Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 333
 In Harmony w/My Home Theater February 13, 2008
Kort Kramer (South Florida, USA)
26 out of 33 found this review helpful
The Harmony One came wonderfully packaged, in a special box inside what looks like Easter egg basket grass. Classy presentation, if not too environmentally friendly. But you are getting a big ticket item so it seems appropriate.
Everything was pretty easy to figure out right out of the box, until I tried connecting the remote after the software installation. I made a wrong click and was not able to get my computer to see the remote. I tried it again on another computer with the same results. So far, not so intuitive. I contacted customer support and a day later I got an email that helped me solve the issue.
Do yourself a favor and go right to their website and download the latest version of the software, and when setting up, do not click YES to the question, "Are you setting up a Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote?" It will save you A LOT of hassle.
After that, installation and setup went fairly smoothly. I had a hard time determining the exact model # of my Samsung TV, but the software walked me through it and we got it worked out. I have a mini-system, TV, DVD and VHS player as my preset devices.
After the initial install, all went smoothly. Amazingly, it worked flawlessly from the get go! To watch a DVD, I press that option and it turns on both my DVD player and TV, and sets the TV to the proper input. Press another button and it shuts them all back off. So easy! All of the other functions are working too. I even set up a photo slideshow of family snapshots to play in the touchscreen LCD -- cool! This is one sleek looking and impressive piece of technology. A bit pricey, but I have to say you get what you pay for. I have yet to use a universal remote that worked so well, was easy to set up with ALL of my equipment, and that looked so good doing it. Before this, my latest remote was a DirecTV RC64 Universal RF Remote Control, and oh, what an improvement.
I have yet to figure out how to set it up to also play DVDs from my mini-system, but I am sure that will come in time. There are a lot of features I have yet to explore. The slick recharging stand is nice too -- I always know where it is when I am not using it. As mentioned by others, it is motion sensitive and shuts off after not being used for a while. Pick it up, and it comes right back to life. Neat!
All in all, I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind the price tag. It is an impressive bit of technology that will not be obsolete anytime soon due to the ability to update itself online. If you don't need RF functionality, then this is the ALL-IN-ONE for you!
 Logitech goes radical with design, but forgets to do the same with the inside! January 6, 2008
Omid Keshtkar (Chicago, IL USA)
25 out of 60 found this review helpful
The Logitech Harmony remote line has come far in the past few years and there have been some great ones and some not so great ones (the 1000 for example). I have been using the 890 now for almost a year and like the options but the user interface can be annoying, especially trying to control Z-Wave modules at times.
The Harmony ONE has improved on all the short comings of past models by having raised buttons and a touchscreen. The LCD screen is fantastic and very clear. Battery life is stronger too than previous models. The programming process is the same as past models, and if you have gone through it, you have little to worry about. For newbies; the remote is programmed using a USB cable on your Mac or PC through a Java program that accesses Logitech's huge library of product codes via an internet connection. The whole process is quite user friendly.
Overall, its a good addition but short of a hit by Logitech. It's a shame that they have excluded RF from this model. I think perhaps this is not really meant to replace the 890 just yet. I hope their next revision might include RF/Z-Wave in addition to the elusive Bluetooth for PS3 owners.
If you don't want RF/Z-Wave support, this is a good remote, but if you want the master remote for everything, hang on to the 890.
 Great device January 23, 2008
Y. Mann (United States)
25 out of 33 found this review helpful
Just got it today and set it up in about 15-20 minutes. This is not a hard device to set up, the entire process basically consists of you inputting the model number(s) of the electronic devices you want to control. In my case I put in the TV, DVD, and Cable Box. After this is done you set up which channel the TV needs to be tuned to in order for the Cable Box to work and the same for the DVD. Why this happens is because the remote control will turn on both the TV and Cable Box/DVD when you hit the relevant button, which is somewhat nice as you don't have to go from one remote to another or press more than one button (I know, how lazy can you be to press another button!). The only 'minus', and for these two reasons I wanted to give the remote 4 stars, is the fact that to adjust any little thing, for example changing the channel the TV has to be tuned to from 3 to say 4, takes 2-3 minutes, while the remote is connected via USB to the computer and of course the price is a bit high, in my opinion. BUT, and this is why I still gave this remote 5 stars, I would say the best part about this universal remote control is that it is ALL that you will need for years to come. Switching cable providers? No problem, just find the new provider from the pull down menu when you go to adjust the remote control, put in a new model number, and you're set. Switching TV's? Same procedure, for over a dozen different devices, this is ALL that you'll need! So, perhaps in the end $250 for one remote is a good deal after all.
