ThinkPad X200 Tablet Save Extra 5%Logitech Harmony 670
Manufacturer: Logitech Part number: 915-000002
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users.
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CNET editors' review
Logitech Harmony 670 price range: $114.51 - $164.00
- Reviewed by: David Rudden
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 10/20/2006
- Updated on:02/19/2009
- Released on: 10/10/2006
The good: The Logitech Harmony 670 is a throwback to the comfortable peanut-shape design of old, with DVR-friendly buttons placed in the center. It retains the same great features and functionality that the Harmony line is known for, such as activity or device-based command, PC/Mac programmability, and a contextual LCD screen.
The bad: The 670 isn't as sleek or as stylish as the more-recent "flat" Harmony models. Moreover, it lacks the rechargeable battery/cradle and color LCD found on higher-end Harmony models. Even with an upgrade in place, the Web-based programming can still intimidate nontechie users. And the remote's silver finish scuffs pretty easily.
The bottom line: The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users.
Editor's Note (February 19, 2009): The rating on this product has been changed due to competitive changes in the marketplace. Readers interested in this product should compare it to the more recent Logitech Harmony One.
Most of the Logitech Harmony universal remotes we've seen in 2006 have sported a flat, wedge-shaped design. They look slick, but apparently quite a few users are still pining for the textured feel of Logitech's older, peanut-shape clickers. Logitech has answered with the Harmony 670, a $150 model that utilizes the "classic" rounded design of past models, paired with some notable design tweaks and--of course--the latest Harmony software.
From a distance, the Logitech Harmony 670 could be confused with earlier 600-series Harmony models. It measures in at 8 inches long, 2 to 2.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep. While we prefer the slim and sleek design of the 500-series Harmony models, the peanut style--very reminiscent of the TiVo remotes--is a bit more comfortable in hand, with finger grooves on the back of the remote. The silver-and-black motif of the remote allows it to blend with most home-theater devices, but the silver finish scuffed quicker than any Harmony remote we've seen before.
The Logitech Harmony 670 crams an astounding number of buttons onto its frame, including a complete numeric keypad, full video-transport controls (play, record, rewind, pause, and so forth), a four-way directional pad, and hotkeys for DVR use as well as quick jumps to the most-used activities (see below). The functional highlight of the Harmony remote series, however, is the LCD screen. Flanked by programmable keys that you can label differently on separate pages, it allows the Harmony to emulate even the even the most esoteric buttons as well as engage activities and macros. While the LCD display works well most of the time, we prefer the one used on the 500 series. With smaller text and fewer buttons by the LCD--four to the 670's six--you're able to read the functions on the screen much more easily. (The 670's default mode actually uses only four of its six contextual buttons, with the top two reserved for the device or activity name, but you can easily toggle the preferences to use all six.) While we were testing the remote, we ran into a few instances where text from the upper-left corner crowded in on text from the upper right, with important text being obscured--the 2 in Input Component 2, for example. Besides the tricky LCD and a difficult-to-find backlight button, the layout for the 670 is pretty good. The buttons on the 670 are placed well, and all consist of the same responsive, hard plastic, which works much better than the mix of rubbery and nontactile metal buttons on the 500-series remotes.
What differentiates the 670 from other Harmony Remotes are the DVR-specific buttons on the center of the unit, encircling the four-way directional pad--by contrast, they're higher up on the 500 series, and lower down on the 720. All of the standard DVR buttons are included--Menu, Guide, and Info, for instance, and while the buttons are made for
Moving around to the back, the Logitech Harmony 670 uses four AAA batteries. While our Harmony is still running strong, the amount of power needed to run the LCD and the backlight will drain the batteries faster than your average remote's power requirements. The 670 really could have benefited from a recharger dock like 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.
In order to add any devices to the Logitech Harmony 670, you have to use the Web-based software, which is both Windows- and Mac-compatible. The box boasts compatibility with more than 175,000 devices, and when we fired up the program 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 the model number, it should be able to cull the commands for your product. We tested more than a dozen 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. If for some reason you do come across a nonsupported device--say, a brand new DVD recorder--the Harmony 670 can "learn" any new infrared codes, so long as you have the product's default remote. Whether the profile is built-in or learned, the 670 can hold a maximum of 16 devices in its memory, which should be plenty for any one entertainment center--if you don't mind a nomadic remote, it could probably extend across two rooms worth of tech.
Along with the ability to control devices individually, the remote has the Activities function that we liked so much in previous Logitech Harmony remotes. In essence, it allows the 670 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 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. It's pretty easy to program them, too, as the Harmony remote software asks you how you normally control each facet of the activity. With a little care, we were able to get all of the important functions incorporated into the activities we programmed; for those we missed, we simply toggled back to the Component Control mode.
