Initial impression - Harmony 550

[Schteevie]

It is a nice sleak remote, and for the small cost it seems to be the way to go.

Quick question - I would love to be able to customize the "picture" and "sound" buttons... but they are not re-mappable are they...

complaints:

I can't say I love the stupid "wizard" style set-up interface
- I sure wish it was more "advanced" or at least had a more advanced option...

I had a hell of a time figuring out that I needed to increase the "repeater" to get my Pioneer 4360 to switch inputs when I changed activities... It wouldn't change to my cable box (SA 8300HD)input from the DVD player (OPPO 971H) because the TV was too busy syncing after changing res from the DVD player, and would miss the input comand...

It feels like there is a small motion sensor/ball bearing in it, but it doesn't light up when I pick it up, so I guess there isn't one...?

more later - but I needed to post something after spending almost 2 hours controlling my frustration and keeping from smashing it, while reprogramming it again and again... before FINALLY figuring out the issue.

[rodeoclown]

Awesome...thanks for the feedback...I am considering this model as well.

What other Harmony remotes if any did you consider before plopping down for the 550?

[Doug_Eldred]

I, too, am somewhat underwhelmed. I have yet to get it to work with my Mac Mini, though it claims to recognize the model number. It does fine with the Comcast STB, HP plasma TV, Sony DVD player, and Logitech Z-5450 speakers, though.

Mine seems to sense motion after an overnight lull, and turns the backlight on, but doesn't do so thereafter, so there must be some kind of a timer involved.

For $99 I think I expected more, but that said as long as it lets me do 90% of what I want to do with one control I guess I'm satisfied, if not ecstatic. There's no way I'm going to pay half the cost of the TV for a fancier remote!

Doug

[Schteevie]

Hey - I just noticed the back light does turn on when picking it up after an over night lull... weird.

Anyway - to answer the questions - the 550 really is the best laid out remote with the most customization, yet clean look that I could find.
None of the fancy roundy ones with rediculous colour displays appealed to me.
I got mine from DELL when they had it on sale fo $99 - but even at full price it is less then half the cost of the "ipod" priced high end models - that don't have any fundamental differences.

Regarding the mac - I suggest you play with the delay and repeater functions - it should work, maybe you just need to get the IR signal isolated.

Again - my only real complaint is the stupid set-up wizard - if it were more advanced, I would have likely figured out my problem a lot sooner.

for those looking to compare the remores - this is a great thread:

harmony comparison thread

[rosh400]

I just bought the 670. It's available for $110 from Buy.com with google checkout. I really like the button layout. It is excellent for DVR control and even as the 30 second skip for my comcast STB. I share the OP's criticism about lack of advanced controls. I wish I could map picture and sound right to the video and audio setup menu on my Sony HDTV. It would be great if logitech could add that capability.

[dtviewer]

Schteevie-I feel your frustration with the set-up wizard. But there is an answer!!! After you log in, exit out of the wizard immediatly! You dont have to use the wizard for programing! Just go to your login/member page and make all your changes there. It is SO much easier than using the wizard. Trust me, I suffered just like you before finding this out. Heres the link without the wizard- sign in and program.

members.harmonyremote.com

Doug, dont settle for 90%. This remote WILL do 100%. If need be, call Harmonies help desk-they are terrific. They'll get you up and running. And any other questions ask on here-someone will have some advice.

After buying my first harmony (have 3 now!) I have bought them for a lot of family and friends. Now I dont get the calls all the time like "how do I set my TV for the dvd again?"

[Schteevie]

Originally Posted by dtviewer

Schteevie-I feel your frustration with the set-up wizard. But there is an answer!!! After you log in, exit out of the wizard immediatly! You dont have to use the wizard for programing! Just go to your login/member page and make all your changes there. It is SO much easier than using the wizard. Trust me, I suffered just like you before finding this out. Heres the link without the wizard- sign in and program.

members.harmonyremote.com

THANK YOU!

THAT is a lot easier to deal with.
I HATE the stupid questions the wizard asks me to try to "guess" what my problem is, when I know EXACTLY what the problem is but can't get to the option to edit it.

