An Alternative to the Harmony 880

[RebelMan]

I have always appreciated the functionality of Logitech's Harmony 880 but I just couldn't get over its egg shaped look and feel so I never bought one. Today I discovered an alternative, the Harman Kardon TC30. It is functionally identical to the 880, that's because HK licensed the software from Logitech. But that is where the similarities end. The TC30's design is more traditional but the buttons are smartly laid out and the remote feels good in the hand.

It carries a $50 premium but if you are looking for a more sleek spin-off of the 880 then you might want to consider the TC30.

[DrJRapp]

To each his own....To me one of the better aspects of the 880 is how nice it feels in ones hand due to it's unique shape and balance. It happens to be one of the few remotes that I can operate with one hand, and can find the right buttons in the dark. One was so good...bought a second for the MBR. With no sharp corners it's less likely to hurt if one lies down on it.

Now that the 890s are here 880s can be had for $150 or less, so it's more of a $150 premium unless you can find the HK at deep discount.

OBTW Harmony has it's own "square" universal remote with all the functionality of the 880.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=11700

[RebelMan]

Now that the 890s are here 880s can be had for $150 or less, so it's more of a $150 premium unless you can find the HK at deep discount.

OBTW Harmony has it's own "square" universal remote with all the functionality of the 880.

I have seen the TC30 priced for as little as $173 from an authorized dealer. The cheapest 880 I have seen (from another authorized dealer) was $169 ($155 on special offers). The TC30 is a good bargin at street prices. Furthermore, the "square" 550 Harmony is less sophisticated than the 880. The TC30 benefits by combining the appealing features of both remotes (the 550 and 880) into one unit. Nice!

[DrJRapp]

My only concern would be support. Harmony's support is unreal. Will HKs be as good? They've done so much customized programming for me it's astonishing that they can spend the time for a product that only nets them perhaps $100. Yesterday I was on the phone with them changing the way my pj shuts down ( I wanted it done with two signals sent 3 seconds apart instead of one to avoid accidently turning the pj off and back on by bumping the remote (this is murder on the lamp). I'd aready worked out the programming for the pj....it's a built in option for the HD72...Harmony did it for the remote in about 15 mins. This is about the 6th time I've been back to them for customized programming. I really wanted to put in a Crestron system, but I see no need to with a remote that functions this well.

[Snap]

I am not sure how true this is....but I was told that you can contact either HK or Harmony for support on this remote. Like what was said prior, it is a Har 880 in a HK box. There might be some small changes but from what I was told it is the same remote.

[mitch57]

It would be worth your time and effort to look into the Universal Remote Control (URC) line of remotes. The MX-700/800/850/900/950. They are fairly easy to program and are second to none in quality and errogonomics. You can also download the programming software for free here http://www.hometheatermaster.com/products/downloads.php and try it before you buy it. You could actually program the remote and configure it the way you want before you even buy the remote. Almost like trying it out before you buy it.

You can go here www.remotecentral.com to get information on almost any remote on the market. This is also the place to go for support. Numerous Custom Installers, manufacturers, and end users frequent this site for advice and support on almost anything related to audio/video.

For what it's worth, I own the MX-700 and love it! I plan to retire it to my bedroom and upgrade to the MX-900.



Happy shopping.

[eddiem67]

I second the URC remotes, hey mitch I have a 900 is your interested, stepped up to the 3000

[mitch57]

I second the URC remotes, hey mitch I have a 900 is your interested, stepped up to the 3000

The 3000 is way to expensive for my blood. Also it's not a one handed hard button type remote which is what I want and need. The 3000 would be great for a dedicated high end home theater and I know it's a great remote.

How do you like the 900? I'm battling with the loss of the main page right now. I like the "Watch/Listen" activity based but I can't see having to push an extra button before executing a macro. It would be great if they had a "Main" page to start from in addition to the "Watch/Listen" pages.

[eddiem67]

I upgraded to the 3000, I am not recommending it to you, I am saying that I had a 900 if you were interested, but I sold it already, all I have left is a 950, and a couple of 650's. Let me know if your interested. The 950 is a very nice unit

[mitch57]

I upgraded to the 3000, I am not recommending it to you, I am saying that I had a 900 if you were interested, but I sold it already, all I have left is a 950, and a couple of 650's. Let me know if your interested. The 950 is a very nice unit

I like the 950 even better then the 900 except for one major gripe which has prevented me from considering it for purchase. It has to live on a charger! Numerous posts on www.remotecentral.com talk about the poor battery life of the 950 plus the inability to turn off the automatic backlight feature.

Since you own one what do you think? How old is your 950? Send me an email mwayman@wavecable.com with your asking price and I might consider it even though I am in the process of purchasing a MX-900.

[Parsonsk]

Have you guys seen the new 720???
i was in costco and saw it and later found out that it's exclusive to costco and walmart.....very very similar to the 785 found in the UK (some small differences)
and for only $199 CDN i think this might be a winner!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=681453

[clearwaterms]

i have a harmony 520. It was exclusive to target and was $100 retail at the time I bought it. Its nice because it takes regular triple a batteries and they last a good 2~3 months. It doesn't have the color screen or some of the features of the 880, but it does everything I need, with ease. I really like it alot..

[mss]

I was thinking of purchasing a Harmony remote control, but then I saw a review, in which I read the following to be exact:

... I’m not sure if Novii Remote will solve all of the problems I have experienced with sophisticated remote controls; however, I can confidently say that it is at least as good as any universal remote control on the market. Additionally, it is over $200 cheaper than the top of the line remotes such as the Logitech Harmony. ...

That was a real argument for me to count. The whole review is here : http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=363

[clearwaterms]

I was thinking of purchasing a Harmony remote control, but then I saw a review, in which I read the following to be exact:

... I’m not sure if Novii Remote will solve all of the problems I have experienced with sophisticated remote controls; however, I can confidently say that it is at least as good as any universal remote control on the market. Additionally, it is over $200 cheaper than the top of the line remotes such as the Logitech Harmony. ...

That was a real argument for me to count. The whole review is here : http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=363

the Novii remote is just a software that works with a handheld. I had orignally tried one of these programs with an old PALM, and the problem was that the infared didn't have enough range, and also had a very limited throw angle compared to a device designed to do that. I still prefer the logitech harmany. I have a 520 for my current system and have contimplated putting a 880 into use for my basement home theatre

[mss]

the Novii remote is just a software that works with a handheld. I had orignally tried one of these programs with an old PALM, and the problem was that the infared didn't have enough range, and also had a very limited throw angle compared to a device designed to do that.

Well, that's depend on a handheld. If you have some contemporary PDAs, the range is good.

Noviiremote is just an idea for those who might be interested. But I beleive that sometimes there's no chance to save money and you have to purchase something like Harmony or similar.