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Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

#1
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3/25/09 at 6:08am
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Not sure for how long, but Amazon just price dropped it to 169.99. I think that's about the lowest I've ever seen it and I am sorely tempted, just not sure it will work with my convoluted set-up.

Maybe I better do some research and quick!

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#2
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3/26/09 at 6:43am
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Ric: Have you ever used a Harmony Remote? They excel at operating "convoluted set-ups!"

I've been using a Harmony 628 for years and there is no going back. Mine operates a Panny BD-10, older Samsung HD CRT, bottom-end Sony receiver, Dish Network box, Philips DVD Recorder, VHS, LD & Beta players.

No complaints except for some issues with button wear which I can repair myself (and I'm not the handiest guy on this earth). Personally, I think Harmony remotes are one of the greatest things going and that is an awesome price on one of their most recent models. The color screens look like they would be really cool, too!

I love helping other people spend their money.

If you've got any specific questions, let 'em fly!

There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!

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#3
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3/26/09 at 5:47pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Hiya Mike! Can you actually teach it commands from other remotes? My present remote (Marantz RC-2000 Mach II, which was once referred to as "The Remote of the Gods") can turn off my lights, which it learned from a remote light switch I have.

I also have an Impact Accousitcs Video Switcher (which came with a remote) and multiplies my inputs for more components since my receiver and TV couldn't handle all my stuff!

I am sorely tempted to try this thing out and see if it does everything I need it too. Unfortunately, things are really tight right now... even at this great price!

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#4
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3/26/09 at 6:24pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric Easton
Hiya Mike! Can you actually teach it commands from other remotes? My present remote (Marantz RC-2000 Mach II, which was once referred to as "The Remote of the Gods") can turn off my lights, which it learned from a remote light switch I have.

I also have an Impact Accousitcs Video Switcher (which came with a remote) and multiplies my inputs for more components since my receiver and TV couldn't handle all my stuff!

I am sorely tempted to try this thing out and see if it does everything I need it too. Unfortunately, things are really tight right now... even at this great price!

Yes, you can teach new IR commands to the remote to place in the online database -- similar to how you teach any other learning remote. You will probably discover that almost all codes for all your components are already in the online database, though.

Before buying my first Harmony remote (I'm on my 2nd one), I used to own the same Marantz RC2000 MkII that you currently have, Ric. The Harmony absolutely blows away the Marantz in every way -- flexibility, ease of setup, user friendliness for those who are not familiar with your home setup, etc. After buying my first Harmony, I came home from work and discovered that my "home electronics challenged" dad had turned the HT system on all by himself with no instructions at all (they live out of the area, and stay with us when in town).

I believe the 890 model has RF support, which accounts for its higher cost. If you need only IR support, then the 880 model is less expensive. The 880 is the model I currently own.
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#5
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3/26/09 at 8:40pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Scott gave you a much better answer than I could have, Ric!

Another amazing thing about a Harmony remote is an incredible WAF!!! My wife knows how to use our remote stone cold--even the "help" menus! Everybody who sees mine wants one.

I also had a component video switching device that I used with my Harmony remote. Worked like a charm. They can do most anything. As you can read in the amazon description...they do lighting systems, too.

Side story: My daughter actually won a Harmony One(!!!) in an on-line contest. She has NO HT on which to use it! She & her husband watch DVDs on a laptop. They don't even own a TV! it's a crazy, mixed-up world...that's fer sure!


There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!

Top Ten Ways to Find Good Deals on DVDs and Blu-ray...
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#6
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3/26/09 at 10:11pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

I was skeptical that the Harmony One could control all of my equipment, but it does. It even works with my region-free Cambridge Audio DVD player. I assume that the 890 does at least everything that the Harmony One does.

When I go to play a BD, I hit the "activities" button for my BD player and it turns on the TV and sets it to the BD input, turns on the AV receiver and sets it to the proper input, and it also turns on my HDMI switcher and sets it to the proper input. Very impressive.

Logitech's website has a search feature where you can verify in advance that will control the devices you have, but so far I haven't found anything that it doesn't work with.

Rich Gallagher

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#7
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3/27/09 at 6:12pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Thanks guys! I'm starting to get more comfortable with the idea of finally getting one, alas, the price on the 890 has already started heading back up! I may check out one of the other models in the future or just wait for a great price again. It might be nice to be able to hide the equipment someday and still use the remote!

Unfortunately this has to happen the week I just bought a new 120 gig iPod!

And Mike...

Watching DVD's on their laptop only!? That's crazy talk!

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#8
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3/28/09 at 4:58pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric Easton
Thanks guys! I'm starting to get more comfortable with the idea of finally getting one, alas, the price on the 890 has already started heading back up! I may check out one of the other models in the future or just wait for a great price again. It might be nice to be able to hide the equipment someday and still use the remote!

Unfortunately this has to happen the week I just bought a new 120 gig iPod!

You won't regret it when you do, Ric. They're awesome.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric Easton
And Mike...

Watching DVD's on their laptop only!? That's crazy talk!

Kids!

There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!

Top Ten Ways to Find Good Deals on DVDs and Blu-ray...
Export to Wiki
#9
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3/28/09 at 8:35pm
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Re: Harmony 890 Universal Remote - 169.99

Dang, the price jumped back up.
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