My experience, nay, love affair, with Harmony remote controls began four years ago when I reviewed one of the first, the 768 (that remote is no longer available, even though the review still is, at soundandvisionmag.com). The marching orders for developing the Harmony remotes were simple yet groundbreaking, then and now. First, every remote should connect to the Web, to simplify user setup. Second, the remote should focus on activities — playing music, watching a movie — rather than devices. Finally, information collected from each remote should be uploaded and aggregated into a central database to help all users. Right from the start, it was obvious that Harmony "got it" when it came to creating both a control and a programming interface.
SETUP Setting up a remote control means programming, and as with all Harmony remotes, that means connecting the 1000 to a computer with Internet access. The 1000 uses Harmony's latest software, version 7.1.4, and works on PCs running Windows 2000 or XP or Macs with OSX. Professional installers will appreciate that this software version can be used to program all Harmony remotes. Although a broadband connection definitely speeds up the programming (and life in general), dial-up users aren't left out.
Harmony remotes are programmed through a simple interview process that begins after creating an account. First, you click next to the types of devices that comprise your system: TV, DVD player, cable box, hard-disc server, and so on, and choose the manufacturer of each from a pull-down list. A look at the list shows the staggering depth of Harmony's database: It includes thousands of manufacturers. Ever heard of Luxeon televisions or Amoisonic DVD players? I didn't think so, but Harmony has. After selecting all of the components and their manufacturers, you enter the model number for each piece. The 1000, like all Harmony remotes, is limited to controlling 15 separate devices.
In the unlikely event that you own a component not already in the database, the Harmony can learn codes from other remotes. The great thing is that these codes are then added to the database, becoming available to future users. Thus, the Harmony database continually evolves and improves. Additionally, since each user's remote configuration is stored in Harmony's database, not on the owner's computer, if anything ever happens to the remote, a replacement is easily programmed by logging onto any computer that has the Harmony software installed on it.
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The Short Form
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| Price $499 / harmonyremote.com / 866-291-1505 |
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Snapshot
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| An affordable touchscreen remote that offers Harmony's terrific programming and user interface, though manic channel-surfers and chronic button-mashers might miss hard buttons. |
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Plus
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•Awesome high-tech looks •Great touchscreen graphics •Programs and performs in the usual Harmony fashion |
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Minus
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•Very limited (by touchscreen standards) customization •Buttons on some screens may be too tightly spaced for large fingers •Infrared output could be stronger •Battery requires nightly charging |
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Key Features
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•Computer "wizard-based" setup •Controls up to 15 devices •Radio-frequency control available by adding a Harmony Wireless Extender (available separately, $199) •3.5-in color touchscreen (320 x 240 resolution) •Harmony code database for 5,000 manufacturers and 175,000 components •Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with charging cradle •Activity-based system control with Harmony "Smart State Technology" •Includes telephone tech support |
Where most remotes require you to program macros — multiple commands that are strung together — to perform complex tasks, Harmony breaks these down into specific activities such as "Watch Cable TV," "Watch a DVD," or "Listen to CDs." The wizard asks basic questions (which device is used to control the volume, which inputs do the TV and A/V receiver need to set to, and so on) based on how you've wired your system.
After all of the activities are set up, the remote is 90% programmed. The final 10% is adding extra buttons to the interface, downloading the programming to the remote, and then testing and tweaking the remote and programming until everything is perfect. Programming a Harmony to the nines rarely takes more than an hour. Beyond adding additional buttons for each device, entering favorite channels, and adding a background image, there's not much else you can do to customize a 1000.
PERFORMANCE The Harmony DNA runs strong in the 1000's chipset, so its operation will be instantly familiar to anyone who has used a Harmony before and easily learned by anyone who hasn't. The touchscreen comes immediately to life when you pick the remote up, and the screen has bright, sharp graphics that are easy to read in virtually any lighting. The remote's hard buttons, meanwhile, are backlit in a soft blue.
The "home" page on the touchscreen lists the activities set up during programming. Simply touch the activity you want, and the 1000 takes care of the rest. Pressing "Watch a DVD" on my system fires up the TV (and then waits the ridiculously long 30+ seconds while it warms up and can't receive any commands) and switches it to Component 1; turns on my receiver, switches it to DVD, and engages THX processing; and powers up the Escient DVD manager and selects the Movies option. All that from one button-push!
If something does get out of whack (usually because the remote wasn't pointed at the equipment long enough and one or more of the commands was missed), it is easily resolved by pressing the Help button. Since the remote knows what your system should be doing, it can intelligently walk you through a series of questions to get everything back on track. "Is the TV on? Yes/No." "Is the Receiver on the DVD input? Yes/No." If you answer "no," it automatically sends out the correct command to fix the problem. Genius! If you have a technology-challenged relative or significant other, this feature will save you much aggravation.
The 1000 appears to use the same lithium-ion battery that comes with the 880 and 890, though the 1000's far bigger and brighter screen taxes the battery enough that it usually won't last more than a day or so away from its charging cradle. If you diligently return the remote to the charging cradle at the end of the day, this won't be a problem, but if your remote is often tossed on the coffee table (like mine), you might come home to a dead screen sooner rather than later.
A strictly touchpanel remote — with absolutely no hard buttons — would probably prove frustrating to most people. Since a touchscreen produces no tactile feedback, you have to look at the screen to select every button you want. Wisely, Harmony incorporated several crucial hard buttons on the right side of the remote for easy, no-look operation. These include channel and volume rockers, navigation arrows and enter key, mute, and others. The Activities button is just below the screen and the Power Off button in the upper left corner.
Each activity screen is similarly arranged, so familiarizing yourself with the location of each command is fast work. In the upper left corner of each screen is a Play/Pause icon that takes you to the transport controls page. The screen icon in the bottom left corner shows "123" and brings up the numeric keys. At bottom right is a star icon that displays any extra commands for that activity, such as the TV's aspect-ratio adjustment or a cable box's A, B, and C buttons.
The remote worked as expected, though I did uncover a few minor annoyances. Although buttons are kept to a minimum on each page to maintain decent spacing between keys, the 0-9 numeric keys were a tad too close together for me. Typing in the channel I wanted required careful, concentrated finger aim. Additionally, I found it difficult to use the remote single-handed — my thumb would invariably slip and hit the wrong button.
I also have a quibble about the 1000's infrared output. Frankly, it just seems to be less powerful than that of other Harmony remotes I've used. For example, a Harmony 670 is my current daily workhorse, and there are locations I can use the 670 where the 1000 simply won't work. On several occasions, components wouldn't respond if I pressed buttons with the remote laying in my lap or sitting on the couch next to me, requiring me to — heaven forbid! — pick up the remote and point it at my gear.
BOTTOM LINE Touchscreen remotes usually evoke either a love 'em or hate 'em reaction from users, and the Logitech Harmony 1000 touchscreen remote control likely won't sway any hardcore followers from either camp. Some people just like the tactile feel and intuitive hand operation of a hard-button remote. On the other hand, touchscreens traditionally provide incredible customization — something this Harmony lacks, though the upside is simple, straightforward programming. And there's no doubt this is the coolest and most high-tech looking Harmony ever.
Personally, I'm not ready to trade in my old 670 for a 1000, though I can still recommend it highly for anyone who likes touchscreens and falls in love with its sexy looks. Either way, if you're in the market for a remote control, definitely check out one of the Harmony models. Whether you prefer the smooth, buttonless feel of the 1000 or opt for one of the company's traditional remotes, you won't go wrong.
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