Product Description
The Logitech Harmony 1000 features a brilliant 3.5-inch color touch screen that allows for one-touch activity-based control of even the most sophisticated A/V components. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of multiple remotes controlling multiple devices; Logitech's patented Smart State Technology makes it easy to control your HDTV, adjust aspect ratios, or change sound modes?there are no complicated macros to program. Just press an on-screen activity icon and Harmony does the rest. One remote is all you'll need to control even the most complex home entertainment systems. And when used together with a Harmony RF Wireless Extender (sold separately), you can further reduce clutter by placing your components out of sight. Since the remote can transmit both infrared and radio frequency commands, you can control equipment inside a cabinet or even in the next room. Package Contents - Logitech Harmony 1000 remote control / Charging station / USB cable /AC Adapter / Lithium-ion battery / Installation CD / Installation guide / 1-year warranty
Customer Reviews:
Great Product With Room for Improvement.......2007-12-27
I have a six component system (including an Apple TV box) and am very pleased with the performance of the Harmony 1000 and the ease of system setup. However, I attempted to use a new Intel iMac running the Leopard OS to set up the remote and was unsuccessful. The remote programming software locked up. Fortunately, I had already installed VMware's Fusion software and was able to boot up Windows XP on the iMac. Once I was operating in a Windows environment, programming the remote was a snap.
BOTTOM LINE: The Harmony 1000 is a good value for the money if you can set it up in a Windows OS. Folks that are limited to an Apple OS will experience problems. I'm not the first person to report this. Hopefully, Logitech will get their software updated to resolve this situation soon.
No User Support.......2007-12-24
I have had this remote control for a little over a month now and it has never consistently worked properly. It would not switch to the correct inputs and it would give a low battery error even though it was charged overnight. My e-mails to Logitech support were never acknowledged and considering the cost of this thing, I expected a lot more from them. When I finally got a hold of someone on the phone, they "found a problem" with my account that apparently explained why I never got an e-mail back from them. The support person I spoke to on the phone was helpful though and the remote seemed to be working afterwards. Two days later, it wasn't. Again, no answer to my e-mail.
I have found it easier to go back to multiple remotes than to experience the frustration I have with trying to get this over-priced piece of hardware to work.
To those of you who decide to buy it, I wish you better luck than I have had.
Former Harmony 880 owner.......2007-12-24
I will agree with everyone else the Logitch Harmony's greatest downside is the installation. Being former Harmony 880 owners (it is dying after years of faithful use) we already had Harmony software installed. However, it has been a while since we used it. Even though we installed the software off the CD it tried to update itself and it was failing somewhere in the download process. This was not obvious as the application reported "success" but it was not telling the truth. It is only because I have a networking background that I could tell the download was failing. I ended up going to Logitech's support site and downloading the latest version of the Harmony 1000 software. [Note: there is a Vista download for the 1000 now so go to their website if that is what you are looking for]. Mind you, we probably spent an hour or so wasting time wondering why the original Harmony software was failing. Save yourself a lot of hassle and download the software directly from the Logitech website. This one step solved all of our installation issues.
Having downloaded the Harmony software it was SMOOTH sailing at this point. In addition, it seems we also got the latest 1000 firmware update as one of the first things the installation program did was to install the firmware update. It also pulled in all our settings for the Harmony 880. The only hiccup here was it took a couple of attempts at updating the remote for it to control the PVR. Or... I wasn't holding the remote directly at the PVR so it could have been user error. Either way, the remote now has all the activities our old Harmony 880 had.
If you have ever owned another universal remote where you still need to have the original remote control for some unique piece of hardware the Logitech 1000 (like the 880) eliminates ALL the original remotes. Logitech is the first company to have made a remote control that truly replaces all the other remote controls. No longer do we have multiple remote controls sitting on the coffee table along side the "universal" remote. This universal remote really is universal. That alone is worth the price of buying any of the remotes in the Logitech Harmony family.
I will agree with some of the other comments that the online Web software is not pretty. But, it is functional and easy/logical to use (minus the odd grammatical error). While snazzier software would look better it does the job it is intended to do.
The Harmony 1000 has solved one of the biggest complaints people had with the 880 and that is re-charging it. This puppy slides into its cradle and recharges every time. No 2nd guessing here if this remote is recharging.
This is also a beautiful looking piece of hardware. The PDA look does mean two handed remote controlling. While the channel up/down and volume controls can be done one handed anything involving the touch screen is a two handed operation. Is this bad? Doesn't bother me. At least I have a better grip on the remote control and less likely to drop it (I'm notorious for constantly dropping the 'expensive' remote control). Additionally, the remote is not very heavy and rather ergonomically designed so holding it with two hands is not awkward.
The tactile response is interesting. For example, when starting up an activity it plays background music. Clicking on a button on the touch screen has a little click in the background so you know you pressed it.
Some of the other reviews had mentioned a weak infrared signal. I don't find it any weaker than our Harmony 880 was. We still have to point directly at the PVR in order for it to register the command. Though oddly enough that is the only piece of equipment that has ever had problems with a remote control (but that is a separate, negative review for DirecTV's crappy PVR+)
The custom, on screen soft buttons are plain and simple. They are buttons and function as buttons. Sure it'd be nice if the Harmony software let one customize the buttons somehow but it doesn't and that doesn't bother me because it doesn't change how the buttons function.
