CNET Editor's rating: 7.4 out of 10
Reviewed by
David Rudden
Review date: 03/30/06
Release date: 03/01/06
The good: Better shape than previous Harmony remotes; strong backlight; choice between device or activity usage; intuitive, Web-based programming.
The bad: No rechargeable battery option; numeric keypad buttons are too small and grouped too closely together; Web interface might intimidate nontechie users.
The bottom line: The PC-programmable Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote control offers a sleek design, an impressive feature set, and a manageable price tag.
We've long been fans of Logitech's Harmony line of universal remote controls. As good as they are, however, there's still a large segment of the population who just won't pay iPod prices for a remote. It's precisely that audience at whom the $150 Logitech Harmony 550 is targeted. That said, the 550 is the most expensive of the three models in Logitech's Harmony line that feature nearly identical design and features (the other two being the $130 Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote Control for Xbox 360 and the $100 Logitech Harmony 520).
Like its siblings, the Harmony 550 is a sleek universal remote measuring 8.25 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 0.75 inch at its deepest. It has a slim and straight design, which we prefer to the skinny-in-the-middle-fat-on-the-ends shape of previous Harmony remotes. The 550's black-and-gray cosmetics look statelier than those of the 520 and less garish than the Xbox-themed motif of the Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360.
The Logitech Harmony 550 crams a good number of buttons onto its modest frame--six more buttons than the 520 has but two fewer buttons than the Xbox 360 remote--including a complete numeric keypad, a four-way directional pad, and full playback transport controls. The functional highlight of the 550 is its backlit LCD. Flanked by four programmable keys that you can label differently on separate "pages," it allows the Harmony to emulate even the most esoteric buttons as well as to engage activities and macros. For the most part, the button layout is pleasure to use, but we're not fans the somewhat mushy rubber buttons. Also, the buttons on the numeric keypad are a bit too tiny and grouped too closely together, which sometimes resulted in our misdialing our channel changes.
The Harmony 520 uses four AAA batteries. With the energy-sapping, neon-blue backlight left on--completely on purpose, we might add--it ran for a little more than a week. While that's an extreme case, it highlights one of the remote's biggest flaws; it could have benefited from a recharger dock, such as the one found on its big brother, the Logitech Harmony 880. Instead, you'll probably want to invest in a set of third-party rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
As with all Harmony remotes, you add your devices and set up Activities using either a computer- or Web-based interface (the remote is both Windows- and Mac-compatible). All Harmony remotes boasts compatibility with more than 100,000 devices, and when we fired up the software and scrolled through the company list, we didn't see any reason to argue that bullet point. The scope can be a bit daunting for beginners, since there are a few dozen component types listed, such as TV, A/V receiver, and DVD player, and hundreds of manufacturers within each one of those. Thankfully, the software is pretty forgiving, and as long as you have the company name and model number, it should be able to cull the commands for your product. That said, if you have a complicated setup, chances are you'll end up calling Logitech's customer service department for advice. The folks there are good at helping you fix things, though we ran into an issue where we couldn't sync due to a Java error and ended up having to go through the irritation of removing and redoing an activity to update the remote. In other words, the software isn't perfect. On the brighter side, Logitech offers regular updates for both the remote's firmware and its PC-based software.
All told, we tested roughly 25 components--TVs, A/V receivers, DVD players, video game consoles, cable boxes, and home-stereo systems--and we could not find a remote-enabled product that was not listed or would not work once we uploaded the profile to the remote. It can hold a maximum of 12 devices in its memory, which should be plenty for any one entertainment center.
Along with the ability to control devices individually, the remote includes the Activities function that we liked so much in previous Logitech Harmony remotes. In essence, it allows the Harmony 550 to control different components simultaneously, and it works more intuitively than a standard device-centered remote. For example, you can program a Watch DVD activity that turns on your TV, A/V receiver, DVD player, and speaker system; sets them all to the correct channels or inputs; and even starts playing the DVD. While the movie is playing, the controls you designate will punch through to the appropriate device: the DVD controls and the numerical keypad to control the DVD, the volume up/down buttons to control the speakers, and the power button to turn the whole thing off in one fell swoop. With a little care, we were able to get all of the important functions incorporated into the activities that we programmed; for those that we missed, we simply toggled back to the Component Control mode.
