The Harmony 650 is an activity-based universal remote, controlling up to 5 devices․ It simplifies home entertainment by merging multiple remotes into one․ Initial setup involves connecting it to a computer via USB and using MyHarmony software․
Harmony 650: Initial Setup
To begin, insert the included AA batteries into your Harmony 650․ Next, connect the remote to your computer using the USB cable․ Then, visit setup․myharmony․com in a web browser to create a Harmony account or sign in․ Follow the on-screen instructions to add your devices and activities․
Connecting to MyHarmony Software
Connecting your Harmony 650 to the MyHarmony software is a crucial first step in setting up your universal remote․ This connection allows you to configure your remote, add devices, create activities, and customize settings to perfectly match your home entertainment system․ The MyHarmony software acts as the central hub for all your Harmony 650 configurations, ensuring seamless control over your devices․
To establish this connection, you will need the USB cable that came with your Harmony 650 remote․ Ensure that your computer is powered on and has a stable internet connection, as the MyHarmony software requires internet access to download device profiles and update your remote’s configuration․ Locate the USB port on your Harmony 650, typically found on the bottom or side of the remote․ Connect one end of the USB cable to the remote and the other end to an available USB port on your computer․
Once the physical connection is established, open your preferred web browser and navigate to setup․myharmony․com․ This website hosts the MyHarmony software, which you will need to download and install on your computer․ Follow the on-screen prompts to download the software compatible with your operating system (Windows or macOS)․ After the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click it to begin the installation process․ Grant the necessary permissions to allow the software to install correctly․
During the installation, you may be prompted to accept the terms and conditions of the software license agreement․ Carefully review the terms and conditions before proceeding․ Once the installation is complete, launch the MyHarmony software․ The software will automatically detect your connected Harmony 650 remote․ If the software does not detect your remote, ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the remote and your computer․ You can also try using a different USB port or restarting your computer․
Upon successful detection, the MyHarmony software will guide you through the initial setup process․ This process involves creating a Harmony account or signing in with an existing account․ A Harmony account allows you to save your remote’s configuration to the cloud, ensuring that you can easily restore your settings if needed․ Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account or sign in․ Once you are logged in, you can begin adding your devices and creating activities to customize your Harmony 650 remote․
Remember, the MyHarmony software is essential for managing your Harmony 650 remote․ It allows you to add new devices, update device settings, create and modify activities, and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter․ Regularly updating your remote’s configuration through the MyHarmony software ensures that your Harmony 650 remains compatible with your evolving home entertainment system․
If you encounter any difficulties during the connection or installation process, refer to the Harmony 650 user manual or the Logitech support website for troubleshooting tips and solutions․ The user manual provides detailed instructions and explanations of the software’s features, while the Logitech support website offers a comprehensive knowledge base and community forums where you can find answers to common questions and seek assistance from other Harmony users․
By successfully connecting your Harmony 650 to the MyHarmony software, you unlock the full potential of your universal remote and gain complete control over your home entertainment experience․ Take the time to carefully follow the instructions and explore the software’s features to create a customized setup that perfectly suits your needs․
Adding Devices and Activities
Once you’ve successfully connected your Harmony 650 to the MyHarmony software, the next crucial step is adding your devices and creating activities․ This is where you tell the Harmony 650 about all the components in your home entertainment system and define how they work together to perform specific tasks․ Adding devices involves providing the software with the make and model of each device you want to control, such as your TV, Blu-ray player, cable box, or sound system․ Creating activities, on the other hand, involves defining a sequence of actions that the Harmony 650 will perform to turn on the necessary devices and switch them to the correct inputs, all with a single button press․
To begin adding devices, launch the MyHarmony software and log in to your account․ On the main screen, you’ll find an option to “Add Device․” Click on this option to initiate the device addition process․ The software will prompt you to enter the manufacturer and model number of the device you want to add․ This information is typically found on the device itself, often on a sticker on the back or bottom․ Enter the information accurately, as the software uses this to download the correct control codes for your device․
