Household Harmony
Let’s establish at the outset that I am not the most sophisticated or demanding audiovisual-phile out there. In truth, my patience for endless comparison of the features and performance of one A/V Receiver (for example) over another is exhausted long before I have achieved anything more than a cursory understanding of the issues and options available. Nevertheless, over the last couple of years I have found myself with an increasingly complex array of components and media sources which, unsurprisingly, has led to an alarming proliferation of remote controls (with largely duplicative functions). This is a problem in itself, for me as well as for the several other less technically sophisticated folks in my household who may want to watch a little TV without me now and then. But the far bigger problem is the complex array of configuration adjustments that must be made in order to switch from one “media activity” to another. After a couple of half-hearted attempts to write out instructions, I arrived at the always-uncomfortable realization that solving my technology problem required additional technology.
Of course, I knew of the existence of Universal Remotes — devices that purport to control all system components with a single remote control. But I was concerned that someone who didn’t understand the functions and terminology of an OEM remote, would have even more difficulty if those functions were buried in an array of custom configured buttons. What I needed was a device that would be smart enough to know what to do without being told. Preliminary research (which is about all I was willing to invest) on CNET turned up a positive review of the Harmony Remote, which seemed to offer everything I needed. Though it was definitely pricey, I ordered one and gave it a try. The “killer function” of this remote is it’s internal memory. The remote is configured via desktop software that, in turn, connects to the Logitech website. This approach insures compatability with the huge variety of potential devices (including all makes of DVR, cable / satellite boxes, flatscreen monitors, etc.) and offers a powerful capability to create macros and special commands that are an absolute necessity to accomodate the peculiarities of any system. The remote connects via USB cable and “learns” whatever configuration you have just established. The end result is that my daughter’s babysitter can watch TV (during naptime, of course) by pressing one button that turns all the appropriate boxes on and sets them to the right inputs. Obviously marked buttons control volume and change the channel and the “off” button turns everything off at once.
Look, I have not done an extensive study of Universal Remotes, but this thing is fantastic. And it appears to be a quantum leap forward in terms of usefulness which, in this case, is even more important than usability. Here’s what I mean: the Harmony would almost certainly get low marks for ease of use with respect to a variety of important functions. These functions would include initial setup and anything that is beyond the most basic operation of the remote, but they also happen to be the least used by the majority of users (if the remote has been properly configured). However, the core functions are totally straightforward and extremely valuable to the majority of the end-users in my household. Everyone can do what they need to do, without instructions and without breaking anything in the attempt. Put another way, the Harmony makes everyone happy (including me). What could be more useful than that?
NG
A post-script, for anyone reading this who is considering purchasing the Harmony:
— Configuring the remote is really quite difficult and requires multiple trips back and forth from the computer, attempting different setups and then testing them on your system
— Frequent tinkering with advanced component settings is fairly cumbersome. If you are someone who can’t leave well-enough alone, you may want to stick with your OEM remotes — or some combination
— The device uses 3 AAA batteries which it can burn through in a matter of days with frequent use
— A significant contributor to the problem above is the “glow” function which helpfully illuminates all the buttons on the device as well as the 1″ square LCD screen. This function can be disabled — or reconfigured so that only certain buttons turn the light on in order to minimize battery drain. I’ve found that the manual glow button is more than sufficient.
— For what I paid for it (which is significantly more than the current prices on Froogle), the device feels way too flimsy. It is made of lightweight plastic and the fit of the battery cover conveys the strong impression that one day soon it will give way and I will be resorting to scotch tape or rubber bands to keep the cover on.
Despite everything above, I would buy the Harmony again (especially at current prices).
