Rule the remote
Theo Boshoff
Logitech has introduced two new unified remote controls to its range of Harmony remote controls, which will assist consumers in finding the correct remote among the many scattered around the living-room to operate their numerous home entertainment devices.

The two new devices are the Logitech Harmony 600 and 650 remotes which, according to the company, are even easier to set up and use than previous models and will give users control of up to five remote controls with the press of a single button.

The Logitech Harmony 600 has a monochrome backlit screen where users will see the various settings to control the home entertainment device they wish to operate at that moment, like the volume control on the TV or DVD. Another great thing about the screen is that if you select the help button on the remote, the screen will display questions of what you want to do and by answering them you will be guided on what to do next.

The Logitech Harmony 650 remote features a colour screen that shows icons for your favourite channels, which you can then easily select and there’s no need to enter, or remember, the channel number.

With the downloadable software for the remotes, users simply choose what home entertainment devices they want to control and the software does the complete set-up and configuration. Logitech says these remotes will control almost any infrared (IR) home electronic device, as it supports more than 250 000 home entertainment devices from more than 5 000 brands.

The two remote controls are expected to be available locally in May this year. The Harmony 600 remote will set you back about R650, while the Harmony 650 will retail for around R850.