If the software cannot find your device using the manufacturer and model number, you may be prompted to try alternative search methods or manually enter the device’s information․ In some cases, you may need to use the “learn” function, which allows the Harmony 650 to learn the control codes directly from your original remote․ Follow the on-screen instructions to point your original remote at the Harmony 650 and press the corresponding buttons to teach the Harmony 650 the necessary commands․
Once you’ve added all your devices, you can start creating activities․ Activities are the heart of the Harmony 650, as they allow you to control multiple devices with a single button press․ To create an activity, click on the “Activities” tab in the MyHarmony software and select “Add Activity․” The software will guide you through a series of questions to define the activity․ For example, if you want to create a “Watch TV” activity, the software will ask you which devices are needed (TV, cable box, sound system), which input should be selected on each device, and which device should control the volume․
The MyHarmony software offers a variety of pre-defined activities, such as “Watch TV,” “Watch a Movie,” and “Listen to Music․” You can choose one of these pre-defined activities and customize it to your specific setup, or you can create a completely custom activity from scratch․ Be sure to give your activity a descriptive name that makes it easy to identify․ Once you’ve defined all the necessary parameters, the software will create the activity and program the Harmony 650 to perform the required actions․
After creating your activities, test them thoroughly to ensure that they work as expected․ If any devices fail to turn on or switch to the correct input, you can use the MyHarmony software to troubleshoot the activity and make adjustments․ You can also customize the buttons on the Harmony 650 to perform specific functions within each activity․ For example, you can assign the “Channel Up” and “Channel Down” buttons to control the cable box during the “Watch TV” activity․
Adding devices and creating activities is an iterative process․ You may need to experiment with different settings and configurations to find what works best for your home entertainment system․ Don’t be afraid to make changes and adjustments until you’re completely satisfied with the performance of your Harmony 650․
By carefully adding your devices and creating well-defined activities, you can transform your Harmony 650 into a powerful and intuitive control center for your entire home entertainment system․ Enjoy the convenience of one-touch control and say goodbye to juggling multiple remotes․
Harmony 650: Customizing Your Setup
The Harmony 650 offers extensive customization options to tailor its functionality to your specific needs․ This includes adjusting device settings, such as input selection and power-on behavior, and modifying activities to fine-tune the sequence of commands for seamless control․
Changing Device Settings
The Harmony 650 allows you to customize individual device settings to optimize your control over each component in your entertainment system․ This level of customization ensures that the remote behaves exactly as you desire for each specific device․ To access these settings, you will need to connect your Harmony 650 to your computer and open the MyHarmony desktop software․ Once connected, navigate to the “Devices” tab․ Here, you will see a list of all the devices you have added to your Harmony account․ Select the device you wish to customize, and a range of options will become available․
One of the most common adjustments is configuring the input settings․ This is particularly useful if your TV or receiver has multiple HDMI or other input sources․ You can specify which input the Harmony 650 should automatically select when an activity involving that device is initiated․ This eliminates the need to manually switch inputs using the original device remote․ Another valuable setting is the power-on behavior․ You can define whether the device should always power on when an activity starts, remain in its current power state, or power off․ This provides greater control over energy consumption and ensures that devices are only active when needed․
Furthermore, you can customize the button assignments for each device․ The Harmony 650 has a set of physical buttons, and you can remap these buttons to perform different functions for each device․ For instance, you might want to assign the “Guide” button to display the channel guide on your cable box or to access the smart features on your smart TV․ This flexibility allows you to create a truly personalized remote control experience․ You can also adjust the device’s startup and shutdown delays․ These delays are important for ensuring that devices have sufficient time to power on or off before subsequent commands are sent․ Adjusting these delays can prevent issues such as devices not responding to commands or powering on/off prematurely․
In addition to these core settings, the MyHarmony software provides access to a variety of other device-specific options․ These options may include adjusting the device’s volume control, configuring advanced power settings, and troubleshooting common device-related issues․ By exploring these settings, you can fine-tune your Harmony 650 to perfectly control each device in your home entertainment system․ Remember to sync your Harmony 650 with the MyHarmony software after making any changes to ensure that the new settings are saved to your remote․ This will ensure that your customized device settings are always available, providing a seamless and personalized control experience․
Modifying Activities
