[NewbeeBekind]

 Ok....Just read thru the Harmony 880 thread and out of the 1000+ posts, I would say only about 10% are critiques, 20% on questions and the rest is mostly about where you can buy it cheapest. Let's keep this thread focused on likes and dislikes.


I just got mine and like it a lot. Have had a few glitches, but phone help was very useful. Now it works fine. I did have a problem with charging it at first, but then realized I had to press the right arrow after a download. Is this mandatory? Has anyone else had that problem?


Also, if there was one criticism that I have it is that the ergonomics are not great. Too small.


Other than that, it rocks! Any other critiques?

 

[Michael Warner]

Ergonomics are certainly an issue. I doubt that this will ever be a remote on which I can use every button without having to look. The buttons are too small, too close together, and too similar in size and shape. This really is a remote for small fingered folks.


The only other issue I've come across so far is that every once in a while a particular button will stop working. I've noticed this with the volume and channel buttons since those get used the most. If I press any other button it frees up the problem button as well. Sounds like a software rather than hardware issue.

 

[atomicskiier01]

Michael,

I've had that same problem with the buttons not working as well. If I push the volume up or hit something else, and go back to the one i was trying to hit, then it will work. Maybe someone around here has a solution?

 

[CountZero75]

I agree on the button size issue. I have small hands and the buttons are still on the small side for me. But other than that, I like it very much. Especially the attention to details such as the ability to run the power cable on the cradle either through the front or back, and the flexibility in setting up the remote 'soft' buttons to any ways you wanted.

 

[wjmtampa]

I have been debating with myself whether to get a Harmony 688 or the 880 model remote. Other than the colored screen, battery charging ability and layout of the buttons; is there any real difference in the capabilities of the remote?


The 880 is about $60 more than the 688. I have a simple system consisting of a Samsung HL R5067, Onkyo HT780 HTIB and an Onkyo CP702 DVD player. I will probably use Brighthouse’s DVR.


Should I go with the 880 or save the $60 and go with the 688?

 

[NewbeeBekind]

WjmTampa--


With all due respect, I am determined to keep this thread on topic. Next thing you know this will turn into a diatribe of "where one can buy this cheapest". Been there, done that. Please delete and start a new thread.

 

[nomaded]

Dislikes:


- Ditto on the buttons. I'm not a big fan of the feel of the buttons, or how they feel when you push down on them. I definitely prefer the seperate buttons on the previous Harmony remotes or the HTM remotes (like the later rev MX500).

- Not a fan of the plastic on the whole remote. The plastic definitely feels like the plastic used on Logitech's mice and I think it's too slippery for a remote. I think they should have kept the grippier plastic from the previous Harmonys, or the HTM remotes.

- The missing Audio/Video buttons/menus. I really wished they kept the extra buttons/menus so you could stick audio/video-specific buttons in there instead of with all the other buttons that would go on the soft buttons.

- I wish there was more heft to the 880. I was quite surprised at how light it felt, compared to the MX500.

- The transport buttons could have a better layout. I really don't like how the play/pause are on the right side. I think they really belong in the middle. Instead of:


stop | | play

rec | rev | ff | pause


It should be:



rev | rec | pause | ff


Yeah, I could change them in the software, but that doesn't change what's printed on the buttons. If I were the only one using my system, I might do it, but at this point, it's not really an option.

- They lack of simple macros. I don't want to setup an activity to go through my TV's menus to toggle whether the set displays grey sidebars or black side bars.



Likes:


- I really like the high(er) res color screen. I was setting up a Harmony 688 for my parents, after I got the 880, and I was really surprised at how little info could be displayed on the 688's LCD screen. The extra dedicated lines for which activity is selected is so much better than what's displayed on the 688.

- I love that there are 8 soft buttons and all 8 are usable. I also love that you can go forwards and backwards in the soft menus.

- I love the rechargable batteries. The battery life on a single charge is nice too.

- I love the tilt sensor. Yeah, it can be a bit finicky, but I really love that it lights up as soon as I pick it up.

- I love the activity-based methodology of the remote, and how it'll keep track of whether a device is on or off. I know, this is the basis around all the Harmony remotes, but the 880 being my first Harmony, it was really enlightening to use the remote, and wrap my head around the new way of controlling my HT.

- The web-based programming and the breadth of remote signals in its library.


I think that's about it. If I can think of anything else, I'll add to it.

 

[NewbeeBekind]

Nomaded--

Now that's what I'm talking about. What a great, objective critique. That is outstanding info and clearly stayed on topic. If everyone on this board would follow your lead, this board's usefulness would be improved by 1000%!


So tell us, would you buy it again?


Thanks for the input!

 

[remoteshoppe]

Dislikes:

- Unlike Nomaded I was hugely disappointed with the screen's resolution. It looks to me like 2 year old cell phone technology and my wife's free Samsumsung filp phone has a screen with at least twice as much resolution

- Ergonomics. I have used the 880 and the 688 and think they both give way to form over function. There's plenty of empty space where some of the buttons could be bigger and finding the PREV CHAN & MUTE buttons are a test of dexterity

- WOW-appeal... just doesn't look cool enough on the coffee table for me. The slideshow is a nice touch but I have had more visitors go nuts over the URC MX remotes than the 880. Plus it feels kind of cheap.

- No TV Guide features (as advertised) and limited to only 16 fave channels

- No Macro capability

- IR range is noticeably low

- Difficult to incorporate proper lighting control into activities which means I am constantly going into the Light Controller device mode and pressing several buttons since there is no macro support.


