Harmony 670 Universal Remote

I bought this remote to replace six remotes, including two DVD players, an AV Theater Receiver, and a Dish Network receiver/DVR. I've had mixed experiences with a few universal remotes over the years, but I can't say enough about the Harmony 670.I bought this remote over some others because of the button layout. I prefer the distributed, knobby buttons of the 670, as opposed to the flat, adjacent buttons of other harmony's. Eventually, I'll be able to know all the buttons by touch -- more useful in a dark room than a light. The buttons around the center ring are not the same as my DVR remote layout, but they still make sense. Face it: you're going to have to learn a new remote if you're upgrading.The computer software interface is pretty good, but it could be better. Still, it's worlds better than punching in endless trial-and-error sequences on the remote to program it. The software programmed my remote for all devices without a hitch.If you have not owned a high-end universal remote, you need to be prepared to change your way of thinking with this one. I knew it performed macros (or "activities" as Logitech calls them) when I bought it, but I didn't really think I'd use them. I was wrong. With an Activity, you press a button and it can perform several activities all at once, like turning on the TV, DVD and Stereo, changing inputs, etc. My old remote did this, but it was a pain so I stopped. With the 670, it's a dream. This is mostly because it remembers "state" -- the status of all your components. For example, if you're watching TV and decide you want to watch a DVD, when you press the "Watch Movie" button, the remote remembers that your TV was already on, but changes the input for watching a DVD, then turns on the DVD and any other component you need, like your AV unit. When you're done, you press "OFF", and it toggles the power for ONLY the components it knows were on. Because this of this, you will find no hard ON or POWER button on the remote -- only OFF. The Activity buttons take care of the ON part. (This is not to say you can't turn the unit on separately. With all my units, POWER is an additional function in the little screen area. I've used the software to move that to the top of the screen if I ever need it -- but I haven't yet!).If something doesn't happen right with an activity (something doesn't turn on or off, for example), press the HELP button. This ingenious function asks you yes/no questions until IT fixes the problem. My wife couldn't be more confused about what needs to occur in order to, say, watch a DVD, but she can now fix any problem that arises just by answering the questions.Pros:- good button layout- good backlight- Activities (macros)- help button- computer programming- phone tech (free for first 60 days - USE IT!)Cons (pretty minor):- The buttons are small. Might be a problem for someone with big fingers.- Screen has a "next" button, but no "previous". Doh!- The computer software could be better, such as in reordering functions for the screen. It's a slow process.- No hard DVR button to access your recordings. I programmed mine as the first screen button. Kind of an unbelievable omission.Overall, a terrific remote. Some little problems, but dwarfed by the positives!

The concept of this remote is excellent. With the click of the button, based on the "activity" (watching a DVD, watching TV, listening to music, etc) the remote automatically turns on the proper equipment, turns off any other equipment, and sets everything to the proper inputs. So, I can watch my Tivo with one button, watch a DVD with the audio coming through the stereo with another button, and watch a VHS tape with my DVD/VHS combo player with another button. It logically adjusts all of the equipment based on the selected activity assigns buttons in a way that makes sense. The volume control, for example, adjusts either the TV or the stereo depending on what I've told it to use for that activity. It's all setup through a quick and easy wizard, and it allows you to make further customizations of buttons if you choose.The downsides are:1) The buttons are all the same size so you can't feel your way around the control in the dark. Even the volume control and channel rocker buttons all feel the same as any other button so you have to continually use the "Glow" button to engage the backlighting just to adjust the volume, fast forward, or rewind. Hello? Play should be a triangular wedge, Stop a square, etc. And they should all be in a line, rewind on the left, fast forward on the right, stop, play, and pause in the middle, instead of having those controls wrapped around the OK button in a circle. Overall, it is too visually oriented which is a mistake; it should be tactilely oriented because you don't want to be staring at you remote while you are trying to watch a movie.2) It makes you create a login username and password on their website to use the simple setup wizard, which by the way takes forever to install and download updates. This is very inappropriate and unnecessary.3) OK. After using this for 6 months I got a new TV. I couldn't remember the usename and password I created 6 months ago so it allowed me to create a new one... which erased the device. So now I have to start over with the programming. The software provided and the whole username/password provide us with all your personal information so you can use the product really pisses me off and makes me want to slam the product into the wall.

I recently purchased a Harmony 670 remote to control a Denon AVR 2308CI Audio Visual receiver and a Sony KDL 52W3000 LCD TV. The remote replaces a MX500 programmable remote which was clunky and not well received by my family.The physical remote is appealing. The initial online setup was simple. The big flaw is in the implementation. The remote never properly changed the input on my audiovisual receiver despite the fact that the receiver was listed on the Harmony setup pull down list. The receiver has a "DVR" output which is not readily visible on the remote. The database is NOT flawless. Tech support is pleasent but useless.Three hours later...still no success.Potential buyers should be aware that the browser setup is NOT, at least in my experience, a panacea!!!!!!Be prepared for hassles and judge value accordingly.I have easily spent more of my time trying to make the remote work than my time is worth for other things.I continue to spend the time because there are few alternatives.If you have little time to spend....hire a home AV person to "give you a remote"Amazon may just get this one back!!!!I will try a little more.