Let's face it - today's lounge room is far more complex than our parent's. Between the high-tech TV, Hi Fi system Home Theatre gear, DVD player, VCR and Media Centre PC we're all drowning in a sea of complexity and remote controls.

That's where the Harmony 525 Advanced Universal Remote comes in. Not only does it replace up to 15 individual remotes but it automates your lounge room by combining the operations of all those remotes.

What: Harmony 525 Advanced Universal Remote
Why buy? Easy to set up, easy to use
Why pass? LCD is a little small
Score (max 5) 4
Buy from Logitech Harmony 520 Advanced Universal Remote at Amazon [Affiliate Link]

Once I'd extricated the Harmony 525 from its packaging (no mean feat given the nature of the bubble packaging it comes in) I installed the accompanying software to my Mac. Installation was straightforward although why it insisted on a system reboot is a little beyond me. However, after the restart I launched the software and it was all good to go.

The Harmony 525 is programmed by using a database of thousands of devices that Lgitech stores online. I needed to create an account with Logitech (great, another account and password to keep) and from there I could add the various bits of hardware in my lounge to my user profile. I added at TV, DVD/VCR combo, Apple TV and home theatre system. Each component was of a different brand.

The next step was to create some macros. A macro is a collection of commands that, when executed, enable a particular activity. For example, to watch a DVD I need to turn my TV on, set the correct AV output, turn on the DVD/VCR combo and power up the home theatre system and set it to the correct audio output. In the past I needed to use three separate remotes and know what all the different outputs were to make it work. With the Logitech Harmony Remote Software, all I had to do was follw a wizard that configures the remote to all those things by pressing a single button.

I followed the wizard and created macros for watching DVDs, listening to the radio through my tuner, watching TV, playing games and using the Apple TV. I was even able to create a few macros while away from home - you don;t need the remote in order to create macros.

I then connected the Harmony 525 to my mac using the supplied USB cable. In fact, the remote even came with a fresh set of batteries in case the ones it ships with are flat from folks using its on-screen demo while it was still in the store. Having connected the remote, I simply hit the "Update Remote" button and my remote was updated.

The LCD in the top section of the unit was then labelled with four of various macros. As I'd created more than four, I can use the left and right scrolling buttons, below the screen, to scroll through my list. Pressing one of the buttons adjacent to my command automatically powered up each of my devices and set the correct out puts.

To give an indication of the quality of Logitech's database of devices, I added a new device, a Blu-Ray player and was able to set up the Harmony 525 so that I could configure the new device without ever using the original remote.

I could wax lyrical about how much easier my lounge room is to use now. Suffice it is to say that I'm a big fan of the Harmony 525 Advanced Universal Remote. It makes using the various devices in the lounge room easier and reduces the clutter by letting me operate everything from a single unit.

I recently interviewed Melbourne man Doug Retchford and talked about his home audio setup.

The story is at The Age.

 Home Theatre • Sonos

Over at "The Age" I've penned a comparison of four online music services.

It's worth noting that The Sanity LoadIt service was shut down between my writing of the story and the publication.

Here's the story for your reading pleasure.

 Online Music Stores

Another review of mine has popped up over at The Age. This one's for the Maxon Visimax.
Anyone who's had to give a visual presentation knows that carrying a projector and all of its associated bits and pieces requires a team of donkeys and a strong back. Well, Maxon has solved the problem with its Visimax projector, which fits easily into the palm of your hand.

 Maxon Visimax • projector