Comments on: Logitech Harmony Remote 555 - longterm review

By: P.J.Denyer

P.J.Denyer — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:47:04 +0000

I am really pleased with my Harmony 555, I have spent quite a bit of time tinkering setting it up exactly the way I want it, but to be honest it was usable after about 30mins, I only think it is confusing if you try to use it like a regular universal remote (ie: Device based), when you accept that it is designed to be activity based, which is a new but really very straight forward, concept it becomes very easy.

At the end of the day this makes using a complex home cinema set up with multiple devices and input switching very simple for the user, apparent simplicity on the serface normally means sophistication and preperation behind the scenes and such is the case here. Take your time, follow the software, use the activity modes and make sure that the person how sets up the remote really understands the home theatre setup and it goes fine. My wife, who after three months still had problems with multiple sources, some of which go through the amp, some direct to the TV could control everything with the 555 straight away, that was worth an afternoon’s setup time.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:06:19 +0000

Really surprised to hear of people’s problems with set up.

Where or not it is because I followed the instructions and Neil’s comment about updating the software but I found the set up a breeze and the software easy to use. I had my TV, Sky+, AV receiver and DVD all set up on the remote within 20 minutes without any issues arising.

No sign of the motion sensor mentioned by James, perhaps they’ve discontinued that idea.

True you can bamboozle the device by switching off a device manually but the help button resolves the matter.

I have to say I’m very pleased with it

By: Ian Nihcaj

Ian Nihcaj — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:43:12 +0000

I bought the Harmony 525, which is very similar to the 555, less 2 buttons - I used the version 7.5 software and have had the most maddening experience of my adult life, finally coming to the conclusion that it will never work fully, even as a simple 6 device remote replacement, let alone the more advanced features!

Even basic commands have been corrupted, presumably by wrong uploads of key presses by users for five of the six devices I tried to set it up with, all were in the database, and all were wrong, the only way to get a device working is learn ALL keys for ALL devices, and after many hours of attempts, I realise that it is beyond the time I am willing to give it, especially when it is so easily altered without your control, and all that effort has been wasted!

The discomfort from holding the telephone receiver for hours on end to the helpline is also more than I am willing to endure, all they can do is add or subtract codes randomly, and I suspect this is why the codes are so wrong, and presumably getting more corrupted as more users struggle to get it right and upload their incomplete attempts to the database.

I am very much a techie type, and am willing to put plenty of effort into getting things just right, but this is way beyond me, and potential purchasers need warning just how bad this device is

By: ecards

ecards — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:03:14 +0000

Harmony is a great remote, but it can’t map the Windows key for laptops!

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:38:15 +0000

I bought this remote control a few months ago and initially gave up on it, however having bought a blu ray player a couple of weeks ago I decided six remotes in the living room was getting ridiculous and decided to give the Logitech Harmony another go.

This time things went a lot better, primarily down to one thing, me bothering to update the software first, the new software resulted in far less problems, it still took time, but was manageable.

So one piece of advice for the less technically minded ( or forgetful like myself ) download the most up-to-date software before anything else, it will save you time.

By: Mike Bowen

Mike Bowen — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:53:41 +0000

I bought the Logitech Harmony One. The box says 30 minute set up, but I spent over 3 hours, like you mentioned “Getting your head around the software”. There are a lot of options, and conditions, and “what if” questions.

I am pleasantly surprised at the massive database of remote control codes and for me that is very impressive. As for the time it has taken to perfect the remote, so that I can put away the 7 remotes I have currently next to my couch, well I think once it’s setup it will be worth it. Having a one button press and 4 devices turning on in the right sequence is a massive time saver.