CNET Editor's rating: 7.7 out of 10
Reviewed by
David Rudden
Review date: 03/03/06
Release date: 11/22/05
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: A sleek design, an impressive feature set, and a manageable price tag make the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote an excellent choice for Xbox 360 owners.
The idea behind the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 (LHAURX360) is a bit contradictory. It's a device that's designed to operate almost every electronic product that can receive an infrared signal, yet it's built with one particular component in mind: Microsoft's Xbox 360. At $130, it falls squarely between its two nearly identical sibling models, the $150 Logitech Harmony 550 and the $100 Logitech Harmony 520. However, the LHAURX360 has a few extra Xbox 360-flavored buttons that will come in handy for accessing the media functions of the game console--or for whatever other function you see fit to program them.
The Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 is certainly one of the sleekest universal remotes around. It measures 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 that most of the other Harmony remotes have adopted. The LHAURX360's white, silver, and green motif may match the 360 but will likely stand out on a coffee table or next to a black TV set, too.
The Logitech Harmony for Xbox 360 crams an astounding amount of buttons onto its modest frame, including a complete numeric keypad, full playback transport controls, a four-way directional pad, and four Xbox 360-specific buttons (see below). For the most part, the button layout is pleasure to use, but we lamented the somewhat mushy rubber buttons and felt those on the numeric keypad were a bit too tiny and grouped too closely together, which sometimes caused us to misdial our channel changes. The functional highlight of the remote, however, is the backlit LCD display. 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 engage activities and macros.
What differentiates the LHAURX360 from other Harmonys, aside from coloring, are the four Xbox 360 face buttons at the center of the remote; color-coded to correspond to the X, Y, A, and B buttons on a 360 controller. While they can be programmed via the remote's update software just like any other keys, the horizontal alignment makes them less than intuitive to navigate for seasoned users of Xbox controllers. If you're already comfortable navigating the 360's dashboard interface with a control pad, the 360-specific buttons don't provide as much of an advantage over the Harmony 520 as you might think. But if you prefer to set the controller aside when using the 360's media functions, you may find the buttons a welcome addition.
Moving around to the back, the Logitech Harmony for Xbox 360 uses four AAA batteries. With the energy-sapping neon-green 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 really could have benefited from a recharger dock such as the one found on its big brother, the Harmony 880. Instead, you'll probably want to invest in a set of third-party rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
The remote comes preloaded with full 360-enabled functions; in order to add any more devices, you have to use the Web-based software, which is Windows and Mac compatible. The box 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, 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. 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 LHAURX360 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 Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 stands in a unique position. 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 the more expensive Harmony 880. In fact, with the addition of a color screen and a rechargeable battery, the LHAURX360 (or its twin brothers, the Logitech Harmony 520 and 550), would give the 880 a run for its money. Given the more affordable price points, all three models are an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a great universal remote. But with its extra buttons, the LHAURX360 may very well be the pick of the litter.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular A Real Suprise
I have several high tech video components (hdtv, dvd, dvr, xbox 360.) I also have an older universal remote that ...
I have several high tech video components (hdtv, dvd, dvr, xbox 360.) I also have an older universal remote that I use to operate these systems. Training it to perform required lots of code entering and lining it up with other remotes infrared sensors so it could learn commmands. Even with all of this it still did not perform as well as the individual remotes did on each item. So, I am in Best Buy and I see this remote. I just got a 360, so I am turned on by the fact that it operates the AV functions of my 360 out of the box, but I am also curious about the fact that the packaging promises that it can operate every item in my Home Theatre setup. After a little inner debate, I dubiously decide to pay $130 for the item (with a $30 rebate for 360 owners,) and tell myself if it doesn't meet all of my expectations that I will bring it back. I am here to tell you that after installing the software and connecting the unit via usb to my computer the setup was incredibly easy and intuitive. It simply required me to put in the model number of my devices. It then asked some very pertinent questions about how I use my home theatre items and began to download settings into the remote. Much to my suprise, I discovered that it flawlessly operated every component I had and actually was able to perform every function that the individual remotes for the compenents could as well. Not only that, but because it understands how I use my system, it downloaded several very hand macros onto the activities button that make any action a 1 button affair. Ex. If I press activities and "Watch Cable", it knows to turn on the Tv to component 2, put my receiver on TV/Sat and turn on the cable box/dvr. It is amazing. Also, I didn't quite like some of the assigned buttons for things, so I went into the program and it allowed me to reassign them to any button I wanted and immediately uploaded the changes to the remote. I know that this is an expensive remote, but I can promise you it is a great investment. The menus are so simple, my wife now has perfect control of all of our HT components for the first time. You will not regret getting this remote.
