Logitech Harmony 300i Infrared Universal Remote - 3rd party

Pros: Several programmable buttons
Fast setup
Huge device library

Cons: 3-5 second delay for Windows Media Center

Other Thoughts: I purchased this remote to use with my Windows Media Center PC, Sony receiver, and LG TV. The setup was very fast and easy. Watch TV button is a great feature to turn on multiple devices and turn to 'TV' settings. There was about a 3-5 second delay when using the Remote with Windows Media Center, as this was the main device I purchased the remote for.

Pros: very good, easy set up takes a few min to set up

Cons: nothing i found out

Other Thoughts: the shipping took forever and never got a arrive date when it would arrive and the tracking never worked

Pros: works,fast, look brand new

Cons: doesn have a - butten

Pros: excellent on-line configuration

Cons: none

Pros: Online database of Remote Codes
Provided Buttons

Cons: No Macros
Can't Select which device goes where

Other Thoughts: I had high expectations for this remote based on Logitech Harmony's reputation, but I guess it doesn't extend to the lower end of their line. There are a lot of minor flaws and one fatal flaw with this remote.

The fatal flaw is the lack of true macros. There is a "Watch TV" button but you have very little control over what this button does. It can only turn on or off a device via the power button. If you have a device, like a Yamaha receiver, that uses a separate button for power on and power off, you will only be able to get one or the other on the "macro". Similarly, you can't add other buttons to the macro such as the media center button for the Xbox360 to take you to the media center menu.

The more minor flaws include not being able to select which device button your devices are assigned to. The Logitech software decided the Xbox should be on the "DVD" and there was no way to change that. The "Watch TV" button leaves off with "CBL/DTV" selected, so you would have to change the device button to DVD before you can control TV on the Xbox.

Also, the database for my older Yamaha receiver had a bunch of codes that didn't work with it or looked like they came from a different model. This is more an annoyance- I was able to weed out the incorrect ones and program the proper ones.

I have a 10 year old radio shack remote that I got for $15 that can do all these things and more. Unfortunately it doesn't have the buttons for controlling an Xbox, hence I was trying to get this Logitech to replace it. I guess I'll have to keep looking.

Pros: None

Cons: This remote was sold as refurbished. Logitech had disabled it and it was not usable from the time I received it. I am very dissapointed in New Egg Quality control

Pros: Seems new
Good build quality
Uses regular double A batteries
Can assign buttons to various fucntions of device
Wife/ Kid friendly
Great Value

Cons: Only one macro button (watch TV)

Other Thoughts: I have a relativity advanced HT setup, I have:

Panny plasma
Onkyo AVR
WD Live TV
FIOS Motorola Cable Box

with the watch TV button the remote powers on my TV, AVR and Cable box..it switches to correct input on TV and AVR and controls volume thru AVR...

The downside is if you want to say watch the wd tv or a bluray player you would need to do that manually on remote (i.e. change AVR input, turn on device, etc)

the other cheapest harmony i saw was $40 which had more activity buttons...however...you need to consider how often you actually use those other activities, for me, its not very often so this essentially 'disposable' remote is awesome...bought 3!!!

Pros: Controls up to 4 devices

Cons: Turns on TV plus Set Top Box, but for other devices you have to manually change.

Other Thoughts: If you wand t remote the turns off other devices before turning on a specific device this is not the remote for you. It will turn on 4 devices, but say if you have your TV and cable box on and you want to turn on Xbox, you press one of the other preset and all it will do is turn on Xbox. To get to the source of HDMI2 for example, you have to press the source button to get to HDMI2. It will not automatically switch to HDMI2 (assuming your HDTV is on HDMI-1). The Harmony 650 automatically switches to the right source to get to the next device you want. So if you want to switch to blu-ray dvd drive (on HDMI-3) after using Xbox (HDMI-2), then you press the DVD button and manually need to switch TV to HDMI-3. Quite a pain. It actually takes you more pressing than the Harmony 650. If you want a remote that automatically switches to the correct source and turns off the previous device, don't buy this device. Also, this remote is REPLACEMENT ONLY, no refund.

Pros: designated buttons "cut through" regardless of what device you are switched to, has most of the buttons you really want.

Cons: Does not have programming capacity.

Other Thoughts: I have two Harmony remotes, a 300 and a 650. The 300 is a refurb, but it was in as good condition as the (new) 650 on arrival. Of the two, the 300 is easier to use -- for example it has a designated "TV Input" button, and the volume buttons control the TV volume even if I'm switched to the DVD as "device" at the time. The 650, while MUCH more programmable takes for more button presses to switch to different inputs, change the volume, etc.

Pros: I am using the remote to control a Sony TV, Comcast (Motorola) cable box and a Hauppauge HVR 1600 card in a desktop computer.

Sony TV works great.

Cons: Comcast box is more confusing cannot get directly to DVR function, need to go into menu first to select DVR functionality. I have only used the remote for playback, I have not tried to program a recording.

The Hauppauge was more difficult. I need to reprogram the most important function which was the volume control. You need the old remote to do this. I purchased the remote specifically for the Hauppage functionality.

The software is online (you need to remember your user name and password) I would have much rather had software that ran on the computer. Connecting to their website is hit or miss. One time it took a half hour of trying. It is also programmed in Microsoft Silverlight (never seen anything on the web or otherwise using this). It is not reliable. Once into the software it is confusing but I was able to eventually figure out the how to assign buttons and add the volume functions.

Other Thoughts: Overall this remote is better than most if you have time to fiddle with it.