As far as PC-programmable universal remotes go, the Logitech Harmony 550 is a compelling universal remote. From a design standpoint, it's much better than the majority of the remotes on the market. Its functionality is top-notch as well, and we found its ergonomics to be an improvement over that of the more expensive Harmony 880. Its biggest competition will no doubt be its two sibling remotes--the Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote for Xbox 360 (white color, two more buttons, $20 lower list price) and the Harmony 520 (six fewer buttons, $50 lower list price). For our money, more buttons are always better on a universal remote, so we'd pay a bit more for the Harmony 550, or for Xbox 360 owners, the Xbox 360 remote.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Your patience with this device will pay off
Setting up this remote for all my components seemed pretty simple at first, but it takes some fine tuning to ...
Setting up this remote for all my components seemed pretty simple at first, but it takes some fine tuning to get everything working the way you want it. Obviously, the more components you have working together, the more tedious this process could be.
I found out that the software they have you download for updating your remote is not as good as just using the web based interface for this. Don't use the installed software for updating your remote - use the web site feature for this. It will save you a lot of time. Logitech has done a good job of doing away with the multiple codes usually associated with programming universal remotes. It's a very intuitive process.
I have been using the Sony Remote Commander (the brick) for years, so I'm very accustomed to macros and whatnot. The 550 accomplishes all this very simply, and applies logical names to everything; minimizing the amount of times you will need to train others how to use it.
In the end, you can always just have the 550 learn any commands from the other remotes you originally had if there are any problems updating, as I had with the remote for my XM Skyfi radio. With that the only way I could get it to work was to program every button with the learn command feature.
Just be patient when you start setting up this remote. After your initial update or two, you may be rethinking the purchase, but just stick with it and use the update tools. They've thought of everything. The 550 does everything and more than my aging Sony "brick" and it's actually easy to use with one hand.
Updated Well, I've owned the Harmony 550 for less than 6 months so far, and up to this point I've been very satisfied. Everything I said in my previous post is still valid, but there is a new wrinkle that I would want someone considering this remote to be aware of.
Within the last two weeks, my remote went from working perfectly to now having two buttons that don't work. I've done the updates and replaced the batteries thinking maybe the buttons just lost their programming somehow, but it would appear that these two primary buttons (channel down & LCD screen options) are dead.
I've never spilled anything on it or even dropped it in a way that would damage any remote, so it would appear that it has gone bad on me. I am beginning the warranty repair/replacement process with Logitech and will post my results (good or bad) again in the future.
Updated The end of this long tale is a happy one. I should have updated much sooner. Logitech ran me through a barrage of tests on the phone and then when satisfied sent me a brand new remote with an RMA to return the faulty one. Everything went without a hitch and the whole process only took a week. I was never without a remote. Kudos to Logitech on the way they handled it. The replacement has worked fine ever since, and updating the new one only took a minute once I got it since all my remote settings were stored on my Logitech profile. All I had to do was hookup, sync it and everything was good to go.
A great experience all the way around - great product and great service when needed.
25 out of 25 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Does not support all the equipment they claim it does
Even though my tv's exact model number was in Harmony's database, the remote was unable to control my ...
Even though my tv's exact model number was in Harmony's database, the remote was unable to control my tv! It was unable to change the input (it just caused the menu to be displayed), and what it was trying to do wasn't even close to how my tv works! Plus, it only knew of a sub-set of my tv's buttons, and a couple of those buttons were swapped.
Fine, the remote is supposed to be programmable. However, even though I know perfectly well how to use the remote that came with my tv, Harmony's software would not let me simply enter that information. Instead, it lead me through a series of questions that were so dumbed-down that they are vague. And the remote kept losing sync with the software (the software would finish "learning", but the remote would still say "learning" on the screen), so I was constantly needing to unplug and plug in the remote.