Overall, we've only had the 1000 for less than 24 hours and getting past the software install it has been a relatively better experience than our old Harmony 880. Logitech has also addressed a lot of the lack of features the Harmony 880 had. Functionally this remote works and works well. And every time we've slipped it into the cradle it has recharged itself. While I guess Logitech could dress up the Web software and/or the icons that will do nothing to make this remote control function any better. So... 5 stars to Logitech for getting it right this time.
Just couldn't be happier........2007-12-22
This is my third Harmony and each has been better than the last. The first one was a marvel in that it (reliably) controlled my various components WITHOUT having to do each function separately - love the concept of "activities". The second was a slight improvement, color screen, better ergonomic shape, mostly it was a packageing upgrade, not a funtional one. The 1000 is related to the other two from the standpoint that it still uses the "activity" concept ... but everything else is MUCH BETTER. This is about as good as any remote could be, regardless of price. Ocassionaly, it will miss a component, but the "help" feature will allow you to get all in order with minimum fuss. I can show a visitor how to run my system (which requires changeing inputs from component to HDMI for certain activities) in about 30 seconds. My wife still doesn't get that part, but with the Harmony 1000, she NEVER calls me when I'm out of town to ask "how do I play a DVD?" (which is usually followed by "how do I get the TV to play now?" about two hours later. She has no trouble accessing all of our systems features ... it's that intuitive. This device may not be perfect, but it's really close.
As I said, I couldn't be happier.
Logitech Harmony 1000.......2007-12-21
Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote
Very easy to use. Does not always find the right setting for the activity I chose, many times I needed to p[ush the help repeatedly to finally reach the right setting?
Product Description
Logitech's Harmony 890 remote control uses both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) wireless signals to deliver powerful complete control of your home-entertainment system that may be hidden behind cabinets. With a wireless range of up to 100 feet, the Harmony 890 remote sends RF commands to a wireless receiver, which then blasts infrared signals to the components. The Harmony 890 remote makes universal control for home entertainment and advanced lighting systems simple.
How does it work? Just connect your Harmony remote to your computer and the Web wizard walks you step-by-step through a simple set up. Enter in your model numbers for your components, then answer a few easy questions about how you ?Watch TV? or ?Watch a DVD.? You´ll be controlling even the most complex system without any of the hassles of elaborate programming. Easily view and select. Color display icons and 8 on-screen activity buttons make it easy Effortlessly switch between watching HDTV and listening to music, by selecting a single activity button - Just press one of the Activity buttons, such as ?Watch TV? or ?Listen to Music,? and it automatically sets
Customer Reviews:
Not for Seniors.......2007-12-26
If you can do text messaging on a cell phone, you can probably operate this remote. You also need good close vision. This remote is a slippery unit that is hard to hold and operate. It takes two hands and even then is difficult. Unless you have 20/20 vision, you can't read any of the touch keys. Once you find the one you want, it's hard to press the right button as you need very small fingers or long fingernails. It took me 7 hours to program and it still won't shut off my direct tv unit. The problem with the Direct TV unit is that there are several manufactures and you don't know which one built your unit. Therefore, you have to do a learning remote exercise facing one to the other. Each time I did this, it gave me new codes but none of them shut off the unit. The other problem is the one touch button only works when the units you want to activate are turned off. When I load a disc into my blueray player, it turns the unit on. Then I have to turn it off to use the remote. It does work through wood doors so I have to give it a couple of stars.
Wife Proof Remote.......2007-12-26
My wife has a hard time trying to figure out all of the remotes we have. There is one for the satellite receiver, the HD DVD player, the Blu-ray player, the HD TV, and the surround sound receiver. With this remote all my wife has to do is push a button and what ever she is trying to do happens. One key and everything turns on or off depending on what she is trying to do.
Prepare for HOURS of Frustration!.......2007-12-22
I have had many universal remotes, but none as bad as this one! I write computer software for a living, but the complexity of using this terrible piece of junk is unbelievable. Get ready to spend hours and hours sitting in front of your computer setting this up. Hours of time on the phone to technical support as they explain how do download more firmware updates, and how to go through detailed processes to get the wireless extender to work. Then, even when it works at all, the digital readout is hard to see and you'll have dozens of useless commands for all your devices to page through. For example, just to turn my receiver on or off, I had to page down through SIX pages of commands! Can you tailor all those and get this eventually to work? Maybe. But do you really have an entire work's week of your life to spend on a remote? The universal that comes with my Onkyo works to control the other devices just fine. Total time to set it up -- about 15 minutes. I suggest you move on to a different remote.
difficult.......2007-12-22
The Logitech 890 is very difficult to set up. When you speak to a tech via the telephone, the tech has broken english and is difficult to understand. The purchase of this item was not worth my effort. Look for a better remote.
Great Remote, much better than the 880.......2007-12-17
I had an 880 for 3 weeks then returned it because of IR range issue's. While the 890 may look like the 880 it is a totaly different remote in terms of IR range and stability. The 880 had a very narrow IR beam that was only reliable at 10-12ft while the 890 has about twice the range and a much wider angle. The 880 had a well known bug in the tilt sensor mechanism and charging cradle but the 890 does not have either of these problems. Couple those pluses along with the RF module and it is a much better value than the 880.
