonic VCR (PV-4659)
• DVD – Toshiba DVD (HD-A2)
• Technics Amp – Technics AV Receiver (SA-GX100)
• AV Receiver – Denon AV Receiver (AVR-3801)
• PVR – Scientific Atlanta PVR (Explorer 8300HD)
• CD Player – Technics CD Jukebox (SL-MC7)
• Digital Music Server – Apple Digital Music Server (iPod Docking station)
• Lights – X10 Wireless Light Controller (IR-543)

The combination of color LCD screen, along with “real” buttons, makes it super easy to use, even in the dark.

When you pick up the remote, a built-in tilt sensor takes the remote out of its “sleep” mode, and it does so almost instantly. After a short period of time, it goes into sleep mode, which helps conserve the battery. There is a charge meter right on the LCD screen.

The Harmony comes with a recharging station, and that’s been my only complaint so far. After about six months, the remote doesn’t really connect with the charger very well, so I have to place a book on top of the remote when it’s charging, otherwise it simply sets in the cradle, but doesn’t make contact with the charging contacts, so it doesn’t charge.

One of the things I really like is the Help mode. If for some reason, your system isn’t working, you simply press the Help button, and the remote prompts you with a series of questions. Is the TV on? In the Cable box on? Is the receiver set to TV? etc. If you answer no, it will then attempt to send the IR signal to fix the issue, then ask you again. Is the TV on now? Did that fix the problem? Again, it’s a godsend for the WAF factor. Since getting the remote, I no longer have to hear my wife complain because she can’t figure out how to work “the system”.

I was surprised to find that the X10 controller was in the list of known devices for the Harmony. The X10 controller is pretty sweet. I have a CinemaQuest Ideal-Lume backlight for behind my TV, a floor lamp behind the couch, and I recently added rope lights above my window valances. All of these are now controlled from the Harmony.

A while back I had purchased a universal iPod dock (as I have an iPod Video and an iPod mini). The remote for the iPod dock is sold separatly (it’s an extra $29), and I didn’t get it. But with the Harmony, I am able to control my iPods, as the Harmony knows the codes for the dock. 

 

When I got the remote, it was in the $250 range, which to me is a great price. I was previously looking at remotes from Niles and Crestron which cost in the thousands. The Harmony 880 is now in the $150 range.

This is by far the best remote I have ever owned, and at its current price, I think it’s a no-brainer. I’m currently working on a whole-house AV system for some friends of mine, and a Harmony will be the next piece of equipment I recommend that they get.