The true power of the Harmony 650 lies in its activity-based control, and the ability to modify these activities is crucial for tailoring your entertainment experience․ Activities are essentially pre-programmed sequences of commands that control multiple devices simultaneously, allowing you to, for example, “Watch TV” or “Play a Game” with a single button press․ Modifying these activities allows you to fine-tune the sequence of actions, ensuring that all your devices are configured correctly and that the activity starts smoothly every time․
To modify an activity, connect your Harmony 650 to your computer and launch the MyHarmony desktop software․ Navigate to the “Activities” tab, where you will see a list of all the activities you have created․ Select the activity you wish to modify, and a range of customization options will appear․ One of the most common modifications is adjusting the device order․ This is important because some devices may require more time to power on or switch inputs than others․ By reordering the device sequence, you can ensure that all devices are ready before the next command is sent, preventing issues such as devices not responding or displaying the wrong input․
Another important modification is adjusting the input settings for each device within the activity․ Ensure that each device is set to the correct input for the activity․ For example, if you are “Watching TV,” the TV should be set to the HDMI input connected to your cable box․ You can also add or remove devices from an activity․ If you add a new device to your home entertainment system, you can easily incorporate it into existing activities․ Conversely, if you remove a device, you can remove it from the relevant activities․ Furthermore, you can customize the button assignments for each activity․ This allows you to assign specific functions to the Harmony 650’s buttons that are relevant to the activity․ For example, you might want to assign the “Play” button to start playing a movie on your Blu-ray player during the “Watch a Movie” activity․
The MyHarmony software also allows you to adjust the startup and shutdown delays for each activity․ These delays are critical for ensuring that devices have sufficient time to power on or off before the next command is sent․ Fine-tuning these delays can prevent common issues such as devices not powering on correctly or powering off prematurely․ In addition to these core modifications, the MyHarmony software provides access to a variety of other activity-specific options․ These options may include adjusting the activity’s volume control, configuring advanced power settings, and troubleshooting common activity-related issues․ By exploring these settings, you can create truly customized activities that perfectly suit your home entertainment needs․ Remember to sync your Harmony 650 with the MyHarmony software after making any changes to ensure that the new settings are saved to your remote․ This will guarantee that your customized activities are always available, providing a seamless and personalized control experience․
Harmony 650: Troubleshooting
Even with careful setup and customization, you may encounter issues with your Harmony 650․ This section provides troubleshooting steps for common problems, ensuring a smooth entertainment experience․ One frequent issue is the remote not controlling a device․ First, ensure the device is powered on and batteries in the Harmony 650 are fresh․ Verify the correct activity is selected, as the remote’s functions change based on the active activity․ Check for obstructions between the remote and the device’s IR sensor․ Infrared signals require a clear path․ If the issue persists, use the MyHarmony software to confirm the device is correctly added and configured․ Double-check the manufacturer and model number entered during setup, as incorrect information can lead to compatibility problems․
Another common problem is a device not powering on or off during an activity․ This often results from incorrect power settings or startup/shutdown delays․ Access the activity settings in the MyHarmony software and adjust the power settings for the affected device․ Increase the startup or shutdown delay to give the device sufficient time to respond․ Also, ensure the device’s input is correctly set within the activity․ The wrong input can prevent the device from displaying the correct content․ If a device is slow to respond, try reordering the device sequence in the activity settings․ This ensures devices power on in the correct order, preventing conflicts․ If some buttons aren’t working as expected, use the MyHarmony software to reassign or relearn the button commands․ The software allows you to customize button functions, ensuring each button performs its intended action․
Connectivity issues between the Harmony 650 and the MyHarmony software can also occur․ Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the remote and the computer․ Try a different USB port to rule out port-related problems․ Restart your computer, as this can resolve temporary software glitches․ If the MyHarmony software is outdated, download and install the latest version from the Logitech website․ Outdated software can cause compatibility issues and prevent the remote from syncing correctly․ In some cases, the Harmony 650 may freeze or become unresponsive․ If this happens, remove the batteries for a few seconds and then reinsert them․ This performs a soft reset, often resolving the issue․ For more complex problems, consult the Logitech support website․ It offers FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and community forums where you can find solutions to specific issues․ The Harmony 650 user manual also provides valuable troubleshooting information and tips․ By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve most common issues and maintain optimal performance with your Harmony 650․