Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver)
by Logitech
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (Silver)
Customer Review: Not as great as it seems
Summary: 2 Stars
I got this remote thinking it could simplify the myriad of devices I have hooked up in my 2 room home A/V system. It certainly is easy enough to setup and configure to perform the functions you need, but overall I'm not sure I like it and think that maybe I would have been better off with one of the other logitech remotes.
Here are my issues:
Responsiveness... with the remote being touch screen it has a bunch of different screens it can give you to work with, but it just doesn't seem snappy enough. When you click an option button it seems to take it a moment or two to move to the new screen (and being someone that memorizes key sequences on my keyboard, that kind of delay annoys me because I sit there hovering with my finger ready to punch the next button).
Unnessecary dialogs... there are a bunch of dialogs that the remote presents that tell you stuff like 'the remote is now configured to watch tv' which are great the first time you use the remote, but are just annoying after the first two or three times. The issue I have is that after I tell the remote I want to watch TV, I have to click OK twice before I can get to the TV controls. Since the whole remote is software, it seems like they ought to give you a way to turn those silly things off, but Ihave yet to find the way to do it.
Form factor... I like the idea of a touch screen that is infinitely configurable; however some of the very common buttons should remain real buttons. Logitech was smart enough to keep volume and the arrow buttons as real buttons, but the key ones they didn't include are the play, pause, and FF buttons that I use all the time while watching DVDs or DVR. The problem I've found with having those commonly used buttons on the touch screen is that you end up having to look at the remote to position your finger over the right button and then when you are waiting to hit play at the right moment at the end of a commercial break, you end up either looking at the remote and missing the end of the commercials or you are looking at the TV and end up missing the button or hitting the wrong one. You might not think so but that really reduces the ease of use of this remote and is the primary reason I might be switching mine out for one of the other logitech models. And while I'm on the topic, it bugs me that you can't configure which button is the center button the remote (the one that is easiest to hit).
Freeze ups... This has happened a few different times in the first couple of months that I've owned this remote. It will get stuck on a screen and won't do anything: won't change screens, won't send button press, and even the hard buttons don't do anything. The only fix I've found for it was to either set it back in the cradle to make it go back to idle mode; or to take the battery out completely and put it back in. Since I'm a software guy by trade, I know it's hard to write perfect software, but when you sell me a device that is supposed to be an appliance like a remote or a phone, I expect it to not have these types of problems.
All in all, I think this is a decent product and will definitely help you control a complex system (and will look cool doing it), but when it comes down to it I think it lacks some of the key things that would take it from being a decent product to an excellent one. As I said before, next time I would be inclined to purchase one of the other logitech remotes that is more traditional in form factor and would hopefully avoid some of the other problems as well.
Customer Review: Affordable Color Touch Screen
Summary: 4 Stars
After a 1 year delay, Logitech finally released the Harmony 1000 on January 26, 2007.
A warning for Mac users, although Logitech claims this Harmony remote works (can be programmed) using a Mac, and the box clearly shows the Mac logo stamped on it, the Harmony 1000 cannot currently be set-up using your Mac. Plenty of web forum users have reported the same issue. Hopefully a Mac patch will be posted on Logitech's site. Shame on Logitech, especially given the one year delay to get the product right.
Secondly, if you currently own a Harmony web-programmed remote, the web software is EXACTLY the same as your previous experience. In other words, if you hated Logitech's old on-line software, you'll still hate it with the 1000.
The touch screen itself looks and works great, but as with any touch screen remote, you may find yourself longing for tactile rubber buttons after a week or so of touch screen use. DVR users might struggle to get the remote button layout to work to their individual satisfaction, as the colored default touch screen buttons that are professionally laid out by Logitech are in fact permanently labeled. So if you choose to change the function of any colored button, the old default name must remain painted on top of your "custom" button. Strange oversight.
However, you can customize additional pages of ugly buttons to your liking, but they will be black and white buttons laid out in static tic-tac-toe fashion. Hardly what the box cover would lead you to believe. As with all touch screens, you will have to "look before pressing" - every single time - you want to send a command. That's OK when using an ATM, but not so great when watching a TV across the room.
I'd recommend a trip to your local retailer to play with the 1000 for a while before deciding to buy. It does feel solidly constructed, though not as comfortable in your hand as a $45 programmable remote after two hours of commercial busting DVR use. Also keep in mind that while you're shopping for a touch screen remote, there's someone next to you in the store looking to change back to something smaller with real rubberized buttons on it!
