Best Universal Remote?

[Chris.Day]

I have a Logitech Harmony 525. I like it, and wouldn't want to go back, but it did take a lot of setting up to get it how I want. The problem with it is that Logitech have dumbed the configuration app too far, and as a result important settings are hidden away in multiple levels of Troubleshooting levels. To make matters worse, everything in the config app is all fed from the Logitech Harmony web site. Pages, settings, everything. I would prefer to be able to download a cache of the site, even if it was say 1GB because even that would be preferable to having to wait for every single page to load in order to make a very minor change.

Once it's set up, it is nice to use, although some of the buttons are a little small (and too close to the bottom of the remote) and the plastic buttons feel cheap. Also, the whole remote creaks if held firmly.

However, I'd still recommend it, as it gives you a lot of features for the money.

Pros:
Relatively cheap, Generally good layout, Good size, Simple (to use)

Cons:
Frustrating to setup, Feels cheap, Number/colour buttons are too small

[aurora]

I have a harmony 550, Have to agree about the creeky bit that and the software as well. It is not exactly friendly to a power user who just wants to go in an tweek things.

However, the key feature and the one that changed my wifes frown at what she thought was an expensive, un-necessary toy into a smile is the help feature for the macros. The harmony understands your macros and steps you through a series of yes no questions to solve the problem when something goes wrong. This makes the wife really happy and at the end of the day is what makes me rave about the remote. This feature was actually frustrating to me at first, beacuse you have to step throuhg the help to fix things. On old remote, I knew all the buttons and could directly fix anything. However, wife, baby-sitter, guests did not and had trouble with system. My wife absolutely loves the harmony. Personally, I would not go with anything else because of this.

[HtV]

@ Chris.Day

You shouldn't run the config app. on your system. You should use the online one: http://members.harmonyremote.com that's a lot quicker, at least for me it is.
I have the 525 too. I like it, but can't get my wife to use it.:o

[pens18aj]

what buttons do you program on the MX-500 to match the 4 color buttons that the hauppauge remote has? Looking to get one soon base on the recommendation here.

[darisb]

I programmed the bottom four left menu buttons for the color buttons. Works great.

Regards,
Daris

[REDdimension]

I cant remember the exact details, but there is a registry setting thats turns off the toggle bit requirement in the IR Receiver. Google for details.

For others who find this thread, I found the answer (haven't tried the patch yet as I'm writing this from work) but I found:

Code:

In regedit, search for "debounce" and disable it.

Edit: Okay, now I've successfully done it and wanted to share it here to help others.

1. Run REGEDIT
2. Search for "EnableDebounce"
3. Double-click on the key and change it from 1 (on, default) to 0 (off)
4. Repeat search for each EnableDebounce key (I found four)
5. Reboot
6. Enjoy your toggle-bit-disabled IR receiver and program your URC (yay, MX-500!)

[DeepBlueC]

I just recently tried out the Harmony 520 and the MX-500. I went with the 520.

So far I have been able to do anything I wanted with it. An example is: I usually watch live tv and use my tvs tuner. I set up the guide button on the remote so when pressed jumps over to the tv guide on the MVP flawlessly. It really integrates GBPVR with my setup.

What I dont like is the creakiness of it. Its very slim and makes an anoying creaking noise when you push on the buttons hard.

One other note is that by default there is a good amount of latency 500ms on button clicks. I adjusted it down to 0 ms and now the response times are as good as my oem remotes.

[pens18aj]

I just recently tried out the Harmony 520 and the MX-500. I went with the 520.

so what did you not like about the MX-500 that made you go with the 520? and if you had the choice would you have gone up to a higher harmony like the 550 or higher instead or is it not worth the extra money? Thanks

[DeepBlueC]

I liked the mx500 alot, but the appearance of it spooked my wife (too many buttons, looks like a phaser, blah, blah).

The 520 and the 550 are very similar. The 550 has 4 more buttons and cost about $50 more. I could probably use the other 4 buttons but have no need for them now.

I am currently operating a Panasonic plasma tv, Onkyo Surrond Sound Reciever, Panasonic DVD player and the Media MVP with it.

As far is a more expensive unit. I guess it depends on what you need it for. I only have 4 components but it you were going to operate 6+ I would consider something else.

[reven]

i like the xbox 360 logitech one, it looks exactly the same as the mx500/520 and has a few extra buttons (and the important colour buttons)