Harmony 520 for TiVo.

[DCIFRTHS]

Logitech only lists Wal Mart, CDW and Target (out of stock) as online retailers for the 520 remote. Has this been the "policy" all along, or is this remote being discontinued?

Thanks

[davezatz]

Nope, the remote isn't being discontinued... in fact, it's pretty new. Originally it was just at Walmart, now they've expanded somewhat. I think they're targeting the low-end. (The Harmony 520 is also the same as the new Xbox Harmony model with the addition of the 360 function buttons and color scheme.)

I happen to have the remote... works well like all other Harmony remotes, though has a sleeker and less cluttered look. The button response and LCD aren't as crisp as I'd like but maybe that's offset by the look and the neat tilt/backlight feature.

I want to find some sort of remote-controlled device to push the power button on my 1st generation Xbox... then I could use the Harmony to flip me to Input 3 on the TV and turn the Xbox on. Too bad my wireless controller doesn't let me turn it on somehow.

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by davezatz

Nope, the remote isn't being discontinued... in fact, it's pretty new. Originally it was just at Walmart, now they've expanded somewhat. I think they're targeting the low-end. (The Harmony 520 is also the same as the new Xbox Harmony model with the addition of the 360 function buttons and color scheme.)

I happen to have the remote... works well like all other Harmony remotes, though has a sleeker and less cluttered look. The button response and LCD aren't as crisp as I'd like but maybe that's offset by the look and the neat tilt/backlight feature.

I want to find some sort of remote-controlled device to push the power button on my 1st generation Xbox... then I could use the Harmony to flip me to Input 3 on the TV and turn the Xbox on. Too bad my wireless controller doesn't let me turn it on somehow.

I read your review when you first got the remote, so I know it's a fairly recent introduction. I just thought that I had seen it for sale on BestBuy.com Obviously, I am confused

I like the looks of the 520, and the layout seems cool. I have two 676 remotes, and I like the Harmony products. There are no Wal Marts where I am (yet), so I ordered it online.

One more question: What are the two buttons directly above the "joystick"? One looks like it's marked "Mute", and I can't make out the other one?

Thanks!

[Jotas]

I tried the 520 Xbox edition and was not impressed. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. The other drawback was the fact that I could not adjust the response time on the HR10 with this remote's setup program.

I guess I'm spoiled with my 880. Hopefully the price will continue to drop so I can get another 880 without hearing the wife complain.

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by Jotas

I tried the 520 Xbox edition and was not impressed. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. The other drawback was the fact that I could not adjust the response time on the HR10 with this remote's setup program.

I guess I'm spoiled with my 880. Hopefully the price will continue to drop so I can get another 880 without hearing the wife complain.

Response time for the delay between commands? I can aslo do that on my 676s, and I figured it was a standard feature of the Harmony remotes. The defaults are way too slow for me. I may have to return it....

[davezatz]

Originally Posted by DCIFRTHS

One more question: What are the two buttons directly above the "joystick"? One looks like it's marked "Mute", and I can't make out the other one?

The left button is "Mute" and the right button is "Prev" - above it is "Menu" which I use as the TiVo button.

It's definitely not a perfect remote, but I think it's above average. I also used to own the 676 (and 659) - I think I slightly prefer the 676 for the firmer button response but I prefer the 520 for the look and appreciate the backlight with tilt sensor. The 659 wasn't great because the play, pause, ff buttons were on the very bottom.

You can specify the milliseconds for inter-key delays on the 520 as with other Harmony remotes. The new remotes use an updated stand-alone software application, so maybe Jotas didn't see the option.

Also tech support will make whatever changes you want... for example I didn't like the way the remote changed inputs on my HDTV. (It would basically hit the 'input' button and then hit the up arrow or down arrow repeatadly until it go to the correct input - this could lead to errors and was definitely too slow. So I reported the label for each input corresponding number which selects it... then explained which I needed for which activities. Within 48 hours I had they made those changes for me. With my 676 the delays were off and it wasn't sending the IR signal long enough for my projector - they also made those changes.)