Product Description
Control your entire Home Entertainment system with the touch of a single button! Simply select an activity (e.g., "Watch TV", "Play a videogame", etc.) and your Harmony remote will send the right commands so you don't have to juggle remotes or remember a sequence of buttons. The Internet-based setup is a breeze. An intuitive setup wizard will walk you through the steps to get the Harmony remote to work with your systems. The online database contains all the information of 2, 500 manufacturers and over 80, 000 models of components. The Harmony 520 makes Home Entertainment accessible to the whole family.
Customer Reviews:
Awsome Remote.......2007-12-09
I was luchy enough to find 2 of the Harmony 520's for a great price. After setting them up and using them I would have gladly paid retail for them.I already own the Logitech Z -5500 computer speaker system , and the Harmony 520 matches my system perfectly. Controls all my inputs, effects, settings, and Volume levels on my computer. Easy on line set up. Customer service was fast and helpful.It just takes time to learn the buttons and how to use the remote once that is done its smooth sailing. . Some advice, invest in rechargable batteries.
Excellent....Smithers.......2007-09-19
I don't know about some of the other reviewers, but I really like this product. I don't know what people are complaining about when it comes to the Internet software, I really thought it was easy to use. I was able to add a few buttons that didn't sync up automatically, and that was super easy. I don't know if the price is worth it, but it really is nice for family who aren't familiar with your system.
The only think I wish was better was the clarity of the LCD screen. I can see it fine, but I don't know if older people could see it as well as they would like.
I also don't think it feels cheep, like others mentioned. From a tactile stand point it may be a little difficult at first to know where buttons are, but you get the hang of it quickly. Yes, the number buttons are a little small, but I'm fine with that.
I like that all of the buttons on your regular remote that the Harmony remote doesn't have buttons for, are available via the LCD screen.
It sure is nice not having three separate remotes on the couch.
Amazing remote. I love it.......2007-08-22
GENERAL OPINION -----------
I have tried at least 6 different universal remotes including the much hyped Chameleon remote. This is by far the best remote I could have ever have asked for. Got it for $100 from Walmart. I always had this weird picture in my mind of a cool universal remote, where it would look like a Gaming console with a huge LCD touch screen. Who needs that really? All you want is a normal looking light weight remote which controls every damn device that you own. And that is what this remote does.
SETUP -----------------
Setup couldnt be easier. Hookup to your computer run the wizard it asks you a bunch of no-brainer questions. And you are all set. I couldnt believe that all my devices were working flawlessly. The coolest part of the remote is it groups things by acitivies. So if I selecte activity "Watch TV", it will turn on my TV, AV receiver, Sat Receiver, Mute the TV volume, Swithc the AV reciever to the correct audio input, change AV receiver's mode to DOLBY pro logic (for surround sound) and finally change the TV's source to HDMI (where I have hooked up the Sat to the TV). This is freaking unbelievable. The guys at logitech have done a wonderful job. It is the same with any other activity like "watch DVD" also.
Finally, the remote's hard buttons and soft buttons (4 expandable to infinite via the arrow key) automatically change to operate your device. And if your are not satisfied with it, you can individually program every hard and soft button according to your needs. Although, the average user will never ever have to do all that tweaking the remote intelligently changes its buttons to fit the activity you are wathcing on its own.
GRIPES/WISH LIST ------------
None really, but I also have an X10 system in my house. Which means I can control all the lights in my house (on, off, dim, bright) via a singel remote). I wish I could also control my X10 lights with this remote. eg. If I want to watch a movie now, I have to use the X10 remote to switch to movie watching scene (where it dims living room lights, turns off bedroom and kitchen lights and also dims dining room lights to 50%) and then I have to use the Logitech to execute watch DVD activity. I guess I am being too greedy for $100. But guys this is my wish list. So give me a break.
-Nishant Pant
A great product.......2007-07-25
I own several universal remotes and have been disappointed with all until now. The ability to set it up on your PC is great. It works with all my electronics and is by far the best in its field.
Even low end Remotes from Harmony are the best in the market........2007-07-23
I will give it 5 stars because even the low end remotes from harmony, and i have another one that was much more expensive that this one, are very impressive.
They do what you need and you don't need to do anything else and for the price I consider this remote the best option.
Easy to configure and very easy to use.
Product Description
A dream comes true! One remote control for your entire home-theater and HDTV system. The Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote puts you in control of your entire audio-video system with just one button. It´s home entertainment the way it should be?simple. Optimized for complicated HDTV and PVR systems, the Harmony 880 helps you tame tough configurations like switching your television between video aspect ratios depending on the program source. The interactive color display lets you quickly choose a 16:9 ratio for movies and HDTV, or a standard 4:3 ratio for basic television programming.
High-end systems deserve a high-end remote. Designed with brushed chrome and charcoal accents, a color LCD display and a low-profile recharging station, the Harmony 880 Remote will match your most advanced audio-video components perfectly. Logitech has won a total of eight Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in the past two years, including five of Japan´s prestigious 2004 Good Design Awards. This experience helped develop the Harmony 880 and its ergonomic design. Featuring a comfort grip shape and a centered directional pad, it fits easily in your hand and naturally guides you to the most frequently used controls. Even the buttons are sculpted, to help you locate them by feel not sight. Smart State Technology allows the Harmony remote to completely control an entertainment system by knowing how to control each separate component while tracking the current state of up to 15 devices simultaneously. Simply press an Activity button, such as "Watch TV" or "Listen to Music," and your Harmony Remote automatically sets up each of the devices required for that activity. Sleek docking station that remote fully charged Programmable with Windows PC or Macintosh computer / USB Cable included 53 top-mounted hard buttons and 8 on-screen activity buttons 2 MB non-volatile flash memory
From the Manufacturer
The Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote puts you in control of your entire audio-video system with just one button. It's home entertainment the way it should be--simple.