Anyway - I also did some research regarding the 550 motion sensor - unlike the sensors on the high end harmonys, it seems it resets itself after it is activated, and doesn't work again until the remote has been un used for 2 hours.
There is no way that I can find to edit this to a shorter time - oh well.

At this point, the remote is doing everything I want!
It only took about 2 hours and a lot of hair pulling last night to get it that way

[golferadam]

I have had the Harmony 550 for about 6 months now. I like the fact that it can control everything. However, I have had to face the harsh reality that I prefer the softer buttons of the Adelphia remote that came with my Motorola 6412. It just seems like those buttons are easier to press than the ones on the 550. Looking at the different Harmony models it seems they all have hard buttons. Is this the preferred feel for a remote?

[Doug_Eldred]

As a reviewer somewhere (cnet?) said, I think the buttons are a little small, even for someone like me with smallish fingers, and too close to the end, making it almost a two-hand job to change channels. But that's a minor quibble.

[Schteevie]

Originally Posted by golferadam

I have had the Harmony 550 for about 6 months now. I like the fact that it can control everything. However, I have had to face the harsh reality that I prefer the softer buttons of the Adelphia remote that came with my Motorola 6412. It just seems like those buttons are easier to press than the ones on the 550. Looking at the different Harmony models it seems they all have hard buttons. Is this the preferred feel for a remote?

I am confused - you mean you prefer harder buttons right?

The 550 has soft buttons - and that is one of my complaints about it...
but I am dealing with it.

[golferadam]

Originally Posted by Schteevie

I am confused - you mean you prefer harder buttons right?

The 550 has soft buttons - and that is one of my complaints about it...
but I am dealing with it.

I don't think I explained it well. I prefer the buttons of the Adelphia remote. They are softer and easier to press.
I agree that the number keys on the 550 are soft, button the channel up/down, volume up/down, LCD buttons, and OK/directional buttons are overly stiff. For example, when I push one of the above mention buttons on the 550 there is a small clicking noise. I don't mind the noise but it's indicative that depressing the button is not a fluid motion the way it is on the Adelphia remote.

Here is a picture. The buttons I have circled are the ones I think are too hard. Unfortunately those are the main ones I use.

[Schteevie]

Originally Posted by golferadam

I don't think I explained it well. I prefer the buttons of the Adelphia remote. They are softer and easier to press.
I agree that the number keys on the 550 are soft, button the channel up/down, volume up/down, LCD buttons, and OK/directional buttons are overly stiff. For example, when I push one of the above mention buttons on the 550 there is a small clicking noise. I don't mind the noise but it's indicative that depressing the button is not a fluid motion the way it is on the Adelphia remote.

Here is a picture. The buttons I have circled are the ones I think are too hard. Unfortunately those are the main ones I use.

interesting - Those are the buttons I like on the 550.
I actually like the feed back of the stiff buttons - on/off.
The feed back of the soft buttons is less clear in terms of being certain it has engaged...
I don't like any soft buttons on remotes or cell phones.

[Packy]

I ended up getting a 550 from Dell for $74. Should be a nice replacement for my MX-500. The wife loved that remote, so she should be happy with the 550 too

I did prefer the Tivo-like layout of the 670, but the 550 looks cooler and seems to have a higher-resolution screen or at least a smaller text size. That, and I like the rubber-coated underside.

Thanks for all the information!

[TheBum]

Can you define more than one "page" of activities (i.e. more than 4) on the 550? Documentation on the 550 is extremely scarce online.

[Catt99]

Originally Posted by TheBum

Can you define more than one "page" of activities (i.e. more than 4) on the 550? Documentation on the 550 is extremely scarce online.

Yes - many more, though I can't recall if it was somewhere in the nature of 15 or 255 -- I believe devices are limited to somewhere around 15 and activities are 255. In any event, well more than 4.

[Doug_Eldred]

There's a detailed writeup on how to get a Harmony to fully emulate an Apple Remote on http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10117. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to do so.

[bierboy]

Originally Posted by Packy

...I did prefer the Tivo-like layout of the 670, but the 550 looks cooler and seems to have a higher-resolution screen or at least a smaller text size. That, and I like the rubber-coated underside....

