Harmony 525 universal Remote

Category: Review on Logitech Harmony 525 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Posted by: 30-Dec-2006

Strengths: USB support, web based programming, easy programming wizzard, outstanding database, looks good

Weaknesses: ADSL connection, limited flexibility in macro's, small display.

Like most I purchased the Harmony 525 in a hope to be able to control the home theatre with the push of one button. I came close. I encountered my first problem straight away, my internet is ADSL via a Belkin router, prior to picking up my Harmony I had logged onto the web site and registered. I ran through the initial setup even before I had the remote home. Great in theory but I was frustrated when the website coninually timed out and I had to re-log in often right in the middle of set up proceedures. When I first connected the Harmony the software would not detect it. I had a little pre warning about this my brother had been cursing his Harmony for weeks and replaced it three times for the same problem, he was using a Net-Gear router. He had finally figured out to try Dial up internet and presto everything worked fine. I tried the same and again presto instantly everything working, and no web site time outs. It seems there is a problem connecting to ADSL via a router atleast. The remote has an impressive product data base, no problems finding all of my equipment including my airlinktech Media gate media PC. Initial setup is very easy, the web based wizzard asks you a series of questions and sets up the remote from there. It allows "Activity" macro's to operate several components in one hit and this generally works very well, the on remote help button fixes any little glitches you encounter. My only problem came with my LG LCD TV, it has multiple inputs and toggles through them via one input button on the original remote, and remebers the last setting when the TV is turned on, The harmony didn't grasp this and continually selected the wrong input. I contacted the phone help desk and was pleasantly surprised, got through quickly and the operator was VERY helpful, they changed a few things for me at there end and I simply re-connected the remote and hit "update". I can't fix the input problem for my TV and have settled for simply adding a "nextinput" button to each activity. So instead of one button doing everything I have to press 2. No big deal. Overall it is very good but just don't expect it to be absolute and perfect, some components are tricky to control. After all it is an aftermarket UNIVERSAL remote. The ADSL problem is a biggy and needs to be addressed, having to connect to dial up each time is a right pain.