Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touch Screen
by Logitech
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touch Screen
Customer Review: Wonderful universal remote with awesome support
Summary: 5 Stars
In spite of the overwhelming evidence of how good this product is, I can't help but add my comments. My Harman Kardon AVR 65 remote stopped working. If I were to buy a new one, it would have cost me $115 plus shipping. So, based on the functionality provided by this remote, it seemed that $50 more could also reduce the remote control clutter, and more importantly, streamline the management of the components used for any one activity. To watch TV, my family members had to remember to turn on the TV and set it to HDMI, turn on the cable box, and turn on the HDMI switch box and set it to 1. Then when controlling each of those components, they needed to use separate remotes. A similar combination had to be remembered when watching a DVD, with different settings sometimes on the same component (e.g. the HDMI switch). This universal remote has delivered in spades on the simplification of managing everything with a single remote.
I had concerns that this universal control would not be able to simulate the Harman Kardon remote for some of the esoteric settings I used it for. I was sure it would not be able to deal with my monoprice HDMI switch box that I have. But again, this remote was able to handle all 15 (also the max for this remote) of the components I have in my house, providing support for all commands that I needed for these components.
Of course, being like most other users, I did not really read the Users Guide thoroughly. So in order to get my activities set up right and to work correctly I called Logitech Support. I can say that by far this is the best support that I have gotten on any product I have ever had in my life! It may have to do with the person I had on the phone (Stefan - sp?). But not only did he help me set up my activities, he took the time to educate me on how to use the remote, where I was proficient in setting up the devices and activities, and the options I wanted for those activities. Maybe Logitech should set up videos on their site, or YouTube, showing how to do all this, so that their support costs don't sky rocket.
One could argue that I needed that help due to some complexity in the interface, and perhaps an interface that was not intuitive enough. But hey, this product tries to do a lot, and being in the software development business I know how hard it is to develop these interfaces - we all know that Apple is by far the king in this space. But I find Logitech's interface good enough, with some opportunity for improvement.
The only downside I see with this remote is that often it may not turn on/off all the components for an activity. I don't have this problem, but some of my family members do sometimes. This probably has to do with not keeping the remote pointed towards the components to finish off its sequence - after all, unlike a remote that has to turn on one component, this is serially turning on multiple ones. Now, it could do that in parallel, but that is highly unlikely. I still did not think that was sufficient enough of a problem to knock of a star from the rating.
So all in all, excellent product with awesome support!
Customer Review: Creates Harmony in your Living Room
Summary: 5 Stars
The Harmony remote is, quite possibly, the best thing since the advent of the remote control. Sure, there have been other "Universal" remotes, but none has ever approached the level of sochistication of this lovely little slice of heaven. Logitech makes some nice products, and I can say that without a doubt, this one has greatly simplified my life and the life of my less techologically advanced companions. (IE, My girlfriend.)
The remote works very simply. You tell it what you own on the included computer program. You tell it what setting you have your components on when you watch TV, play DVDs or Blu-Rays, listen to Music, play video games on your 360 or PS3, etc, etc, etc. Then the program uploads all this onto the activites screen of the remote.
Now, instead of having to set my receiver to DVD, my TV to HDMI3, etc, I just press Watch DVD and the remote does everything for me while I grab a handful of popcorn. Of course, I still have to put the DVD in, but I doubt there will ever be a remote for that.
You can also program the nice little touchscreen to display other buttons, for instance, I originally set one up to turn on the ON DEMAND channel of my Comcast cable box.
Then I happened onto the ability to program in channels for my cable box.
Another nice little feature. I set it up with all my favorite channels, including ON DEMAND. I was even able to add logos for all the channels from a website made expressly for adding channel buttons for the logitech remote. THANKS GUYS! I use this feature a lot. It's easier than punching in the numbers, and I'm very impatient... Instead of punching in 202 for ESPN, I just press the little ESPN logo, and BAM, I'm watching Sportscenter. My girlfriend doesn't like that feature, since she usually had the TV set to Lifetime.