I just picked up the 550 as a replacement for my dying 659. I had considered the 670, but was able to get this one much cheaper. It's taking some getting used to (since the Menu and Guide buttons are opposite what they were on the 659). And I thought I wouldn't like the shape, but I'm getting used to it. And, yes, the rubber-coated bottom is nice. Definitely like the location of the transport buttons (since I have a TiVo S3), and there are certainly many more buttons to use, too.

[BostonGirl]

I have to say I love this remote. I have an old harmony, back before logitech was making them and they came straight from harmony out of canada. So I was looking for a new one picked this 550 up and it's great. Thanks for the member login site, I forgot where to get into the "normal" menu. Also glad my remote isn't the only one whos light turns on weird..lol..Sometimes it turns on by itself and other times if i hit the coffee table. Almost took it back.

[peralta151]

amazon.com has them for $74.19.

[bd_showtime]

Picked one up from PC Richard and Son for 49.97 shipped.

great price on a great remote.

[fistofsouth]

Originally Posted by bd_showtime

Picked one up from PC Richard and Son for 49.97 shipped.

great price on a great remote.

I thought about doing that, but read BAD things about PC Richard and Son. If you actually get a new 550 in a sealed box and in a reasonable amount of time with no added fees PLEASE report that in this thread.

[kshane9]

Originally Posted by fistofsouth

I thought about doing that, but read BAD things about PC Richard and Son. If you actually get a new 550 in a sealed box and in a reasonable amount of time with no added fees PLEASE report that in this thread.

I ordered mine on Monday and it arrived on Thursday. No hidden fee's.

[PatrickB101]

i have had the remote for about 4-5 months now. (maybe longer) I have a 880 as well i perfer this remote to that one even though it is less impressive to visitors I like the thinness to it the button feels. I have no other experiences with other competitors. I am also using a Next Generation Home Products Remote RF extender inside of the harmony 550. works great!

[fistofsouth]

Originally Posted by kshane9

I ordered mine on Monday and it arrived on Thursday. No hidden fee's.

Very nice. Most of the bad things I read came from people using their B&M store so perhaps their website is less problematic. Thanks for the input.

[PannyMann]

Originally Posted by fistofsouth

I thought about doing that, but read BAD things about PC Richard and Son. If you actually get a new 550 in a sealed box and in a reasonable amount of time with no added fees PLEASE report that in this thread.

$49.99 from PC Richard, free shipping got here in 3 days. Don't know
what bad things U heard about them but I had a great experience
buying my Panny 50" plazma from them as well.

[Steve Schauer]

I ordered a 550 from PC Richard on Sunday for $49.99 including UPS ground shipping.

Somehow (some sort of PEBKAC issue) I didn't type in the shipping address correctly. I got an email about 20 minutes later asking me to call about a problem on my order. I called and talked to an American human (on Sunday!), gave her the correct address, and Monday morning I got the UPS tracking info.

I'm impressed.

[cw_racefan]

Just looking for opinions here, I have about a 3 year old 676 that is in need of replacement and was wondering about this 550. Is this a step down from the 676, or simply a different form factor with the same capabilities? The $50 price from PC Richard is very attractive.

[aukwood]

The 550 sounds good-I think I'm going to get one from the pc richard guys. Some of my components are located in front, some to the rear, a projector in the middle. I'm guessing either I could wave the remote around or I would need some sort of repeater to control them all. Any thoughts?

[nyboy42]

i have had the harmony 550 remote for a little over a year now. So far it has done a good job. BUT, today i looked at the screen on my remote and noticed that there are sort of ink spots on the LCD screen. No menu or text is being displayed. I have no idea how this happened. The remote was not physically damaged in anyway. There are no cracks at all but yet the LCD has stop functioning. Being that this is a very expensive remote, what are my options? Is this a common issue with the 550? please advise,

[beoba]

Give logitech a call, I spose.

On the PC Richard & Son site, their product page says "SALE PRICE ONLY VALID WITH PURCHASE OF TV", I guess that isn't being enforced?