Read more
by jmg018 (see profile) -
November 18, 2005
22 out of 23 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular How did I ever live without this?
This is not my first Harmony remote. Even though I don't yet have a 360 (I know I'll ...
This is not my first Harmony remote. Even though I don't yet have a 360 (I know I'll be getting one sooner or later), I decided to go ahead and upgrade so that I could pass my older Harmony 688 on to a relative who really could use it. As soon as I heard about this remote, I knew I had to have one. As someone who is excited about the Media Center Extender abilities of the new Xbox 360 (because I've been looking for a way to hear my multiple gigabytes of mp3's and wma's through my home theater's sound system), I was thrilled to find out that I'd be able to use a Harmony remote to control the 360.
I really need say only one thing about this remote (or any other Harmony remote, for that matter), and that is that once you've used this device for a week or two, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Sure, I've got small gripes about the Harmony 360. Because of the added Xbox 360 compatibility, some of the buttons usually present on other Harmony remotes (such as Sound, Picture, Page Up/Down, and dedicated Activity buttons) have been replaced by the YXAB buttons necessary to emulate the Xbox 360 controller's inputs. Additionally, the number pad feels as if it's been squished into the bottom of the remote; the number buttons are extremely small and very tightly packed together, and I've already inadvertently switched to the wrong channel several times. And then there's the price: $130 initially seems a bit high for a remote. However, I firmly believe--and I don't say this lightly--that this remote is worth every penny of its price tag (even without the $30 rebate for 360 owners). Ultimately, these gripes are very minor drawbacks to one of the best universal remote controllers ever.
The biggest draw of the Harmony remote--and what sets it apart from the other 99% of universal remotes available today--is its simplicity. Whereas other universal remotes have a dizzying array of buttons and modes for individually controlling every component of a home theater system, the Harmony keeps things simple by operating a home theater the way it should be operated: by understanding and executing the activities that the user wishes to experience. When I want to watch DirecTV, for example, I simply press the large Activities button at the top of the Harmony remote, which then displays all of the available activities on the backlit, easy-to-read screen. I then press the button next to the option for "Watch DirecTV," at which time the remote turns on my television and switches to the Video 1 input, turns on my home theater system and switches it to the Video 1 input, and then turns on my DirecTV reciever.
What's even better is that the remote's "Smart State Technology" is cognizant of the power status (on/off) and current input setting (video 1/2/3/etc) of all of my devices, so that I always get to do what I want when I press that Activity button. And even when something isn't quite right (such as having the sound system set to the wrong input, resulting in no audio--which occasionally happens), the remote's Help button guides the user through a step-by-step troubleshooting procedure that even the most technologically impaired can use, by asking questions such as "Is the stereo receiver on?" or "Is the stereo receiver set to the Video 1 input?" As soon as you press the "no" button, the remote then changes the input of the stereo receiver and asks, "Did that fix the problem?" Because of this activity-based functionality and intuitive help system, my wife can operate our fairly complex home theater system like a pro, even though she doesn't have the first clue as to how each component is connected to all of the others. For those of you who have friends and family who are "technologically challenged" (and you know that we all do), this is the perfect gift.
The remote's setup couldn't be any easier, either. Programming the remote is accomplished using Logitech's web-based software and a mini-USB cable (included in the box). You simply input the brand and model number of each of the components you desire to control with the Harmony, and the software automatically configures all of the buttons and settings, in addition to suggesting which "Activities" (such as Watch TV, Play Xbox, Watch a DVD, Listen to CDs, Play Radio, etc) it can setup for you on the remote. After initial setup, the software allows you to add and remove devices, activities, and even individual button functions, so if one feature is working exactly as you'd planned you can manually "teach" the Harmony a specific command from that device's own remote and program it to a specific button. I, for instance, wanted my Harmony's "back" button to jump to the previous channel on my DirecTV receiver, so adding the new command was as simple as pointing my DirecTV remote at my Harmony, telling the web-based software to learn a new command, and then pressing the "back" button on my original DirecTV remote. Voila!