As we said in our earlier reviews of Harmony remotes, if you have a complicated system, you can expect to spend some time fine-tuning the remote to get it to work just right. A certain amount of trial and error is involved. You must verify that the commands work with your equipment as intended, then modify them as necessary. The Web site provides advanced, macro-style options for delay times, multistep commands, and other functions. Also, the remote's Help key aids in troubleshooting by asking natural-language questions on the LCD. For instance, the screen might read, Is the digital set-top box on? And Logitech's customer support--both via e-mail and telephone--is, for the most part, very helpful.
The Logitech Harmony 670 marries design and comfort, but it's a shaky union. While the normal buttons are well laid out and an ease to use, the LCD isn't as good as the similarly monochromatic one on the 500 series and is leagues away from the color screen employed by the Logitech Harmony 720. If the DVR is the centerpiece of your home theater--or if you just really prefer the peanut-style ergonomics--this is a worthwhile purchase. Otherwise, go with the slightly cheaper
Logitech Harmony universal remotes compared:
| Model | Quick take | Price |
| Logitech Harmony 520 | Logitech's entry-level Harmony remote offers a monochrome LCD screen with four contextual buttons. | |
| Logitech Harmony 550 | This near-clone of the 520 offers a slightly different keypad layout and is more widely available. | |
| Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 | This offshoot of the 520/550 is preprogrammed to control the Xbox 360 and features 360-related buttons and a matching white color scheme. | |
| Logitech Harmony 670 | The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users. | |
| Logitech Harmony 720 | This step-up to the 500-series models listed above adds a more stylish design and a color LCD screen with six contextual button, and also includes a rechargeable battery and charging cradle. | |
| Harman Kardon TC30 | Despite its Harman Kardon branding, the TC30 is essentially an elongated 550 with many of the same feature upgrades found on the 720: color LCD screen (with eight buttons), rechargeable battery, and charging cradle. | |
| Logitech Harmony 880 | The Harmony 880 utilizes the "peanut" design of the older Logitech remotes along with a color screen and a rechargeable battery/charging cradle. | |
| Logitech Harmony 890 | Logitech's flagship remote is essentially the 880 with the addition of RF (radio frequency) capabilities, for communicating through obstructions. |
$59-$64
User reviews
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Flexible solution for eclectic equipment
by pedalmike on December 2, 2006
Pros: Flexibility of programming, USB interface
Cons: Interview based software interface clumsy for experienced users
Summary: Overall, I am very pleased. My home theater/audio setup has a different manufacturer for every component. The 670 recognized at least 85% of the device buttons. The ones that ...
Summary: Overall, I am very pleased. My home theater/audio setup has a different manufacturer for every component. The 670 recognized at least 85% of the device buttons. The ones that did not work as expected were easy to fix using the learning function and the original remotes.
The interview format on the Logitech web site is OK for initial setup, after that, it is a pain to have to navigate through the interview stuff to make small tweaks. That being said, the flexibility to organize commands for a given activity, and adjust delays between commands is excellent.It took me about 4 hours in total, spread over several nights, to get the programming of my system to perfection.
The USB connection is very easy to use. You can even set up the software so that your PC recognizes the 670 when you plug it in, just like synching an ipod.
I have a plasma display, DVD/CD player, VCR, 5 channel amp, home theater processor, and cable box to control. I will be adding the Onkyo ipod interface shortly.
When setting up the listening to music activity, I programmed the 670 to turn off 3 of the 5 channels on my amp so that I just have the left and right front channels active.
The way that button labels can be renamed and rearranged (at the device level or at the activity level) is just teriffic.
My wife was frustrated at times with operating our system. Once I got the programming on the 670 to where I wanted it, I put all the other remotes away, and she has not asked for them back.
Physically, I would have preferred a rectangle shape to the peanut shape. The button layout is easy to remember and fairly intuitive. If you need reading glasses, the button labels are hard to read without glasses on. Backlighting feature works well. Battery life- too early to tell.7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Remote
by MSC71 on October 25, 2006
Pros: Controls everything perfect
Cons: Can be a little tricky to set up at first
Summary: I also own the 520 so I was familiar with the setup process. What I use the remote to control
1. TV
2. DVD Player
3. Xbox 360
4. Surround ...Summary: I also own the 520 so I was familiar with the setup process. What I use the remote to control
1. TV
2. DVD Player
3. Xbox 360
4. Surround Sound Receiver
5. VCR
6. Direct TV Receiver
The best part of this remote is it is wife friendly. You press "Watch TV" on the remote and it turns on all your equipment and puts them on the correct settings. If you are watching TV and decide to watch a DVD, you press "Watch A Movie" and your DVD player turns on and the TV goes to the correct input for the DVD player. Once you are done watching a movie, press "Watch TV" again and the DVD Player turns off and you are back to watching TV. One button press does everything. No more turning multiple devices on etc.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Remote... for the most part
by CaptainTPen on December 26, 2007
Pros: Fast set up and easy to use for the non-techy but see the cons too.
