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: Great remote...ergonomics could be better
Summary: 4 Stars
I ordered this remote from Amazon. Initially, one of the activity buttons wasn't functioning correctly, and required a firm push to engage. I returned this one immediately, and the second remote I got through the mail was perfect. I don't know what the fuss is about concerning the installation and updates. The Logitech CD automatically updates the remote firmware via the website to the most current one available and, yes, if you don't connect your remote to your computer at this point and allow the update, the remote will give you problems until you do. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the screen. As far as adding devices, again this is very easy with a few caveats. #1 - you have to know the model names and numbers of your devices exactly. Otherwise, the program will not recognize them and will begin more of a manual type of programming. This happened to me initially with my Sony TV..instead of typing KDL-46XBR2 I typed in KDL-XBR2 and found that the program was asking me to press the power key, this and that, etc...i deleted the device, added the correct ID, and no problems, automatically recognized. As far as the remote itself, it is jam-packed with buttons, which for me is necessary. I have an older ONKYO AV receiver which no other one of my programmable remotes has recognized. The Harmony does, and all the odd buttons are accounted for. It has even perfectly dealt with the on-screen navigation buttons for my scientific explorer cable box on its own, which again no other remote has done. With all these buttons, the screen, etc, the ergonomics suffer a bit...that little curve in the middle of the remote makes the dang thing hard to hold sometimes, especially when you are trying to reach for the top-most activity buttons. Apart from the tiny little problem with the first remote, and the ergonomics issue, which i can live with, i have had no problems. This remote works great, I can't wait to hook it up to my lighting system. Now the only problem is figuring out what to do with that expensive remote rack i bought for the 5 remotes I used to need.Customer Review: Remote works just fine - Charger, not so much...
Summary: 4 Stars
i just received the 890 on friday... opened it and started to charge it that evening... first problem was the charging cradle... the remote wouldn't charge unless i pressed down on it slightly... i decided to weight it down with a book so that it would charge... i figured i might as well go through the loading process just to make sure i would like the remote before asking for another (no need to wait for another just to return it anyway)...
next morning i started the load process... inserted cd and it immediately notified me that there were updates so i accepted and it loaded the newest version... connected the rf receiver and it loaded the most recent firmware... same thing for the remote... went through the setup process which was relatively simple and started using the remote...
inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, garage, backyard, the thing seemed to work everywhere i wanted it to... i decided i would keep it so i called logitech support at 1:30pm on saturday... waited about 3-4 minutes for customer service to be available, told them of the problem, and they stated that they would send me another charger...
they did say that this has been a periodic problem because they "redesigned the shape of the remote" and it causes it to line up incorrectly... no biggie, i can charge it with a book on top or via the usb connector...
all in all it took maybe 45 minutes to set it up completely (2 receivers, directv w/ tivo, dvd burner, cd changer, dvd player, and tv of course)... and the best part is the shape and functions match my tivo... only other gripe is it always asks to update both the rf receiver and the remote when you make changes to the remote settings (regardless if they affect the rf receiver)... this could become a nuisance when i permanently attach the receiver somewhere... but i figure i'll just load the cd onto my laptop instead of the desktop and that should make things easier...
4 stars out of 5 strictly because of the charger...
Customer Review: The best Universal Remote on the Market
Summary: 5 Stars
I needed a remote to control all my multimedia devices around my theater, but did not want to open the cabinet doors every time I used them. IR, infrared, is the key difference between this remote and the rest of Logitech, or most remote manufacturers, products. This remote comes with mini-IR sensors you stick on each of your devices and those wires connect to an IR receiver placed outside the cabinet doors. Works like a dream.
My Devices:
1. Sony CD TV
2. Scientific Atlanta HD DVR Cable Box
3. Sony DVD Carousel
4. Sony HD Surround Sound Receiver
5. Sony Stereo Receiver (Used to control outside speakers)
6. Sony PlayStation 2
(Yep, I like Sony Products)
Logitech has done a great job simplifying the setup of this remote with multiple devices. You simply install the software and connect the remote to a PC via a USB cable. Once connected, the wizard will walk you through setting up each of your devices. Once this is completed, the wizard will also want to update your device information to the IR receiver. This also connects to a PC using a USB cable. Basic setup is that easy.
