Digital Trends

The Harmony Remote SST-659 is very easy to use.  If you just want to watch television, simply press the ‘Watch TV' button.  It turns on the television, satellite box, and A/V receiver.  If you have a favorite channel, you can also program it in during initial set-up.  You can watch a TV show, change channels, and adjust the volume up or down without having do anything else.  If you're watching HBO, for example, and its being broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1, simply hit the “Device' button and press the corresponding key for ‘Receiver.'  It then lists several functions within the LCD display.  You simply press the key for ‘Surround,' and you're done. 

In turn, if you want to watch a movie on DVD, simply press the ‘Watch a Movie' key on the remote.  It turns on the DVD player, and automatically switches everything putting you into the right mode.  If the TV isn't on, it will turn it and your AV receiver on also.  The same is true for ‘Listen to Music,' or any other activity.  Just click and go.  All transport keys are located at the bottom of the remote, and work for whatever component is currently being used such as the DVD player or VCR or whatever.

Harmony has done a terrific job of creating a truly universal remote.  Of course, it presupposes that you own a PC.  Happily, most people do these days, and those models have USB ports.  From there, it's simply a task of letting your fingers to the walking.