Finally, a Color LCD remote that you don't need a pro to program for you!
Pros:
Color LCD screen makes viewing icons easy, and interface makes programming easy!
Cons:
Not all codes are in database, and some buttons are a little crowded.
The Bottom Line:
This is a great remote if you want to get rid of all those other remotes cluttering your table. It makes life easier by pushing one button!
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Finally, the day came! A programmable remote control with a COLOR LCD screen that is sold to us ordinary people, without the need for a middleman! How many times have you see a beautiful remote control, with a color screen and beautiful color icons that you can only purchase through a stereo design center or a high end electronics store? Not only that, but you had to pay big bucks, and pay a fee to have them program the remote for you, although sometimes it was all included! Not only that, but sometimes the cost was about $1,000 or more? I don't know about you, but I didn't have $1,000 on my night stand to spend on a remote control!
So there it was, the Logitech/Harmony 880. As you may know, Harmony had their own line of remote controls until Logitech bought them out, and took over the brand name! Logitech is a very innovative company, so nothing was lost in the "absortion process", so to speak!
The 880 is so unique, I wouldn't even try to bore you by covering all the details here. If you do want a comprehensive look at the unit, feel free to go to the web site at:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9933
This site will tell you everything about the remote! I will try to explain the basics of the remote and what I like or dislike about it! First off, you don't need any batteries! The 880 comes with a docking station that always keeps the remote charged. It uses Lithium-Ion batteries, so there is no memory effect in the remote either. When it is charged, Logitech says it will work for one week under normal conditions. They say you can use the remote while it is charging, but I would say this is a little silly. That would be somewhat awkward and inconvenient!
The remote itself is like a standard rectangular remote, but with the middle "squeezed"! The upper portion is the color LCD screen, the middle is a scroll wheel, and the lower portion is all the buttons, which I find very slightly crowded! The color LCD display can be customized with your own color background, choice of button icons and your choice of on screen fonts or text. The screen also has an on-screen battery indicator, so you always know how much battery time is remaining in the lithium-ion batteries.
Again, as I said earlier, I want to avoid going over every feature and boring everyone. That is why I gave you the web site address, but let me run down the basics of how the remote is set up and run, just in case you are wondering how it works, or if you are considering purchasing one of these units!
First off, the remote connects to your computer with an included USB cable. It is both MAC & PC compatible. You connect to the Logitech/Harmony Web Wizard. This runs through all the steps necessary to load the remote with all the codes for your equipment. It gives a huge list of brand names and model numbers. What you do is pick out your brand name, model number for each device and it feeds it into the remote control for you. If the device or brand is not there, it will teach you how to program remote to remote, to store the device code. After storing device codes it will run through a series of questions including "How Do You Watch TV" and "How Do You Watch A DVD". What this does it set the remote to memorize a sequence of commands to turn on equipment when needed, and it what order. If you have to watch a DVD for instance, it will perform what is called a MACRO operation, and turn on your receiver, turn on your big screen TV, turn on your DVD player. That way you will be able to watch a DVD with the press of one button, not three or four!
The 880 is set up so all you have to do is to press a button labeled watch TV or listen to music, and that's it. No more turning on various pieces of equipment. The remote even has a HELP button which comes up with an on screen menu to guide you through the menus to get you through a problem turning on a piece of equipment.
The unit has pretty good memory built in. It will control and track the status of 15 devices simultaneously, and has space for 8 custom activities as well.
The 880 will work with Windows 98, 2000, Me, or XP. It will also work with MAC OSX. The only other computer requirements are a USB port and a CD-ROM drive, as well as Internet access. The Internet access is to be able to connect to the Logitech Wizard Database, which is really the brains of the remote itself!
The package comes with the remote, docking station, AC Adapter, USB Cable, Lithium-ION Battery, Installation CD, Installation Guide, 1 Year Warranty.
There you have it. A look at the first remote with an LCD color screen that does not cost a fortune, or need a programmer. If you want to eliminate that dreaded remote clutter, and make life easier by pushing one button to watch a DVD or satellite, try this remote. I really don't think you will be sorry!