I eventually gave up and called tech support, but first-level tech support didn't even try to resolve my problem and opened a ticket for second-level tech support to call me back... which they never did. After another 45 minutes in two hold queues and talking to a first level techie again, I finally got through to second level support, where we spent yet another 45 minutes of him remotely changing the profile, and me downloading it to the remote and testing it, and repeating about 5 times before it got all of my tv's functionality. The tech support guy admitted that they don't test most equipment! Instead, it seemed like they were using me to add my tv to their database!
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by bstreakx (see profile) -
March 6, 2007
10 out of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular What a 'fantastic' performer!
After taking the plunge into HD in Janurary, and purchasing a new Sony Bravia XBR40 LCD TV, a Pioneer Elite ...
After taking the plunge into HD in Janurary, and purchasing a new Sony Bravia XBR40 LCD TV, a Pioneer Elite 72vsx Receiver, Sony DVP-NS70H DVD player, & a Directv H-20 Sat receiver and adding them to my Panasonic VCR & Sony LD player, my remote situation was most intimidating...especially for my wife. Heard about & read reviews on Harmony remote products. I was intrigued but skeptical.Then read CNETs review of the new 550. Sounded too good to be true. Read several other reviews, all of which convinced me to go to Best Buy & look at a 550 & its stabelmates 1st hand. The 550 looked great & felt great in hand. Spending nearly $150 for a remote may seem crazy, but after a weekend of living with my new toy, I can't praise it enough! It works just as advertised!The 'Activities' button has brought all my electronics gear under control. I can now control 'everything', from listening to AM/FM, to DVD movies, to the Direct TV Program Guide, etc, etc. One beautiful looking 550 remote now sits on an 'uncluttered' end table, making my whole HD setup work the way it was intended. While leaving the Family Room looking neat as a pin. My only issue was in the PC setup. Took about an hour, including a call to Logitech tech support. They walked me through an issue I created by going a bit too quickly through the setup proceedure. They were very helpful and once the 550 was programed, all has worked like a dream! I love it.
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by friver (see profile) -
May 1, 2006
7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 out of 10 - Abysmal Two remotes later and still does not work
I bought this remote and was all fired up and ready to rock. I opened the box, loaded in the ...
I bought this remote and was all fired up and ready to rock. I opened the box, loaded in the software, loaded up my devices and I was rolling along for a week then it died! No biggy, I just took it back and got another. After going thought the process again I was fat dumb and happy until a few weeks later the display died! Now I am getting a bit mad, so I called Logitech to just send it back and let them look at it. Logitech wanted me to use on I.E. for TS the remote, they wanted me to turn off ALL security features on my network and computer, no firewalls, no pop-up blockers, no spyware, no virus protection... all must be turned off just to TS the unit. Well I was unwilling to turn off my firewall and expose my network to the world. Logitech said "until you turn off all your security systems we are unable to help you TS your unit". So I said OK, I'll just send it to you guys, just give me an RMA and they said NO! They said until we check your unit out over the net we can NOT issue you an RMA, we must TS via the net before we RMA. So I said that is nuts, my remote is broken, it is a few weeks old and the display died in my hands, you are telling me unitl I spend 30+ min. turning down cisco fire walls, turning all my security features off you will not fix my new unit... They said YES! I said well just say you can't communicate to the unit at all and then give me an RMA, she said NO! So at the end of the day I have a broke unit a few weeks old that Logitech REFUSED to fix!!! I am taking it back today and will buy another MX-500 remote, a fare better remote with much better cutomer/tech service. Logitech gets F- as a grade and I'll never buy from them again, I am not going to expose 10 Sun Ultra-1000 boxes to the world for a remote. Oh by the way did I tell you that they wanted me to go to a friends house it and it there! REALLY what kind of third rate crap is that!
Updated Sorry for the spelling issues etc. I am steaming over this!
8 out of 10 - Excellent Buy one today.
This product exceeded my expectations in almost every way.
SETUP - It only took about 15 minutes to get it ...
This product exceeded my expectations in almost every way.
SETUP - It only took about 15 minutes to get it programmed so I could use it with my Denon AV receiver, DirecTV HD DVR, Panasonic Plasma, and cheapo $35 DVD player. Basically, everything just worked. After another 30 minutes of tweaking and generally playing around with advanced features I had it doing exactly what I wanted.
