Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
|
Our Price: $399.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $159.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Takes Time To Setup, But An Impressive Remote
Summary: 4 Stars
I was a little skeptical, but after reading some online magazine and user reviews, I decided to give this remote a try. Like others have said, it takes time to get the remote set up. I spent the better part of an afternoon setting everything up and testing and changing the settings numerous times. But once it's done, it's a great remote. I would have to say the included instructions did not provide me with too much useful information. Out of the box, you'll need to install the lithium-ion battery in the remote and then charge using the included charger.
I took others' advice and just installed the latest Harmony software from the Logitech site. Upon opening the software (which connects to the internet), you'll have to initially set up a username and password. The remote and wireless rf extender use the same included usb cable to connect to your pc. After signing in and connecting the remote, an online firmware update was found which prompted a download and update of the firmware (same when connecting the wireless rf extender).
When setting up the remote, you are prompted to enter the brand and model number of your components (one by one). If the brand and model is in the online database, the commands will be stored in the remote. I've added 8 components for control so far (Sony Widescreen RPTV; Denon A/V receiver; Denon DVD; Pioneer DVD; Sony DVD Recorder; Scientific Atlanta HD Cable Box; DirecTV HD Receiver; and Sony VHS). I'm currently not using the wireless rf extender (I guess I could have purchased the Harmony 880 instead???). The Sony vhs and dvd recorder were the only components not fully recognized initially. The software prompted me to use the original remotes to send some commands to the Harmony before they were fully added as components. There's also an option if you don't have the original remotes as well as being able to manually specify a remote action.
After adding your components, you'll need to define `activities' such as "watch a dvd" or "listen to a cd," etc. Once you're done adding components and setting the activities and saving them, you'll then need to transfer/update these settings to the remote using the connected usb cable by pressing the `update remote' button on the home page of the remote software.
There is much flexibility in setting what components turn on and also in choosing a setting for the component. For example, when choosing what I defined as my "watch denon dvd" activity, the tv, dvd and a/v receiver turn on; the tv changes to input 7 (dvi) and the receiver changes to its dvd input. This all happens with a press of one button as these were the actions that I defined for this activity in the software setup. If I subsequently press the activity button for "play vcr", the remote turns both the receiver and dvd player off, turns the vcr on and sets the tv input to channel 3. You define and name your activity. Once the activities are set up, the remote is relatively simple to use. In other words, your spouse/family members/friends can actually turn on and use your tv without you having to explain multiple remote controls.
There is also the option of controlling a specific component by pressing the `device' button on the remote. Depending on the component and how the commands were stored in the remote, you can use either or both of the commands displayed in the lcd portion of the remote or the command buttons on the lower part of the remote. There is also a global `off' button that can be used to turn all components off. The remote also seems to be motion activated, e.g., the backlight turns on when you move the remote. Very handy in the dark.
Customer Review: An excellent buy with just a few minor flaws
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second Harmony remote I've purchased, and have now owned for a few months. The purchase was actually for my in-laws, whose setup included a wall mounted Samsung LN-46A650, Motorola HD Cable Receiver, and DVD player. The latter two are located in a media cabinet behind the viewing position. So, the options were to leave the cabinet open and use three remotes (pointing two backward), have a professional install a infrared relay next to the tv that would send signals back to the cabinet (still using 3 remotes), or get a radio frequency capable remote and adapter. The first was impractical, and the second very expensive ($$$-$$$$), so I researched my options for the third.
There are several remote vendors that have comparable products to Logitech in terms of features and functionality. My ideal remote would've come from Universal Remotes, but their prices were 2 to 3 times that of the Logitechs.
Having said all that, let's get to the facts:
Pros:
- This unit COMES WITH the radio frequency adapter with enough extender cables for 8 components, and I have had NO trouble with the two devices I've set for RF control (12 feet behind viewer, through a closet door)
- Set up is very intuitive as long as you know the models of your equipment, the inputs of your setup, and how you want the remote to control things. I had their setup up and running (but not fine tuned) within 15 minutes. I am confident in my computer and electronics skills, however I'm convinced someone with the interest but not great technological savvy could master Logitech's setup program in one or two sessions of use.
