Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Logitech Remote

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 8, 2009

Pros: easy use

Cons: did not last long

The logitech remote was good for 2 years. the buttons soon stoped working and it got to the point where i couldnt use it anymore. the remote was good when it worked... however, it did not last

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 7, 2008

The Only Remote You Need

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 5, 2008

Pros: Ease of use

Cons: May be tricky to set-up for some

Much research on the web showed many (mostly) negative reviews and this made me uneasy but I decided to take the plunge based on the positive reviews I read. I consider myself above-average when it comes to configurining electronics.

Equipment I needed to set up included a Samsung DLP 50" TV, Toshiba HDDVD, a Panasonic HT system that's about 4 or 5 years old, XBOX 360, and a Motorola HD DVR cable box.
My configuration is as follows:
Watch TV: TV on and set to S-Video, Motorolla cable box on, HT on and set to Aux. Watch a DVD: TV on and set to HDMI, HT on and set to TV, Toshiba on. Play XBOX: TV on and set to component 1, HT on and set to TV, XBOX on. Naturally, it took 4 remotes plus one game controller to do all of the different settings plus having to go in and out of menus.

The remote arrived and I immediately liked the asthetics of it. It appears to be well-made. The battery had enough charge to begin programming it. I managed to get everything set up via the USB and software. Entering the devices was very easy. All I had to do was write down the make and model numbers. There were a few problems synching the devices to power up and down together but the remote's built-in help quickly solved it.

I did have one problem. It was getting the DVR and OnDemand buttons on the LCD screen. I called Logitech customer support and was not on hold very long when a lady attempted to help me. Unfortunately, she did not speak or understand English very well. While she really did try to help, it just wasn't working and I ended the call. At this point, I was really thinking about returning the remote because I simply couldn't get the two buttons on the screen. After a bit more fidgeting with the remote, I decided to call back to see if I got someone else. A very cheerful guy answered and quickly solved my issue for me. He could actually go into my software on his end and set up the remote the way I wanted. I found out he was on the West Coast. After call #1, I was afraid Logitech does what many computer companies do, and have call centers manned overseas.

I now have everything working perfectly and couldn't be happier with my purchase. Logitech sent a customer satisfaction survey following my second call. I never received one from my first experience.

The remote is an absolute joy to operate. My wife loves it and my 4 former remotes are safely tucked away in a drawer. MOST OF THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS SEEM TO BE CENTERED AROUND BATTERY CHARGING AND/OR PROGRAMMING THE REMOTE. MY BATTERY CHARGES VERY WELL AND IF YOU CAN NOT GET THE REMOTE TO SET-UP PROPERLY, CALL TECH SUPPORT, THEY WILL MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Harmony 880

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 12, 2007

Pros: Very functional as far as controlling multiple sources

Cons: Slow reaction time when interacting with the Cable interface

This remote is very important because it actually deals with graphical input when controlling multiple sources putting you into a management position instead of scrambling to find other remotes. It's also better for the environment because of the ability to recharge with a lithium ion battery. In this new green generation we should find this a very valuable addition. Also it is very important because it is one of the first aftermarket remotes that actually interacts with a DVR which sets another standard for remote controls for any couch potato or those that use their TV as a display and learning tool this is a very important product.

Great device, convoluted setup

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 25, 2007

Pros: Excellent remote for a Home Theater novice

Cons: Cheap feeling buttons and a little complicated when trying to do advanced functions

If you have 3,4 or 5 remotes to control your home theater system then this is your honey. Setting it up for basic operations (Watch TV, DVD, etc) is a cake. Considering their remote code database is so expansive, you may not even have to do anything except enter your components model numbers. Bad thing is, if you want to make the remote more user friendly you're out of luck. You can't rearrange functions under each device as you see fit. And doing any kind of advanced programing is out of the question because the setup software is very restrictive in this arena.

Harmony 890 won't work for me!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 11, 2007 | 0 out of 2 found this Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal review helpful

Pros: Great features

Cons: Doesn't work!

After two days and several hours on the phone with Harmony Level 1 and Level 2 support, their suggestion was that I try installing their software on a friends PC! This, after spending two days downloading and installing and re-installing their latest software on my Dell 8400 w/Windows XP, and Mac Pro and MacBook Pro, both running 10.4.9. Also disconnected router and wireless, connecting directly from DSL modem to PCs with Cat5.

It doesn't work for me!

880 Remote is amazing

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 27, 2006

Pros: ease of set up, support was fantastic

Cons: not touch screen

I am fairly particiular when it comes to my AV equiptment... I received this product...and had everything all set up w/ TV, Receiver, Cable box (HD DVR), DVD & PS2 in no time at all.

very intuitive..had one small change to the remote that I could not make using their on-line software....I called the logitech help line on SUNDAY and they quickly "sent" the instructions to my remote while I was online and the phone with them.

outstanding support!! my cable box DVR works great with it as well... wife is very happy with the ease of use... outstanding

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 22, 2006

One nice remote

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Oct 23, 2006

Pros: Glows in the dark, controls many devices, rechargable

Cons: Ergonomics, confusing inputs

Yes, this is a fantastic glow in the dark remote! Controls a million different devices. I found setup was easy, and it works with ease.

But, the button layout needs work. Frequently used button should be be larger than the others. Very hard to use this remote with one hand. A little slippery too.

Overall, save your money and wait for version 2.0 (..... the next version of this remote).