Optimized for complicated HDTV and PVR systems, the Harmony 880 helps you tame tough configurations like switching your television between video aspect ratios depending on the program source. The interactive color display lets you quickly choose a 16:9 ratio for movies and HDTV, or a standard 4:3 ratio for basic television programming.
Color display
Why settle for another boring remote? The Harmony 880´s color LCD is both functional and stylish, with user-customizable backgrounds, activity selections, button icons and text.
- Ample space for up to eight custom activities or controls
- On-screen battery level indicator shows you charge status
Recharging station
Never replace batteries again. The Harmony 880 includes a sleek docking station that keeps the remote fully charged. Your family will always know where to put the remoteâand you´ll always know where to find it!
- Lithium-ion battery provides up to a one-week charge under normal use
- The horizontal docking station allows remote to be used while charging
Award-winning Logitech Industrial Design
High-end systems deserve a high-end remote. Designed with brushed chrome and charcoal accents, a color LCD display and a low-profile recharging station, the Harmony® 880 Remote will match your most advanced audio-video components perfectly.
Logitech has won a total of eight Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in the past two years, including five of Japan´s prestigious 2004 Good Design Awards. This experience helped us design the Harmony 880. Featuring a comfort grip shape and a centered directional pad, it fits easily in your hand and naturally guides you to the most frequently used controls. Even the buttons are sculpted, to help you locate them by feel not sight.
Patented Smart State Technology®
Smart State Technology allows the Harmony remote to completely control an entertainment system by knowing how to control each separate component while tracking the current state of up to 15 devices simultaneously.
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Easy to set-up
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Easy to use
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Easy to get help
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Never out of date
Package Contents
- Harmony® 880 remote control
- Recharging Station
- AC adapter
- USB cable
- Lithium-ion battery
- Installation CD
- Installation guide
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System Requirements
- IBM® compatible PC
- Windows® 98, 2000, Me, XP
- USB port
- CD-ROM drive
- Internet access
- Macintosh®
- Macintosh® OS X 10.2 or later
- USB port
- CD-ROM drive
- Internet access
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Customer Reviews:
Not Worth the Money.......2007-12-26
Initially, I thought this remote was a great investment. It looks very cool, has a great charging base, and the display is easy to read. Unfortunately after a couple days of use, I found the button layout to be very awkward and several buttons had to be pressed very hard in order to function, including the Channel Up button! I ended up sending it back and purchasing the Harmony 670. Less money and the button design and layout is much more user friendly.
Wonderful product, easy to setup, works like a charm!.......2007-12-26
I got this item as a Christmas gift and was thrilled to start playing with it. I had read up on it and decided I wanted to get one, but hesitated in buying one for myself. Luckily for me my wife took note when I was telling her how cool this remote was and Santa brought me one for Xmas.
With 2 1 1/2 year olds the thought of reducing my 4 remotes to one was exciting. Also, knowing that it had a cradle to sit on when it was not in use was appealing to me because it would give us a reason to keep the remote on top of the TV when not in use. All this equals 3 less things for my kids to chew on, break, etc. Now I just need to make sure they don't get a hold of this one :)
As anticipated this remote easily replaced my 4 device remotes. Setting up things was fairly simple. Being primarily a MAC user I was a little worried the software would be a little buggy or lack some support when installed on OS X. I'm happy to report the install and device configuration via USB went off without a hitch. Logitech's wizard in the software and troubleshooting wizard built into the remote itself made things very easy to get setup. One thing you'll need to do before you get started is to write down the makes and models of all of your devices. For me, it was fairly easy since I have 3 Sony devices and my cable box.
The cable box was the only thing that needed an extra tweak. The On/Off buttons they setup by default didn't seem to work for my box, so I tinkered and found that the TogglePower was the way to go.
After setting up my activities I tweaked the "Watch TV" activity I setup so that I could have all of my favorite DVR features on the upper touch screen. One of the nice things too is that you can setup custom buttons that represent a sequence of events. This, is very cool! So, you can have it go to "On Demand", "Move down", and "Select". This is cool if you're always going to the same menu all the time or something.
One thing that disappointed me about the sequence is that you seemed to be limited to like 5 steps. My wife and I always put in Mickey Mouse or Pooh from the On Demand and wanted to setup a Sequence called "Mickey" and one called "Pooh" on the screen. Well, since you need to move around the menu 6 or so times, it went beyond what the standard sequence offered. Obviously this is really no big deal, but just a bummer I guess (after only 1 hour we already started to get greedy, see how great this product is?)
The only other thing that I think could be a little better is the placement and size of a few of the buttons. This too isn't a huge deal for me/us as we don't have those monster/sausage hands and fingers. I'm sure that after using for a week I'll be able to use it in the dark with no problems without even looking for what I'm pressing.
