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| Logitech Harmony 720 Universal Remote | 
 enlarge | Brand: Logitech Harmony
Category: CE
List Price: $179.99
Buy New: $110.00
You Save: $69.99 (39%)
New (5) from $110.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  37 reviews
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 1 x 1 x 1
MPN: harmony
Model: harmony
UPC: 097855037756
EAN: 0097855037756
ASIN: B000GD3J3G
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new and in the plastic, never opened. i'll ship ASAP. thanks
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| Customer Reviews:
Expensive, but yes this is the universal remote you've been looking for May 31, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
The (competing) universal remotes I've used so far either came with another device or were after market purchases. They have the following limitations:
* No investment protection: If I buy a new device later, I'll have to buy a new remote which understands that device's signals and hope the new remote continues to support my old equipment.
* Infrared support only -- won't mimic radio wave based remotes.
* Button assignments sometimes don't do what I expect, and can't be reprogrammed.
* I end up keeping my old remote so that I can do that one thing that my universal remote won't do (whatever it is).
* Macros (a sequence of key presses) are difficult to program if they exist and sometimes they're limited to operating just one device.
* If I point the remote away from your device before the macro has had a chance to execute, I end up with devices left on that shouldn't be, wrong modes, etc.
* If the function of learning from an old remote is supported at all, it has severe limitations (can't include in a macro, can only remember up to 4 learned functions, etc.) and often has the "copy effect" (a copy is not quite as sharp as the original, and a copy of a copy is noticeably bad -- a big problem if you need to upgrade your remote later and can't find the original).
* Failing to hit the "Satellite" or "Cable" button before changing channel causes something unexpected to happen to my TV or VCR, and family members experiencing this problem try to "fix" the problem, making things even worse.
* At least one of my devices isn't supported.
The Logitech Harmony 720 fixes all but one of these problems (it can't emulate radio-based remotes) and does it with style.
YES, IT DOES THIS!:
* I can download new codes from the Internet for new devices
* You can record a sequence of keys to set up your inputs and device modes
* Did something go wrong? An interactive help button walks the user through the potential problem spots. Handy for houseguests and "uninitiated" family members.
* It remembers what devices were on and off and adjusts the key sequence to compensate so you can switch from one activity to another without turning off all of your devices first or without screwing up the modes of each device.
* Some of my devices feed their sound through the TV. Some through my 5.1 surround sound system. My wife was very confused about when to use which volume keys on my old universal remote. This device simplifies it: 1 set of volume keys which adjusts depending on the activity.
* One button turns on only the devices I need. ...and when I'm done, one button turns off the devices I don't need.
* An extended list of functions (which goes beyond the capabilities of the original remote in many cases) is available, and can be programmed as an extra key on the remote's screen, labeled properly and everything.
* Remember that one function you keep the old remote around for? This remote can learn hundreds of functions from the old remote, and display them in a menu.
* Will operate PVRs and projectors too.
Pleasant surprises:
* "Do you use your Playstation to play DVDs?" -- well no, but I used to; thanks for asking!
* You can set up macros to execute as a device is being powered off and the remote will remember this even if you are leaving some of your devices on for another activity.
* "Your device wasn't in my database. ...but that's okay, let's make it work." Oh, how awesome is that??! That's worth $50 in itself!
* "Would you like to program a slide show into your remote control?" That's a bit over-the-top, but could be useful in certain settings.
* "Do you have a home media server or workstation such as Windows Media Edition where photos are stored that you might want to put in a living room slideshow?"
* "Do you have any home automation controls? ...and if so, do you want to dim the lights when you watch a movie?"
* [Help] button takes a first pass at fixing the problem *immediately* and without asking the user what's wrong. So [Help] --> "Did that fix it?" Uh, yeah; how did you know?
* In a dark room, all of the keys light up so you can see them.
* The remote will fully charge fairly quickly.
* All of your settings are backed up on your PC, so even if your battery goes dead you can restore it to its previous state.
* The biggest surprise of all? My usually anti-technology wife actually really likes using this device. She has a knack for finding faults with IMHO the most idiot-proof devices so I was prepared to return the device just in case.
Minor Drawbacks:
* A couple of devices required a bit of tweaking. For example, my TV and Receiver take much longer to turn on than the software expects so I had to make some adjustments.
* I guess this device requires a bit more kick than four double-A batteries could deliver so you have to recharge it periodically. A charging cradle has been provided for this purpose.
* I read elsewhere complaints that it's easy to not get the remote back in the charger correctly... this is true, and may require some training of family members; fortunately the battery lasts a fairly long time, so if your 7-year-old son or 80-year-old grandmother doesn't get it quite right it won't go dead overnight.
* Was it worth the price? Ugh; even for an amazing device like this one, the price is still pretty steep. It's good enough that I'd shell out $100 for it under the right conditions, but that's a lot to pay for a remote. Still, the smile I got from my wife at its simplicity convinced me to keep it.
Good remote with GREAT customer service May 28, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The remote and software take a little getting used to, but after playing around with them I'm very happy. You should be ready to spend some time playing around in the software to get it to work the way you want. In between poking around on the PC software and tech support I have spent about 3-4 hours total (over 3 days) getting it set up for my TV, DVD, Satellite (with DVR) and lights.
Telephone support was GREAT, when an oddity of my system made setting up the remote a bit complicated they fixed it on their end, and I downloaded it to my remote. How cool is that??
I'll be interested to see how the parents and in-laws work with it next time they are in town. Hopefully they will find it easier then the pile of remotes that was on the table.
 Logitech Harmony Remote - Wonderful! May 7, 2007
I love this remote. It's lightweight and does what you program it to. Also, progamming it on the PC is so easy anybody can follow it. It's replaced 3 of my remotes for Satellite, TV, and Stereo systems. Best money on a remote I ever spent.
Easy to use, but worth the set up time April 6, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is great for those who are lost with the many buttons on a remote. Everything syncs up like the description says.
If you have a Sirius or XM radio, you better have the remote, cause these arent supported and you have to manually enter the IR codes.
The only thing that may be difficult about this remote is actually remembering the sequence you use to have all of your AV equipment on to have the proper signal.
If you have a laptop and can sit in front of your home theater setup if you are unsure of these sequences, I highly recomend it, you wont have to keep going back and forth to your computer.
Set-up and trouble shooting took me about an hour and half total. I added a new component and that only took 2 mins to update the remote. Its worth the time and the money.
It has a nice, slight rubberized grip and a two tier palm rest under the remote so it is comforatble to hold in any position while reaching for the top buttons of the lower ones.
 Needs Bigger Buttons March 29, 2007
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Generally a good (but not great)product. The major drawback is that most of the buttons are tiny...way too small for the average-sized finger. Small buttons make it difficult to utilize the DVR fast-forward and other activities.
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