- Activities are easily set up and edited with the software (I'm running Windows XP Pro), to the point where you can customize each button's action if you wish. Only having to push one button to turn on all the necessary components, switch inputs, and switch button functionality on the remote was key for my relatively technologically impaired in-laws.
- You can specify how to control each device (either infrared or RF from the extender)
- The color LCD screen is very clear and bright compared to my other model (Harmony 550).
- When the remote senses movement after a period of inactivity (i.e. you pick it up to change channels), the back lights turn on illuminating both the LCD and buttons.
- Lithium ion battery means never having to swap batteries
- You can specify favorite channels and upload a network icon to be displayed next to the appropriate button (however the icon can only be a certain size which was a bit challenging to produce)
- On and on and on
Cons:
- The buttons are not very well laid out, some very small in size, and labels are almost too little. This is where the Universal Remote model excelled. Layout was great and labels easily legible. However, the UR model didn't include the RF receiver and was twice the price. But once your hand develops the muscle memory for where buttons are, it's not a big issue.
- You have to update the RF extender every time you update the remote settings, even if all you're doing in changing button assignments or renaming an activity
Review:
All in all it's a great remote. It's drawbacks weren't enough for me to drop a star. If you need the radio frequency functionality, this is the most inexpensive and user friendly answer. I hope you found this review helpful, if you actually read it all.
Customer Review: The BEST and the WORST
Summary: 3 Stars
It is not surprising to me to see so many glowing reviews and terrible reviews on this product. I am a gadget guy, my wife is not. When I first got the remote setup my wife called it the best purchase I had ever made. That was about a year ago, and several times since then it has almost gone flying through a wall.
First of all, it is very easy to setup. It downloads updated software from the web. You enter in model numbers of your components and it knows the remote commands for those components. Then you setup "Activities" like Watch TV, Watch a DVD, Listen to Music, etc. What this remote does better than any I had ever used before is remembering the status of all of the applicable components. So If you are watching TV and want to watch a DVD, it will leave the TV on, turn the cable box off, turn the DVD player on, and switch the TV input form cable to DVD. And the remote can be programmed to know what devices to control once you are in an activity. So if you setup "Watch a DVD" to run through surround sound, the remote knows that if you press the volume buttons it is controlling your receiver, if you hit pause it is controlling the DVD player. One button turns everything off when you are done.
The other "magical" thing about this remote is radio frequency. You can control everything through walls, in cabinets, etc without having a line of sight. You can get an adapter to control the blu-ray player of a PS3.
The biggest negative I had ended up not being the remote's fault, although it should be better documented by Logitech. My remote suddenly stopped working unless it was pointed directly at the RF receiver and was relatively close to the receiver. After a lot of internet research, I found that my next door neighbor's baby monitor was interfering with the remote. They changed the channel on the monitor and the remote works near perfect ever since. I say near perfect because it is still a bit glitchy. Sometimes when I hit "Watch a DVD" it turns everything on and puts them in the correct state, but the remote doesn't stay on the PS3 control, it goes back to the activity screen. So now I have to hit the "Devices" button, hit PS3 and then control the PS3. If I want to change the volume, I have to hit "Devices" again, hit receiver, and then control volume. The magic is lost. I was also having some volume control issues. I would tap the volume up or down and it would go nuts turning the volume way up or down as if I was holding the button down. That was intermittent and I haven't noticed it since the baby monitor fix, so it may have been related to that. Before realizing the baby monitor issue I had done some internet research and found people who were taking the remotes apart to fix volume control issues, so it may be a bigger issue.
One other issue I have is that the infrared adapters used to control the individual components are very thin. They tend to get broken very often in my environment.
Overall I am mostly happy with the remote. It is mostly magical now, but I worry about what is going to go wrong next. I can't imagine living without the magical functionality if it ever totally dies.
Customer Review: When it works it is a great remote but mine hasn't worked very much
Summary: 1 Stars
Avoid this remote and similar products from Logitech!
I purchased the 890 about 3 months ago. The first unit had a problem with the #3 button. The remote functioned well - it was easy to program but the #3 button required significantly more pressure to push in order to get it to work. I contacted logitech support and in a matter of days they agreed to replace the remote...so far so good.
