Hi, I have the 550 and use to operate various devices with my Samsung 46" TV (DVD, Cable box, Apple TV and the Roku player). It works okay in general, but I often have to use the Help button to correct problems like not switching the right component or shutting all components off, etc. Is this normal for a Harmony remote? I also find the buttons too small to be comfortable. Would the higher models make a difference? Thanks.

I've got the 880 and that sort of thing happens from time to time. Usually with my eyehome. Either it doesn't go on when I switch to "Watch my eyehome" or it doesn't go off when i hit the "off" button. I just chalk it up to not aiming the remote at exactly the right spot. I think with some components you just have to aim better.

I don't find the remote all that comfy, I've just gotten used to it so it doesn't really bother me.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2008 08:30AM by bazookaman.

If it was set up properly, your problem might be that you are moving the remote before all of the signals have been sent (signals are sent to each component sequentially, not all at the same time). The more devices you need to control with a single activity macro, the longer the remote must be pointed at them to complete the task.

Adjusting the timing delays between commands may also increase performance.

All of the remotes are a little different in terms of buttons, but given the number of buttons necessary they are all fairly small - unless of course you move up to the touch LCD...

Buy it from someplace where you can return it if you don't like it. I originally hated the 880 when I tried it. Then I got one of the cheaper ones (657 or 659 or something), and I was almost sold, but I just couldn't live with the location of the playback controls along the very bottom.

Personally, I kind of gave up, but since I think it's pretty easy to port your configuration to a different model, it's worth a shot.

We also have the same problem intermittently with our Harmony 676. I thought it might be because our components are kind of side-by-side, or maybe the tinted glass of our console that's supposed to let IR through doesn't really let it through sufficiently. Or maybe it's the remote itself. At any rate, I will try StingMe's advice and just try pointing the remote at our components a second or two longer.

Anyway, the more commonly-used buttons (volume, the Guide button for our Tivo) are starting to get annoying sticky, so you really have to pay attention and mash them straight down to get them to work. We've had the remote for a few years so it may just be time to upgrade or crossgrade.