[Jotas]

Originally Posted by DCIFRTHS

Response time for the delay between commands? I can aslo do that on my 676s, and I figured it was a standard feature of the Harmony remotes. The defaults are way too slow for me. I may have to return it....

I am not sure about the standard 520 found at Walmart, but the Xbox edition of the 520 did not seem to have that feature in the on-line configuration settings. Funny though, since the Xbox edtion cost $30 more than the standard 520 at Walmart which goes for $99. I guess the additional $30 gets you the Xbox color buttons.

[Jotas]

Originally Posted by davezatz

Nope, the remote isn't being discontinued... in fact, it's pretty new. Originally it was just at Walmart, now they've expanded somewhat. I think they're targeting the low-end. (The Harmony 520 is also the same as the new Xbox Harmony model with the addition of the 360 function buttons and color scheme.)

I happen to have the remote... works well like all other Harmony remotes, though has a sleeker and less cluttered look. The button response and LCD aren't as crisp as I'd like but maybe that's offset by the look and the neat tilt/backlight feature.

I want to find some sort of remote-controlled device to push the power button on my 1st generation Xbox... then I could use the Harmony to flip me to Input 3 on the TV and turn the Xbox on. Too bad my wireless controller doesn't let me turn it on somehow.

I just tried adding the gen 1 Xbox to the list of devices on my 880 and received this message when attempting to set it up:

For the Harmony remote to control your Microsoft Xbox you will need to purchase a separate IR sensor package.

So it appears that even with the 880 you need to invest in a Windows Media Extender for Xbox in order to get some some functionality from the remote to the Xbox.

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by davezatz

The left button is "Mute" and the right button is "Prev" - above it is "Menu" which I use as the TiVo button. ...

"Prev" What is Harmony aiming for with that label? Preview? If so, what type of devive would that be used one?

EDIT: Oops. Probably previous as in "previous channel"

[cbordman]

does the 520 take real batteries? I hate rechargeable devices.

[davezatz]

It takes 4 AAAs... and something I've never seen before - the remote comes with two sets (8 total) of Duracel batteries!

[mportuesi]

I'm interested in the Xbox edition of the Harmony, because it looks really cool and it has those happy colored buttons.

I don't own an Xbox of any sort, nor do I plan to.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get the Xbox edition? I notice it has xbox-specific features, but can I simply program them away and use it as a generic universal remote? What do the colored buttons replace from the regular 520, or are the buttons the same (other than cosmetic differences) between the two?

Thanks.

[davezatz]

Originally Posted by mportuesi

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get the Xbox edition? I notice it has xbox-specific features, but can I simply program them away and use it as a generic universal remote? What do the colored buttons replace from the regular 520, or are the buttons the same (other than cosmetic differences) between the two?

Hmmm... maybe Logitech should start paying me.

Those Xbox-specific buttons are in addition to the 520 buttons. You can see the Mute and Prev buttons are moved below the Nav area but above the numbers and flared out to the sides... which makes room for the row of multi-colored buttons.

The screen and backlighting on the 360 version look more legible (though I haven't seen it in person...) and the color scheme is nice.

You can use it as general universal remote, no problem. The 520 retails for $99, while the 360 retails for $129. So that could be your reason to choose one over the other. Though, they did have a $30 mail-in rebate for the Xbox model - perhaps it's still available.

[mportuesi]

Originally Posted by davezatz

Hmmm... maybe Logitech should start paying me.

Perhaps they should. You seem to have more information on these remotes than their website does! I'm irked they don't have a product comparison matrix so you can see the difference between their models.

Originally Posted by davezatz

You can use it as general universal remote, no problem.

Good news. Thank you.

Originally Posted by davezatz

Though, they did have a $30 mail-in rebate for the Xbox model - perhaps it's still available.

I saw this on the Logitech website. The way I read it, you need to buy it along with an Xbox 360 to qualify for the $30 mail-in rebate. Great news if you are getting an Xbox, but not for me.

[davezatz]

Originally Posted by mportuesi

I'm irked they don't have a product comparison matrix so you can see the difference between their models.

They have this one, but it hasn't been updated to show the 520 and 360 models...
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...contentid=8789

The remotes are all pretty similar in functionality, except for the 880 which added color screen, pictures, and a charging dock. There is a new model on the way which will include RF and seperate zones/themes for different rooms (or something like that)... but those are $400 which seems crazy for a remote.