Oh, another cool feature is the tilt sensor that turns on the remote display when you, well, tilt it. Man, is there anything this remote doesn't do? This feature, as with all others, is customizable too where you can turn it off, adjust the time, etc.
So, don't let the 4/5 rating fool you. If I could have given this a 4 1/2 star or 4.9 star rating I would have. I will DEFINITELY be telling all my friends and anybody else that will listen that they MUST go out and get one of these. If it wasn't so much I would buy 10 of them and tell all my friends that they'd thank me later.
Excellent, extensible and fantastic user interface........2007-12-24
This has been my best buy of the year 2007. I replaced 7-8 remotes with one - and very effectively.
The key to the great usability of this rempote is Logitech's organization of into 'Activities' (eg. Watch TV, Listen to CD etc.) that use a certain subset of your home entertainment 'Devices'. When you select a given activity, the devices used for that activity get turned on and the remote takes on a combination of functions of the remote controls of those devices. Here, Logitech's desktop software does a fine job of setting up vry intuitve typical/default remote functions for your activities. You can also use the desktop software and customize to add/remove buttons from an activity based on your specific usage by selecting available functions of the remote of any device used in the activity - the remote is very expandable in this regard. In addition you can always select any individual device and all its remote control functions are available for you to control idenpendent of an 'activity'.
Several (several) manufacturers and models are supported - I have Technics, Sony, Samsung, Hitachi, Sanyo, JVC, Scientific Atlanta devices controlled by this remote (models ranging from over 12 yrs old to less than one year old).
The one thing I was considering was to go for the RF model (harmony 890) instead of the IR model (880). The IR model requires you to be within sight and point at the device. I considered the ~$100 additional price for the 890 enough disincentive to stick with the 880 and take aim!
All in all - great remote for the price - you will not regret the purchase if you have a few pieces of home entertainment equipment to reign in.
Easy Upgrade.......2007-12-22
I had one of the earlier Harmony remotes, but I really wanted the new screen and the easier access to the activity buttons. It really worried me that I might have to reprogram the remote, but it was as easy as a single button click after logging into the software to get all of the settings moved to the new remote. I love the additional buttons it makes life so easy. It was also well designed and I have not had any problems picking out all of the buttons I use regularly without looking. The buttons work really well, and due to their shape they are surprisingly easy to push despite their small size. The screen is a little grainy, but it works well for what it is needed for. I am very happy with this upgrayDD from a Harmony 659 remote.
Great product.......2007-12-22
In a nutshell, I had 5 remotes on the coffee table and had to use at least three at any given time to enjoy TV, etc. It was time to do something about the mess as friends and family could never figure out how to watch TV in my home. This unit was in sale for $110 so I went for it.
Very easy to program online. It does a really good job setting up activities such as 'watch DVD'. That command would automatically set up your stereo receiver with the correct surround sound mode, turn on the dvd, set up the tv with the correct input selection, etc. This is the feature i enjoy most. However, like other remotes, if a device is turned off/on when the remote thinks otherwise (assuming someone manually turned a unit on/off), the remote could do the opposite action; however, it will ask you if everything is ok. If you select no, it'll start asking yes/no questions and resync everything.
Guys, i only have one remote on the coffee table now and couldn't be happier.
Product Description
The Family Remote. If you want your entire family to be able to use the entertainment system to its fullest, the simple layout and one-touch Activity Buttons makes the 659 the ideal choice. Main FeaturesManufacturer: LogitechManufacturer Part Number: 966179-0403Manufacturer Website Address: www.logitech.comProduct Type: Universal RemoteWireless Technology: InfraredInterfaces/Ports: 1 x USB (Receiver)Dimensions: 8.1" Height x 2.3" Width x 1.3" DepthWeight: 5.8 oz
Amazon.com Product Description
A good universal remote may control an entire home entertainment system, but more often than not, it also looks like the instrument panel of the space shuttle, with dozens of intimidating and confusing keys. Enter the Logitech Harmony 659 remote, which is not only simple to program and use, but also consolidates a user's preferences for watching TV, viewing movies, or listening to music into three clearly labeled buttons. Simply press the Watch a Movie, Watch TV, or Listen to Music button to activate all the appropriate equipment--including surround sound components--and the remote does the rest. The device will automatically switch to your favorite settings for each component, while offering you a host of customized controls on its interactive LCD screen. It's called Smart State Technology, and it puts you and your family back in control of your home theater system.
The remote is an ideal choice for families with kids, though in many cases, it's the grownups that will find the simplicity most appealing. Like many other universals, the remote lets you assign tasks to individual buttons. However, unlike most other remotes, it also lets you create new functions to specifically match your component, such as when controlling multi-angle playback or zoom on a DVD player. To do this, merely connect the Harmony remote to your computer through the USB port, install the included CD software, walk through the Web wizard's step-by-step setup process, and start programming. Once you enter the model numbers of your components and answer a few easy questions about personal preferences, you'll soon be able to control a complex home theater setup without any hassles of frustrations. The Harmony 659 also includes a learning port, which picks up commands from other infrared remote controls to simplify setup even further. And should the setup process ever get too confusing, the remote includes a handy Help button that guides you through common troubleshooting steps--the only remote on the market to do so.
