Logitech Harmony 555 Advanced Universal Remote

If you've lost your TV remote and are looking for a replacement then this is probably not the handset for you, sure it has a huge database of devices it can control, but frankly if that's all you're after then you probably want something that works out of the box and that is not the case with this.

If on the other hand you have a pile of remotes to control up to 15 devices and a partner who is always complaining that they can't use the home cinema then this is the perfect device for you. The Harmony 555 will replace up to fifteen remotes and has a library of over 10,000 devices, these are set up using a simple web based interface and then downloaded to the handset via USB, between the comprehensive but uncluttered key layout and paging 4-way soft button screen all original functions are avaliable, infact functions such as direct access to specific inputs and screen ratios were avaliable from this device which are not on the original remote! Key and softkey setups are fully customisable within the software.

The really clever bit though is the 'Activities' based organisation of features, by setting up an activity the Harmony remote takes away the necessity to understand how a complex home theatre is set up inorder to access it's functions, when an activity is selected the 555 will switch on all the required componants (and switch off unneccessary ones that are on) and switch to a seperate, customisable control set specifically for that activity. All the functions for all the active componants are selectable and activity specific macros can be configured saving the necessity of switching between 'devices', for example in a 'Watch Television' activity the remote can turn on TV, AV receiver, Sky box and HDD recorder automatically, set the inputs for all devices (even where multiple source switches are used) and switch to a control set in which the volume and mute buttons control the amplifier, the colour buttons control Sky and FF/RW/Skip/Pause/Play/Stop buttons control the HDD recorder and all the options for the Sky program guide and TV picture functions are avaliable on soft buttons meaning that the user doesn't have to know what device is used for what function, the process is completely transparent, select 'Watch DVD' and the HDD and Sky turn off, the inputs on TV and Amplifier changed and the Play/Pause/Rew etc keys remapped to control the DVD player, no searching for remotes or switching devices required.

Naturally, this kind of simplicity in use indicates a great deal of sophistication in the setup and you do need to be methodical and have a good understanding of your home theatre system. Setting up this device is not a short job, the basics can be done in 20mins, but if you have a reasonably complex setup expect to spend several hours as you start to realise how powerful it can be and decide to ad more and more features.

Construction is good, styling is expensive and hi tec in appearence and the device feels well made although it does have a slight flex when pressing buttons at the far end. The buttons themselves are responsive and the matt grip finish on the underside is highly tactile.

In conclusion, this is the best universal remote I have ever tried, the activity based arrangement is hugely successful removing the necessity to switch between devices and meaning that the user only has to know what they want to do, not what devices and settings they need. In the past mutli device remotes have always been a compromise with convenience compromised to reduce the clutter, this is not the case here and for once I won't be keeping the originals closely to hand.

This is an excellent controller: Firtsly because it will find virtually any device online and update the features automatically, with little effort from the user other than obtaining the model number of the respective devices.

Secondly because, if like me, you want to operate multiple devices simultaneously; you can set a specific mode where you can bespoke each and every button to control whatever function on whatever device you want, without the need to swap control modes between the different devices. For example; volume controls amplifier, the chanel no.s for the cable box and menu for TV, etc. There are surplus buttons that can be set to power toggle each device for example and this way you do not need to switch between remote settings.

Another thing which is great, is a screen that promts and offers help for people trying to use your remote when you are not there. You can push a couple of buttons and the remote will automatically set up the devices to their respective settings and switch them all on, etc. It is definitely worth the extra money but as the previous reviewer wisely stated, this is for using multiple devices, not just a replacement for a single device where you could probably find a cheaper alternative.

Logitech are brilliant at pretty much everything they do and this certainly stands out as one of their best inventions to date.

I am basically going to re-affirm what the other reviews here say so will keep it short. Had to leave feedback though as it's not often with something like this that the support (not helpline as I haven't needed it!) but the online programming assistance is so good.

You really are led down some easy menus and questions at the end of which after a quick download to the remote has you in business. Now I click 'Watch TV' and on comes tv to correct input, amplifier to correct input, sky box! same for CD DVD projector etc.

And I have also popped my other remotes away rather than keeping to hand in case of error.

One thing to remember when you press the remote cycles through the commands so you need to keep pointed (or rest pointing) at your system. If you dont though the Help button will sort this by asking you whats not on/off.
This is a fantastic item, looks good as well, and nicely backlit. I know there is much more it will do but even for what I have with the basic setup so far am perfectly happy.

Things were getting out of hand. I had eight remote controls sat on a revolving stand in the middle of my coffee table and enough was enough, time for a universal remote.

I had read that some of these remotes could be programmed to carry out several commands at once, such as turning lots of devices on and off at once and changing channels at the same time. This sounded good and looking through the web Logitech's range of Harmony remotes looked to be best suited to what I wanted.

I finally settled on the Harmony 555 which is at the bottom end of Logitech's remote control range, but still appeared to offer everything I needed. The device duly arrived and I was struck with how ergonomic it looked, the buttons were of the rubber type and responded positively and the whole remote lit up in a lovely orange hue. But how would it perform.

The remote arrives with details of how to log onto Logitech's website and download the necessary firmware, you then create an account and list all the devices you wish to command with the remote.
This is easier than it sounds because the website is very user friendly and it would appear that there is isn't a device out there that Logitech have missed from their 10,000+ list, you name the device and it will be there.

Once you have listed your devices you are then invited to create an activity list for each device, activities like switch on and off, change AV channels on the TV etc, so each activity is activated with the press of one button.

Once I had set up the devices and activities they had to be downloaded to the remote via the supplied USB cable, this takes several minutes but once this was done off I went to try it out. Did it work ? Well I would like to say it was all hunky dory straight out of the box, but not quite. No big issues but certain devices were taking up to 10 seconds to come on and others coming on straight away, this, I was later told, was a timing issue and I had to contact Logitech's helpline to sort it out.

If you are like me you will hate Helplines, however Logitech's is a joy to use. One free phone number to the Netherlands and you get through to an English speaking staff member who actually knows what they are talking about. No waiting, no piped music and even when the first guy couldn't sort it out and "upgraded" the issue I was forwarded straight to Canada (whether they can do this straight away obviously depends on the time of day here) and they sorted it in under 30 minutes. The helpline staff look at your devices and update your remote for you.

By the time I had finished everything worked great. I have had the remote for 12 months now and the only issue I have had was when I bought a new Onkyo AV Amp to go with my LG LCD TV. It transpired that the command codes to turn the Onkyo off were the same ones that turned the LG on (a rare occurrence I was told, but not one that even Logitechs expert staff could sort out). However I overcame this by pressing the "Help" button on the remote which, in essence, is a override button which enables you to carry out any command on its own, eg Switching off the TV. (I later got rid of the LG TV so that issue sorted itself out anyway)

I would definitely recommend the Harmony 555 remote for it's practicality, user friendliness and the quality of it's helpline.