If you don't like the activities, sell the remote and buy a another brand. You can make the harmony remote work as a non-activity remote, but it's like using a screwdriver as a hammer. They hold their value pretty well. I'd suggest either a programmable Sony remote or if you need more programming power, a MX-500 or another remote in that series.

But give the activity orientation a fair trial. Unless you have a very unusual problems, once you have it set up right it should "just work." Sync problems should be rare and rapidly and easily corrected with the Help function

Sorry guys, but this has to be the dumbest thread. Everyone of you guys took naiLS1's bait! You all gave considered and educated responses to every objection. Talk about sucked in!

I just looked at the Sony and MX-500 reviews of the existing device naiLS1 has and the one he's now bought and I reckon he'll be absolutely no better off. in fact I think worse off. I cannot see one thing the MX-500 could do that 550 wouldn't do but a whole dimension of home theater control that the 550 would do that no other remotes except other Harmony's can do. One poster said it would be like buying an automatic car and regretting it's not a manual. For mine the Harmony is like a "sportronic" gearbox, you can use it as an automatic or change gears manually if you wish. Total Control...

My only reason for posting a response is so other novice or buyers contemplating purchase of a Harmony are not put off by such lameass questions.

I don't think the MX500 will do that any better than a harmony..

I love my MX-500, here is how I have my 10 devices:
1. TV (no macro, just basic TV commands)
2. SATELLITE (macro to turn TV to COMPONENT 1, Component Switchbox to Input 1, Surround Sound to TV)
3. HD-DVD (macro to turn TV to COMPONENT 1, Component Switchbox to Input 2, Surround Sound to DVD)
4. DVD-R (no macro, just basic command for recording whatever I am watching to my DVD-R)
5. PC (macro to turn TV to VGA, Surround Sound to TV)
6. XBOX (macro to turn TV to COMPONENT 1, Component Switchbox to Input 3, Surround Sound to TV)
7. XBOX 360 (macro to turn TV to COMPONENT 1, Component Switchbox to Input 4, Surround Sound to TV)
8. GAMECUBE (macro to turn TV to AV 1, Composite Switchbox to Input 1, Surround Sound to TV)
9. DREAMCAST (macro to turn TV to AV 1, Composite Switchbox to Input 2, Surround Sound to TV)
10. PLAYSTATION 2 (macro to turn TV to COMPONENT 1, Component Switchbox to Input 5, Surround Sound to TV)

My tv has two component and two av(composite) inputs so to keep everything in sync I have it switch to S-Video(which there is only one of) then to Component or Composite. That way if I'm watching a DVD which is on component 1 and I want to play Xbox which is also on component 1, it first switches to S-Video then back when I run the macro instead of the undesired switching to Component 2.

That's great and if you're happy. But a Harmony remembers what's on and what's not and what setting each device is on and only sends whatever commands are necessary to switch from one, dare I say the word, "activity" to another. No switching to this or that and back...

All this talk about sync issues is BS. I haven't pressed "help" to resync for months. Once you have your harmony set up it does it right every time. You'll never go back to a standard remote. Believe me! You set up each activity with the controls you want, like for Watch Cable, vol+/- controls the receiver, channel buttons and +/-, control the set top box, and map other buttons as you want... And for the odd time you want more control over one of the devices, press "device" and all the buttons are mapped to that specific device, when done, press activity and your back...

Couldn't be easier!!!

If it's a dumb thread then don't respond. I anticipated people like you coming in here with your canned responses.

So uh, which Harmony is it that allows me to have 10 soft buttons programmed on the LCD screen--all at once--without having to scroll through pages? That's what I thought. And the Harmony knows when I want to just use the TV and DVD player but not use the amp but the next time I DO want to use the amp? The activity won't know that. The URC can also be programmed to use the activity based setup--so what is it exactly that the Harmony has over this remote? The looks? I guess if you're 12 that's the most important aspect of buying a remote.

The real response is that everyone's setup AND EXPECTATIONS are different.

The only lameass I see here is you.

Sure it will - you can set up different activities for each. For example I have "Watch TV" for watching just the TV, and "Watch HDTV" for when I want to use the amp. It's not complicated really. And if there is something oddball that you do now and then that you do not want an activity for, just do it manually through the device mode - for example I will sometimes turn on the radio manually while watching TV. Just anything you turn on manually, you have to turn off manually (like any other remote). If you do not like that, simply create an activity including it.

If you are really stuck on the extra soft buttons then go for the other remote - but the harmony will do everything you want it to - however, if you don't like harmony remotes for whatever reason, don't get one :)

- access to online database so can get codes for many more devices without needing original remote to learn from
- access to discrete codes in database for power, input selection, that are often not found on OEM remotes, forcing MX-500 users to buy secondary remote (e.g. OneForAll) to get these codes to use in macros
- "smart state", ability to remember whether things are on or off & on which input, deals well with devices that don't have discrete codes
- help system that makes it easy for non-savvy users to get system back in sync if the remote was blocked or aimed improperly during activity macros.
- database fairly accurate, don't have to spend as much time learning codes
- can move location of commands on LCD without having to relearn every code you move (a pain on the MX-500, unless you have the discontinued IRClone kit)
- longer labels (5 char limit on MX-500)
- models are less bulky, lighter than MX-500
- on some models, rechargeable batteries, color LCD

As for 10 LCD vs. 6/8 ... the Harmony remotes have ~6 more dedicated hard buttons for stuff like menu, guide, page up/down, exit, that are often forced to the LCD on the MX-500, so you don't really need as many LCD slots for most devices.

The MX-500 is a fine remote, and still good for the price; I used one for many years, but the Harmonys can do more. I do like button size & feel on the MX-500 somewhat better than most Harmony models though.

Well said Stephen. Did you mention favorite channel programming with easy to read color logos on the soft buttons (on selected models).

Sorry if you were serious naiLS1! If you were offended, I apologise but it seriously looked like bait to me... especially when you called Harmony owners 'brain dead' in an early post.

It just seems that since you are so committed to your MX500 why the interest in a Harmony at all. Neither of us are displaying much "harmony" at the moment, but as you made it clear you wouldn't buy one, I could not see how this thread was advancing any positive dialogue...

For the record I have a 785, which has 6 soft buttons, which since I have 5 devices, is just fine. And I'm 53 not 12, and yes I do like a bit of style as well as functionality. Let's now bury the hatchet and expand good debate on the merits of each device. But so far I'm still a Harmony fan...

Oh one last thing, why post??? 'Cause it's fun to see the banter at times!

Pfeff

Its an activity based remote....why wouldnt you want to use the activities? If you dont....return it and get a new one.