To add to the fun, the user manual for this $500 wonder is not located in the box or on the installation disc, but rather it is buried in the online remote software. Once you get the remote's firmware updated from the web (using the online software) the right side of the website screen will have a "Tip Center - More Help" button. Click that, then click "Manuals" to download the 15 page PDF manual for the remote.
A steep learning curve might await buyers new to the Harmony line due to the "Activities" philosophy. Just keep in mind that everything is done with Activities and you'll be way ahead of the game. Don't waste time programming each "device" as you would normally want to do. Harmony remotes don't work that way. You only need to enter your devices (audio/video components in your collection) once during the initial set up to give the database your overall equipment list. After that, concentrate on setting up your activities (Watch Cable, Watch DVD) for two or three days to get everything just right.
If all this sound like fun to you, you'll probably love tweaking this remote to near perfection. But if the thought if spending hours in front of your PC setting up a remote control sounds ominous to you, steer clear.
Customer Review: Not perfect, but I'll never go back to an ordinary remote!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had the Harmony 1000 and RF Extender for a year and love it! I have a very complex system but I'm one of the lucky one's cuz setup was a breeze. Sure, it's got some quirks, but nothing so bad that I regret buying it or have stopped using it. Truth is, I can't imagine ever going back to my old universal remote. Or worse still, an array of manufacturer's remotes sitting on the table. For my experience, this remote was worth every penny and the RF Extender is an added must have!
Back when I got this, the remote was $275 with a rebate on the RF Extender which covered the entire cost, making it free. The software used to configure the remote has its limitations, but I think it's intentionally designed that way to help people with limited understanding of cabling and video inputs and outputs. If you have a basic grasp of what channel or video inputs your components need to be on, then you really shouldn't have much trouble. I was able to setup a complex home theater system with an HDTV, Onkyo receiver, 2 DVD players, 2 DirecTV HD DVRs and a multi CD player all within 90min. I was so encouraged by how simple it was that I then setup a second TV in the bedroom with a VCR.
I think where some people may have trouble is with a lack of patience. We expect everything to work perfect out of the box with little effort. The RF Extender also adds a slight delay to the equation because when you push a hard button or touch the screen, there's a nano second delay before you get the desired result. But it's not that big a deal really once you get used to it. We also tend to resist change and this remote as a stark departure from the standard rectangular remote with rubbery buttons you're likely used to. For me, I wanted a remote that was the next step up from the old boring remotes we all know. But that's not to say it doesn't have some issues though.
I gave the remote 4 stars instead of five because of the quirks. Sometimes I get runaway volume where it goes all the way up or down after just one button press. Others have said they can only correct the problem by popping out the battery, but I've never had to do that. I just hit a couple different hard buttons on the remote which stops the problem for me. I have, however, had to pull the battery out once or twice when the remote wouldn't respond. But that's been pretty rare. I liken it to having to reboot a computer and I've come to realize that I should treat the remote like a computer, and give it time to "boot up" when I remove it from the charging cradle. This isn't an official suggestion from Logitech. I've just noticed that when I pull it off the charger and use it immediately, that's when problems can happen. But if I take it off the charger and set it aside for a couple minutes before using it, I rarely have problems. Also, keep in mind if you've setup a complex system, there's bound to be a few hiccups from time to time. But for me, nothing I consider to be a big deal.
Overall, I'm very happy with this remote and can't imagine not having it in my life. If you're reading about some of the problems people have had and are on the fence with buying it, why not give it a try for yourself? After all, you can always return it if it doesn't work for you. And who knows, you may very well love it as much as I do.
Good luck!!
:)
Customer Review: Not perfect, but I'll never go back to an ordinary remote!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had the Harmony 1000 and RF Extender for a year and love it! I have a very complex system but I'm one of the lucky one's cuz setup was a breeze. Sure, it's got some quirks, but nothing so bad that I regret buying it or have stopped using it. Truth is, I can't imagine ever going back to my old universal remote. Or worse still, an array of manufacturer's remotes sitting on the table. For my experience, this remote was worth every penny and the RF Extender is an added must have!
