The Harmony SST-688 remote packs an incredible amount of system control into its stylish silver case (also available in black).

We?ve all seen cases of "remote control overload" — maybe even in our own homes. The coffee table is cluttered with remote controls, and changing inputs and functions on your A/V system resembles a juggling act worthy of the circus. There may be one remote for the TV, another for the TiVo®, a third for the home theater receiver, and others strewn about for the DVD player, satellite receiver, cable box, and VCR. That?s a lot of remotes, and a lot of hassle!

Even worse, in many homes there may be only one person who knows how to operate this jumble of controllers. If it's like that in your house, you know the frustration that can develop for everyone involved. After all, all you want to do is watch a movie, not earn an advanced degree!

There are solutions to this problem. There are plenty of universal remote controls available, many with the ability to control "macros" — programmed strings of commands that provide one-button convenience for common tasks like watching a DVD, viewing TV, or listening to music. But the prospect of having to program these remotes is not something a lot of people look forward to. The more powerful the remote, the more programming you may have to do to set it up properly. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to program these remotes, but it doesn't hurt!

The Harmony Remote™ — a new approach
When I found myself in the same fix, it was time to do something about it. Harmony remote controls offer a new approach — put the power of macros (Harmony refers to these as "activities") into your remote without requiring you to make a major investment in time and possible frustration. Harmony has combined the functionality of a powerful remote with an easy-to-use internet interface that does the programming for you. Rather than spending your free time with your remote?s manual, tapping in access codes and setting up macros, Harmony remotes are programmed through their website, reducing the amount of time, expertise, and frustration required.

This sounded like a great idea to me, so I took the plunge, bought an SST-688 Harmony Remote (at $200) and gave it a try. Here's how it worked out for me.