For Harmony Remote owners - how customizable?

[cncb]

I currently have a Universal Remote URC-200 and I like how customizable it is but there are a few things I don't like about it so I am considering a new Harmony 700. I was wondering how customizable the Harmony remotes are especially with the "activity buttons". For example, can I specify exactly what commands I want to send for an activity button or am I locked into what the Harmony software thinks I need? I have discreet on/off commands for my components and don't necessarily want the Harmony to keep track of the power states for me. Thanks for any help.

[stanger89]

FWIW, my URC MX880 was much easier to program and much more flexible than the Xbox 360 Harmony I tried a while back. That's not even getting into just the superior quality and feel of the remote itself. Of course the 880 is 4x the price of that Harmony so it better be

[rtengvad]

Maybe its easier to help you if you try to describe exactly what you would like to do. I've found very few limitations with my Hamony 785.

Rasmus

[CollinR]

I would take URC over Harmony anyday, I have TX-1000s big but you can steal them on eBay now since the screen isn't color or animated. But yea whats wrong with your URC-200?

[cncb]

The URC-200 has served me well for several years but it is not in the same league as the ones you guys have - it was less than $100 and all programming is manual. I don't do it that often but when I need to make a change it is kind of a pain. Also, the "left" button seems to occasionally do "up" now.

So, I was considering something still pretty cheap that I could program with my PC. I am not able to "preview" the Harmony software so I was wondering for the "activity buttons" if you can specify the exact commands you want to run and if you have access to all the available commands for each device. For example, issue ON command for my TV, ON command for my HD-200 and nothing else or does the software try to do this for you and not have flexibility.

[sic0048]

You should be able to do just about anything with the Harmony remote if you have the codes. You can use the Harmony activity designer style setup for most uses. But if you want something more custom, you can create activities from scratch without using the Harmony designer.

[xxLJLxx]

I think once you use the Harmony Remote software, you will be impressed. I have setup a few for older people and it never fails to amaze me what all it can control. You can set it to do pretty much anything you want with one push of the button. If you want it to just turn on the HD200 and the TV, it is possible. Every command has been available for each remote or component I have programmed. If the remote doesn't have the command like the FF or RW it will give you the option on the LCD screen. Keep in mind, I have the 880 and I am not familiar with many of the other models but it should be similar for the most part.

[CollinR]

FWIW I haven't spent more then $100 on my TX-1000s, the URC code database is massive and the app is standalone with web update so you can still do stuff without access to the web. Last Harmony I swapped out it was limitied to configs based on a web app, no internet no config. BTW both were new 1 in box the other still had all the plastic on it.

If you want really flashy look at the MX-3000, super cool I set one up for my father.

[cncb]

That really helps. Thanks for all the responses.

[Tikker]

I"ve had a harmony 880 for a couple years now

i can't imagine using anything else at this point

[martin]

I have been using the Harmony One for over a year, and I haven't found any limitations. It hasn't always been obvious how to program it, but eventually I got it to do everything I wanted. I prefer it to the HD200 remote because you can find the buttons by feel, and it is illuminated if you can't. It has a better ergonomic design than any of my other remotes.

When I started using HDMI based equipment with Consumer Electronics Control, it would interfere with the Harmony. For example, if I put a disc in my blu-ray player, the TV will automatically switch to that input. Or if I turn off the TV the blu-ray will also switch off. I had to go into the settings of my equipment to disable this feature so the Harmony could control everything.

[rtengvad]

Originally Posted by cncb

I was wondering for the "activity buttons" if you can specify the exact commands you want to run and if you have access to all the available commands for each device. For example, issue ON command for my TV, ON command for my HD-200 and nothing else or does the software try to do this for you and not have flexibility.

Yes you can do all that.

Rasmus

[loonsailor]

I have a Harmony One and I love it. It feels great, it's easy to program, and easy to modify. I'd give the software (I use the Mac version) a solid B, which is better than an A+ programming on the device itself. I have no experience with URC, so nothing good or bad to say about that.

The only thing I haven't figured out how to do on my Harmony is to issue a "stop" command to the HD200 when I push the power down button from my "watch sage" activity. I leave the hd200 on, so I've instructed it not to power it down, but it would be nice to stop whatever was being watched. I'm pretty sure it's possible, and I haven't spent any time on this.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by loonsailor

The only thing I haven't figured out how to do on my Harmony is to issue a "stop" command to the HD200 when I push the power down button from my "watch sage" activity.

That would be trivial on my MX880

[MitchSchaft]

Harmony 880 user for the last 3 years with no major issues. I haven't tried the other brand.

[cslatt]

Originally Posted by loonsailor

The only thing I haven't figured out how to do on my Harmony is to issue a "stop" command to the HD200 when I push the power down button from my "watch sage" activity.

I have my Harmony setup to do this - don't remember the exact details since I did it several years ago and haven't touched that part of the setup lately. Definitely wasn't difficult.

[simonen]

I love my Harmony One, I haven't found anything it can't do. I use to have the 880, but some of the button went out on it (which I hear is a common problem).

[cncb]

I am tempted by the Harmony One since it seems to only be ~$20 more than the 700 now but I have come to really dislike touchscreen interfaces. It looks like just the activity "buttons" are the touchscreen part but I could see my 1-year-old having a field day with this (turning everything on just by brushing up against the screen). Is there a way to "lock" the screen?

[popechild]

Originally Posted by loonsailor

The only thing I haven't figured out how to do on my Harmony is to issue a "stop" command to the HD200 when I push the power down button from my "watch sage" activity. I leave the hd200 on, so I've instructed it not to power it down, but it would be nice to stop whatever was being watched. I'm pretty sure it's possible, and I haven't spent any time on this.

I'm doing this with a Harmony 880 and 890 - not sure how different the One is, but I would imagine you should be able to do this with yours as well.

[btrcp2000]

I am on my second 890. Works great with Sage, can't really add anything that hasn't already been mentioned. What I will say though is that it is very susceptible to static shock. We have a microfiber couch, and we spend all winter shocking anything we touch after getting up, like light switches, remotes, and children. Kids seem to recover okay, but the first 890's screen died. It would basically soft reboot after being zapped. According to the logitech forums there were plenty of problems like this, so I can't officially blame static electricity but it certainly can't have helped. All the buttons still work, but you have to memorize the programmable ones because there is nothing on the screen to tell you what they do.

Look at Sears, I got my replacement on clearance for $120 and I know another guy who got one for $90 recently. And yes, Logitech customer service sucks. They don't admit there is an issue, and all they offer is 50% of regular price at their website, of course ridiculously overpriced.