Back when I got this, the remote was $275 with a rebate on the RF Extender which covered the entire cost, making it free. The software used to configure the remote has its limitations, but I think it's intentionally designed that way to help people with limited understanding of cabling and video inputs and outputs. If you have a basic grasp of what channel or video inputs your components need to be on, then you really shouldn't have much trouble. I was able to setup a complex home theater system with an HDTV, Onkyo receiver, 2 DVD players, 2 DirecTV HD DVRs and a multi CD player all within 90min. I was so encouraged by how simple it was that I then setup a second TV in the bedroom with a VCR.
I think where some people may have trouble is with a lack of patience. We expect everything to work perfect out of the box with little effort. The RF Extender also adds a slight delay to the equation because when you push a hard button or touch the screen, there's a nano second delay before you get the desired result. But it's not that big a deal really once you get used to it. We also tend to resist change and this remote as a stark departure from the standard rectangular remote with rubbery buttons you're likely used to. For me, I wanted a remote that was the next step up from the old boring remotes we all know. But that's not to say it doesn't have some issues though.
I gave the remote 4 stars instead of five because of the quirks. Sometimes I get runaway volume where it goes all the way up or down after just one button press. Others have said they can only correct the problem by popping out the battery, but I've never had to do that. I just hit a couple different hard buttons on the remote which stops the problem for me. I have, however, had to pull the battery out once or twice when the remote wouldn't respond. But that's been pretty rare. I liken it to having to reboot a computer and I've come to realize that I should treat the remote like a computer, and give it time to "boot up" when I remove it from the charging cradle. This isn't an official suggestion from Logitech. I've just noticed that when I pull it off the charger and use it immediately, that's when problems can happen. But if I take it off the charger and set it aside for a couple minutes before using it, I rarely have problems. Also, keep in mind if you've setup a complex system, there's bound to be a few hiccups from time to time. But for me, nothing I consider to be a big deal.
Overall, I'm very happy with this remote and can't imagine not having it in my life. If you're reading about some of the problems people have had and are on the fence with buying it, why not give it a try for yourself? After all, you can always return it if it doesn't work for you. And who knows, you may very well love it as much as I do.
Good luck!!
:)
Customer Review: Best Remote I've Owned
Summary: 4 Stars
I've reviewed all the reviews of this Harmony model. And, here's the upshot. The set up may be the hardest thing to overcome with new users. And I suspect that the problems most users have is with the software, not the device. By that I mean all of the upper series Harmony remotes operate on the same principal: you charge the remote; you install the software on a pc connected to the Internet; you connect the remote via a USB cord (supplied)to the PC (or laptop). Then you log onto the free Logitech you created when you installed the software; you list the model numbers and brand of the devices you will control with the remote; and setup the activity you wish to perform (watch TV, watch Blu-ray). This last one may confuse some as they think you tell select the device, but in actuality, you wan to select and activity and have the remote turn on or off all the devices associated with the activity you wan to perform. Once done, save your settings and then it will reboot and initialize the remote and 99% if not 100% of the buttons on your original device remote will also appear on the nice color screen for you to access. It even has a provision to add buttons, ir even learn buttons on your original remote to ensure you get everything you had with the original remote. So, this is the "leanring curve" and once you do it and understad it, it's simple form then on.
Now, I did this very same thing with the same software when I had the Harmony 880. When I bought the 1000, I was mildly surprised..and delighted to find that it had not changed and all I had to do was change my remote listed from the 880 to the 1000.
The 1000 works as advertised..perfectly. If you get impatient and forget to point the remote toward your tv/devices for the few seconds it requires to initialize and turn on all your devices for a particular activity, then you can just press help and it will guide you through a couple of questions about what is on or off and once you select the right answer, the remote will fix them accordingly. So simple and intuitive. If, by chance, you have devices hidden behind cabinet doors, then add the remote extender to ensure the signal can reach each device. If your devices are plainly visible and near the TV, then you won't need an extender.
And did I state that this remote just looks..well..cool? Great display..classy look and light feel. I love the touch screen! I've ha done now about 9 months and it has been problem free and the batteries are dependable as long as I return the remote to the cradle. Right ow the price on Amazon is right, as I bought mine on Amazon for $299. At a major retailer, this was $499.
I love mine, won't trade it anytime soon, although I am a gadget freak. I even bought one for my son, who installed it on his Mac notebook. I had to have something to corral seven remotes as I was running out of end table room and it looked like an eyesore.
Don't be dissuaded by negative reviews unless you are gadget-challenged, can't usually or easily set up most electronics. If so, this one is not for you. You should stick to your original remote with the big buttons.