Owners of the Harmony 688 remote?

erok72 · 01-05-2005, 03:53 PM

Hi all,

I'm looking for user feedback on the Harmony 688 remote control. I'm mainly interested in it because it boasts a layout set up a lot like the Tivo remote control, with very similar 'Tivo-specific' functions. I am also drawn to the fact that this remote has real buttons and not an LCD touch pad (I'm from the old school, where buttons are good

), which is why I've ruled out the Pronto remotes, but I do like the fact that the Pronto can be updated via the web

.
I'm looking to replace my trusty Marantz RC-2000 MkII (which I've absolutely loved from day 1) for my main system. I've become tired of programming the remote when I add/replace/upgrade gear.
I've been to the Logitech website and been thru the remote set-up. It looks like all the gear I have is listed, which is a good sign, but does this mean all functions/options for these components will be taken care of? (I'm currently running 50" DLP, Yamaha 7.1 receiver (chock full 'o DSP modes!!), Panasonic DVD, Hughes DirecTv DVR and RCA HD receiver)

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks!

morty · 01-05-2005, 05:23 PM

I gave this remote to my father for christmas and it is great. The setup is easy and very detailed so you can hook it up with your prefrences. When you are setting it up you can have any button on the remote do any function you want. I am sure you can find a button to control your dsp commands. My father has directv hd tivo and it had just about every function he wanted. It didnt have the last button hooked up so I programed it into the remote so you can see it is very versatile. If you have any more questions just let me know.

erok72 · 01-05-2005, 07:53 PM

Thank you for the info, Morty.

I just have one more question for you.... If I understand correctly (reading the Logitech website), the macro commands (4 color-coded buttons @ the top) will turn everything on and set up your TV/preamp/DVD settings automatically.

(I'm of the belief that DACs (digital-to-analog converters) sound better when warm, so I do not turn off my receiver/CD or DVD players or put them into standby.

)

Do you know if there is any way to stop certain "power-ups" from happening to prevent the Harmony from shutting my preamp off, while still choosing the correct input and DSP??

Thanks again!

morty · 01-05-2005, 10:11 PM

I know that you can change any button to whatever you want it to be. You might be able to leave the amp power button as blank or something else that wouldnt mess with powering it off or on. As you know tivo never turns off so the the remote must have some kind of option not to turn something off you would have to check the custom part of the setup instead of basic.

Xplorer · 01-06-2005, 05:06 AM

hello erok72,

your question about leaving PWR ON is YES. There is an option,
"turn device off-yes/no"

I recommend (not 688) but the two newer improved versions
the 676 (mine) or 680
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9511

this is where I bought mine:
http://www.surfremotecontrol.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=H680

this is a remarkable device, I am more than happy with mine
once you learn how to manipulate the Harmony web -site program
the configurations are many !

there are only three colored "Action" buttons (blu/grn/red)
the fourth (yellow) is an activity button which brings up ALL OF YOUR DEVICES
on the screen so if you choose,you can use a device separate

then Harmony Tech service on the phone is just simply OUTSTANDING !

good luck , you will love it

wgift46 · 01-06-2005, 07:05 AM

Best remote I've used and I've been through all of them. Can't say enough about customer service. The two times I called them I got a tech almost instantly, which tells me that they don't get a lot of calls. they stay with you untill the problem is resolved, and in my case it was actually service pack 2 that was the problem. Updated some of my componets over the hoildays and had no problem updating the remote and it's activities. Although the wife is playing hard ball with using it (she just has not sat down with it to learn it) my daughter came home from school and with in 15 minutes she controlled the whole system and yesterday she had a girl friend over and she was controlling things in about the same amount of time. It truly can bring "harmony" int the house.

01-05-2005, 03:53 PM	#1
erok72 Std. Def? What's that? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 28	Owners of the Harmony 688 remote? Hi all, I'm looking for user feedback on the Harmony 688 remote control. I'm mainly interested in it because it boasts a layout set up a lot like the Tivo remote control, with very similar 'Tivo-specific' functions. I am also drawn to the fact that this remote has real buttons and not an LCD touch pad (I'm from the old school, where buttons are good ), which is why I've ruled out the Pronto remotes, but I do like the fact that the Pronto can be updated via the web . I'm looking to replace my trusty Marantz RC-2000 MkII (which I've absolutely loved from day 1) for my main system. I've become tired of programming the remote when I add/replace/upgrade gear. I've been to the Logitech website and been thru the remote set-up. It looks like all the gear I have is listed, which is a good sign, but does this mean all functions/options for these components will be taken care of? (I'm currently running 50" DLP, Yamaha 7.1 receiver (chock full 'o DSP modes!!), Panasonic DVD, Hughes DirecTv DVR and RCA HD receiver) Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!

01-05-2005, 05:23 PM	#2
morty fubar Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 30 Posts: 18	fantastic I gave this remote to my father for christmas and it is great. The setup is easy and very detailed so you can hook it up with your prefrences. When you are setting it up you can have any button on the remote do any function you want. I am sure you can find a button to control your dsp commands. My father has directv hd tivo and it had just about every function he wanted. It didnt have the last button hooked up so I programed it into the remote so you can see it is very versatile. If you have any more questions just let me know.

01-05-2005, 07:53 PM	#3
erok72 Std. Def? What's that? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 28	One last question... Thank you for the info, Morty. I just have one more question for you.... If I understand correctly (reading the Logitech website), the macro commands (4 color-coded buttons @ the top) will turn everything on and set up your TV/preamp/DVD settings automatically. (I'm of the belief that DACs (digital-to-analog converters) sound better when warm, so I do not turn off my receiver/CD or DVD players or put them into standby. ) Do you know if there is any way to stop certain "power-ups" from happening to prevent the Harmony from shutting my preamp off, while still choosing the correct input and DSP?? Thanks again!

01-06-2005, 05:06 AM	#5
Xplorer kill'n time... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 106	hello erok72, your question about leaving PWR ON is YES. There is an option, "turn device off-yes/no" I recommend (not 688) but the two newer improved versions the 676 (mine) or 680 http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9511 this is where I bought mine: http://www.surfremotecontrol.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=H680 this is a remarkable device, I am more than happy with mine once you learn how to manipulate the Harmony web -site program the configurations are many ! there are only three colored "Action" buttons (blu/grn/red) the fourth (yellow) is an activity button which brings up ALL OF YOUR DEVICES on the screen so if you choose,you can use a device separate then Harmony Tech service on the phone is just simply OUTSTANDING ! good luck , you will love it __________________ Sony 51" Adelphia-6200 xbox NE Ohio

01-05-2005, 10:11 PM	#4
morty fubar Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 30 Posts: 18	I know that you can change any button to whatever you want it to be. You might be able to leave the amp power button as blank or something else that wouldnt mess with powering it off or on. As you know tivo never turns off so the the remote must have some kind of option not to turn something off you would have to check the custom part of the setup instead of basic.

01-06-2005, 07:05 AM	#6
wgift46 My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5	Best remote I've used and I've been through all of them. Can't say enough about customer service. The two times I called them I got a tech almost instantly, which tells me that they don't get a lot of calls. they stay with you untill the problem is resolved, and in my case it was actually service pack 2 that was the problem. Updated some of my componets over the hoildays and had no problem updating the remote and it's activities. Although the wife is playing hard ball with using it (she just has not sat down with it to learn it) my daughter came home from school and with in 15 minutes she controlled the whole system and yesterday she had a girl friend over and she was controlling things in about the same amount of time. It truly can bring "harmony" int the house.