Cons: Hardware and USB port issues left me a lame duck for two weeks.
Summary: Ok, Logitech makes a great remote. I originally wanted the rechargeable model, but it was more expensive than my budget would allow. So I opted for this model.
Word of ...Summary: Ok, Logitech makes a great remote. I originally wanted the rechargeable model, but it was more expensive than my budget would allow. So I opted for this model.
Word of warning - if you have an older laptop or tower based computer - you may have issues.
Here's the skinny...
I made the purchase through Amazon.com and waited an addition week for it to arrive. (Supersaver strikes again) It was a Saturday and I sat down to my computer to load the program, hook up the remote and low and behold because my laptop just happens to be an old model it only has one usb port.
I treked to Target, purchased a 7 port usb port and continued with the job at hand.
Though the program is good, it takes a while to do everything and many times you can't just go back a step, if you type in the wrong receiver number, etc. That was a pain. Besides that - their customer service dept isn't in on Saturday or Sunday Evenings, so I was forced to wait till Monday.
I called tech support after getting a failure notice during the programing download to the remote. I was passed to regular support, then advanced support - who basically told me that not only did I have to shut off my firewall, popup blocker and virus protection just to do the download - in the end there was a hardware issue in the end that waylaid me from using the remote while Logitech sent out a new one.
Well, a week later on Saturday Midday, DHL arrived with the new remote. Since I already had the components in the system (Logitech keeps them on their secure server forever!!!) all I had to do was download to my remote.
Same issue poped up again, so I called Customer service. Turns out, you must have a direct line usb port between the remote and the computer.
An hour later (after finding another computer that had multiple usb port connections) I got the remote to download and use.
We like the remote - but there are times when it wants to look for the components and shuts down one piece without shutting down the others, and vice verse. I hope to sit down with the remote again (hooked to a computer) and resolve this issue.
Maybe just maybe I'll be able to get away from using multiple remotes. In a perfect world, one can dream...2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Incredible control of all my advanced electronics
by peachland on February 11, 2007
Pros: Easy set up. Works very well. Stylish
Cons: Wish it were RF, but the IR works good.
Summary: Using this with Sony 50' HDTV...Denon A/V Amp...DirecTV HR20-HD PVR...JVC DVD and VCR...Sony 5-CD Changer. With all these disparate components, I needed one remote beefy ...
Summary: Using this with Sony 50' HDTV...Denon A/V Amp...DirecTV HR20-HD PVR...JVC DVD and VCR...Sony 5-CD Changer. With all these disparate components, I needed one remote beefy enough to handle them all without requiring a EE to program it! The Harmony remote was just the ticket. After one month of use, it works almost flawlessly. The only thing I miss is having the RF remote. Maybe I should have splurged for the higher end model, but I'll get over it.
Great backlit remote with easy to read LCD. I was even able to customize a couple of buttons for my PVR in about 10 minutes with no fuss. Straightforward USB connection is great too!2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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excellent remote controls everything
by purpz on December 6, 2007
Pros: lighted keys, easy to read lcd, easy to operate
Cons: buttons are small ,the centre control a little touchy, doesnt always work with my tv
Summary: It eliminates all your controls and when it doesnt work the help button fixes any problems worth the money but try the internet for better deals found one for $85....
Summary: It eliminates all your controls and when it doesnt work the help button fixes any problems worth the money but try the internet for better deals found one for $85.00 then had future shop price match it and saved an extra 10% on the difference. In the long run it saves from using 4 clickers
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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once you get it going, you'll wonder what you did without one!
by n1c0LaSS on November 17, 2006
Pros: it has a HUGE database, and the web based setup just ensures that it will keep updated with new equipment you may get
Cons: the web based setup is a little tricky to figure out, and it's anything but perfect
Summary: Though the web based setup is anything but perfect, there's still a great chance that it will find the device you are looking for. The on-screen help also does ...
Summary: Though the web based setup is anything but perfect, there's still a great chance that it will find the device you are looking for. The on-screen help also does wonders to fix any problems that you may have. You also have the option to program the remote, with the current remote via infrared. All in all, it's a great remote for the price (considering its much more expensive siblings).
