Logitech Harmony 688 Universal Remote Control (Black)

by Harmony

Product Details

Product Manual [439kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.3 x 8.1 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0003QER5U
• Item model number: 966182-0403
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

If you have a digital video recorder, this is the remote for you. Even when you have both satellite and a DVR (TiVo), the Logitech Harmony H688 has conveniently placed controls for all necessary commands. It's easy to program by connecting the remote to your computer with the supplied USB cable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Less fiddling, but tiny buttons, December 4, 2004

By 

W. French "Well hello there, fellow Amazon sh... (Kenmore, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Logitech Harmony 688 Universal Remote Control (Black) (Electronics)

As anyone with multiple electronic devices knows, less is better when it comes to remotes. One remote that does everything would be ideal. This one has a couple of killer features: Internet-based setup via USB, and "state awareness". With the Harmony 688, you merely install the driver, plug it into a USB port on your PC, and use Logitech's web-based configuration utility. Only in the rarest of circumstances will you need to point your existing remote and "learn" by pressing buttons (but you can do this if needed). Configuration can be arduous, but only because of the large number of parameters. It's easier to set up than other universal remotes although the configuration Web site could be easier to use. For example, if you want to customize buttons for each device, you click "My Remote Preferences", whereas setting up the activities and their related buttons takes place in a different menu. It took me about an hour to do the initial setup, and a couple of short tweaks later I was done (I had initially chosen the wrong audio input mode for the DVD activity).

The 688 uses an "activity" paradigm ("watch tv", "listen to music", etc.) Each activity is a functional mode of operation, combining the required macros, punch-throughs, and custom button definitions. The very best part of this remote is the state awareness. It remembers which devices are turned on, and can negotiate sequential input values (the ones where you cycle through each setting until you hit the one you want). This remote really reduces the amount of fiddling around, and lets you get down to the business of being entertained. For example, if you want to watch a DVD you simply select that activity. All of the appropriate devices are then turned on and the proper settings are selected. My TV's TV/Video selector cycles through the active inputs. You can't use standard macro programming to get around this problem, but the 688 doesn't skip a beat. It knows exactly how everything is set.

Prior to beginning the setup process, do your homework. Jot down all your brands/model numbers, which devices use which inputs for each activity, and the order of any cycled inputs. It's much easier if your computer is in the same room for setup (no problem if your setup includes a PC; laptop owners should consider using the laptop). The PC connection is only required for the initial setup.

PROS:
* Easy to configure, lots of options.
* Knows which devices are on, eliminating fuddling at TV time. This alone is worth the price of admission.
* Non-volatile memory; if your batteries die your settings are safe.
* Perfect for setups with TiVo or satelllite; can handle systems with both.
* Knows what a Turtle Beach Audiotron is!

CONS:
* Dinky buttons.
* Volume controls are "sticky", not as responsive as I'd like.
* Initial configuration can be daunting due to number of options. Default device configurations are lengthy and take some time to edit. Default activity configs are set up well, nice because this is where you will spend most of your time.
* Web configuration could be set up more intuitively; some devices are not listed, and input values were incorrect for at least one of my devices. This is a minor quibble, it just requires a little extra initial effort.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not perfect but the best i have seen..., December 31, 2004

By 

J. Uphoff "Gadget man" (Madison, Wi) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Logitech Harmony 688 Universal Remote Control (Black) (Electronics)

I have owned a few different universal remotes in my life and some have been good, others not. This is the best i have seen although not perfect.

Pros:
-Small and stylish
-VERY universal (knows most electronics including Xbox and Media center computers)
-designed for tivo and DVRs
-Online set-up can be simple or complex depending on what you want to be able to do (I actually liked the complexity. it allowed me to get things just how i wanted them)
-Actual buttons not touch screen
-The Activity buttons are better than any i have ever seen. The remote knows what condition you system is in so that when you switch activities it will turn off what is not needed and turn on the new devices. And if you use multiple inputs on your TV it will change the input as programed. This means no more scrolling through them. This is the only remote that i have seen that can do that (although there are others im sure)

Cons:
-Not great button design (small and different shapes)
Thats really about it!!!!

All i can say is that if you are looking for a remote that can be made to do whatever you want it to and has buttons not a touch screen, this is the one for you. It is a very smart remote for the price

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one., March 12, 2005

By 

S. Sartino (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Logitech Harmony 688 Universal Remote Control (Black) (Electronics)

I tried the 659, 680 and 688. They all act identical- just different button layouts. The 688 is near-perfect. The best choice, hands down. The 659 is clean and simple, but the the reverse/fast forward controls are at the bottom. Slightly awkward. The 680 has way too many small buttons spread out in an unlogical way. Stay away from it unless you are self-destructive. After searching for ten years, I have finally found the one. If you're on a budget, get the 659. Otherwise save the trouble and go for the 688.