And it is a great remote control, you can easily switch between devices, there isn't any 'lag' that I noticed when switching the channels on my cable box, and it's pretty much eliminated 2 remote controls for me. It can control up to 15 different devices but I don't yet have an entertainment system for my TV so it'll have to settle for 3 at the moment.
So, bottom line; easy to set up, easy to adjust, easy to switch between devices, works as it should, no problems thus far!
Edit: I've now also hooked up my Z-5500 Surround Sound Speaker System from my computer and the remote works perfectly with it!
Logitech's Best Harmony Yet...But Could Still Be Better February 2, 2008
M. Pickering (MI, USA)
22 out of 24 found this review helpful
The introduction of the new Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote has really raised some eyebrows and produced a lot of chatter in the electronics gadget market. Once you see this remote and try it for yourself you will understand what all the buzz is about!
The Harmony line of universal remotes has become the most popular among average consumer grade remotes here in the U.S. Although not cheap, the Logitech Harmony series offers great functionality, easy computer-based programmability, and stylish looks at a somewhat affordable price. I already owned two other Harmony remotes, including the Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote and the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control, before deciding to buy the new Harmony One. The 880 model has proven to be a wonderful but somewhat frustrating remote to own. It has very small buttons, a smallish color LCD display, and I had problems with the charging feature working properly when sitting the remote in its charging cradle. The Harmony one improves on all of these aspects. This new remote has much larger buttons, which have unique shapes that make it easy to determine function of most buttons by feel (so you don't have to look at them before pressing). The LCD screen is bigger, brighter, and has a much higher resolution; not to mention the fact that it is a touch screen. The newly designed charging cradle is formed precisely to hold the new Harmony One snug, so it cannot wobble and lose connection with the charging contacts. The Harmony One is a slight bit larger than the Harmony 880 and 890 series remotes, but feels more balanced in the hand; likely due to the remote's wonderful contoured body. Setting up the new Harmony One could not be much easier, using the same USB interface and Harmony Remote software that all of the other Harmony remotes utilize. If you already have a previous Harmony remote, you can copy over all of the activities and devices onto the new Harmony One. However, doing this will cause you to lose any custom button settings. As could be expected, the Harmony One also has an IR learning capability, so you can teach it IR commands from other device remotes that you have.
Although some of the features of this new model are not unique from other Harmony models, here are a few of the perks you get with the newly designed Harmony One:
- Beautiful 2.2" LCD Touch Screen Display (220 by 176 pixels)
- 40 Essential Backlit Function Buttons, With Unique Shapes That Make Them Easy To Identify By Touch
- USB Interface Allows Easy Setup via Computer With Included Harmony Remote Software
- Harmony Remote Software Currently Includes Database Of More Than 5,000 Manufacturers and 175,000 Devices.
- Activities Can Be Programmed For One Touch Control Of Your Entire Home Entertainment and/or Home Automation System (i.e., Watch DVD, Listen to CD, etc.)
- Up To 15 Devices Can Be Programmed, Meaning You Can Essentially Replace 15 Remotes With The Harmony One
- Logos Can Be Added For Favorite Channels Or Device Functions (although setting this up can be rather tedious!)
- Rechargeable Litium Ion Battery Powers Remote For Several Days Between Charges
- Up To 8 Photos Can Be Uploaded For Slideshow On LCD Display (resolution and file size limitations apply!)
- Ergonomic Body Fits Well In Hand And Feels Light And Well Balanced
- Included Charging Cradle Holds Remote Snug And Keeps Remote Charged And Ready For Use
- IR Learning Feature Allows Custom Teaching Of Specialized Device Remote Commands
- Built-In Motion Sensor Automatically Tuns On Backlighting When Remote Is Picked Up Or Tilted
With the good you always have to expect some bad, and the Harmony One does indeed have a few flaws that nick my overall score of this otherwise awesome device:
- Glossy Surface Of Remote Promotes Ugly Finger Print Smudges And Accentuates The Appearance Of Dust Particles
- Only 3 Activities Are Displayed On LCD At One Time (you can flip pages to display other activities in sets of 3)
- No RF or Bluetooth (IR only!)