The Harmony 659 is compatible with everything from surround sound systems to satellite and digital cable boxes to DVD players. As a further enticement, Logitech includes two free months of TV listings. For the computer setup to work properly, users will need to own USB-equipped computers running Windows 98 SE, 2000, Me, or XP or Macintosh OS X 10.2 or later.
What's in the Box
Harmony 659 remote control, software installation CD, USB cable, four AAA batteries, quick-start guide.
Customer Reviews:
One remote to rule them all.......2007-12-21
I purchased a large, flat screen TV last year and I received a free Harmony remote as part of the deal. Unfortunately, one of my three kids flung the remote off the back of the couch onto our tile floor, and broke the remote. My wife and kids were lost trying to manually turn on the correct audio and video inputs without our Harmony remote.
I liked the remote so much that I ended up buying a replacement. It does a great job of identifying all your devices and the combination of audio and video inputs you need when you want to turn one of them on. I thought the Web-based program that helps you identify your devices was quick and easy to use.
A little too much.......2007-12-21
I just received my harmony universal remote. It is a nice remote, I like the fact that you can use the usb to connect it to the computer and you punch in your components model numbers, and it pretty much sets up the remote for you. I had a problem with one of the settings, and try as I could, I had a real ahrd time finding directions to correct the problem. The directions are online, and they are not that great. I just kept playing around with it for over an hour and I managed to make the
settings pretty messed up. Though it seemed like it was going to be a hit because it did control all my components, the fact that I couldn't find some basic simple instructions was sort of a turn off. I wish it was just a little easier to navigate, or I would have kept it, but for $89.99 I need something that is less likely to cause a headache trying to figure out. I consider myself pretty resourceful, and can figure most things out without needing instruction, but I guess I just couldn't tackle this one. I did return it, but it is a really nice remote if you have the patience.
Logitech never quite gets it 100% right..........2007-12-09
...and this is the most painful example.
First of all, I am a big fan of Logitech's remote programming style. It is a very good idea that lets you get most of the way there, in terms of programming, just telling the web site what equipment you have, and then it allows button tweaks to get the rest of the way. Nobody has a better approach.
Where they ALWAYS mess up is in what buttons are there or the feel of the buttons or their location.
The 659 has excellent tactile feedback. You can always tell when you pressed enough, but you get no silly/annoying "click" feedback (like with the 5xx series). All but four buttons are there, those two missing being the begining/end of recording buttons and the page up/page down buttons. Worst of all is that the transport buttons (play/stop/pause/record/etc.) are all located at the bottom of the control where they are very hard to access one-handed. Extremely poor ergonomic choice. Extremely. Should have left the number pad there.
Other than that, the 659 is an excellent remote. However, the less expensive, earlier, 628 managed to have the transport buttons in the right place (while having some other buttons missing), so why did Logitech regress?
Maybe they really want you to buy their over $100 remotes some of which do a better job of button choice and placement. Some.
Remote control for Dummies.......2007-12-05
We've had our Harmony for several years and frankly I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I've often felt like I needed to go back to college and get an engineering degree to learn how to work all the new-fangled electronic equipment, but the Harmony is easy to program (and I'm no computer whiz by a long shot!)and even easier to use. Contrary to another review I read, the batteries in ours last a looong time and my husband is a channel-surfer, so no issues there. It didn't take but a couple times to teach the grandkids how to use it. Whenever a problem is encountered, just press Help and it fixes it. What more could you ask for? It's worth every penny and I can't recommend it high enough.
Inexpensive and awesome.......2007-12-02
I now have three of these remotes. They are very easy to program and very reliable. I have quite a few devices to control with each and their data base has the codes for everyone. And, for tougher challenges, their free tech support line is awesome. I highly recommend this product.
Average customer rating:
- Perfect remote
- Solid Remote - Eats Batteries
- Have not tried the remote because Amazon's Bait and Switch tactics won't let me have it.
- Only works for a few months
- Harmony to my wifes ears!
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Logitech Harmony 676 Universal Remote Control
Manufacturer: Logitech
ProductGroup: CE
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Product Features:
- Comprehensive remote control integrates entire home theater system with 1-button use
- Watch a Video, Listen toMusic, and Watch TV buttons activate all necessary components and settings
- Integrates up to 15 devices, including TVs, CD and DVD players, satellite systems, speakers, and more
- Sets up quickly and easily with online Web wizard
- Comes with 3 changeable faceplates, USB cable, and 4 AAA batteries
ASIN: B0003QER7S
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Product Description
Imagine setting up your home theater system to watch a DVD movie with full surround sound... listening to your CDs in full stereo... or enjoying your favorite TV shows. How many remote controls would you have to cycle through? Do you remember the complex button sequences to perform all these activities? With the Logitech Harmony 676 advanced universal remote control, a single button is all it takes. That's right: Just press "Watch a Movie, " "Listen to Music, " or "Watch TV" on your Harmony 676 and all your equipment turns on and automatically adjusts to the right settings. It's called Smart State Technology, and it will put you and your family back in control of your home theater system.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect remote.......2007-12-21
It works perfectly. I love this remote and once you get used to the software it is real easy to program. I have it running 6 devices and set up programs as HD DVD, where it gets my AV receiver, TV, and HD DVD player on and on the right channel and speaker set up. Just one touch when it took 3 remotes in the past. I have it connected to my blu-ray player and comcast DVR box. Speaking of Comcast DVR box, it allowed me to set a 30 second fast forward button, which comacast has taken out of all its remotes backing down to advertisers. Now I can fast forward in 30 second increments and back up in 10 second increments. No more commercials ruining a good show that I just DVR. This is my favorite feature that I use everyday. Great remote. One minor point is the light only last about 10 seconds and the glow button isn't in a great spot, so if your watching movies you can hit a wrong button. Very minor, once you get used the buttons it becomes second nature. I wish the glow button was on the side, like another remote I had, but this one is so much better. And the price on Amazon was AWESOME. I was a gold box purchase. Best remote I have ever had and I spend $200 on another that I never liked. This one is the one. I am waiting for another sale to get another for my Family room entertainment system.