I recieved the replacement remote and shipped back the old remote - at my cost another 20 bucks. The new remote again functioned well - no problem with the butons and it accepted all the original programing - however this unit did not re-charge. The battery lasted for about a week and then the unit was useless. I contacted tech support again - I told them the new remote was not re-charging. I also told them the charge stand was the original stand that I knew functioned well so the problem had to be with the remote or the battery. After several days of exchanging emails and phone calls they insisted the problem was with the charging stand and they had already shipped one - well that was 2 weeks ago and I still haven't recieved the stand.
If they are correct and the problem is with the stand the wait will hopefully be worth it. My concern is that the problem truely is with the remote and its going to be another round of emails and phone calls and waiting 3 or 4 more weeks for another unit to arrive....not for me. If the stand doesn't work this time it is time to contact Amercian express's buyer protection.
My feedback on the remote itself - it really was easy to program. I incorporated TIVO, Reciever, LCD Projection TV, VCR, CD Player, DVD player, VHS player, cable box and xbox 360. Some infrequently used features of the components were difficult if not impossible to program but 95% of the typical used features were easy to program and use.
Swithching from one mode to another was amazingly easy. By the press of a button you can switch all components from DVD mode to Xbox 360 to TV. No more hassels of figuring out what setting each compent needs to be set at in order to view properly.
The only minor complaint on the functionality would be the button locations. The number pad is placed at the base of the remote. Some of the less frequently used buttons are located in what I would consider easier to reach areas in the center of the remote. This could just be my preference but reaching the number buttons when holding the remote took some getting use to.
Hopefully Logitech will come through and get me up and running once and for all.
Update to my previous review - it is now March 29th - The base replacement as suspected didn't resolve the problem - contact support again - said they would replace the remote - again - waited 14 days again - no replacement remote - contacted support again - they said they were sorry - they are backed up a bit - didn't send the replacment remote but apologized and said they would overnight a new remote - that was 4 days ago - still no remote. I should have returned the remote at the first sign of trouble
Customer Review: "Unable to Display Content" error message completely prevents user from updating the Harmony 890!
Summary: 1 Stars
The frustration with this device that I am facing has prompted me to write my first product review for Amazon after several years of satisfied purchases.
I happily purchased the Harmony 890 on Amazon as it seemed to be just what I was looking for, and I painlessly got my Harmony 890 set up for the first time. I was happy. However, when I wanted to customize some devices/settings, I could not update it again; instead I am getting the dreaded "Unable to Display Content" error message. I have tried deleting activities, devices, re-booting, using different USB ports...nothing works. After googling this issue on the web, I was quite surprised to see the number of other Harmony users who are having this problem on a range of Harmony devices.
The central issue is that changes cannot be made on the device directly but must work through synching with a web-based application. If this application works flawlessly like iTunes does there are no issues, but looking on the Logitech forums on their own home page will show you that there seem to be significant issues. My fear is that Logitech is known more for being a hardware than a software company, and what they are trying to achieve and maintain vis a vis software is not easy...
I sent in an E-Mail to customer support and am hoping for an inspiring solution to the problem, but considering the existence of a user manual, FAQ, and Knowledge Base on the Logitech home page, I am shocked that there is no information whatsoever to assist Logitech users in solving the issue themselves. In my few decades of life and purchases of a plethora of consumer electronics devices, I have never had this experience where I could not customize my customizable device whatsoever, and this is the first time I have even had to contact Customer Support. Based on the timeliness and content of the response from Customer Support I will decide as to whether or not I return this device...and I will write another review if the issue is solved to be fair to Logitech.
Either way, I urge people considering purchasing this device to google the web for this and other problems and look if other users were able or not to solve the issues they were facing.
UPDATE : I spent an hour on the phone with Logitech Support today and got it working...I believe the problem is that although I deleted all of the devices, there are default activities that always need to be setup. If you try to update your device without the default activities that appear on the menu being setup, it will cause the same error. The Logitech Support Engineer was excellent, and although it did resolve my problem, as I tried to set up my system again from scratch, no matter how many times I tried, I could not teach the 890 the on/off keys for my receiver and STB. I do not want to waste any more of my time with this, so back to Amazon it goes. If you have the patience and it gets going I am sure it is a great device, but I have already wasted several hours and will try another company. Best of luck to you if you buy this remote...