- No WiFi for Remote Setup (must be plugged directly into PC via included USB cable)
- Photos and Custom Button Icons Can Be Painful To Setup and Configure
- Remote Wobbles A Bit When Sitting On Hard Surface (counter top, night stand, etc.)
- Cannot Customize Order Of Device List
- No Tactile Response/Feedback for Touchscreen Buttons
Overall I am extremely pleased with my new Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote. It is definately a step up from my Harmony 880 model. However, with a $250.00 price tag this may not be a practical choice for everyone. Many of the cheaper Logitech Harmony universal remotes offer most of the same capabilities; just not with all of the bells, whistles and high-tech style as you get with the Harmony One. I definately wish Logitech had designed this remote with a matte finish, rather than the finger print attracting gloss finish. I also wish they included the ability to customize the order in which it displays the device list. I have 15 devices programmed into my Harmony One, and I find myself flipping through page after page in order to find the device I want (since the LCD only displays 3 per page). These design oversights, and those listed in my cons list above, as well as the hefty price tag prevent me from giving this wonderful remote a 5-star rating. Still, the Harmony One is one of the best, affordable, full-featured universal remote controls you will find on the market today (IMO). Since this remote has firmware that can be upgraded via the Harmony Remote Software, I am hoping that Logitech tweaks this device a little over the coming months. Still, there is no way for them to add features like RF, Bluetooth or WiFi without introducing an upgraded model in the future. This means that buying the Harmony One today may leave you wanting a newer (improved) model, which is sure to be released by Logitech in the near future (as they did when they introduced the Harmony 890 after many of us had already purchased the Harmony 880!). If you are looking for a sleek, one remote solution for your home entertainment and/or home automation needs, and you can live without RF and Bluetooth for the foreseeable future, then I highly recommend the Logitech Harmony One. It really is one amazing remote control device!
Unbelievably easy and intuitive set-up, a nearly flawless remote February 11, 2008
W. C. Bryant (Columbus, OH USA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
I need to qualify my perspective by allowing that the last time I took a chance on a universal remote, it was the Phillips Pronto. A thick, wide, heavy brick of an object with a monochrome touch screen. The programming process was so drawn out, that I never got all of my devices into it, and subsequently, this expensive piece of electronics sat in that box full of cables and other bits that resides in everyone's closet. So I admit to being apprehensive a bit when the Harmony One Advanced arrived.
Immediately as I opened the box, I was delighted at the look and feel of the remote. It has some substance, but isn't too heavy. The weight is fairly balanced front to back even with the battery inserted. The front face is a high gloss black, with a touch of silver at the bottom, the back a comfortable matte black rubber-type feel. It is, for lack of a better word, a 'pretty' remote.
So I did what the instructions said; I gathered the make and model numbers of the nine (9) pieces of equipment I wanted to control. I set aside an hour to start the process, and figured I'd continue later as necessary. After installing the software on my laptop, I connected the remote to it, and started following the prompts. I entered all those make and model numbers -- and lo and behold, that was the whole of my set-up experience. I chose how the devices work together, what settings they each need in order to perform an 'Activity' (such as watching a DVD, or playing an Xbox 360), and that was it. After about 10-15 minutes, I was disconnected, and using my new remote without a single hitch. I love that you can hit different activities on the touch screen, and the remote will control multiple objects at the same time, or you can select devices and control each individually as if you had the original remote.
After nearly a month of use, I only have a few concerns. That high gloss black on the face shows fingerprints and grime very easily. I feel like we're constantly wiping it down with a cloth they provided with the package. This isn't a complaint so much as it is an observation. Furthermore, there are already some very fine scratches over the touch screen. I may have to blame one or more of my three dogs for this one though, and not Logitech's choice of materials.
All my old remotes now live in that box with the old pronto. I don't keep them around just in case, because no scenario (no matter how complicated) has required them in my use over the last month. I added a new device (an HD-DVD player) a week or two ago, and it took just a few minutes to have it working just as well as the rest in the Harmony One's interface. This is a brilliant remote, and I literally couldn't be much happier with it. The only feature I wish it had, was its own 'sleep' timer for all the devices. Not all of my electronics do that on their own, and it would have been a nice touch to have been granted that ability by way of the remote's function.
Outside of those with specific RF or Bluetooth needs, I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with this remote. A wonderful addition (subtraction, considering I went from 9 remotes to 1 in this room) to my entertainment experience. Thank you, Logitech!
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