Solid Remote - Eats Batteries.......2007-12-12
I was worried about the complexity to programming this remote and I was wrong. It is simple, and once programmed to your liking is a quality product. Only downside is the thing eats batteries!
Have not tried the remote because Amazon's Bait and Switch tactics won't let me have it........2007-12-10
I have not actually tried this remote...I want to, and I hear great things about it, but Amazon refuses to honor it's own pricing on this item. They have listed it for $59.99 for about one day every month or so over the past 6 months. They then send out an email claiming they have it back ordered and give you a ridiculously long wait time (hoping you cancel). If you opt to wait (as I and MANY others have during each of these "sales"), they will just cancel your order in a couple of months, claiming that they cannot get them in from any distributor (although they still list it for sale by another company at twice the price and every month sell it themselves for $59.99 for one day). This is typical and blatant bait and switch, telling their customers they simply cannot get the item in stock...ever again, but yet continue to sell it at the same price advertised to you for short periods of time once a month to increase traffic to their website. This has happened to me with several products over the years from Amazon and I am finally outraged enough to call them out on it. I am not the only one this has happened to, I have done my research and they have done this to MANY, MANY people on this one product alone...over and over again. Hopefully someone will be able to read this and I can save you the hassle before they delete it.
Only works for a few months.......2007-12-06
I had been a fan of these Logitech Harmony Universal remotes for the past couple years now, but I hate to say that I'm finished with them. I've been through three in that time, for a total of $370, this model 676 being the last.
When they work, they are wonderful. But each of mine only worked for a few months, then, I guess the buttons wear out. I am the only one who uses it so it's not as if it's gotten extraordinary use. Logitech's tech support is very poor, even though I made it to "Level 2", they still put me through the same troubleshooting paces I had done myself, over and over again without success, and even though it's still under warranty, they refuse to replace it! So I'm sitting here with 3 very expensive paperweights. I'm surely not going to try for the more expensive ones! If the $150 ones can't cut it, I'm done.
As a result of my experience, I can't recommend them. So I'm back to juggling 5 remotes. :(
Harmony to my wifes ears!.......2007-11-20
I priced out a bunch of different remotes and found the Harmony's to be user friendly. The 676 just happened to be the cheapest and still had a ton of features. One button for your four major preferences. Small con (being picky): if you have already have your TV on then hit the TV button which can then turn on the cable, TV, and receiver all by hitting one button, it will then turn the TV off, but if you hit the help button it just ask you "is your TV on" you click yes or no and it just turns it back on and your golden! On other is the buttons are rubber so you some times have to push a little hard then a simple click. But for all the features this has in one remote I'm extremely happy and so is the rest of my family. Simple for the whole family to use.
Product Description
The Harmony Remote is the world's only remote with Smart State Technology Activity Control. Just press an Activity button such as "Watch TV" or "Watch a Movie", and the Harmony Remote will automatically set-up your entertainment system in seconds without you ever having to program a 'macro'. The Harmony Remote provides simple, intuitive control of even the most elaborate entertainment system for anyone in the family.The community-driven database together with IR learning ensures support of all infrared-controlled devices made by any manufacturer, including TiVo, HDVCR, HDTV, Plasma Displays, Monitors, Projectors, Lighting Control, CD/DVD-R, PVR, Satellite Radios, Amplifiers, DVD Players, Receivers, Dual VCRs and even combination devices like DVD-VCR components.The Harmony Remote is the world's only remote with Smart State Technology Activity Control. With the world's only Smart State Database of electronic devices, set-up is a snap. With interactive media capabilities, you can select TV Shows, Movies or Music titles from the interactive display. You can even control devices like lights, fireplace and your personal computer!
Customer Reviews:
Great remote, easy to use, a little fragile.......2007-11-27
This is a must have if you have many brands of equipment in your home theather. I have three kids ages 8 and down and they know exactly which button to press to play video games, to watch a DVD or to watch tv. Takes some time to set up but is very friendly. The only con is that it is too fragile, I have bought four units in the past 2 years since the buttons got stuck on three of them and one got the screen broken. Overall, I don't mind buying one every six months since it does everything I need it to.
Don't buy this loser.......2007-02-11
For $99 this should be a much better remote. If you watch movies in the dark, you have to use the glow button, guess what, you will have to replace the batteries once a month at least. Also, Logitech has over simplifed the remote. You can't program individual buttons you have to use their program that only allows you to program devices and not the remote directly. If you have to go into the device menu a lot you will not be able to control the volume unless you switch to the device that controls volume. Why not have an option to program each button period... But the remote is useless now because of the low battery life. Do not buy this unless you want to buy batteries every month. Ridiculous. Only remote I have ever had like this.
