Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote
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Logitech knows who you are. You have a half-dozen remotes on the coffee table. And you're the only one in the family who knows how to use them. Logitech can help with the Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote. Enjoy a full-color touch screen. Intuitive button layout. And an ergonomic design. So easy to use, the whole family will love it.
 A slick rechargeable touchscreen remote from Logitech |
| Review Date: January 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Heath L. Buckmaster, Sacramento, CA USA |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SLVZLG7R7EK7 A video review of the Logitech Harmony One, focusing on a few fun features like the motion sensor, rechargeability (with included docking station), and ability to replace 5 of our other remotes, including the specialized Tivo remote. Easy to program and easy to use touch screen makes this a very cool remote control. |
| Fantastic Remote: Simple to Program, Even Easier to Use! |
| Review Date: February 4, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Jennifer Ray, Nashville, TN United States |
| A year ago, I purchased the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control and have liked it so much that I had determined to buy a second remote this year in order to have one upstairs and one downstairs. Although both the Harmony 880 and the new Harmony One each control many devices (I currently have 14 devices configured on each), it became tiresome to have to go to a different floor of the house to grab the remote for the other level. Then Amazon Vine received the Harmony One remote from Logitech for review, and I was thrilled to be able to review it.
The Harmony 880 and the Harmony One are very similar in functionality and programming. Both are programmed using a USB interface to your PC and the Logitech Harmony Remote Software. Both can handle multiple devices with considerable ease, allowing for most users to configure every remote-controlled device in their home. Both remotes can `learn' from the original remote if you are not able to configure a device using the model number. Both of these remotes enjoy a rechargeable dock. Where the significant improvements are in the Harmony One over the Harmony 880 are the feel of the device in the hand, the improved backlit hard buttons that are easy to see in the dark, and a dock that cradles the remote much better (making it more difficult for your cat to knock the remote out of the dock! LOL). Also, with significant spaces between buttons on the Harmony One, it is easier to feel your way around the remote without looking. If you are replacing an older Harmony remote, the Logitech Harmony software offers the opportunity to `replace' the currently configured device with the newer device, transferring your device setup for all the TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc. to the new remote with little effort. As I did not want to replace, but add a new remote, I didn't use this function myself. For those of us who are adding a new remote, I was a bit disappointed in the Harmony Remote software. You cannot have multiple remotes under one Logitech account. Instead, you must set up a separate ID for each remote. Many people use the same ID for most computer programs and online sites requiring one, and this requirement may cause some trouble for us in the future. I can easily imagine that the next time I need to program this remote I may have forgotten the ID I used to set it up with. While I keep pretty good track of my IDs and passwords, it will be hard to remember a year from now that I had to use a non-standard ID for this one. I would like to see the software revised to allow for multiple remotes in one account, and the ability to copy configurations from one to another. On the bright side, the software really does make it easy to configure your televisions, Tivos, DVD players and more. If you have the model number of that device, this is the simplest method of configuring it, and with an extensive database of model numbers - including some very old tvs and the like (judging by my own setup), it is a pretty sure-fire way to set up your Harmony One Remote quickly and easily. Of course, there are times when you simply cannot find the model number for a device. My bedroom television does not have a model number anywhere that I can find it. So, I used the `learn' function on the Harmony One Remote to teach the Logitech device the correct codes, using my original remote from the television. Even if you haven't the original remote, the remotes are still easy to configure using the brand name and the device type (i.e. Sharp TV) in the Harmony software. Programming custom buttons for devices is very easy. I like to control the volume on my television while the remote is in Tivo mode, so I simply used the TV remote to program the volume buttons on the Harmony One Remote for the specific TV I will use. This procedure is as simple as lining up the two remotes and clicking the button you are configuring, then letting the Logitech software do its magic! So far, I have configured a variety of devices with this remote easily: TVs, TiVos, DVD players, VCR, Cable Boxes, and an A/V receiver. None were problematic, and all work very well. I highly recommend the Harmony One Remote for anyone who wants to combine all their remotes to one and prefers ease of configuring. Oh, and it looks pretty sharp, too. Especially with my own photographs downloaded to run a pretty screensaver! |
| The couch potato's Excalibur |
| Review Date: January 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Justin Gaines, Northern Virginia |
| Using Logitech's Harmony One universal remote control, I can't help but hear Queen's "I'm In Love With My Car" playing in my head. That may be overstating the appeal of this device a bit, but not by much. I haven't been this impressed with a technological gadget since the Flip video camera. The concept of a universal remote control that replaces the various "factory" remotes that come with most home entertainment devices isn't new, but Logitech takes it to a whole new level with this device.
