Harmony 785 Universal remote, $99 at Dick Smith

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wreck90

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#61211 12-May-2010 10:43

Awesome deal, just bought one a month ago for 150.

This remote includes the color keys that seem to pop up on a lot of remotes these days.

Doh!

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6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#329262 12-May-2010 11:13

I have a harmony "one" remote control and love it to bits :) I also have the harmony PS3 adapter as well, works like a treat!

My dad recently bought the harmony 785 when they had it on sale and he seems quite happy with it. When I saw his remote I was a bit dissapointed in the quality of the LCD on it though... makes me appreciate my remote even more now :D

magu

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#329273 12-May-2010 11:35

Haydss: I have a harmony "one" remote control and love it to bits :) I also have the harmony PS3 adapter as well, works like a treat!

My dad recently bought the harmony 785 when they had it on sale and he seems quite happy with it. When I saw his remote I was a bit dissapointed in the quality of the LCD on it though... makes me appreciate my remote even more now :D

How are you liking the One? I've had an 880 for a couple of years now and it's been very good, but the paint on the center keys started to peel off, and the charger base has a design fault that blocks the remote from charging. I have to improvise with aluminum paper to get it to reach the contacts on the base of the remote.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

robbyp

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#329281 12-May-2010 11:51

wreck90: Awesome deal, just bought one a month ago for 150.

This remote includes the color keys that seem to pop up on a lot of remotes these days.

Doh!

They had it cheaper on the 1day webite a while ago.

Haydss

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#329646 13-May-2010 09:22

magu:

How are you liking the One? I've had an 880 for a couple of years now and it's been very good, but the paint on the center keys started to peel off, and the charger base has a design fault that blocks the remote from charging. I have to improvise with aluminum paper to get it to reach the contacts on the base of the remote.

I love the it. Once all your components are setup it almost never misses a beat. Once in a blue moon it will have issues with the ps3 but not very often. Never had any problems with it charging. I've only had it for a year and at moderate use it is still in top notch condition physically. Touch screen is good although some of its uses are more of a novelty (such as changing tv channel using the channel logo's). I find it quicker to just change channel by number, or channel up/down.

lyonrouge

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#329758 13-May-2010 13:13

Anyone using a reciever with swithched video output? I've got a Plasma / Projector arrangement with switched video output, the reciever is great, but the remote is awful, I'm considering replacing it (I also have a PS3 remote currently, replacing that at the same time would be nice).

magu

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#329763 13-May-2010 13:21

lyonrouge: Anyone using a reciever with swithched video output? I've got a Plasma / Projector arrangement with switched video output, the reciever is great, but the remote is awful, I'm considering replacing it (I also have a PS3 remote currently, replacing that at the same time would be nice).

I have a receiver doing HDMI switching from game console and HTPC and also audio switching for the TV's Freeview|HD tuner, all controlled by the Harmony 880. A breeze to use.

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robjg63

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#329767 13-May-2010 13:35

I have got a Harmony 525 remote - and its generally pretty good - awesomely powerful IR signal. I 'backup' my remotes onto this just in case the originals bite the dust. Its pretty hard to replace remote controls.

But I found recently that one of the device buttons (there are 4 buttons around the LCD display), decided not work. The unit is about 18 months old. A quick google indicated that perhaps the logitech remotes (certainly the 525) dont tend to have the most durable buttons. I was quite disappointed. I actually managed to pull the remote apart without busting it and 'tinkered' with the area that had the dodgy button. Its working again (for now).

I wouldnt say that my remote gets very heavy use - its more of a 'his' remote while the mrs has about 5 originals as 'hers'.

Maybe the 785 is a little more robust.....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

lyonrouge

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#329773 13-May-2010 14:03

robjg63: I have got a Harmony 525 remote - and its generally pretty good - awesomely powerful IR signal. I 'backup' my remotes onto this just in case the originals bite the dust. Its pretty hard to replace remote controls.

But I found recently that one of the device buttons (there are 4 buttons around the LCD display), decided not work. The unit is about 18 months old. A quick google indicated that perhaps the logitech remotes (certainly the 525) dont tend to have the most durable buttons. I was quite disappointed. I actually managed to pull the remote apart without busting it and 'tinkered' with the area that had the dodgy button. Its working again (for now).

I wouldnt say that my remote gets very heavy use - its more of a 'his' remote while the mrs has about 5 originals as 'hers'.

Maybe the 785 is a little more robust.....

that's concerning, I'm looking at this as a "her" remote. I'm concerned that these devices may only be suitable for members of geekzone and not the general populous.

magu

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#329774 13-May-2010 14:06

It tends to be more geek-friendly, but the Mrs. can work it quite well, without me explaining to her. I guess I nailed the usability correctly for non-techies.

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lyonrouge

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#329775 13-May-2010 14:07

is it mode based?

magu

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#329776 13-May-2010 14:09

lyonrouge: is it mode based?

Yes. Got Watch Freeview, Watch Sky, Play XBOX/DVD, Watch AppleTV on mine.

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bazzer

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#329794 13-May-2010 14:47

I'd say it's easier for the geek type to set it up, but once it's set up it's easy for everyone to use. If you want to replace your PS3 remote you'll need a IR-to-BT converter. I'd recommend the Logitech one but I think there are other "hack" versions.

lyonrouge

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#329796 13-May-2010 14:52

magu:
lyonrouge: is it mode based?

Yes. Got Watch Freeview, Watch Sky, Play XBOX/DVD, Watch AppleTV on mine.

so when you press "Watch Sky" for example, does it change the input to Sky and remote mode to sky buttons? do do you have to change to "Watch Sky" mode and then change the input (that is how the current remote works)?

magu

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#329807 13-May-2010 15:01

lyonrouge:
magu:
lyonrouge: is it mode based?

Yes. Got Watch Freeview, Watch Sky, Play XBOX/DVD, Watch AppleTV on mine.

so when you press "Watch Sky" for example, does it change the input to Sky and remote mode to sky buttons? do do you have to change to "Watch Sky" mode and then change the input (that is how the current remote works)?

In my setup, it works like this (assuming all devices are in standby):

Press 'Watch Sky' on remote, keep it pointed at device rack

TV is turned on

Sky decoder is turned on

AV receiver is turned on

TV is set to input HDMI1

AV receiver is set to input DTV/SAT

Channel up/down and numeric buttons control the Sky decoder

Volume up/down controls the AV receiver

Pretty much it. I have extra buttons mapped for the ? and GUIDE and etc for Sky, and some for the DSPs in my receiver.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

naggyman

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#329849 13-May-2010 16:06

With mine if I sit by it (during the night) it will glow sow I can see the buttons. It seems to know when I want it.

Morgan French-Stagg

morgan.french.net.nz

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