Seeking Advice: Should I get the Harmony One (for HD200)

[Tomahawk51]

I think I'm ready to consider getting 1 remote "to rule them all."

Do you guys think I'll be happy with the one I'm thinking of: Harmony One? I've read the threads, but wanted to directly ask.

My use case, Family Room:
-SageTV HD200 * Majority of use expected*
-Newish Onkyo HDMI receiver
-Samsung HDTV
-PS3 (yep, I know I'll need the adapter)

In particular I'm attracted to the computer UI that lets one program the thing. Also, I suspect it will be good to have the LCD to show weird SageTV buttons (don't like, etc).

My concerns, aside from the cost!:
-Will it really be easier for visitors to use this? Right now turning on TV, Stereo, SageTV is a multi-step process. Will this really work out in practice.
-with all the specific Sage buttons on the Sage remote, will this thing be less convenient than just plain using the Sage Remote?

Thanks for any advice. If it was $50, I probably would have bought by now. The higher cost requires me to ask the Sage elders!

[JetreL]

It looks like you only have only 4 devices to control. The harmony software works for all their remotes so no one is really better than the others beside RF functionality, which it looks like you do not need. I had an 880, it's a solid remote but sold it for over $100 because it was a bit of overkill really didn't need the extra bells and whistles and bought a 550 for around $50 and have been very happy. While the Harmony One is a great remote it's really expensive!

I say try the Harmony 500 series that works for you and if you are unsatisfied then go for the more expensive model.

[Skirge01]

I started with the 880 and absolutely fell in love with it, as did the wife. Even with just 3 devices right in front of us at the time (TV, receiver, and PC), the single button press to turn everything on and off was worth the money spent. Visitors (as well as ourselves) had issues with keeping the remote aimed long enough or not quite in the proper direction. This definitely caused usability issues for visitors.

I recently upgraded to an 890 after putting all my equipment in the closet and having the TV across the room, but wanted to get the Harmony 900 (aka Harmony One w/RF) because of the great-looking button layout. The sole reason I chose not to was because my setup wouldn't be able to be transferred automatically to the Harmony 900, due to the major software changes between the 880 and the 900.

If you set everything up properly so that things are seemless and account for issues (SageTV freezing or crashing; ensuring the SageTV gets maximized and brought to focus), then visitors will have no problem. However, you'll need something like EventGhost to take these things into account and it requires some time and effort.

[LittleJohnny]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

If you set everything up properly so that things are seemless and account for issues (SageTV freezing or crashing; ensuring the SageTV gets maximized and brought to focus), then visitors will have no problem. However, you'll need something like EventGhost to take these things into account and it requires some time and effort.

Since the OP will be controlling an HD-200 instead of a SageClient, EventGhost would not be needed.

Setup should be fairly easy and painless regardless of Harmony remote. For the price, the 500 series is hard to beat.

[reggie14]

The Harmony One has a much nicer button layout than the Harmony 500. I love my Harmony One, but I admit the price is moderately ridiculous for a remote (I got a great deal on mine, just over $100).

However, Logitech just announced the Harmony 600 and 650 remotes, which are <$100 remotes that have roughly the same button layout at the Harmony One. Actually, those remotes even have Red-Blue-Yellow-Green buttons, which is kind of nice (the Harmony One doesn't have those). I don't think the 600 and 650 are on sale yet, but they should be soon.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by LittleJohnny

Since the OP will be controlling an HD-200 instead of a SageClient, EventGhost would not be needed.

Good call. I missed that. So, disregard my entire 3rd paragraph.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by reggie14

The Harmony One has a much nicer button layout than the Harmony 500. I love my Harmony One, but I admit the price is moderately ridiculous for a remote (I got a great deal on mine, just over $100).

However, Logitech just announced the Harmony 600 and 650 remotes, which are <$100 remotes that have roughly the same button layout at the Harmony One. Actually, those remotes even have Red-Blue-Yellow-Green buttons, which is kind of nice (the Harmony One doesn't have those). I don't think the 600 and 650 are on sale yet, but they should be soon.

I'd also recommend looking at the 600 and 650 remotes. I currently use a 550 and the only complaint I have is some of the button layout design (some buttons - like the guide, menu, exit and info) are too close on the 550. This seems to be "fixed" in the new 600 and 650 design.

Set up and the computer software is the same with either remote.

[KarylFStein]

I use an 890 and it's been great and easy to use. I can't imagine going back to not having RF. My parents were able to pick it up and use it no problem, which is saying a lot. I thought about getting a newer RF version, but not until the kids are much older--they're kind of rough on the remote and it's a little worse for wear, but still working fine.