THe design, styling, and fit-and-finish of the Harmony 360 remote are top-notch. Even though I prefer the TiVo-esque design and button layout of my old Harmony 688, the 360 remote is nice; and it's definitely sleeker and sexier-looking than the 688 (or just about any other Harmony remote, for that matter). It also has a nice, solid, and substantial feel to it; it doesn't feel as if it's simply made of flimsy, brittle plastics. Bottom line: if you're home theater setup includes more than just a television and an Xbox 360, then go buy this remote now. If you don't have an Xbox 360 but your home theater has more than one or two components, then go buy this or any other Harmony remote now. Truly, the greatest products and technologies are those that are so successful that we can't imagine how we ever got along without them (the Web, anyone?), and this remote definitely falls into this category.
Read more
by caseyahenry (see profile) -
December 9, 2005
15 out of 15 users found this user opinion helpful.
6 out of 10 - Good beautiful remote with great functionality, yet failed basic design
i've been wanting a harmony remote for the last few months and once i saw that logitech made one ...
i've been wanting a harmony remote for the last few months and once i saw that logitech made one for the 360, i snatched it up without hesitation. it really is as easy to set up as it's supposed to be and it worked all of my components flawlessly. ultimately, i was dissatisfied and returned it after a week of use, simply because i could not get used to the feel of the remote.
for something made by logitech, the ergonomics of the device are terrible. don't get me wrong - it works great and looks beautiful. it's just that the remote does not feel right in my hand and it's difficult to navigate by feel alone, as i constantly needed to look down at the remote to visually locate the correct buttons. it just wasn't as intuitive to use as previous remotes i've owned have been. you may notice from angled/profile views of the remote that it's razor thin near the top of the remote, and thicker towards the bottom. i feel that this design causes the remote to feel unbalanced in a user's hand, depending on which navigation buttons are being used. not only does it feel unbalanced to hold, but the weight and design of the device does not even allow it to lay down horizontally when placed on a table; rather, it rests at a slight diagonal from top to bottom. its thinness is nice (even at it's thickest point, near the base, it's still quite thin), but i think that consistency from top to bottom would have been a better design choice.
my biggest complaint with the remote lies with the channel up/down and volume up/down buttons, which unfortunately are the buttons everyday users will tend to use most frequently. while most of the buttons on the remote have a soft, easy to press feel to them, the main controls (the dvd navigational arrows, ok button, glow button, and volume and channel controls) are made of a stiff material that must be pressed in quite hard to the point of a noticeable "click". while i actually preferred this "click" with the glow button, the dvd navigation buttons felt awkward to use and the volume and channel controls (which are barely raised above the surface of the remote) were frustratingly unnatural to manipulate. it was not instinctive for me to simply hold the remote with one hand and raise or lower the volume with a few gentle presses, but rather it felt necessary for me to hold the remote balanced with one hand while using a fingernail or fingertip from the other hand to precisely press the button all the way down for that "click".
i really, really wanted to keep this remote for its stylish looks and wonderful harmony functioning. however, after much debate, i decided i just couldn't hold onto it due to the frustration it caused me every time i tried to change a channel or raise or lower the volume.
overall, with the advanced universal remote for the xbox 360, logitech has developed a product that succeeds with flying colors on its functionality, but ultimately fails in its design. this is a surprising failure coming from a company like logitech. i'm debating trying out the harmony 880. hopefully, i'll find the 880 more ergonomically satisfying.
Read more
by neegeewah (see profile) -
February 7, 2006
6 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent A must have for a multi-system home theater
All in all this remote has eliminated the need for all the remotes necessary to run a multi-system home theater. ...
All in all this remote has eliminated the need for all the remotes necessary to run a multi-system home theater. The TV, HDTV PVR Cable box, Xbox 360, DVD, AV Receiver, and Pre Amp can all be controlled by this unit. The activities button, which can be customized depending on how you want to set up the home theater, works like a charm. My wife, who for years has chastized me about all the remotes we have, absolutely loves how easy this remote seamlessly controls every unit within our entertainment setup.
One complaint - The buttons, rather than having a soft rubber construction, are made of rigid plastic and make an audible clicking noice when engaged. And if you are channel surfing, the clicking is more annoying the your spouse complaining about the channel surfing.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Almost perfect
I bought this on a whim with a Best Buy gift card. I fully intended to return it when it ...
I bought this on a whim with a Best Buy gift card. I fully intended to return it when it didn't work. I still have it.
Getting it set up took a couple of hours to get it just right. It's not the perfect solution, but it's as close as I've seen. Even my technology-challenged wife can use it.