Harmony 890:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...ONTENTID=10930

[cbordman]

sears has it for $75. Looks pretty nice for that price. Maybe they removed the batteries...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...TV+Accessories

[mportuesi]

At $75, this seems like a steal. I was really leaning towards the 360 version because of the extra colored buttons, but $75 seems too good to pass up. Both remotes look really nice.

For those who have the 520....does it have enough hard buttons to drive all the TiVo features properly? The other acid test is the DVD player, which has lots of specialized buttons for things.

[davezatz]

FYI mine controls:
TiVo (non-DVD model) for SD viewing
LG combo box for DVDs and HD tuning
HDTV

The only button I feel like I miss regularly is a TV Input one... just because I haven't gotten around to adding my Xbox activity which uses Component 2. Once I add that, I should be able to flip between any of the activities without wasting time hunting for the soft button or TV remote.

By default, I don't think that main TiVo button was mapped to a hard button - so I mapped it to "Menu." I also sped up the response when pressing buttons since there was too much lag for me. The Live TV and Thumbs UP/Down are soft buttons which is fine. If this unit was on an SD set and we watched it more, I might consider mapping Live TV to a hard button. Guide and Info are mapped properly as is the joystick and VCR controls.

By the way Harmony will controls things other than AV... before we moved, I also had it (676) controlling my Lutron track lighting (turn off/on as part of my Watch DVD profile), Roku Soundbridge, and some iPod speaker/dock thingy. The dock/speakers and Soundbridge went the way of ebay though when I got onboard with XM. Hmmm... maybe I'll make an XM profile and bring the remote into my car with me.

Like I said it's not perfect (some of these buttons are a little soft and require some pressure) and the LCD isn't the greatest, but the power and customizability for $75 seems like a good deal.

[SC0TLANDF0REVER]

Originally Posted by cbordman

sears has it for $75. Looks pretty nice for that price. Maybe they removed the batteries...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...TV+Accessories

Thanks for the heads up on this great price!

I could grab the batteries out of my other unused remotes to make up for the $25.00 savings.

Edit:
Though to be fair, I just noticed the price is after rebate through Sears directly.

[mportuesi]

Originally Posted by SC0TLANDF0REVER

Though to be fair, I just noticed the price is after rebate through Sears directly.

I just ordered the 520 from Sears. I was billed $74.99 plus $6.38 sales tax and $5.95 shipping, for a total of $87.32.

I printed out the rebate form. The rebate form is for the cost of shipping. It looks like the rebate is their way of offering free shipping on "all mailable items purchased on Sears.com".

Thanks especially to davezatz for the info and cbordman for the Sears deal!

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by mportuesi

I just ordered the 520 from Sears. I was billed $74.99 plus $6.38 sales tax and $5.95 shipping, for a total of $87.32.

I printed out the rebate form. The rebate form is for the cost of shipping. It looks like the rebate is their way of offering free shipping on "all mailable items purchased on Sears.com".

Thanks especially to davezatz for the info and cbordman for the Sears deal!

Of course I read the Sears information after ordering from Wal Mart....

[cbordman]

they also have the 880 for about $187.

[mportuesi]

One more question, which I guess I should have asked before I pulled the trigger -

How strong is the IR emitter on the 520?

A friend of mine who just got a Harmony 880 remarked that it had a very strong IR emitter, so that he doesn't have to be exactly line-of-sight to his components for it to work.

I have a DVD player and a digital television receiver, both of which are very finicky with their remotes and require the remote to be pointed right at them in order for them to work. I'm concerned if the 520 has the same issues, it could make the activity/macro features pretty unpleasant to use.

[cbordman]

i picked up the 520 at sears this morning. The IR seems to be really strong. I just went behind the couch, and held the remote BEHIND the couch, and it still changes channels on my DVR.

The software on the CD is slow and buggy. Use the web interface. It seems to be more powerful, provides more options, and is quicker.

One thing that i didn't understand at the beginning, there is DEVICE mode and there is ACTIVITY mode. If you change a button in the device mode for your TV, it does not change the button if you use the ACTIVITY, Watch TV.