COMPATIBILITY - Compatibility is impressive. I assumed I'd need to go through some kind of painful "learning" process to get it to work with my cheapo Tru-Tec DVD player. But no, I entered the model number and it just worked. It can even control my iPod Touch via Apple's Universal dock. Functionality for that is limited to what the Apple remote could do, but I'm impressed that it can even do that.
USE - I can't imagine a more intuitive design. It's almost as good as a user interface designed by Apple. I'm pretty sure that family members and other guests will finally be able to turn on the TV all by themselves instead of puzzling over four or 5 remotes.
NITPICKING - It would be nice if it had RF capability. The setup utility ran a little slowly, even on my dual core laptop.
OTHER MODELS CONSIDERED - I thought about buying the Logitech 670 instead because it looked more ergonomic in the pictures online. After I got to the store and played with both of them I was sold on the 550. It's slightly less expensive, looks and feels more solid, and has a better display. The button placements feel better to me too.
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by lstockett (see profile) -
December 12, 2007
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great Universal
The Harmony 550 is like a Porsche 911 Turbo compared to the Cadillac Escalade like Marantz RC 2000 MKII I ...
The Harmony 550 is like a Porsche 911 Turbo compared to the Cadillac Escalade like Marantz RC 2000 MKII I used to use. Both are very nice, but one is pretty big and clunky. The Harmony software is user friendly (Mac OSX) and the user interface on the remote is seamless. I don't have many components: 6.1 surround AV receiver, DVD player, plasma TV, Comcast DVR and an iPod connected to my receiver. The 550 controls every aspect of every device and I imagine it could handle much more.
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by Kiadii (see profile) -
September 21, 2006
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Finally a remote that works
I have 10 universal remotes including a Harmony H659 in my drawer that doesen't work on my Samsung HT-W38, ...
I have 10 universal remotes including a Harmony H659 in my drawer that doesen't work on my Samsung HT-W38, and Disknetwork VIP-722. The H550 is the first remote that actially works!!! I can turn ON/OFF with one button NOW! THANK U.
I would like to have larger # buttons, a larger OK button, and the PVR buttons should be moved closer to the OK button.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great Universal Remote For Price
I would have never purchased a remote like this on my own. It happened to be bundled with the new ...
I would have never purchased a remote like this on my own. It happened to be bundled with the new LCD TV I purchased in September 2007. I am pleasantly surprised at how nice it is. The batteries are still working from when I first received the remote. It controls a Home Theater Receiver that is 18 years old as well as one that is Onkyo and less than 1 year old. The program you install on your computer will make the remote virtually future-proof. My life really loves lack of clutter that the remote does away with. Before there were 5 remotes in the living room, now just one.
On the downside, there is a slight delay when pressing buttons. It isn't really noticeable unless you are changing channels quickly or trying to type in a new channel to quickly. Otherwise it is a great remote.
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by stpamamos (see profile) -
February 23, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular A great remote! Really does work!
This unit does the job of 7 remotes that I had. I use it for: - Samsung TV - Yamaha ...
This unit does the job of 7 remotes that I had. I use it for: - Samsung TV - Yamaha Home Theater - Motoroal Cable Box - JVC VCR - Aiwa 5 Disc CD Player - TEAC Dual Cassette Deck - Toshiba DVD Player
This really does the job. Easily set up using my PC following a simple Q&A format. Highly recommend and will buy another remote for my components/set-up downstairs... as soon as my Toshiba HD TV is repaired.
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by kenradz (see profile) -
January 29, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Takes some pratice
For a 99.99 remote this offers something for everyone. If you want the good design and alot of function ...
For a 99.99 remote this offers something for everyone. If you want the good design and alot of function this one is had to pass up. It does take time to get everything right but after that its smooth operation. I would get a rechargable batter pack right of the bat because this thing will eat batteries like rosie eats cake. Other than that some small quirks but nothing to bad. Just takes some pratice and time to get movin. A solid 7/10
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by VT Hokies (see profile) -
December 3, 2007
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