Is the only difference between the 676 and the 680 is the button layout and gem vs. rubber buttons? Is there any functions or extra buttons that one has over the other.

I will use it for the following:
Samsung 4674 DLP TV
Samsung 941 DVD Player (HDMI)
Pace 550 HD Receiver (Time Warner); soon to be SA8000 HD DVR (DVI)
Xbox (Component)
JVC A/V Receiver (not sure model #)

Thanks,
Mike

Correct, buttons layout and style. Same functionnality.

Martin :-)

I keep going back and forth between the 676 and 680. I saw that you can use the "A" and "B" buttons for PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN. However, the 680 has a LIVE and REC'D button. Either way, I guess any function not available can be put in the LCD.

So if I cannot find a preference to one design to the other, how about the longevity of the writing on the buttons. Will the gem style buttons of the 680 last a lot longer than the rubberized 676? Isn't the writing on the rubberized buttons on top and the writing is in the middle of the jewels? If I want to use this remote a long time, I would think the rubberized button writing would wear off.

Anyone have experience on this?

I was going to ask this same question but I'd like to add the 688 along the group. I understand that the 688 has more features and functions but can someone direct us to a table comparing the features of these remotes or maybe just enumerate it for us in this thread? I really like the feel of the rubberized 676 but I think the 680 has a bit more to offer. According to the their text "Right out of the box, the Harmony 680 is pre-configured for Windows XP Media Center Edition. Pardon my ignorance but what is a Windows Media Center Edition?

The 688 has one more activity button - that's about the only difference in functionality. O/w all 6XX remotes are the same under the hood and are only differentiated by button layout and feel.

Wow, thx for the link....now if only they have a comparison table of features...oh...so the difference is just one button :/ then I might just settle for a 676 model since i like the feel of that one.

I also see a prev button, "previous channel" in the 676 but not in the 680, is it back button in the 680?

I would think the back button would be for watching records stuff and it replays last few seconds..

Is the "i" button on the 680 the info button?

The "live and "recorded" buttons on the 680 seem pretty handy too.

Im still trying to decide which one to get, I like the gem style buttons of the 680 to handle the wear, but I also like the 676 transport button all together rather than being wraped around the joystick.

decisions, decisions..........

This message was edited by Steve57765 on 02/11/05 08:13 ET.

The labels are just paint. Its up to you to decide what to do with them. However, I think that "Back" would be the most logical button to use for previous channel on a 680.

I'm counting out the 659, those transport buttons are placed in a bad location.

I've had all of the 6xx series harmony remotes, and for the feel, and button layout, I think the 676 is king. The only time I'd suggest the 680/688 is if the dedicated live/record buttons are #1 on your priority list.

::

Hey, all! I've been away for a while, relatively happy with my Radio Shack 15-2116, but recently read some things about the Harmony remotes and really like what I read.

I'm hoping one of you who own the 6xx series can answer some questions:

Does the remote use a discrete code for device power-on/power-off or is it assuming it is still in the same state it last set it to? (please pardon my ignorance if I didn't get my terminolgy correct)

How much flexibility do you have to extend the code that the wizards build for you? Are you limited to what the website allows or are there hacks?

Anyone using the 6xx with a Motorola BMC9012 cable STB/DVR (Moxi)? If so, what do you think of the useability?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Terry

if discrete codes exist it can use them for on/off


not much, you can with the 7xx, but if it is anything mportant you can call or e-mail the helpdesk and they can

I just went through a couple of Harmony's by Logitech.. nice stuff ….
The 688 had buttons too small for my bologna fingers, but did offer a 4th activity button up front, but I settled on the 680. It did the trick for the wife and kids. Now they push 1 button to run what ever there hearts desire, watch a DVD or DVR or cable, FM, CD etc The remote user interface is an “activity based” remote. You push the TV button and my HLP 5063 goes to “component 1” input, the Yamaha 5760 is in control of the audio and my SA DV8000 controls the cable and the DVR. And with just the push of a few well laid out and very tactile buttons, I can go further to program every function from the 6 remote I previously required...
Simple for the kids but also has the flexibility to allow me to do advanced programming and customizing. The USB interface from the remote to my laptop and web based set up is a snap ( as long as you have dsl, cable or lucky you, a T1 line) albeit sometimes a little off base with the verbiage translation. The old verb before noun sentence syntax you know.
Any how, it fits right in your hand as opposed to the larger “lap size” remotes. Visit remote central.com for a good “ General” web site on what else ,remote controls for today’s advanced home entertainment systems. To satisfy the ladies in my house the $129 Harmony 680 from Surf Audio Video and the 25% rebate from Logitech, went a long way in calming the home front!.

Samsung HLP 5063 ( DLP baby!, it’s the future, best thing since the CRT!)
Scientific Atlanta HD cable box with 120G HD DVR
Time Warner HD cable (oh well better than voom, but that’s another story)
Yamaha 5760 AV receiver
6 JBL’s
Samsung DVD HD 841
Samsung DVD V 4800 DVD/VCR

Just what are these "gem vs. rubber buttons"?

To the touch, the "gem" buttons feel hard, the "rubber" buttons feel... well you guest it - rubbery. To the eye, the "gem" buttons look like gems and the "rubber" buttons... well they look like rubber buttons.