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 26, 2006

It's great

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 26, 2006

Pros: Everything in one powerfull remote

Cons: I can understand that some people might have trouble with the setup

The remote is great, I have it about 1 year now and I can do more with the Harmony 880 than I could do with the remote that came with my TV.
The web interface is good (but I agree with another user who says that it is slow).
They had the remote codes for everything I have, including an 8 year old Samsung stereo, just enter the brand and model numbers and presto all commands are there, very impressive!
The possibilities are endless, I have it setup for some activities that require 5 devices to turn on and be put in a certain mode and it works flawlessly.
Setting all this up did take some time and I did need to contact Logitech support twice (I work in IT, it does not happen very often that I contact support). I contacted them by email and even though it took more than a day, their response was very good and resolved my issues completely.
Sometimes it does get out of sync with the actual situation (HDR is on but remote thinks it is off), at that point I cover the remote with my hand and set it in the state that it has to be in, those things are inevitable.
Overall, it is one of the best purchases I did last year!

The perfect remote *some inquisitiveness required*

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 19, 2006

Pros: I have yet to find something this remote can't control. You have total control over how the remote operates your devices.

Cons: It is sometimes a bit convoluted finding the online menus to fine tune the remotes operation.

Have no doubt that this remote will have no problem controlling any of your home theater equipment. Also have no doubt that this remote can be fine tuned to suit you needs right down to the milliseconds between commands when using the macros.

The problem lies with the web interface which makes the fine tuning process rather cumbersome. The pages that give you total control over the remote are very difficult to find. In fact I found them by accident.

In summation this remote is by far the best remote I've ever owned and if you don't really need total control over your remote this one is probably a god send. If you do need that level of control be prepared for a bit of 'hide and seek'.

Does what I need it to...

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 14, 2006

Pros: Setup was very easy. Answer a couple of questions online and voila.

Cons: It adds features that some of my gear does not support

I bought this since my older universal remote would not support my new plasma.

I opened the box (which by the way was super easy) and began setting it up. I followed the instructions that came with the package except for one...I didn't charge it immediately. I instead opted to drain the battery first to get a full charge.

I dropped the CD into my laptop, loaded the software, and then went to the web page.

I answered a couple of questions, Selected the makes and models of my equipment and then connected the USB cable and downloaded the codes.

It was a breeze to setup. I was up and running in less than an hour.

The only downsides were that it did not let me set up a "Watch TV" mode. I had to go back and manually add that.

That and the remote shows functions for my equipment that my equipment does not support.

Other than that...I really can't complain.

It was worth the $155 I paid for it.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 22, 2006

By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 1, 2006

Love my remote!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 22, 2006

Pros: Ease of use

Cons: virus software-hinders setup, buttons too small

This remote is great! I had lots of problems setting up because Norton 2006 was blocking the set-up connection from the internet. Figured out later that Norton was corrupt, so it wasn't the remotes fault. Tech support worked with me for 2 hours. First level support was kind of weak, but escalated and resolved the problem. We went from 4 remotes to 1! It is awesome! All you need to do is answer a few set up questions about your equipment, follow the on-screen instructions and download the set up to the remote. I even have my kids pictures on the remote's screensaver! Just use a computer that you can disable firewall and virus protection and set up is a 10 min process! No codes to punch in over and over!

Harmony SUCKS

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Nov 20, 2005 | 1 out of 7 found this Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal review helpful

Pros: It can control all the devices

Cons: Won't charge and stay charged

Since I had this remote it has been nothing but trouble. First, I paid someone to program it so I wouldn't mess it up. Then it won't stay charged and locks up so I am on the phone/computer with the support people on a weekly basis. I have resorted to using the 6 individual remotes to control my television and dealing with it is just not worth the money or the aggrivation of not having a remote that works. I paid a lot of money for a hi-tech television with surround sound etc and can't enjoy it with this remote.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 13, 2005

A very good, but not perfect universal remote

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jul 5, 2005 | 15 out of 15 found this Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal review helpful

Pros: First true Universal remote I've owned, Web updatable

Cons: Ergonomics, Web UI, No Macros, Help

I've owned several other "universal/
programmable" remotes,
all under $250. This one is the best so far. However, it's
not perfect.

What I do like is that the buttons are a good set and
work well with Tivo (many other remotes don't), my DVD player, my Cable set-top box, and my TV.

Another likable attribute is that the Web programmable UI
is pretty comprehensive and that there are many many
opportunities to remap buttons.

Okay, now the downsides:

1) Less than stellar ergonomics. The oval arrows (up, down, left, right) ring is too small for my hands (and I have small hands). It's uncomfortable to operate Tivo menus using this ring. The volume and channel buttons are too
stylistic to operate comfortably with your eyes off the
remote. Logitech designers should take styling cues from
the Sony Tivo remote.

2) The WebUI is very clunky. All programming operations must be done via the Web UI. The UI is appallingly slow.
There is no reason for the UI to be as slow as it is.

3) The default key mappings are not always correct and will
take multiple iterations with the slow Web UI to get it
right. But atleast you can eventually "get it right".

4) The Activities menus and Help features are interesting
and more "intelligent" than most other remotes -- they
remember the operating state of all components. However,
if the state is not correct for any reason (a component is
on when the remote thinks it is off), you can end up in
20-questions hell as the Help walks you through each
component one-by-one-by-one-by-one. I really want a menu
of buttons for changing power and A/V inputs on a component
by component basis. You can add these virtual buttons to
the menu yourself, however, there is no macro feature for
programming a sequence such as "TV/Video menu, 5" to get
your Tivo input set up correctly on the TV.

So, should you buy it? Well, the wife and baby sitter can
now operate the AV system with a single remote. I've yet
to teach my 6 year old to operate the system with the remote
(he has, however, mastered the Tivo remote).

Maybe Logitech will listen and a future software update
will get me the features I want.

It's a tough call. At the price, it's a bit expensive. It
does work as advertised, but there is certainly room for
improvement.