Does the Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Make Sense in 2023?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- In 2021, Logitech announced they were discontinuing their entire product line of Harmony universal remotes. These remotes, while priced quite high at around $180 USD, worked they way universal remotes should have worked from the get go. All that was needed to add control of a TV, receiver, DVD player, etc was to connect the remote to a PC or Mac, run Logitech's app, and add the device typing in the manufacturer name and model number for the target device. Once added, sync the app to the remote, and you could control the target device.
In the case of the Harmony 650, it could control up to 8 devices making it ideal to manage a robust home entertainment center, a business video conferencing room, or as I did for two years: power cycle a range of TVs from LG, Samsung, Vizio, at Simon Malls across Metro-Atlanta without having to move ladder across the mall to power cycle the TV screens.
The question remains as to whether the universal remotes still make sense using in 2023. Logitech remains committed to supporting their catalog of Harmony remotes for the foreseeable future. As long as that remains the case, the devices continue to be quite viable.
In this video, you will see me add a new device to the Harmony 650 using my 2020 MacBook Pro M1 running Ventura. It was quite easy. If you are interested in buying one, I strongly recommend finding it on FaceBook marketplace or Offerup as they sell new/used between $20-$50. Amazon will still try and get the original list price of $180.
I always had trouble with this remote
Hey TonG, I just found your channel and I'm digging it so far. I got here with your Hubspace and Homekit videos. Sorry this is off topic for this particular video but I'd love if you could sorta walk me through connecting SmartThings through Homebridge for HomeKit. Maybe some other folks could use th tutorial as well - Cheers my friend, you're doing great work.
I might be able to do that. What device(s) do you have in mind?
@@technologistonthego2377 Well I have a Samsung smart TV, Fridge, and Washer & Dryer - not even sure what kind of functionality they would have honestly.
Hey Brother, I have the same remote. Can I download harmony on desktop then move to my phone android
I was wondering the same thing...lol
@@NEWSLETTERREVEALS What do you mean by move it to your android phone? You mean have a "harmony" like remote on the android phone?
I purchased my Harmony 650 a couple years ago at the base exchange to replace an OEM remote for my receiver. I paid $29.95 for it being one of two on the shelf. Had I known at the time that Logitech had discontinued manufacturing these remotes I would have bought both of them. Other than arranging button order to my liking setup was a breeze. It's currently controlling 7/8 devices with no issues and I am satisfied with it's performance.
I lament the product was discontinued. It’s the way remotes should have been from the outset. I literally made tens of thousands of dollars over three year period back when I had assignments at different Simon malls were often much of what I did was simply resetting the TV displays. I did not need to bring a ladder to power cycle the TV. All I used was this remote and the power on and power off. Sadly, I don’t believe they’re going to be supported for much more than another year. I think they’ll still be useful for a while after that because many of the infrared remote commands between TV model remain the same.
It would be awesome if these manufacturers (after discontinuing their products) would provide their customers the opportunity to download their remote code database for their products. I know it's wishful thinking but it would at least provide some support.
The concept of a universal remote doesn't work for me. I like using a separate remote for each device. I use my 650 to replace the missing remote on an AV receiver I bought five years ago. It's great for that.
I mean, you expressed what is certainly a legitimate school of thought. For my part, as a field engineer, it would be impractical to carry around seven or eight different remotes when this one can handle all the devices I must access, and add or remove a device on the fly.
@@technologistonthego2377 I'm also one who likes a dedicated device vs a smart phone application.
Big thank you
It is such a pity that Logitech discontinued these remotes. They will update the database of supported TVs, players, etc until 2025 I believe. There really is nothing like them in the marketplace to do what these remotes do.
My 650 Harmony control says "Your Harmony remote is disabled" when connecting to the computer. I already reboot my mac, changed usb port, create a new account, take off batteries, replace them.. What else can I do? Thanks
I preface my comments by saying I have not encountered this error. As a result, I have no way to verify if the following will help.
Place the remote into "safe mode". Do this by removing the batteries.
Next, press & hold the "Alt Off" button in the top left corner and connect the USB cable. This will bring the unit into "safe mode". At this point, I am not sure what can be done with the remote.
Exit safe mode by disconnecting the USB cable, and reinserting the batteries. See if doing this gets you past the "disabled" message.
I have a harmony 670
It should still be supported through next year. Even after they end support, it may still remain useful as the protocol for IR seems to have largely remained the same over years. I found that adding Samsung TV to the list of servers my remote is programmed to control, allows me to, successively remote any Samsung that has an infrared port.
buenas tardes yo tengo un control 670 pero al intentar configurarlo me aparece que es antiguo y que tengo que tener otro softwere hago los pasos de usted y no me deja
Dejame investigar esto hoy y espero darte una respuesta pronto.
Title of this video is very misleading. This video is nothing more than a setup video with suggestions on where to buy the remote.
I appreciate the feedback. I guess you missed the context that Logitech is no longer making these. They stopped the product line in April 2021.
Now fast-forward two years later (as of the video), and the only way to get the remote is either aftermarket, or a vendor that might have some existing inventory.
The question that becomes whether it is still viable. For starters, if you were to get one, would you still be able to configure it? Is Logitech still updating their database for TVs that are constantly rolling out?
In the video, I show that it is still a very valuable and useful smart remote. It is the way they should all have worked from the outset of universal remotes, but it appears the public largely disagreed. That said, I still use this remote. I used to recently troubleshooting display screens at various Bank of America branches. No need for the local staff to hunt down a remote, this one does it all.
@@technologistonthego2377 Being a Harmony Elite user for over a decade I was fully aware Logitech pulled out of the remote market.
Doesn't work with projectors. Crap product
Which projector did the remote fail to control?