It's nice to eliminate the multiple remotes that inevitably clutter the TV room. It works better than any "universal" remote I've tried. Buttons are fully programmable via web interface and USB.
The only downside I've come across is the LCD buttons are a bit difficult to organize in the order you want them to appear.
I really like the fact that I can choose "Play XBOX 360" and the TV goes to the correct video input and all other necessary equipment is turned on to the correct settings. When I want to watch TV, XBOX gets turned off, cable box on, video input changed, and surround sound settings changed.
For $100, or whatever it costs, it is easily worth the money. Setup isn't difficult, but it does require minimal knowledge of how your gear works. As I said, I did spend a couple of hours getting it set up. I haven't made any changes in the two months since then.
Read more
by saunderscc (see profile) -
March 6, 2006
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Good remote for the average User
Overall this is a good basic remote. great for use with the 360, and windows media center. The buttons are ...
Overall this is a good basic remote. great for use with the 360, and windows media center. The buttons are kinda spaced really close together so it could become difficult to use over time. But all and all its a great remote.
Read more
by r1208 (see profile) -
July 24, 2008
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Gamer's Best Friend fits in your palm
I was drooling over these since they were rumored to be released. Got one a few months later for a ...
I was drooling over these since they were rumored to be released. Got one a few months later for a present from my now Fiancee and LOVE IT!!! I have had mine for 2-3 years and WILL NOT LIVE WITHOUT IT! This is absolutely amazing once the programming is complete and set up perfectly! Mine has developed a rattle in it after being dropped several hundred times, and still no issues. IF she ever goes out, I will NOT hesitate to buy one THAT DAY! As far as I'm concerned this is a MUST HAVE for any 360 owner with anything more than just a 360 and tv setup. Programming does take some time and tweaking, but with the updates, the remote will never not support a tv/etc! As I said, I got this about 2-3 years ago when I had a 32" non-HD tv and cheap cd player-stareo "surround" and I have upgraded to 42" widescreen hdtv and 5.1 surround sound and TV works with all the new info after a reprogramming and a few tweaks. Easily the best present I have ever gotten!!!!
Read more
by flawedlegacy (see profile) -
March 5, 2008
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Logitech get it right again.
I broke my harmony 520, and decided to give the 360 version a shot and I could not be happier. ...
I broke my harmony 520, and decided to give the 360 version a shot and I could not be happier. If you have a 360 this the remote to get.
Read more
by toddnothingclever (see profile) -
January 15, 2008
9 out of 10 - Spectacular The best universal remote I have ever used
I got the Harmony as a Christmas gift, and what a fantastic gift it was! I've owned a few ...
I got the Harmony as a Christmas gift, and what a fantastic gift it was! I've owned a few universal remotes in the past, none of which have worked nearly as well as the Logitech Harmony. It works with every IR device I own (TV/DVD combo, AV receiver, and Xbox 360).
I absolutely LOVE the activities feature. Now I can simply press "Play Xbox 360" and the remote automatically turns on my TV, switches the mode to AUX, turns on my AV receiver and switches the mode to GAME, and turns on my Xbox 360. All with the press of a button. You can also create your own activities!
The remote has some downsides, however. They aren't really problems with the remote itself as they are problems with Logitech. Their online database of devices returned the wrong IR signals for my TV/DVD combo, even though I entered the correct model number. In the end, I spent an hour training the Harmony to work with my TV and tweaking the INPUT settings on the activities, since the choices Logitech's database gave me were not compatible. If this happens to you, don't worry. It doesn't mean you can't use the remote with your device. All you have to do is point your original remote at the Harmony and press the buttons and it'll learn the signals.
Eventually, everything worked perfectly.
Once you get the remote working the way you want it to, it's probably a good idea to lock your other remotes away. If you inadvertently change the state of one of your devices using a remote other than the Harmony, it loses track and your activities will not work correctly. To fix this, press HELP on the Harmony and it will ask you a series of questions and get everything back to normal. It's a little annoying when I accidentally grab the TV remote and hit the power button, only to find later that pressing "Play Xbox 360" actually turns my TV OFF, instead of ON.
That's not anything against the remote itself, however. There's no way for it to know when you turn the TV off using another device.
Overall, the Harmony is the best choice if you're looking for a relatively cheap, but very advanced universal remote.
Read more
by cypher543 (see profile) -
December 26, 2007
Hide
Watch product review video
Show
Print friendly version
Email to a friend
del.icio.us