The remote also turns itself on when you pick it up, or you can just give it a little shake to wake it. Also, you never need to buy batteries for it, since it has a dock that charges it. It's never run out of power on me, and I've left it off the dock for days at a time. It does have a power level symbol, so you'll know when it's time to dock it.
The remote is also nicely shaped, and fits in my hand nicely. All the main buttons are in the perfect positions, and channel surfing is a breeze.
Also, you can upload pictures to the remote to be displayed when it's docked. Not exactly the biggest thing in the world ever, but sorta neat. (I guess.) Don't really see the point, but whatever.
One slight caveat is that the remote can't run the PS3, since it runs om bluetooth. There are ways to get it to control your PS3, including the Nyko Blu Wave remote and the recently released Logitech Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3. I avoided buying the Blu Wave remote, since you have to plug it into your PS3, and mine only has two USB ports I use to keep my controllers charged. I'll update everyone when I have to Logitech Adapter set up. (I bought it from Amazon today.)
All in all, this remote is wonderful, and it's worth every penny. You won't regret buying one.
Customer Review: The Harmony series finally reaches perfection
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned a few universal remotes in my day, from Marantz, to a Universal MX-500, to a Harmony 550 most recently. All have been "ok", but always left me wishing for something more.
Well, Logitech, after bazillions of "just ok" (imo) production models on the market over the years, have finally done it...they have created the perfect remote. As picky as I am about my home theater gear, it's tough for me to find something I don't like about this thing, except the price, which is a little crazy if you ask me.
PROS
- S-E-X-Y. Svelte, smooth, curvy, and ergonomically designed to fit my hand perfectly. So beautiful I want to lick it sometimes. 10x better fit, finish and construction compared to my Harmony 550 (which is creaky and cheap feeling). To be fair, the 550 is/was half the price of this remote.
- Screen is easy to read. Compared to my other remotes, the screen on this baby is several levels above in terms of legibility. I personally have 20/20 vision, but my mom, other users etc always complained about my 550 (as did I). It was too dim, and the resolution on the lettering was downright bad.
- Rechargeable base. Speaks for itself. Not a must, but definitely in the "sure is nice" column.
- Online software is GREAT. Soooo easy to use...you can tell they spent a lot of time making a VERY complex process as simple as possible for non tech users. consider me impressed. It was very good even when I was setting up my 550 a couple of years back, but it's even better now.
- Buttons - the size and feel of the buttons is really perfect here (again, compared to the 550 which was mushy, with too small buttons).
- Touch screen - a small plus for me personally, since I think buttons on the side (a la MX-500) work just as well (maybe a little better), but it does add to the cool factor, I guess.
CONS
- Price (very spendy, but not as spendy as their 1000 series, which IMO, is an inferior product - all touch screen) You can find this for around $150 or less shipped if you use Bing cashback via eBay.
- I do wish it had the color coded buttons (the ones usually found on cable box remotes) like on the 900 that they just released. I use these buttons a lot and they are out of reach of my thumb on the touch screen (so you either have to use another hand or shift the remote to push them). This is a nitpick though, but it's telling that they added it to the latest model, as I think they are very useful as hard buttons (as opposed to touch screen)
Congrats Logitech...you finally released a remote I can stand behind and praise 100%. I panned their 550 pretty bad when others would ask me about it, and I thought most of their other designs (peanuts), while functional, are/were downright ugly and overly bulky, but in the One, they have merged a beautiful design with intelligent functionality and logic, and that is what it's all about!
HIGHLY recommended.
Customer Review: Finally, The Perfect Universal Remote!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been looking for the perfect universal remote for sometime and have tried various models from Logitech, Monster, and Phillips - to name a few. Although all these are better then juggling five different remotes, this is really the first product that really just nails it.
First, let me start off by pointing out the obvious - if you have a two or three component home theater system (TV, Cable Box, DVD) a $250 remote probably isn't for you. If, however, you have a more complicated setup - TV, DVR, up-converting DVD, Blu-Ray, home-theater system, Apple TV, video switcher, etc - this remote is the ultimate answer to a problem you may not even realize you have.
