Logitech Harmony 676 LCD Remote Control
- Type: Universal Multibrand
- Universal Remote Control Type: Multibrand
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Applicable Devices: TV, VCR, DVD Player, Cable\Satellite Receiver, CD Player, Receiver
- Devices Controlled: 15
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Solid Remote. Beats the typical "Universal" Works with TIVO
Pros
Remote User friendly, Activity Based, Help Feature, Price point, Tivo Friendly, Ergonomics, Button Layout
Cons
Click Wheel, Internet Setup Software
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Great remote. Strongly advise the 676 or 680 from the Harmony lineup. Especially if you have TIVO or other PVR/HTPC equipment.
I have previously owned several Harmony remotes (768 & 659). The 659 has been my fav for years. But I recently added a HD TIVO to my setup and the 659 does not work well with TIVO's. (Due to button placement) So went shopping for a new remote.
Considered:
The MX series - did not want to go back to "programming"
Pronto line - same programming issues as well as not fond of touch screen
Harmony 880 - layout and feel of buttons did not work for me for TIVO type activities
Harmony 680 - Made my short list and would have bought if I found it
So the Harmony 676 was at my local FRY's for ($79) and I thought I would try it.
This remote has "rubber" buttons versus the hard gem buttons of the 680/659. If that bothers you - go for the 680.
The body of the remote has a "grippy" feel to it and balances nicely in the hand. Very nice ergonomics.
As you probably have read by now - you connect this up to the internet to configure your settings/activities and buttons. Harmony includes a USB cable for this. I have 2 game systems, plasma, receiver, 2 DVD players and an HD TIVO . A daunting amount of equipment with a switcher in the middle of it all.
I found (even with having used the software before and knowing how activities worked) that it took me about 4 hours to configure to my liking. I should also add - that you can set up all your devices with their complete remote parameters on the Harmony remotes - however I only add the basics for each remote. If I really have to mess with setting up the menu's and changing all the parameters of my receiver - I will pick up that remote for the once in a year adventure. 4-6 lines of writing for the couple of hundred of commands that your complex equipment has is not enough.
So by all means - put the remotes in a drawer - but do not get rid of.
The Harmony software has improved for the most part over the years - but it still requires way too many clicks. I would strongly suggest just setting up the basic activities and your devices. Get them turning on and off appropriately and then go back and modify the settings for button placement and more complexity. Being "smart" I went for the gusto...and then redid it - starting with the basics first. Works much better!
It also helps if you have used your equipment and have the remotes for them in front of you when you want to change the activity buttons or set up different configurations. Be prepared for some trial and error.
A basic setup with 3-4 pieces of equipment and same devices (3-4) should take about an hour.
I want to mention how well this works with TIVO. Nice layout of the transport buttons and a set of two configurable buttons (A/B) that work out well for the "List" and "Live" commands. There's some other TIVO tricks you can set up with this remote so that ALL the TIVO commands are within a short thumbs reach.
The only knock I have is the click wheel used for the directional navigation (up/down/right/left). It is a bit sensitive and I am getting used to it. Not my favourite implementation of a click wheel but workable and certainly beats the TIVO directional pad!
The ease in which you end up being able to operate your equipment and the ability for the non technical members of your family to now be able to watch TV or play a cd or even go from "regular" TV to HD TV with a button stroke is worth the price of admission and more so.
Another benefit is that my TIVO (Direct tV) does not have a dedicated "FAV" channels button. An abysmal guide operation has to take place etc. The 6XX series of remotes have a "Media" button that allows you to specify favourite channels and navigate them with a button push. You can also get listings for those channels and have them show up. Although you will find the limited LCD screen to be rather small for seeing full titles. But it's great for getting to the top 10/20 channels you want to quickly.
If you have Music Jukebox or CD Changer etc - you will also be able to use the "Media" button to display a list alphabetically. Again - keep in mind the small size - but for the sake of having everything in one remote - and access to every function that the whole family can operate...This really can't be beat.
My gripes...The tiresome software used to set up the remote - not hard - just tedious. The navigational ring and the somewhat small LCD display. The buttons are rubber - however do have a "response" so that you are aware that you pressed them and after a few uses are easy to find by feel. There is a bright "glow" feature that you can also configure to stay on longer to make it very easy to see the remote in the dark.
In addition to the "named " buttons (which can also be configured) and the A/B buttons - you also have 6 soft buttons that can be setup within the LCD. These can be layered into menus and you can literally get 100's of commands available - should you be crazy enough to want to do so! There are also dedicated picture and sound buttons that allow you to configure common commands for your activities. For instance - may be you change the aspect ratio (black bars - wide screen/ gray bars) depending on which station you are watching and it incoming resolution. You can have this set up and while watching switch it on the fly.
