Logitech Harmony H-688 Universal Remote Control (Silver)

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.3 x 8.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0003QER8C
• Item model number: 966185-0403
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 9, 2004

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

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the universal remote that does what I want, December 17, 2004

By 

Brent A. LaMotte (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech Harmony H-688 Universal Remote Control (Silver) (Electronics)

I've been looking for a universal remote for a few years - and purchased a few - but they were always lacking something. The Phillips Pronto was not tactile enough, "universal" remotes either weren't or you needed to spend hours trying out remote codes for your 10 year old VCR or your three day old TV.

That ended with the Harmony Remote. After entering the model numbers of my devices (RCA TV (no, not 3 days old), Sony receiver, Mitsubushi VCR (yes, >10 years old), Sony DirecTivo, Sony DVD - Note: spend a little time writing all of this down before you start - Logitech even provides a workbook in the documentation), I hooked up the remote to the USB port on my computer and it worked. It wasn't perfect (user error), but that was quickly fixed.

The true test was having someone who has never operated our equipment before come over and give it a test run and it worked out great.

Things I would note: if you turn on something manually, turn it off manually. It's not perfect, but what is?

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly universal remote, November 2, 2005

By 

M. Wolf (Pacific NW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Logitech Harmony H-688 Universal Remote Control (Silver) (Electronics)

Update 11/07/08
It has now been three years and I am still in love with this remote. So much so that I have since bought two other Logitech Universal remotes!!!

I love that fact that even as update my equipment at home the remote easily adapts to any changes I make.

This product is one that is clearly designed to last and easily adapt with my changing entertainment system.

I must say that this universal remote is truly amazing!!!! I have had it now for about 6 months and I am still very impressed.

I have 8 different components - all different brands. This remote has been able to control them all. (Two of the units are multifunction units)

Pros:

*my non-techno savvy boy-friend actually understands how to use this remote to run our entire home theater system.

* pressing one button turns on everything I need for a given activity. It also switches the TV and receiver to the proper outputs

* It even controls my tower fan and my media center computer

* I no longer need 7 remotes

* I can use it to preform fairly complex functions that before I could only do with the original remote from the component.

* The battery life has been excellent

Cons:

*the Harmony database had incorrect codes for my Toshiba HDD/DVD recorder. (However I was able to 'teach' the remote the correct commands.

*buttons are way too small

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Remote, January 31, 2005

By 

Ron Ugarte (Lawrenceville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech Harmony H-688 Universal Remote Control (Silver) (Electronics)

I've had this remote for about 2 weeks now and really appreciate the ease that it provides for working all of my electronic pieces. I have a cable box, satellite dish, TIVO, DVD player, Stereo, Satellite radio and CD jukebox. The internet setup was nice and easy, but when things get a little complicated or you have little issues like component inputs not changing correctly or timely, you turn to Logitech support. The support was the best I have experienced for any electronic item that I have ever purchased. The Rep literally spent 45 minutes on the phone with me fine tuning every aspect of the remote. It now works perfectly for every piece. I only have 2 knocks.

1. Reviewers are right in saying that the activity buttons are too small.
2. The sensitivity and speed of the infrared commands are not as quick as the remote that I replaced. (Sony RM-VL1000)

I'd buy this remote again and I'm very interested in checking out the Logitech 880 which I hear is very sweet.