[Oats]

I have a harmony (don't know which model but it was $50 a few years ago) and when people come over they have no clue on how to turn the TV on because the button to turn it on just has a tiny picture of a TV on it. They all look for the button that says Power or On but it isn't there. This really isn't an issue with the Harmony One as it says on the screen "Watch TV" but I'm not sure how the new lower end Harmony remotes label the buttons.

I'm not that impressed with my Harmony remote. I think it misses commands too often, not turning something on/off or not changing to the correct input. It frequently is unresponsive for 10-15 seconds after everything turns on as well which is very annoying. I also notice a lag when pressing the buttons before anything actually happens.

I am much more impressed with the URC WR7, which was also 60% cheaper. Now my Harmony is a few years old so all of these issues I have may be fixed in the newer models. However, even if the Harmony worked perfectly I still don't think the price is worth it over the URC WR7, I do wish URC had a PC setup like the Harmony though.

[tchapin]

I've been very happy w/ my Harmony 676 remotes, having bought them for each of my three setups. They're not perfect, but they are relatively easy to set up and I love having just one remote.

I'd say just go for it and buy from a place w/ a decent return policy.

The 676s are on the low-end side of things, which is fine with me. I really like using AA batteries, as I can determine the charging / replacement schedule and always have a set of rechargeable batteries ready.

[sandor]

I've had a Harmony 659 for a few years now. used it with SageTV on windows, then mac, and now with an HD200 + audio receiver + tv. It was easy to configure, easy to use, and has lasted well, but now buttons are starting to go (2 of the buttons are totally unresponsive, and one misses about 20% of the time)

Would i get another one to replace it? yup. it has lasted through moves, drops, throws, being mistook for a dog chew toy, etc and held up quite well over the years. it does run through batteries fairly quickly ( a set of 4 AAA in about 20 days) but i have only ever used rechargeable ones, and always have a spare set of 4 ready to go - i could probably change the illumination settings, but i like to be able to see what button i am hitting in the dark, and with rechargeable batteries, decreased life doesnt bother me one bit.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harmony_659.jpg

[davenlr]

I wore out (literally) a Harmony 880. It was well used. I now
have a Harmony 900 in the living room and a 700 in the bedroom. I like the color buttons, which are really needed with DirecTv...anyway, you cant go wrong with any model. The default downloaded device profiles are very good, and any buttons missing can be learned directly from your current remote. Their tech support is first rate.

[davephan]

I thought about getting a Harmony one or 900, but I didn't like the raised buttons on the new Harmony models. I thought about either getting a Harmony remote or an AR Xsight. I choice the AR Xslight when I compared the two remotes physically at the local Best Buy store. The AR Xsight controls the TV, HD-200, amplifier, blueray, and DVD/VCR. The remote takes some time to program directly and with their web site - you have to use both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lhwb6cETh0

Dave

[korben_dallas]

Yes the cost is ridiculous for a remote, and yes the Harmony software is not the easiest or most intuitive application to use. But once I got over these hurdles, I don't think there is anything (other than RF) that the Harmony One cannot do.

Personally, I stay away from using "Activities" and stick to just "Devices". If I hit the devices button, 3 giant icons appear on the color lcd screen:

TV (with an icon of a generic tv next to it)
SageTV (with an icon of a generic DVR next to it)
Cable Box (with an icon of a generic STB next to it)

It's dead simple to use. And this is on page 1, you can have many pages of devices (or Activities if you like).

I love my Harmony One.

[davephan]

I use the "Activities" in the AR Xsight for "Power On" and "Power off". These power on and off the TV, amplifier, and SageTV HD-200. I leave the cable box on. I turn on and off the DVD/VCR and Blueray in devices, since those two devices are rarely used.

I use the on screen "Devices" to switch between the TV, cablebox, SageTV HD-200, Amp, Blueray, DVD/VCR, and amp2. I use the remote in the family room and master bed room. The master bed room TV and cablebox are work with the same IR codes. The amplifier in the master bed room is different, so it is amp2.

I also use the Red-Green-Yellow-Blue buttons as shortcuts for switching to the CableTV-SageTV HD-200, DVD/VCR, and Blueray.

Dave

[tonaeli]

We upgraded to a Harmony One after our 676(6 years of hard use) bit the dust. We loved the 676 and love the One. The main difference is the touch screen on the One which is very bright and nice. The web interface is the same. If you have a lot of devices I think the One can control more. I saw the One as cheap as $119 around Christmas time( I paid $179 in the fall). We really use the activities. I have multiple activities set up using different combinations of devices and it works great and adds to the WAF Activity setup requires a lot of tweaking but the end result is really nice