Digital Trends

Harmony 688 December 7th, 2004 | by Yongki Go

Setup and Customization

The Harmony 688 remote comes with installation software CD, USB cable, quick-start guide, and four AAA batteries. The software should be installed in a computer that has a USB port and an internet connection. Once you have installed the software and created a user login, you just need to follow the step-by-step online guide to configure your Harmony 688 remote. It is that easy! Our only minor complaint was that the component categorization that the guide used was not very clear. For example, all preamps and receivers were categorized into ‘Stereo Receiver'. It would be clearer if stereo preamps and receivers were categorized separately than surround preamps and receivers.

The Harmony database in the Logitech website, from which you can download the codes for your device, is very extensive. We were initially skeptical about the internet setup approach and the coverage of the database. But since we were able to find the codes for several of our non-mainstream audio components, such as Shanling CD-S100 or NIRO home-theater-in-a-box system, we were skeptic no more. In fact, we felt the setup approach by using the power of the internet was very appealing. Once a configuration for a component is created, it is available for everybody else to download and use. And you can always create your own if you don't like what is offered in the database.

The download time for configuring and updating the remote is quite reasonable even when using a 56k modem connection. A broadband internet connection is of course nicer for such purpose, which reduces significantly the download time.

Although you'll likely find your component in the Harmony database, the labeling might not be to your liking. But this is not something to worry about. You can always customize the labels in your Harmony 688 remote easily.

Above the remote's display, there is a set of activity buttons, such as ‘Watch TV', ‘Play Video', etc. These buttons can be programmed with a series of sequences to turn on the components necessary for the associated activity and put them in the appropriate state. For example, you can program the ‘Play Video' button to turn on your TV, select the component video input, turn on your DVD player, turn on your receiver, and select the DVD input on your receiver. That way, with just a press of a button, you are ready for DVD enjoyment. This is of course much preferred than the alternative, which involves turning on the components one by one and then select the appropriate input.