The Harmony One remote includes the remote control unit, a rechargeable battery, charging station with power adapter, USB cable, and a CD that is used to program the device. Setup is extremely user-friendly. Once you have the software installed, you're asked to provide the make and models of the devices you want to control, as well as a few questions on how those devices are used. The software then programs the remote accordingly. The total setup time is roughly 30 minutes, and doesn't require any significant computer skills. In addition to providing basic operational control over a huge array of audio/video components released since roughly the dawn of time (the dawn of remotes at least), the setup process programs key actions that are real time savers. Instead of using my TV remote to switch the set to Video 3 and then turning on the DVD player to watch a DVD, I just touch the "Play a DVD" button and the remote makes it happen. How cool is that? Right now I have a TV, DVD player, stereo, and iPod home unit controlled by the remote, and as I add or upgrade components, I can use the software to update the remote accordingly. The remote's design is a wonder all by itself. In addition to the usual array of buttons you expect to find on a universal remote, the Harmony One also boasts a touch screen that works well beyond expectations. The ergonomic design makes the device fit perfectly in your hand, with your thumb resting right near the most utilized buttons. If you've gone out of your way to make sure you have the best possible home audio and video system, you really need to invest in this uber-cool remote control. It's the perfect accessory for the flat-screen/HD/Blu-Ray era. UPDATE: I recently upgraded my TV and DVD player, and updating the remote software took less than 10 minutes, including a bit of very user-friendly troubleshooting when things didn't work perfectly the first time. That's one more great feature of this ultimate remote control. |
| Logitech's Best Harmony Yet...But Could Still Be Better |
| Review Date: February 2, 2008 |
| Reviewer: M. Pickering, MI, USA |
| 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! |
| Great remote with lots of 1st rev issues |
| Review Date: February 18, 2008 |
| Reviewer: dosers, South Pasadena, CA USA |
| If you owned the 880 (or 890) the 'One' is a welcome addition. In fact, the remote is better laid out, the screen and feel are almost flawless, the buttons are well lit.
The problems come with this being early in the game: The commands and mismatches the remote has are still many; while the 880 controls your system without any issues, the One had 2 mismaps for a VSX-94 receiver, has too short IR bursts for HL-R Samsung TV models, cannot learn short-burst IR (for example the Nyko remote for the PS3 - which the 880 has NO problems with). Logitech 2nd level support for Harmony is very good, and usually can help - making changes on your behalf that the software has no access to. But, wait half a year and you hopefully would not have those headaches. Also, important to note, the IR field of vision is MUCH MORE NARROW than the 880 and 890; while the former could be pointed almost anywhere and the IR signal would hit your component at any angle, the One has issues with some equipment with recessed IR receivers - such as a lot of receivers by Denon and Pioneer. This is too bad, as, again, the 880 and 890 (as well as Sony AR-3000) have IRs shooting in a much broader fashion. The One could easily be the best remote Harmony/Logitech have ever made. It needs a rev 2 to make it so, I am afraid. |
- Easy Internet-based setup and live customer support
- Dedicated on-screen activity buttons
- Color LCD touch screen
- Contoured backlit buttons
- Can learn IR codes from existing remote controls
Tagged with: advanced • harmony • Logitech • remote • universal
Filed under: Logitech
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