Setting it up
Setting it upThis is the part that I usually dread. Having had bad experiences with Universal Remotes in the past struggling to get all devices functioning correctly, I was hoping that Harmony 700 would alleviate that stress. First up, you'll have to plug in the AC Adaptor and charge up the batteries for three hours or so, then you need to plug in the USB lead connect to your computer and set up with up to six devices that you want to control via the remote. Instead of a CD carrying the software you need to head on over to the Logitech website, set up an account and download the latest set-up software.
Before you do so, you'd be wise to spend time examining each of the devices you want to set up and noting down their make and model number. Set-up couldn't be simpler. There's a comprehensive list of 5,000 manufacturers and 225,000 devices that are compatible with the Harmony 700 and you get simple drop down boxes to select both manufacturer and model. You go through them one at a time choosing from the likes of your HDTV, Games Console, DVD Player, CD Player, iPod docking station and so on -anything that you use a remote control for (even air conditioning or lights) - and when you've added the device it updates your remote to make it compatible.
Click for larger imageThe controller uses an infrared signal, so for the likes of my Sky controller and iPod player controller I was prompted to place them next to the base of the Harmony 700 and then press a combination of buttons. The remote recognised the controllers instantly and updated it according. It gets a bit more complicated when you're prompted to enter which inputs your devices use on your TV, but if you are unsure, even with a bit of trial and error, it shouldn't take too long before you've got everything set up.
Considering I was setting up six devices, it was a painless process that was easy to understand and most importantly worked from the outset.
Continued overleaf...