Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
by Logitech
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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 |
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control
Customer Review: Awesome remote! Worth the upgrade!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just got the Harmony 890 remote a couple of days ago, and it's AWESOME! I upgraded from the Harmony Xbox 360 Remote because of the RF capabilities of the 890, and I must say that it's been great! My home theater is set up so that the components are behind me, and being able to control them all, without having to contort my self to aim the remote behind my back is HEAVENLY!
The only cons that I've experienced with this remote are:
1. The documentation that comes with the remote is beyond useless. I had to figure out, on my own, how to update the firmware in the RF receiver, as it's not mentioned on the quick set up poster (just so happens you just plug the receiver into a USB port and click "Update Remote". Go figure.)
2. The trial and error of getting everything to work correctly took a LONG time, and can get frustrating. Updating both the remote AND the receiver when you discover something doesn't work correctly gets REAL tedious when you're initially setting the thing up. When you're done, it's worth it, though!
Other than that, I have no complaints with the remote. No, it doesn't power on or off the PS3, but that's because of Sony deciding to use Bluetooth instead of infrared or RF (like ever OTHER device in the world!) It DOES control the other functions of the PS3, if you use the Nyko Blu Wave Remote PlayStation 3 Blu Wave Remote, which is very cool!
Also, the people complaining about having to use the internet to setup the remote... we should welcome them to 2008! Is it even feasible to expect a remote to operate the MILLIONS of different electronic devices in the marketplace WITHOUT downloading codes from the internet? What about newly released electronics? Should it just "know" all of these codes too? Crazy!
All I'm saying is, if you've got a little time (and a wee amount of patience), then this remote is great! If you're actually sick enough to ENJOY configuring electronic devices to work exactly as you wish (like yours truly!) then you will LOVE it!
Customer Review: Excellent and Easy to Use!
Summary: 5 Stars
UPDATE------I have been using this remote for 4 months now. Things I noticed are that with the activity buttons I still have to hit help to get the buttons to do what they are supposed to do. It is a hit and miss feature. The other thing I noticed is that the response time is slow. When you hit a button such as guide for example, it takes a moment to work. That is with all buttons. It is not as instantaneous and the original devices remote. All in all I am happy with the product but it is not worth the hefty price tag. My wife not being a gadget junkie like me hates it for these incontinences. For the money you spend it should not have these little problems.
This remote is one the best universal remotes I have ever bought. You can customize it to do whatever you want. The software can be a bit tricky but after you figure it out it is a breeze. It took me about 30 minutes to undersatnd the programming and then about 3 days to tweek the remote to do what I want. I am sure this would be different for each person. I have a Tv, Tivo, BD, and HD players. The Tivo stays on all the time and you can set it up to keep it on because it turns off whatever unit is not needed. I really can not think of anything to make this remote better. You can even change the background picture but be careful as the resolution is not great and can make it difficult to see the functions. You can also program any button to do whatever you want. Along with that the remote has a help function. For example, If you hit "Watch DVD" and the TV does not turn to the appropriate input, the remote will ask if everything is ok. If you hit no it will continue to run through a few checks until it works. Maybe 5 seconds and then all is well and it is fixed for the next time. KEEP IN MIND..THIS WILL NOT WORK PERFECTLY OUT OF THE BOX. YOU NEED TO TUNE IT TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS. It is a bit expensive but well worth it. The remote can also a=control anything with a remote and with the wireless extender, it can control equipment through walls that use remotes. Again, with some patitence you can setup this remote to do what you want it to do.
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.