Harmony 880 $130 + $30 rebate = $100

[amheck]

Are these things pretty easy to program? Do you use your PC?

I have a cheap Sony multi-function, and I had to point the remote's at each other and do all of these button sequences. And I never did get into the macro's.

 

[imported_mnelson]

They're a piece of cake to program. You can run through a demo on their site. I have one of their optehr remotes (the 659) and I did it all via their site. You plug in the model numbers of the equipment you have, it downloads the codes and you're good to go.

For instance, when you hit watch a movie the remote sends the signal to turn on to the dvd player, switched the tv to the correct input, and depending on how you control your sound will turn on your receiver and change ti the the right input. All of which is done through the setup of the remote. Slick as all hell.

 

[amheck]

Nice, thanks. I'll check out the demo on their site. I didn't even think of that.

One more question.....for our new bedroom setup, I'm planning a plasma on the wall, and then the equipment (DVR, DVD, etc) in a closet near the back of the room. Can these do the "IR" stuff, which is what I think I need for this type of setup? i.e. can I point this remote at the TV and have it change stuff in the remote location?

Aaron

 

[imported_mnelson]

To make this remote do that you will need an IR repeater (I think that's what it's called). The Harmony remote you would ideally want would be the 890. It does what you are looking for, but costs ~$350-400!

I'd try one of the repeater deals. I'm not sure how well it works as I've never used one, but for your setup it looks like your only choice.

EDIT: Here's a link to the 890, it uses RF as opposed to IR: Harmony 890

EDIT 2: Essentially this is what you need RF Converter (or something like it)

 

[EvanAdams]

An important thing to klnow about the 890 is that it sends RF to a station that then sends IR to your components. I do not believe it connects directly with your RF components.

 

[imported_mnelson]

So the 890 is basically an 880 with an RF adapter like the one I linked above? Or does it have more functionality?

 

[EvanAdams]

Yea but the IR blaster arangement is different somehow. Never seen one never used one.

 

[carlwu]

IR is nice if you do not have direct line of sight (ie. home audio) or need more range. If all you use it for is to point at your home theatre components, you do not want that version!

 

[imported_mnelson]

Carl, you mean RF, not IR right? RF is good for range/hidden components, whereas IR needs line of site?

 

[EvanAdams]

Originally posted by: amheck
Nice, thanks. I'll check out the demo on their site. I didn't even think of that.

One more question.....for our new bedroom setup, I'm planning a plasma on the wall, and then the equipment (DVR, DVD, etc) in a closet near the back of the room. Can these do the "IR" stuff, which is what I think I need for this type of setup? i.e. can I point this remote at the TV and have it change stuff in the remote location?

Aaron

No you have it backwards. It is "RF" stuff that allows you to "change stuff in the remote location" You would want an 890 for this.

IR is for where you point the remote is where the stuff is you want to control.

890 = RF with IR blaster at location of components
880 = IR direct to your components (and you have to be POINTING the remote at those same components)

 

[EvanAdams]

Originally posted by: mnelson
Carl, you mean RF, not IR right? RF is good for range/hidden components, whereas IR needs line of site?

correct

 

[amheck]

but also

890 = 880 + separate IR blaster

right?

 

[EvanAdams]

890 = 880 with RF and a box recieves the RF that then has IR blaster's coming out of it and to your individual components for control. This is different from most RF to IR setups as it comes out of the box ready for most components.

If your equipment is not infront of you (or you dont want to shoot the remote away from the traditional point it at the TV arangement) you will want a 890. OTHER THAN THAT ONE ARANGEMENT I can not think of any reason to get the 890.

 

[MikeDawg]

890 = 880 with RF and a box recieves the RF that then has IR blaster's coming out of it and to your individual components for control. This is different from most RF to IR setups as it comes out of the box ready for most components.

This is handy for those MythTV users out there, there are many TV/PVR cards for computers that use RF.

 

[esoteric0]

i have this remote and love it, but the only downside is all the configuration must be done online. logitech recently released a new version of their software that runs on your desktop (you don't have to go to their website with your browser) but it must still connect to the net. it kind of sucks, if they ever stop supporting it, you can't program it any more.

aside from that though, great remote.

 

[EvanAdams]

I've done all my remote programing on a Mac OSX system. The OS X software does not require constant connection via any system tray. It just sits there untill you download an update then it activates.

 

[jclose]

Hmmm...the website is telling me that it sells for $250, with a $30 MIR. I had to do a search for it to find it, though (I went back and drilled through the category links and came up with the same price). The link provided by the OP just went to a main page, not a product page.

Is the deal over? Dang it! I was really looking for one of these things, too.

 

[superflysocal]

Originally posted by: mnelson
To make this remote do that you will need an IR repeater (I think that's what it's called). The Harmony remote you would ideally want would be the 890. It does what you are looking for, but costs ~$350-400!

I'd try one of the repeater deals. I'm not sure how well it works as I've never used one, but for your setup it looks like your only choice.

EDIT: Here's a link to the 890, it uses RF as opposed to IR: Harmony 890

EDIT 2: Essentially this is what you need RF Converter (or something like it)

Originally posted by: mnelson
So the 890 is basically an 880 with an RF adapter like the one I linked above? Or does it have more functionality?

The specific RF converter stated above specifically says that it will not work with Harmony universal remotes

 

[jclose]

Originally posted by: jclose
Hmmm...the website is telling me that it sells for $250, with a $30 MIR. I had to do a search for it to find it, though (I went back and drilled through the category links and came up with the same price). The link provided by the OP just went to a main page, not a product page.

Is the deal over? Dang it! I was really looking for one of these things, too.

In looking at the fine print on the website a bit more closely I noticed that it has select deals that end each day. I am guessing that this was one of those. Bummer.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: jclose

Originally posted by: jclose
Hmmm...the website is telling me that it sells for $250, with a $30 MIR. I had to do a search for it to find it, though (I went back and drilled through the category links and came up with the same price). The link provided by the OP just went to a main page, not a product page.

Is the deal over? Dang it! I was really looking for one of these things, too.

In looking at the fine print on the website a bit more closely I noticed that it has select deals that end each day. I am guessing that this was one of those. Bummer.

Yea, this deal ended at midnight on 7/11. Just keep an eye out though, as Dell will likley run a similar deal on this remote in the near future (maybe a month or so).

 

[RaGe420]

nice deal anyones rebate go through?

 

[Garet Jax]

This is a great remote. I had it up and running in 30 minutes and it solved user error with my new Denon AVR.

 

[superHARD]

Originally posted by: superflysocal

Originally posted by: mnelson
To make this remote do that you will need an IR repeater (I think that's what it's called). The Harmony remote you would ideally want would be the 890. It does what you are looking for, but costs ~$350-400!

I'd try one of the repeater deals. I'm not sure how well it works as I've never used one, but for your setup it looks like your only choice.

EDIT: Here's a link to the 890, it uses RF as opposed to IR: Harmony 890

EDIT 2: Essentially this is what you need RF Converter (or something like it)

Originally posted by: mnelson
So the 890 is basically an 880 with an RF adapter like the one I linked above? Or does it have more functionality?

The specific RF converter stated above specifically says that it will not work with Harmony universal remotes

lol good catch

 

[NuKe9]

Just checked, my rebate was denied. No other electronics purchased. Oh well, $130 is still a great deal.