With the number of which I used equipment for television, listening to music, etc., as it increases the number of remote controls increased on the table and the space for other things decreased dramatically.
Thus was needed in the form of a single remote control that I can control all the equipment change.
I have come to the following conclusion in my search quickly: Good Universal remote controls, if they are to operate reliably, are no special offers.
My choice was, after a long search on the Internet, on the Logitech Harmony 555th
The decisive factor was the following criteria:
- My equipment should be operated via the FB
- Test & opinions
- Number of controllable devices
- Operation
- Price
I found particularly interesting the aspect that the Harmony can control 15 devices, online is programmable and Logitech has an extensive database of approximately 150,000 units of about 4,000 manufacturing (Logitech specification).
My equipment
I serve with the Harmony following equipment:
- TV: Toshiba REGZA 32C 3000P
- CD player: Nakamichi MB-10 (5-fold changer)
- DVD player: Nakamichi DVD-15 (5-fold changer) is also known as CD players in use
- DVD player Denon DVD-1730
- Receiver: Nakamichi AV-10
- DVB-T Receiver: Telestar TSC 1
DELIVERY, DELIVERY AND 1. IMPRESSION
As with Amazon usual, exceeds the FB 1 day after ordering a. Packaging is unfortunately entirely of relatively stable plastic, which is why this can not be removed without destruction and do not reuse.
After Harmony was cumbersome freed from its packaging, it is now for the first time in my hand. The feel of the FB leaves immediately a very good impression, as well as the processing and the keys.
This is mainly to rubber buttons, only the buttons for the device selection, the Activity button, the control cross, the +/- buttons and the Backlight button are made of hard plastic. The pressure point of all keys is noticeably, partly audible; All keys have a backlight.
The display is carried out 2 lines and 2 columns, the writing is legible.
The orange light illuminates when you take the FB in the hand. The duration of the illumination can be set.
For longer periods to Harmony turns off completely.
The package includes:
- The remote control
- 8 LR03 batteries
- 1 USB cable
- 1 program CD
- 1 leaflet with instructions on this page
And so I'll be the biggest shortcoming of the Harmony 555:
A proper manual in written form is not included.
INSTALLATION
The installation of the program, as usual, at Logitech, extremely easy. The program runs on Windows 2000 and XP, as well as on Mac OS X 10.3+. There are regular, free updates, but I do not know if there program is also suitable for VISTA.
After installing the program I close my FB to the computer via USB cable, go online and open an account on the Logitech Harmony website. Here, the FB is declared.
I start as the device interrogation and behold, all devices are available in the database.
For programming, I choose the default settings, which later turns out to be not particularly happy choice.
Finally, the devices are "Actions" link under the menu item with each other.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes.
Then I take the Harmony for the first time in use.
HOW TO USE
As a very advantageous I feel instantly called. Smart State Technology Logitech. Underlying this is an automatism, which I can assign the switching on and off of equipment. Ie I want TV, then the TV, the AV receiver and the DVB-T receiver turn on. The inputs are also, according to the desired function, selected automatically. All other devices are not needed or off.
Is a little getting used to, for a right-handed, the arrangement of the loudspeakers / Quiet key.
Unfortunately has, after a relatively short time, pointed out that my FB was provided by default with a large number of useless or non-existent functions.
At the latest at this point the missing manual is sorely missed. While the Harmony user interface has a so-called. Tip Center to get the right tip, however, you must be patient. For users who do not have a flat rate, this can be quickly expensive.
Alternatively, Logitech offers a free telephone hotline, which turned out to be very friendly and efficient in my case.
All my questions were answered and so I have done to it, the program FB itself.
To say it in advance: This process takes a little time, in my particular case about 8 hours.
The FB is capable of learning, whereby IR commands can be transferred via infrared communication on the Harmony. The programmed instructions may be self-nominated and sorted individually.
However, you should test the functions for each device programming. It can also happen, namely, that suddenly the one or the other command is no longer executed correctly. But the Harmony has, however, the "Help" key. By this button, in most cases, the error in the program corrected.
A disadvantage, however, I find the fact that the Harmony is not reset, so lets move back to its original state.
Individually programmed my Harmony funktoniert now as I would have like to.
CONCLUSION
After some effort, I would like the Harmony attest a very positive result.
The workmanship is very good.
The functions are perfectly and it is a pleasure to play with the FB.
I can yet make a judgment about the power consumption, because I have the FB be available 3 months on 1 set of batteries in active use.
Disadvantages are only 2 points:
1. the lack of operating instructions; that would have saved me a lot of time.
2. programming is only possible online; which can be quickly expensive for users of an ordinary Internet connection, as well as occasionally the Logitech server is unreachable.
However, I can only put the Harmony 555 each to the heart, is looking for a quality universal remote control at a reasonable price.
