Harmony or Universal Remote

Looking for advice on which brand and model to go with. My price range is around a $100.

Been looking at the URC RF-20 and harmony 550.

I really like the URC RF-20 but are they hard to program for a consumer?

Looking for advice on which brand and model to go with. My price range is around a $100.

Been looking at the URC RF-20 and harmony 550.

I really like the URC RF-20 but are they hard to program for a consumer?

Take a look at the Harmony 659 at Sams Club for $70. I paid $200 for mine and would do it again. Very user friendly and the one button activities are great.

Does anyone own the harmony 550 and if so how do you like it?

I have owned the 550 for almost a year and really like it. I got it onsale at Tiger Direct for $75. It is a breeze to program with your computer and adding/updating devices is seemless. I love the Harmony 1 touch activities feature that many other remotes in that price range don't have.

Runs everything like TV, Vip622, A2, 360 w addon and SS receiver. T Set up you activities you want like "Play Xbox 360". It will:
1. Turn the TV on (if it is off) and turn it to the proper input.
2. Turn on 360.
3. Turn on the SS receiver and switch it to the proper input as well.
And then everything on that remote will control the 360 and the volume to either the SS receiver ot TV (what ever way you want it).
Want to go back to Dish.... Just hit Dish in activities and it will power off the 360 and switch everything over. It is easy and the wife factor will be huge if you have 1.

Battery life is pretty good. I use the 550 very often in a day and only had to change my batteries twice in about a year. (and it comes with a replacement set of Duracells).

I have owned the 550 for almost a year and really like it. I got it onsale at Tiger Direct for $75. It is a breeze to program with your computer and adding/updating devices is seemless. I love the Harmony 1 touch activities feature that many other remotes in that price range don't have.

Runs everything like TV, Vip622, A2, 360 w addon and SS receiver. T Set up you activities you want like "Play Xbox 360". It will:
1. Turn the TV on (if it is off) and turn it to the proper input.
2. Turn on 360.
3. Turn on the SS receiver and switch it to the proper input as well.
And then everything on that remote will control the 360 and the volume to either the SS receiver ot TV (what ever way you want it).
Want to go back to Dish.... Just hit Dish in activities and it will power off the 360 and switch everything over. It is easy and the wife factor will be huge if you have 1.

Battery life is pretty good. I use the 550 very often in a day and only had to change my batteries twice in about a year. (and it comes with a replacement set of Duracells).

Looks like I will have to pick one up. Thanks for the input. One thing though, are you able to set the volume button to run my Sony sound bar instead of the TV?

When setting up your devices for your 550 you pick a cedrtain device like say your Cable box, you have the option to pick the TV for the volume or your SS receiver. You then can also just switch directly to that device to control that volume seperately if you like. So my guess is that the same will go for your sound bar.

When setting up your devices for your 550 you pick a cedrtain device like say your Cable box, you have the option to pick the TV for the volume or your SS receiver. You then can also just switch directly to that device to control that volume seperately if you like. So my guess is that the same will go for your sound bar.

I thought it probably was able to do that but just wanted to make sure. Off to the store I go tomorrow to purchase one. Thanks:yippee:

One thing I forgot to ask is when you grab the remote does the back light light up automatically?

Well I ended up with the harmony one instead. I like the feel of the buttons better and it was a better choice for my fat fingers.

Well I ended up with the harmony one instead. I like the feel of the buttons better and it was a better choice for my fat fingers.

Very good choice, you can download logo for networks for you harmony one remote, they look very cool, PM me i will email you the zip file.

Well I ended up with the harmony one instead. I like the feel of the buttons better and it was a better choice for my fat fingers.

Please let us know how you like the Harmony One if you can. I already have a 680 & 670, but was considering updating the 680 to the ONE.

BTW, I thought you wanted it for around $100.00? Is that what you paid for the Harmony One and if so WHERE? :lol:

Please let us know how you like the Harmony One if you can. I already have a 680 & 670, but was considering updating the 680 to the ONE.

BTW, I thought you wanted it for around $100.00? Is that what you paid for the Harmony One and if so WHERE? :lol:

I love it. Yea I really passed up my price range but I really wanted a remote I would be happy with and if it wasn't for the number buttons on the 550 I would have purchased it. Then I saw the H/One and wow this remote is perfect. Even the wife loves it. Of course she asked how much it was and when I said $200 she said for a remote:eek:. Once I had it set up and showed her how easy everything will be to control she just smiled :lol:

One thing I must say is even though the harmony one is not an RF remote like my satellite remote I must say it sure is a dam good IR remote. It works great even when not pointed to my HT setup.

My wife thought I was crazy spending $125.00 for my first Harmony (680). I even bought one for her parents who had just bought their first HDTV and added a HT receiver for movies.

Once my wife saw that one button push sets everything up on the proper inputs and it is all on one remote, she didn't bat an eye on getting one for the bedroom. Heck even my 7 year old could run my system when he was 5 once I showed him which button worked to do each thing.

My family and several friends have now bought Harmony remotes as well. They should give me commissions as I have convinced at least 7 people I know to get one. :lol: I am really just happy to help people get an easy solution though.

Does the Harmony One come with a charging base?

My wife thought I was crazy spending $125.00 for my first Harmony (680). I even bought one for her parents who had just bought their first HDTV and added a HT receiver for movies.

Once my wife saw that one button push sets everything up on the proper inputs and it is all on one remote, she didn't bat an eye on getting one for the bedroom. Heck even my 7 year old could run my system when he was 5 once I showed him which button worked to do each thing.

My family and several friends have now bought Harmony remotes as well. They should give me commissions as I have convinced at least 7 people I know to get one. :lol: I am really just happy to help people get an easy solution though.

Does the Harmony One come with a charging base?

Yes it comes with a base and no matter what direction you park the remote in the cradle it always slides into position with no adjustment needed:D It also comes with a little cleaning cloth for the high gloss finish on the remote;)

Yes it comes with a base and no matter what direction you park the remote in the cradle it always slides into position with no adjustment needed:D It also comes with a little cleaning cloth for the high gloss finish on the remote;)

Thanks!

Looks like the Christmas present for me this holiday season. :D

PC Richard is selling the 550 for $50! I get mine on Friday. I have an 880 for my living room and absolutely love it.