Perfect Harmony: Remote Control Simplified

	Perfect Harmony: Remote Control Simplified Prev 1 2

	I scrolled on the LCD panel to the activity I wanted, "Watch TV" and pressed one button. It turned on the TV, set the channel to 3, made sure the digital cable box was on (I always keep it on anyway), and set the volume control to the TV. The remote then gave me easy access to the most used functions for both my TV and cable box remotes. Channel changes happened on the cable box, volume on the TV. Perfect. I scrolled to "Play DVD" and pressed the button. My receiver turned on, my TV set to the proper Video input, and the volume control switched to the receiver, and my DVD turned on. And now I had immediate access to the controls of my DVD remote as well as TV and receiver remotes. I was in heaven. So what about the less-than-often-needed access controls for my receiver, say to turn the bass down to keep my neighbors happy? Scroll the wheel, select the proper device in your current activity (the receiver) from the LCD panel, and then scroll to find the appropriate commands (for example, menu > sound settings > bass level > up or down) to turn down the bass. Not perhaps as easy as pressing a couple buttons on my much larger receiver control, but definitely more convenient than having to dig around in the dark to find it, and then find the right buttons. [an error occurred while processing this directive] There is one limitation that rubs me the wrong way however, and that's the ability to control any of my devices that may not be listed in any activity. For example, it seems impossible to me to be able to remote control my PS2 without switching activities to "Play Video Games" to gain access to the PS2 remote control commands. I could add that device to my that activity, but the Harmony remote will have to turn it on along with the rest of the devices in the activity. So if you only sometimes like listening to the TV through your stereo, you would have to set up two activities, one for regular TV and the other for TV with Stereo Sound. Not a big deal, though, it's easy enough to do. Harmony's setup on the company's Web site is very easy to get through, especially for most normal tasks. It can get a bit complicated if you want to add devices to activities or map some buttons or remove functions from an activity. That could involve some XML programming on you part. That, according to Harmony's tech support staff, is being worked on for the next release. And as far as tech support goes, I wish all phoned-in tech support was this easy. While it isn't available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, the support hours are reasonable (6am to 5pm on the Pacific Coast) and there is little-to-no wait. The tech staff is courteous and able to help with your issue without any fuss at all. I called in with a few questions and was given great support, and in very little time I had my complicated issue fixed. And it was only complicated because I made it that way. The Harmony remote is a treasure. No less than that, I promise you. But, and this is a big J-Lo but, the 768 model I review here costs a hefty $300 from the company's Web site it's at http://www.harmonyremote.com/). That's quite a lot to throw down on a remote no matter how you look at it. A less equipped version, the SST-748, is $199, about the cost of a Sony Remote Commander. It has half the memory (1Mb Flash instead of 2Mb of the 768 model) and no number buttons. The Harmony is perfect for personal use, but can be great for the office too, especially in conference rooms where at a click of a button you can turn on everything you need to give a presentation without looking like a fool scrambling for the right remote while trying to come up with light banter with your clients to keep them focused on you. Aside from the high price tag, which I hope will drop a bit in the future, I highly recommend the Harmony Remote SST-768 for anyone sick and tired of dealing with multiple remotes. Dariush Derakhshani is 31. Nicely bald. Slowly going insane. Has a fear of commitment and of an early Protoss rush. Contributing author for "Maya: Secrets of the Pros" and Co-author for "Maya 4.5 Savvy." Animator. Teacher. A few awards and a couple degrees. Stout little man making reality at Sight Effects in Venice, CA. Flat feet. Can be found skulking about at www.painfulurination.com. You can reach him at koosh3d@earthlink.net. Prev 1 2