Hello all,
This will be my first smart remote. All my components are in the open and in front of me.
1. Pioneer PDP-5080
2. Yamaha RX-V661 avr
3. D* HR21-700 HD-DVR
4. Toshiba HD-A2
5. PS3

Nothing too crazy, not sure what I need besides basic controls?
Looking to spend $200 or less.

Thanks so much for any help!

Hello all,
...
5. PS3
...
Be aware that the PS3 is not an IR device, but rather utilizes Blu-Tooth.

I use a neat USB Dongle that converts IR to Blu-tooth commands for the PS3. It was developed by one of the Forum members. http://www.schmartz.com/main.sc

And the subject is discussed at great length at: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=946674

All of the Harmony remotes operate on the same principle - activity oriented - and use the same software, so it's a preference thing as to which is better for you. Some of the major considerations:

- ergonomics - how the remote feels in your hand - for example, some people love the 880 while others love the 670 - this is probably the main one because if you hate the feel, you might as well not buy it
- touch screen or buttons (I believe only the 1000 and new One have touch screens
- RF/IR or just IR (in other words is everything in line of site) - the 890 is RF although you can get add on kits.

I'm sure there are many others.

Bob

Everything is in line of site. I checked out the two my BB had, the 670 and the 880. Both were fine ergonomic wise for me. So would I need anything the 880 offers over the 670?

If your budget is $200, I would wait for the Logitech's next-generation Harmony One. It is the high-end replacement for the 880. The Logitech One has a MSRP of $250, but should be available for $200-$220 around this time next month. This is Harmony's first true ergonomic remote.

In my opinion, only reason to consider another Harmony remote is if (1) you want to spend under $150, or (2) you must have hard color buttons, or (3) you must have RF.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2008/1/logitech-harmony-one/Logitech-harmony-one-700.jpg
Images can be used as LCD buttons on the Harmony One.

Harmony One vs. Harmony 880
http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/17/0,1425,sz=1&i=177233,00.jpg
Compare the button spacing.

Harmony 720 vs Harmony One
http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/harmony/One_vs_720/3.jpg (http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/harmony/One_vs_720/3_large.jpg)

I have owned a 550 for about a week now and it seems to be unable to control my Oppo correctly and it tries really hard not to talk to my PC. For some reason the remote recognizes the USB but the PC does not recognize the remote so no downloads happen.

There have been moments when I have seriously considered storing this POS 6 inches inside my wall.

...
There have been moments when I have seriously considered storing this POS 6 inches inside my wall.
I'm amazed that Customer Service hasn't sorted it out for you. I have never found them wanting.

I'm amazed that Customer Service hasn't sorted it out for you. I have never found them wanting.

They recommended I manually add all the buttons for the Oppo issue. I found that solution wanting and am trying other solutions.

Other than that, the remote just seems really buggy.

Wow, someone actually put the fast forward to the right of the play button and the rewind to the left? It's about freakin' time!

Wow, someone actually put the fast forward to the right of the play button and the rewind to the left? It's about freakin' time!

Amen. I've been using the 890 for about 6 months now and I'm just now used to the idiotic way the ff/rw/play/pause/stop/record/etc. buttons are laid out (in fact, I still have to look down to remember which is stop and which is record). That Harmony One looks very, very nice. Presumably the Harmony Two will be the exact same thing only with RF. If it weren't for the fact that my wife would've divorced me over having to use 7 different remotes to watch some TV, I'd be really dissapointed that I didn't wait. That said, once the Harmony Two is released, I'll probably be a little more liberal in my policy on my 2-year-old playing with my 890....

--Mav

bfdtv...thanks for the pics!
What if I wanted a universal remote for all in line of sight equipment now, as another day of four remotes is going to make me crazy, lol?(doesn't have to be a Harmony, I just always see their name w/remotes)

bfdtv...thanks for the pics!
What if I wanted a universal remote for all in line of sight equipment now, as another day of four remotes is going to make me crazy, lol?(doesn't have to be a Harmony, I just always see their name w/remotes)If you have to buy a remote today, I would get a Harmony 720 from Costco or Sam's Club.

That should cost you around $110-$120, and you'll have the option to return it for the Harmony One next month.

Harmony makes it easy to move all of your settings to a new remote, so you shouldn't have any trouble moving your setup to the Harmony One, should you buy one later.

If the 720 is out of stock loally does the trade in program work across their whole line-up?
Thanks again!

Harmony does not have a trade-in program. But Costco has a liberal return policy.

I don't have a Costco near me. Sam's club's, but not a member.
So any other reccomendations? Anything at CC, Tweeter, or BB that isn't way overpriced?

I went to my local CC today and picked up a Harmony One for 149.99. Dont know if its a mistake but I left there feeling like I stole something :)

I am having issues when turning my Pioneer 5080 on. I mean it turns on OK but does not want to switch inputs. Any ideas?

If your budget is $200, I would wait for the Logitech's next-generation Harmony One. It is the high-end replacement for the 880. The Logitech One has a MSRP of $250, but should be available for $200-$220 around this time next month. This is Harmony's first true ergonomic remote.



Circuit City has them for $149. Just picked one up myself!

Yep....I told my brother about the deal and he bought two. One for himself and another for a friend.

As an owner of two Harmony 880's who pretty much likes them but is less than crazy about the size/legibility of the buttons, I picked up the new "One" a few days ago. MUCH improved over the 880.
My stuff:
Yamaha RX-V3800 receiver
Sony 46XBR4 display
Tosh XA-2 HD-DVD player
Denon 2930CI DVD player
Onkyo DX-7555 CD player
Motorola HD DVR cable box
JVC SR-VD400U VCR :D
An IR controlled dimmer for my fireplace lights

The Harmony works like a charm for all of the above. The only glitches I've found so far are with the buttons for the receiver. I have a feeling that Logitech used past Yamaha remotes for mapping this instead of the new ones. There's a few buttons that are different on the remote for my RX-V3800 as compared to the remote for my RX-V2700, so I've had to do a few tweaks on the new Harmony, which was pretty easy.
Other than that, the new "One" rocks.

Anyone know if the Harmony One is still on sale at circuit city for $150? I couldn't find it on their website. I'll try to drop by today if no one knows (after the game at least).

Anyone know if the Harmony One is still on sale at circuit city for $150? I couldn't find it on their website. I'll try to drop by today if no one knows (after the game at least).

It's up to $199 in most stores now. $149 was only good for a day or two.

It's to $250 at circuit city right now, I went there tonight. Congrats to those who picked it up for the low price of $150.

Eagles, do you have all HDMI inputs going into your new Yami 3800 and then a single out to your TV. I need something that will handle this. Will the 880?

I gave the 880 a try but the bizarre, cramped button layout was just too difficult to use comfortably. Trying to use those tiny little silver buttons was the equivalent of trying to operate a television by pressing on someone's teeth. I have a Harmony One coming ($199 brand new in the box from eBay) and I'm looking forward to a more intuitive button layout.

In Frederick MD.
Checked BB but they were out of stock ($249)
Checked CC and they had five. I bought one of them. The sticker on the box said $249 but when they rung it up the price came up as $199.

Got in on charge right now and have the latest software loaded to my MAC. Next step is to compile all manufacture and model names from the various components.

Will do the install bright and early tomorrow morn :)

I chose the Harmony One based upon the fact I only need IR, ergonomic factor, color touch screen and the good write up it has received on this forum. Price was right also.

Well, I grabbed the 520 because it was in stock and on sale for $49 at Sears.
I'm not liking it so far.

Going to look into an upgrade tomorrow :(