Likes:

- Like all Harmony's set-up is easy and WAF (wife acceptance factor) is extremely high

- Rechargeable battery & backlight with tilt sensor

- Flexible enough to control 99% of original remote commands

- More LCD soft keys then previous Harmony remotes (8 vs. previous 6 or 4 with title bar)


Would I buy it again? Unfortunately... YES. Just not for my main TV viewing room. The "problem" for me is that my wife absolutely loves it because its easy to use and I'm not constantly tweaking things & programming new macros like I do with other remotes


Would I recommend it to others? Depends. If this is your first universal remote or you are upgrading from a One-for-All/Radio Shack then YES, I'd recommend any Harmony. If you are upgrading from an MX500 then you might like it or you might not. If you have used any URC remote higher then the 500 then I'd say PROBABLY NOT but if it intrigues you get it from some place with a money-back guarantee and give it a try. It's so easy to set-up that you'll be able to figure out if you like it in just a few days.

 

[vancouver]

how about the fact the is no IR extender available! What about the people who have thier AV equipment out of range of in cabinets? Seems like a simple add on, and I am surprised they didnt come out with one as an extra.

 

[newfmp3]

I don't own it, and I'll tell you why


1 major dislike that renders it useless to me


NO RF option.


And, if I want to use the remote control extender from Next Gen, I can't because the batteries aren't aaa's.


Also, not enough real buttons.

 

[roostacaster]

Dislikes:


1. Feels like it could break if dropped.

2. Buttons could be a little bigger.

3. Display could be clearer.


Likes:


1. Can program this remote to do nearly anything given you are extremely familiar with

the software and programming options.

2. Icons and custom pictures are awesome!

3. Activity based macros are not only stupid easy to use, but they make sense and

take very little time to learn to use.

4. The help button rocks. My wife (who could tear up a crowbar in a

sand box) never has a problem running any function on our HT system. She moves

from Tivo to DVDs to Multi-channel audio with ease.


I have learned to do many many things with this remote. I agree with everyone else, the WAF is through the freaking roof with this remote. I do have a few questions about some rants I have seen in previous posts.


1. remoteshoppe: "No macro capability." WHAT??!! I have to disagree...I think the trick is knowing the shortcuts in the software. Is there anything in particular you are trying to do?


2. vancouver: "how about the fact the is no IR extender available! What about the people who have their AV equipment out of range of in cabinets? Seems like a simple add on, and I am surprised they didn't come out with one as an extra."


I have used both Xantech and Niles Jobsite IR repeater kits that work like a dream with this remote...do you mean a logitech brand that you can buy as an accessory?


3. newfmp3: "NO RF option." What are you trying to control that is RF? If it is a dish network receiver, it can be made to work, you have to echo the codes off of the front panel into the harmony. (it sounds harder than it actually is) If you are trying to use it in another room, you could use one of the Xantech or Niles IR repeater and stretch it across to the other room by extending the main IR eye with cat5.


I don't claim to be an expert at harmony remotes or programming, but I know quite a bit about them. I install at least one harmony about every day (of various flavors, 659, 676, 688, 880 etc.) so I have picked up a few tricks along the way...I would be glad to help AVS harmony users any way I can.

 

[AnthonyP]

Quote:

I have used both Xantech and Niles Jobsite IR repeater kits that work like a dream with this remote...do you mean a logitech brand that you can buy as an accessory?

my guess is yes, I also think that was what newfmp3 was talking about. with the Xantech or Niles extenders you still need IR to get to their IR receiver. if a remote sends RF directly to an RF base that then sends IR it is much neater and more reliable

 

[roostacaster]

Quote:

my guess is yes, I also think that was what newfmp3 was talking about. with the Xantech or Niles extenders you still need IR to get to their IR receiver. if a remote sends RF directly to an RF base that then sends IR it is much neater and more reliable

I haven't run into any reliability problems as yet with the IR repeaters...and you can hide them away pretty well if you have the in-wall speaker adapter kit or similar built in IR eyes...

 

[bill74]

Likes:


easy setup

recharging station

help button

you can add to the activity page EX: I added my surround options for my receiver to my WATCH PVR activity!


dislikes:


small buttons (not really that big a deal)

sometimes it doesnt turn on or off a component


I would buy it again!

 

[remoteshoppe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roostacaster 1. remoteshoppe: "No macro capability." WHAT??!! I have to disagree...I think the trick is knowing the shortcuts in the software. Is there anything in particular you are trying to do?

This is a well-known limitation of Harmony remotes. I know the "activities" address most power macros and you can trick the remote into doing simple 2-button macros but that's it. Here is a specific example of something I have not been able to do with the Harmony remote...


I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer SA8300HD with Cablevision. I like to browse channels starting with the HD offering and then work my way down. When I use a URC remote I have the GUIDE button fire the following macro:

GUIDE > SELECT > 7 > 8 > 0

This allows me to open the guide, select channel guide (as opposed to OnDemand, Enhanced TV, etc) and then turn the guide to TMCHD so I can work my way down.


If you can tell me how to do this with the Harmony I'd be forever grateful

 

[roostacaster]

remoteshoppe, check your PM

 

[remoteshoppe]

Thanks Roosta. I got the PM but thought others on the forum could benefit from the discussion but instead of hijacking this thread I will start a new topic and would appreciate it if you could paste your response there.

 

[roostacaster]

you should be able to go in to "add an activity" and manually add another watch TV activity. It should automatically name it watch TV 2, which you can rename to anything you want, like "guide." From there, set it up just like you are setting up the original "watch PVR or Watch TV" activity, except at the summary screen where it tells you what commands it is going to send out and what is going to be on or off, tell it that you want to add more commands. From there you can specify exactly which codes to send out after the initial switch on phase from activity and how long to delay them so that they work properly...that should fix the problem. If need be I can help adjust your setup for you also.

 

[NewbeeBekind]

There's got to be more....let's hear it.