And i can't figure out how to do this: When i am in PVR device mode, i want the volume keys to change the volume on my TV. Seems like a basic function, but i can only assign PVR commands to the hard buttons.

[markz]

Originally Posted by cbordman

sears has it for $75. Looks pretty nice for that price. Maybe they removed the batteries...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...TV+Accessories

I may have to pick one of these up after reading this thread.

And with my company's corporate discount through CDW, I can get it shipped for $63.72!

One question...can I control 2 DTiVos in the same room with the 520?

Another question...can the 520 control the TV volume while everything else is controlling the TiVo functions?

[mattman]

Originally Posted by markz

I may have to pick one of these up after reading this thread.

And with my company's corporate discount through CDW, I can get it shipped for $63.72!

One question...can I control 2 DTiVos in the same room with the 520?

Another question...can the 520 control the TV volume while everything else is controlling the TiVo functions?

I have the 520 and I love it. As for your questions, I don't know if it can control two different Tivo's in the same room, but it will control TV volume and everything else tivo.

Matt

[SullyND]

I HATE Harmony's Website. I got a 680 for Christmas. Tried setting it up last night and the website it was trying to connect to was no longer valid. I went to Harmony Remote.com and set up my account through there... I understand that this time of year their website probably gets an exponentially higher amount of traffic, but I've been trying to set up my remote for 24 hours now with no success, I get a too much traffic notice, document contains no data... It varies, some times it will get to the point of being queued but sit there for two hours an nothing...

I just keep getting:

Experiencing High Traffic
Thank you for visiting the Logitech Harmony Member website, we are presently experiencing high volumes. Please try again later.

Copyright - 2005 Logitech Harmony Remote.

Setting up a remote like this should be easier than this.

[Jasoco]

Here's a couple questions about the Harmony's...

First, how easy is it to get used to the button layout? I can't imagine it being easy to get used to the Play button's location after using the nicely centered yellow play button on the TiVo remote.

Second, can it take rechargeable AAA's?

I wish Logitech would do the same thing for TiVo that they did for the Xbox and create a special Harmony that was designed after the peanut's layout.

[Danhilderman]

I just bought the 659 remote yesterday (I had no idea i was even going to get one, just saw them on the shelves).

It is INCREDIBLE!

Seriously, i press watch tv and it knows which of my 11 devices to turn on and their correct inputs. Saves me like 5 minutes everytime i turn on something.

Personally, i see no reason to pay more for the 676. It has a slightly different button layout, faceplates, different button feel and not much else. The 880 seems cool but i cant justify the extra money for a nice graphical display.

I would pick up a harmony remote immediately if you have A/V Receiver or stereo system.

And it can not be easier to use. I knew quite a bit about my theater setup already, but even my sister (doesnt know what HD is, video inputs are) can set up and operate it perfectly.

Thanks to Logitech for a great device and web database.

[markz]

Originally Posted by Danhilderman

I just bought the 659 remote yesterday (I had no idea i was even going to get one, just saw them on the shelves).

It is INCREDIBLE!

Seriously, i press watch tv and it knows which of my 11 devices to turn on and their correct inputs. Saves me like 5 minutes everytime i turn on something.

Personally, i see no reason to pay more for the 676. It has a slightly different button layout, faceplates, different button feel and not much else. The 880 seems cool but i cant justify the extra money for a nice graphical display.

I would pick up a harmony remote immediately if you have A/V Receiver or stereo system.

And it can not be easier to use. I knew quite a bit about my theater setup already, but even my sister (doesnt know what HD is, video inputs are) can set up and operate it perfectly.

Thanks to Logitech for a great device and web database.

Did you have any problem getting on the website to program it? I have seen quite a few people mention the website was too busy.

Do you happen to have two TiVos in the same room? I do and am hoping that my remote will control them both separately when it arrives.

I just ordered the 520 today. Got it for $63 shipped!

How long did it take you to get it all setup for all your devices?

I have two DirecTiVos, 1 TV, 1 DVD player, 1 DVD Recorder, and the AV Tuner to get it working with.