For more advanced needs, you can group devices based on activities. This allows you to push one button that automatically sets all devices for that particular activity. For example, to play games on the PlayStation, I have an activity called "Game Console". When I push the button, the TV powers on and switches to game inputs, the PlayStation powers up, and the Surround Sound Receiver powers up which also changes to the PlayStation input mode. It's beautiful. I will say that because some of my devices have so many options, I need to go back and configure what options are available on each menu. Sometimes I need to scroll through 3-4 screens if I want to change a device option I rarely use.
You can also change the LCD color and theme of the device, but there are not many themes out there. It can also run a screen saver of personal photos, or your favorite movie images.
Customer Review: Fantastic Remote !! No Problems Encountered!!
Summary: 5 Stars
First of All , i thank Logitech To provide Such A handy Remote . Programming Using Software is Really Easy . i had A Dish Network receiver, pioneer A/v receiver , Panasonic ez47vk (DVD and VCR recorder), SONY 52" XBR3 And Bose Acouctimass 10 iv . The Information we need on all of this Devices was its Manufacture's Name, Product Type , Model Name . Thats it . Add the devices with specified information .
Answer the Questions by Software Like
1. For Watching TV
a) I use Sony Tv to Control the Volume
b) I use Pioneer A/v Receiver to Control the Volume .
I Opt B , as my Bose System was connected to A/v Reciever .
Like This , We have to Give The correct Information and Finally almost in 15 to 30 min , Our remote Settings by the Software will get ready and was waiting for our remote to be connected . When the Remote Was Connected to USB , The settings will get Transferred in about 5 to 10 minutes and ask us to unplug and check the remote .
Every thing will work smoothly
But The Remote Cant Control the Home Theatre Systems Like Bose . It was A/v receiver or TV , we had to control the volume.
The Following things worked well for me..
Watching TV -- Sony TV, A/v Receiver, Satellite Receiver --ON , Channel - Video8 , All others OFF .
Watching DVD -- Sony TV, A/v Receiver, DVD/VCR REC COMBO --ON , Channel - Video7 , All others OFF .
Wacthing VCR -- Sony TV, A/v Receiver, DVD/VCR REC COMBO --ON , Channel - Video1 , All others OFF .
Listenning Radio -- A/v Receiver -- ON , All others OFF .
We can Even Control the Buttons with Customised Options.There Were 8 options on Screen to Select Any Activity , We Should Input Appropiate Functions to Software , So that it will be handy while operating.
I hope This Information Will Help You while Configuring .
Subhash.
Customer Review: Great, great, and a wife-pleaser to boot
Summary: 5 Stars
My old home theater system required two remotes, one to turn the TV and AV receiver on and off and another to control the DISH Network box. When I upgraded my home theater system (Samsung LN-T4061F LCD, Yamaha RX-V3800 AV receiver with iPod dock, Denon 3930 DVD player, and DISH 720 HD DVR), I also decided to get a remote to handle everything. Besides, my wife HATED the "old way". She used to call on one of our sons to turn everything on, and it took her about five years to get comfortable with JUST turning on the TV, receiver and watching a program. Don't even think about having her watch a DVD, listen to a CD, or change any of the parameters on the AV receiver.
Well, this remote has changed all that. Tasks are broken down by activities: Watch TV, Listen to CD, Listen to Satellite Stations, Watch DVD, etc. The remote is also versatile enough that you can program in your own button functions if you have some that don't show up on the initial set up and can add pictures of your favorite stations. I will say up front that the learning curve is pretty big, that it took a couple of calls to tech support, that I unplugged and plugged in the remote and radio transmitter ALOT while I tweaked the system. At one point I was very frustrated and was about to throw it all out the window. This was simply because the documentation is not great and you have to learn a lot by trial and error. BUT, customer service is GREAT and after a while it was set up and all components turned on or off when needed, all inputs switched as needed, and channels/parameters changed properly when buttons were pressed. ONE remote controls ALL the gear listed above, from behind closed entertainment cabinet doors, and does so flawlessly.
Best of all, after one two minute session on how to use the remote, my wife can do ANYTHING she wants with all that gear and not have me or an offspring in the room to guide her through any steps. Push an activity button and everything responds.
Couldn't be more satisfied with a purchase.