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Terrible channel surfing remote!.
by jele18 on February 24, 2008
Pros: extensive customization opportunities
Cons: Poorly planned ergonomics doom what otherwise might be a great remote
Summary: Have been using this remote for 4 weeks. While this remote looks "cool", the very things that make it look cool make it difficult to operate with one hand. The ...
Summary: Have been using this remote for 4 weeks. While this remote looks "cool", the very things that make it look cool make it difficult to operate with one hand. The remote materials are very "slick" which makes it slippery to operate. In addition, the channel numbers are squeezed all the way to the very bottom of the remote making it difficult to enter channel numbers without using both hands. In order to keep it's "cool" look many of the buttons are far too thin especially the volumne control and customizable buttons. My 58" plasma is the only cool I need. I want usability in a remote.
Also, the setup is also unnecessarily complex. My 30 days are up and this one's going back to BestBuy.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Poor Manufacturing Quality, Beware
Pros: Great layout, online updates and functionality a plus
Cons: Defective manufacturing and poor customer service
Summary: Unfortunately, I have a similar story to many of Logitech?s Harmony Customers. This remote worked great for the first 6 months I had it. Easily a four star product, ...
Summary: Unfortunately, I have a similar story to many of Logitech?s Harmony Customers. This remote worked great for the first 6 months I had it. Easily a four star product, until 6 months in the USB port broke off inside the remote. Customer service replaced the remote quickly and easily with little hassle. Then 8 months later the LCD screen inexplicably quit working. So, in less than a year and a half, I became the owner of two $100+ defective remotes. Check the other reviews, these two problems are not un-common. Also, be warned that if your remote is replaced under warranty that the replacement remote is only warranted for 30 days or the expiration of the original equipment warranty. Stay away from this poorly manufactured product!!
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Lived up to nearly expectation I held
by macgruber on June 20, 2009
Pros: Highly programmable, and really does replace every remote you'll ever own (minus the remotes that operate via bluetooth or through RF). You can customize the buttons on the remote, and have a list of commands that you can access through the LCD.
Cons: after dropping it a number of times, my LCD screen finally broke. The remote itself still functions, however it has lost a lot of usefulness because I can't do more complex commands other than the ones I have memorized.
Summary: I used this remote all the time, and became very accustomed to not having a mess of remotes everywhere. Now that my screen is broken, I have to have my ...
Summary: I used this remote all the time, and became very accustomed to not having a mess of remotes everywhere. Now that my screen is broken, I have to have my other remotes out if I need to change my surround sound setups or a setting on the TV. As a result I'm looking into getting it repaired. In the event I can't fix it for cheap, I'm going to look into buying a new one, or a better one. I would hands down recommend this remote to anyone, and I would also recommend not dropping it!
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good remote for the price
by johnrblack on March 15, 2009
Pros: When set up correctly, it works very well.
Cons: The remote is too fragile. It did take a little time to get it programmed correctly
Summary: Two negative are once the remote is in an incorret mode (example, you press a button to change away from the TV mode), it is difficult to get it back. ...
Summary: Two negative are once the remote is in an incorret mode (example, you press a button to change away from the TV mode), it is difficult to get it back. Then you have to access the audio mode for the sound, cable mode for the channel, etc.
This remote is too fragile. As remotes normally get dropped, or knocked off the couch, this one gets damaged. The USB connector inside the remote is broken so it can no longer be programmed. After about 18 months, the display has several dark horizontal lines so the display is getting hard to read.
This is the only remote I have used, so it is hard to compare it to others.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Logitech
- Part number: 915-000002
- Description: Designed specifically for Digital Video Recorder (DVR) users, the Harmony 670 features convenient controls that make it easy to command TiVO and other popular DVRs. Essential buttons including "Record", "Play", "Pause", "Advance", "Rewind", "Skip Forward", "Skip Back", and a directional pad are centrally located, and convenient "Sound" and "Picture" buttons help you tame tough configurations such as switching aspect ratios or sound modes. Harmony's activity-based control makes it easy to manage your entire home entertainment system; just press a conveniently color-coded activity button ("Watch Movie"), and the remote will power on your TV, DVD, stereo receiver, set all the inputs and even press "Play"! There's also a handy "Help" button so that anyone from the kids to the babysitter can access programming.
General
- Device Type Universal remote control
Remote Control
- Connectivity Technology Infrared
- Supported Devices TV, DVR, Audio system, PC multimedia
- Input Device Keypad
- Features Back-lit buttons, Color-coded buttons
- Display LCD display TFT active matrix
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB
System Requirements
- Operating System MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable
Power
- Battery 4 x Standard battery - AAA type
- Included Qty 4
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Manufacturer info
- Logitech
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Logitech products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.logitech.com/
- Address:
6505 Kaiser Dr., Fremont, CA 94555