Unless you dearly need a color screen and have more than 15 devices to control the 6XXX series IMHO is much more useful than the 880. I also prefer the "peanut" shape and ergonomics of these remotes to the 5XXX series.
ALl Harmony remotes let you set up activities and configure them. It is the ergonomics, layout and available named buttons that change. They all also have a "Help" feature which allows your equipment to get synched up would it get out of whack. TV is off - but should be on for example.
Another Harmony gets added to my set up. The 676 is a winner.
Considered:
The MX series - did not want to go back to "programming"
Pronto line - same programming issues as well as not fond of touch screen
Harmony 880 - layout and feel of buttons did not work for me for TIVO type activities
Harmony 680 - Made my short list and would have bought if I found it
So the Harmony 676 was at my local FRY's for ($79) and I thought I would try it.
This remote has "rubber" buttons versus the hard gem buttons of the 680/659. If that bothers you - go for the 680.
The body of the remote has a "grippy" feel to it and balances nicely in the hand. Very nice ergonomics.
As you probably have read by now - you connect this up to the internet to configure your settings/activities and buttons. Harmony includes a USB cable for this. I have 2 game systems, plasma, receiver, 2 DVD players and an HD TIVO . A daunting amount of equipment with a switcher in the middle of it all.
I found (even with having used the software before and knowing how activities worked) that it took me about 4 hours to configure to my liking. I should also add - that you can set up all your devices with their complete remote parameters on the Harmony remotes - however I only add the basics for each remote. If I really have to mess with setting up the menu's and changing all the parameters of my receiver - I will pick up that remote for the once in a year adventure. 4-6 lines of writing for the couple of hundred of commands that your complex equipment has is not enough.
So by all means - put the remotes in a drawer - but do not get rid of.
The Harmony software has improved for the most part over the years - but it still requires way too many clicks. I would strongly suggest just setting up the basic activities and your devices. Get them turning on and off appropriately and then go back and modify the settings for button placement and more complexity. Being "smart" I went for the gusto...and then redid it - starting with the basics first. Works much better!
It also helps if you have used your equipment and have the remotes for them in front of you when you want to change the activity buttons or set up different configurations. Be prepared for some trial and error.
A basic setup with 3-4 pieces of equipment and same devices (3-4) should take about an hour.
I want to mention how well this works with TIVO. Nice layout of the transport buttons and a set of two configurable buttons (A/B) that work out well for the "List" and "Live" commands. There's some other TIVO tricks you can set up with this remote so that ALL the TIVO commands are within a short thumbs reach.
The only knock I have is the click wheel used for the directional navigation (up/down/right/left). It is a bit sensitive and I am getting used to it. Not my favourite implementation of a click wheel but workable and certainly beats the TIVO directional pad!
The ease in which you end up being able to operate your equipment and the ability for the non technical members of your family to now be able to watch TV or play a cd or even go from "regular" TV to HD TV with a button stroke is worth the price of admission and more so.
Another benefit is that my TIVO (Direct tV) does not have a dedicated "FAV" channels button. An abysmal guide operation has to take place etc. The 6XX series of remotes have a "Media" button that allows you to specify favourite channels and navigate them with a button push. You can also get listings for those channels and have them show up. Although you will find the limited LCD screen to be rather small for seeing full titles. But it's great for getting to the top 10/20 channels you want to quickly.
If you have Music Jukebox or CD Changer etc - you will also be able to use the "Media" button to display a list alphabetically. Again - keep in mind the small size - but for the sake of having everything in one remote - and access to every function that the whole family can operate...This really can't be beat.
My gripes...The tiresome software used to set up the remote - not hard - just tedious. The navigational ring and the somewhat small LCD display. The buttons are rubber - however do have a "response" so that you are aware that you pressed them and after a few uses are easy to find by feel. There is a bright "glow" feature that you can also configure to stay on longer to make it very easy to see the remote in the dark.
In addition to the "named " buttons (which can also be configured) and the A/B buttons - you also have 6 soft buttons that can be setup within the LCD. These can be layered into menus and you can literally get 100's of commands available - should you be crazy enough to want to do so! There are also dedicated picture and sound buttons that allow you to configure common commands for your activities. For instance - may be you change the aspect ratio (black bars - wide screen/ gray bars) depending on which station you are watching and it incoming resolution. You can have this set up and while watching switch it on the fly.
Unless you dearly need a color screen and have more than 15 devices to control the 6XXX series IMHO is much more useful than the 880. I also prefer the "peanut" shape and ergonomics of these remotes to the 5XXX series.
ALl Harmony remotes let you set up activities and configure them. It is the ergonomics, layout and available named buttons that change. They all also have a "Help" feature which allows your equipment to get synched up would it get out of whack. TV is off - but should be on for example.
Another Harmony gets added to my set up. The 676 is a winner.
