Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

I recently purchased a Logitech Harmony 550 remote for about $80 from Amazon.com (note: the Logitech website says it retails for $125 but it can be found for much less online). I had heard about Harmony remotes the last couple of years but always thought they were expensive. After reading a post at Zatznotfunny.com, I decided to make the leap and buy the low end of the Harmony line, the Harmony 550.

From the Logitech website:

• Simple, one-touch activity control. Choose the �Watch a DVD� activity and the Harmony universal remote will power on your TV, DVD player, stereo receiver, set all the inputs, and even press “Play!”
• 4 customized media buttons: Two cable “A” and “B” buttons, plus “Sound” and “Picture” convenience buttons help you change picture aspect ratios and sound modes.
• Access the world’s largest A/V Control Database–updated daily! Logitech’s on-line database includes over 3,000 manufacturers and over 100,000 IR devices–everything from HDTV�s to PVR/DVR�s, from laserdiscs to VCRs–even lighting controls and more!
• Replace up to 15 remote control devices.
• Interactive LCD display and fully backlit keypad make it easy to navigate and manage your media in the dark.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Harmony 550 and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a universal remote. It integrated my cable box , TV, and DVD player into one remote using an easy, online database. The build quality is nice and the remote feels solid. It looks great too, especially with the backlit buttons.

I do have the following complaints about the remote though:

• The number pad is too small for my fingers. I have to use my fingernails to use the number pad to change channels.
• The main power button should turn on the TV and cable box. Right now I have to select Watch TV from the LCD.
• The fast forward for the DVR moves almost at warp speed, blowing by scenes. Hard to explain but almost twice as fast as the fastest setting on the cable box remote.