It is very hard to update the remote due to software glitches........2007-01-22
It is very hard to update the remote. Very seldom we can delete and if there are two DVR boxes remote get confused and keep on turning off and on, even though we choose the right one such as A or B.Software update is cumbersome and take 45 minutes on a Intel Quad computer with 2 G memory. Can supply some patches. I have the remote sitting on my coffee table useless.
Logitech Harmony 688 Universal Remote.......2007-01-09
This is the first remote that I've found that operates all my audio and video components. It's reasonably priced and easy to set up. The only improvement I'd recommend is an increase in the font sizes used to identify the commands.
One fantastic remote!.......2007-01-05
This is a very easy universal to program, just hook it up to your computer. Enter the product name and model number, answer a few questions on a very user friendly screen and you're done. The best thing is that it works with TiVO, it even has the up and down thumb buttons. All in all this remote has given me no problems and has been a dream for the past 6 months. Would strongly recommend, especially for the price!!!
Amazon.com Product Description
Harmony Remote's SST-768 universal remote control uses Smart State Technology, pioneered by Intrigue Technologies, to control your home theater devices through commands focused on activities rather than on the devices themselves. Just scroll through the Harmony's screen and click with the convenient thumb wheel to choose an activity such as "watch television" or "watch a DVD," then let the SST-768 figure out how to configure your entertainment system for your desired activity--you don't have to first program the device with complicated macros. By selecting the activity, the appropriate commands are automatically sent to the entertainment devices, resulting in simple, intuitive control of even the most elaborate entertainment system.
The SST-768's activities are completely Web-configured through Web Wizard questions on member pages created at HarmonyRemote.com. The Smart State database of electronic devices makes set-up a snap. Even if a brand-new device is not already in the database, your remote will learn any command and add any IR-capable device to the database.
Your online system configuration is transferred directly from your personal account to the remote via USB connection (a Windows PC with a USB connection is required for use). The configuration is always safely stored on your Web page so you can make changes any time you want, right through your Web browser.
And, with the SST-768 you'll never have to utter complaints like "I can see a picture, but I can't hear the sound." Simply press the Help button and the Harmony remote poses a few simple questions on its screen, such as: "Is the television on?" or "Is the stereo set to the DVD input?" Just click yes or no to each question and the remote will automatically send the correct commands to get your entertainment system back in sync.
Each button is tailored to a specific activity, but is also customizable. "Seldom used" functions are always available through the backlit LCD.
What's in the Box
Remote control, Harmony Software installation CD, a USB cable, 4 AAA batteries, and a Quick Start Guide.
Product Description
Logitech Harmony Remote 768 is Classic Remote that features the built-in electronic program guide with the scroll wheel for quick convenient access to your TV listings. If you are looking for the ultimate in flexibility with XML programming access, the sophisticated Harmony Remote 768 is your best choice.
Customer Reviews:
AWESOME REMOTE.......2005-05-06
THIS REMOTE WORKS GREAT WITH ALL MY COMPONENTS, CONTROLS MY WHOLE SYSTEM WITH A TOUCH OF A BUTTON, THE ONLY THING IS AFTER BASIC SETUP IT REQUIRES SOME ADDITIONAL SETTINGS, BUTS ITS AWESOME, GREAT BUY! I GOT IT FOR 60 AFTER 10 REBATE
Could be better.......2005-04-30
Pros: Small size; web interface for setup; stores every remote command in the scroll wheel
Cons: Takes a while to get the remote working exactly the way you want it; each computer update takes about 6 to 7 minutes to upload to your remote (I've already updated mine over 10 times and I'm still not finished;
nice - powerful little unit!.......2005-04-23
i got mine last night. Here's a preliminary review:
easy remote setup on their website, i just wrote down the model numbers of my 6 components, and then walked through setup of each one. It took only an hour or so. Once the update was downloaded to the remote, it was a pretty easy process to learn the remote. Within a short time I was able to operate all my components/activities without any problems. Activity based remote use is a godsend!
The only problem i had in setup was some of the ir commands not working correctly, however, that was easily overcome by the easy remote command ir learning process on their site.
I do have a little bit of setup left to do - reassigning buttons/commands to places that are more intuitive for me.. So there will be a bit of a refining process.
So far i love this remote, and the TV Guide feature on the remote is coming in more handy than i thought it would..
So far - I LOVE IT!
Great Remote, Great Price.......2005-04-17
I had a universal remote to control all of my components and it worked but it took a long explanation to anyone who wanted to use it.
The 768 spells everything out in easy to understand English like "Watch a DVD" or even "Watch Yanks in HD" that control all of the components so that you arrive at your end goal even if you have no idea what steps are needed to setup all the gear.
The support is great too. I had initial troubles getting it setup and was concerned that they may not have weekend support hours but they did! I got right through and the gentleman I spoke with was able to go into my account and clean up the problem.
I sometimes wish it had dedicated directional buttons the different "modes" work well enough.
I cannot reccomend this remote highly enough, especially for the price Amazon has it for right now.
Grab it, You'll LOVE it.......2005-04-08
I have had a Harmony 768 for a year and bought another one for my daughter 6 months ago for $134. I thought it was a good deal at that price. For $70 the Harmony 768 is the deal of the century. Harmony's 1-800 tech support line is the best in the business.
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