Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver)
by Logitech
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: LogitechAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Model: 966230-0403
Color: Silver
Product features:
- Simply touch one icon and the Harmony remote will power on all the necessary components
- Large, color icons and backlit buttons ensure an entirely new level of ease and functionality
- Simply connect the Harmony 1000 to your computer, and the wizard guides you through the entire set-up process
- No need to worry about power with the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
- Control everything from HDTVs to PVR/DVRs, from laser discs to VCRs, even lighting controls!
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver)
Customer Review: Very good performance for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
Overview: An affordable, intelligent, entry-level touch-screen remote that doesn't need to be programmed by a professional installer.
Pros: Excellent physical design and ergonomics for a touch screen remote. Sits in your hand just right. Easy to use activity-based interface. Bright color LCD. Lightweight. Pretty decent battery life. Relatively simple setup considering the complexity of the remote. "Smart state" technology let's the remote remember how it has set your components so it doesn't actually turn the TV off when you go from "Watch DVD" to "Play Xbox", for example.
Cons: Setup software doesn't work well on macs. IR blaster a little too weak (remedied with use of the RF extender). Some devices react a tad slow to commands (may be fixable).
FULL REVIEW:
Before we get started:
Let me say that I was hesitant to buy this remote because of some very negative reviews on sites like Amazon, Circuit City, et al. The consensus was the remote is a good idea, but poorly executed, and not a mature product. In other words, it was very buggy. I noticed that the dates on these negative reviews were BEFORE Logitech released a major firmware update in October 2007. If you look at the reviews AFTER October 2007 there is a much higher percentage of satisfied users. I also found out there was ANOTHER major firmware update in December 2007. With these updates I can say that I have experienced none of the problems some of the early adopters complained of. The good news is the first time you hook your remote up to your computer and run the software it will update it with the most recent firmware.
Set up:
This remote comes with setup software that stores all of your remote info online. I've heard mixed reviews about it working on macs. I decided to give it a try, and wish I didn't. When I attempted to install and run the software I couldn't even get the software to load up without crashing. Additionally, the installer totally hosed my disk permissions, meaning it screwed up a bunch of other stuff on my computer. If this happens to you, just open disk utility and run the "repair disk permissions" tool, and you should be OK. I am running Leopard, so maybe that is the problem. I ended up using parallels to set up the installer using windows.
To begin setup the software asks you to enter in the model numbers of the equipment you have. The database is enormous and surprisingly complete. It even found my Comcast DVR. After that, it asks you to set up "activities". For example, "Watch TV", "Watch DVD", etc. Then it asks you some questions about how your devices are connected/set-up. After a 5-10 minute setup process you're done. When you hook up the remote for the first time it will update it with the latest firmware and then load your device settings onto it. After you start to use it you'll find there are ways you want to tweak it. The software gives you tremendous flexibility for this. You can rename your devices, program custom buttons that may not be in the remotes database, teach it new IR commands, adjust the timing of the signals, and much more. It took me about 10 minutes for the initial setup and cumulative 2 hours of tweaking and re-tweaking to get it just the way I want. I consider this a huge success considering the complexity of the remote. The only kinks I ran into were the Mac software issue, and after the initial setup some of my devices weren't being controlled at all. I removed and re-added them and they worked just fine.
Ergonomics:
My first impression of the remote was how comfortable it felt in your hand. It's LCD is on the left side of the remote, for use with your left fingers, and the physical buttons (volume, channel, directional pad, etc.) is on the right edge. The grooves on the back are placed perfectly so that when you hold the remote with one hand, your thumb is in just the right spot to use the controls. Keep in mind with any touch screen remote it is easiest to use it with two hands, and you usually have to look down to see which button you are pressing. This takes some getting used to if you are used to "stick" style remotes.
Performance:
Using the remote is a breeze. You start by selecting an activity from the Activity Menu. For example, when everything is off and I press "Watch TV", my receiver, TV, and Cable Box/DVR all turn on. The TV switches to HDMI input 1, the receiver switches to the TV input, and the remote changes to control the cable box. If i then want to watch a Blu Ray, I press the activity button, and then I select my "Watch Blu-ray/DVD" activity. The TV stays on and on HDMI input 1, the receiver switches to the DVD input, the cable box turns off and the Blu Ray player turns on. You get the point. The remote remembers the state of every device so that it doesn't accidentally turn the TV off when it is already on, for example. For this reason it is important that you ONLY use the remote to control your devices, or it will lose track. For this same reason you have to make sure you keep the remote pointed at you devices while it is performing it's commands because if a component misses a command the remote won't know. If it does lose track, there is a help button that will ask you a series of questions so the remote can re-orient itself.
One of my gripes about this remote is the IR blaster on the unit is not very powerful, so if you don't have it pointed right at your components they won't receive all the commands. It also makes it difficult to use the remote when you are in other parts of the room where you may be far away or at a steep angle relative to your entertainment center. I fixed this by purchasing the RF extender, which I'll discuss below.
Battery life is as good as I can ask for. I keep the unit on the cradle when I'm not using it and I've never run out of juice. It will easily last at least half a day off the charger while I watch TV/listen to music and work around the house.
Customer Service:
Before I bought the RF Extender I called customer service to ask a question about it. Logitech has a dedicated line for Harmony remotes and I got to speak to a human very quickly. He didn't have a good answer to my somewhat-obscure question, but I won't dock them for that.
RF Extender:
The Harmony 1000 is capable of sending RF signals. For you to control your components, you'll need to buy the Harmony RF Extender. I got one new for $65 on ebay. For the price of the remote however, I think this should have been included. The RF extender is a little device that receives the RF commands from the remote and converts them to IR which it blasts out to your components. You can either place the unit near your components, or it has 8 small IR transmitters that will adhere directly to the front of each component. This allows you to place your components in a cabinet, or even allow you to be in another room controlling your home theater. Setup was a breeze. You connect it to you computer, run the setup software for the remote, allow it update the firmware, and then you tell it which components will be controlled by the extender. I'm loving this so far because now I don't have to worry about where I point the remote when I use it, and I don't have to worry about my components missing commands and the remote losing track of what's going on. An added bonus: My Marantz receiver has an "IR Flasher" input on the back. It is a 1/8" phono jack (like a headphone jack). Incidentally the little IR transmitters connect to the extender by a mono 1/8" cable. So I bought a mono male-to-male 1/8" cable and hooked it up from the extender to the back of the receiver. Works like a champ-- and I don't have to have the little diode stuck to the front of my unit.
Conclusion:
I am very glad I bought this remote, but I think the RF Extender is almost necessary to really make it a great experience. I give it 4 out of 5 stars because it is not perfect, but very, very good for the price.
Description of Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver)
The essential center of your entertainment system. Say "Goodbye" to the wasted time and endless frustration of multiple remotes controlling multiple devices, and say "Hello" to one single, easy-to-use device with a cool new shape. The Harmony 1000 remote control, with its engaging and logical interface, simplifies even the most complex programming functions. Logitech's patented Smart State technology® makes it possible to seamlessly control up to 15 separate components with just one touch. Programming your HDTV? The Harmony 1000's color display makes it easy to control even the aspect ratio and sound modes. And, you can do it all without direct line-of-sight, since the Harmony sends both infrared (IR) and Z-wave wireless home automation standard (also known as radio frequency or RF).Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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