This remote excels in three distinct areas:
Design: This is the first universal remote that I've seen that really has an elegant, ergonomic, and well conceived design. The bottom 2/3rds of the remote is laid out with well spaced, comfortable, tactile, and individually backlit keys. Logitech has done an excellent job picking just the right number of keys that will cover 95% of your needs. The top 1/3rd of the remote completes the design triumph by adding a way to incorporate those rare but important keys that aren't otherwise included on a sharp and bright touch-screen. For me, these include the all-important "A, B, C" keys that operate my DVR and different sounds modes for my amplifier. Side note: Some competitors (including the top-of-the-line Logitech Harmony) have mainly touch screen buttons. I think this is a BIG mistake, the loss of tactile feedback means that you have to constantly stare at the remote to hit the right button.
Activities: This is really what defines the Harmony brand. Activities are automatically created macros that configure all your devices appropriately for a particular task - like watching TV or a DVD. Originally I was turned off by this functionality - I thought that if it lost track of the "state" of one device (ie. thinking my TV was on when it was actually off) would through the entire remote off. Here again is where the wonderful touch screen comes through - on the VERY rare occasions this has happened, pressing the "Help" button takes you through a quick series of prompts that immediately correct the problem.
Software: The excellent Harmony software makes setting up the device ridiculously easy. Not only is every device ever made listed (even my obscure Oppo HDMI switch was there) but the software will prompt you with clever questsions like "Do you want the volume button to control your amplifier instead of your TV?" or "Do you want to leave your cable box all the time?".
In the end, this remote allows me to watch TV, a DVD, or my Apple TV by pushing a single button. And when I'm done the remote remembers the state of each device in my system the a single press of the "Off" button powers them all down. But don't take my word for it - my wife (who is very far from a technophile) just told me the other day without prompted, "I just love this remote, it's so easy!"
Customer Review: A true all in one!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first review for anything I have bought on Amazon.com. I had to do it because of all the 3 star and less reviews I had read before purchasing this remote....they are very wrong. I can only assume that any compatibility problems anyone had are mostly due to not knowing how to operate the software and change button actions. The greatest feature of this remote is its ability to learn ANY command that your original remote can offer. I am a fairly tech savvy person, and it took me approx. 10 attempts to set everything set up exactly the way I needed it. I have a PS3, DirecTV HD receiver, Samsung Blu-Ray Home Theater, and Samsung 55' Led TV...and I no longer need any of the original remotes to control anything.
Yes...it took a little time and effort to get it right, but I can control ALL aspects of each unit now with this one remote. This includes all menus for each device, including Ipod & Netflix controls on my HT and ALL commands on my PS3. The key to getting the proper set up is just trial and error. You can add new commands, delete ones you might not use, and "teach" the remote a new command that it doesn't already know..ex. I had to "teach" the remote the (-) dash button on my DirecTV remote and a couple of other buttons for each device. You shouldn't have to teach it many commands, due to the fact that you enter the model # for each device into the software and it downloads the info of each device to program itself. You will need to play around with the touch screen buttons to see which ones you will need to assign there. All "Activities" are completely customizable, you can even change the names of the activities if you want. Battery life is very good, it can easily go two days without recharging.
I have had the remote for about three months now, and the only cons I have found are:
1) As others have said, sometimes when switching "Activities" it may not switch something to the correct input. However, the HELP button will help you fix this, and it will remember it's mistakes so that it won't happen next time. Also, if you have the TV on when attempting to use the "Watch TV" activity...it will toggle the power off and the other devices on. But this is not a big deal if you have the remote set up with "power toggle" buttons programmed somewhere on the touch screen.
2) The only other con is the time I spent getting it set up just right. But, as you will see, it is well worth the time once you get it right and all your other remotes begin collecting dust in a drawer somewhere.
I would 100% recommend this remote to anyone who, like me, was sick of having three remotes on their coffee table all the time. If you have any problems with anything, Logitech's customer service is excellent. They can even make changes to your setup for you in order to make this remote function properly. If you are looking for a all-in-one for a descent price....you will not be disappointed with the Harmony One.