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CEDIA 2006: Hands-On With the Logitech Harmony 1000

Remember a couple days ago when we broke the story about the fancy pants Logitech Harmony 1000 do-it-all remote. Well I got a chance to sit down with a Logitech rep for a bit of a hands-on experience, and I must say, it is the cat's pajamas and more.

Jump to get the full rundown, including the price.

Form-factor wise, this is the best non-traditional remote I have held. Non-traditional remote meaning the remotes that are more squared off and not traditoinally penis-shaped. Unlike some of the other block-style remote, this one is actually a comfortable fit in the hands. It is light-weight, and thin.

The remote has a bright and beautiful 3.5-inch touchscreen. The screen is very responsive, and it doesn't require any kind of calibration. Every touch is dead on every time. The interface is friendly and easy-to-navigate.

One thing people need to understand is how the setup of these Harmony remotes work. It is easier than traditional universal remote that you have to find out your existing components remote code, and do some fancy button pushing to get it to work. The remote programming of Harmony remotes is all done with the magic of the Internet. Yes kid, the Internet. The remotes can connect to a PC via a USB cable. Then you install the software and "log in" to the remote, similar to how to you log into routers. Then simply input your components. Model and manufacturer. Walaa, it is all set up like magic.

Personally I have a Hyundai LCD TV and for months I was never able to find a remote code for this TV, some places even said that Hyundai TVs didn't have universal remote codes, but my Harmony remote was capable of finding it and programming it into my Harmony.

Okay, back to the Harmony 1000. Most of the navigation/controlling is done on the touchscreen, but if you are old school and still prefer to channel surf, then the buttons on the right side can help you out there.

The Harmony uses ZWave infrared for controls. Meaning if you have other ZWave compatible products like automatic blinds, or light adapters, this remote can control those also. Basically allowing you to sit on your fat ass and control everything about your life with this small remote.

The Harmony 1000 will be available later this year for $500. That price is still a kick in the balls. Something just feels fishy about spending half of what my LCD HDTV cost on the remote control itself.

5:32 PM on Thu Sep 14 2006
By Travis Hudson
5,515 views
7 comments

Comments

Monty at 07:18 PM on 09/14/06
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Keep in mind that remotes like this already on the market are usually professionally installed (because they take a professional to program them) and they cost two grand and go way up from there.

I know five hundred smackers is big money for the home market, but it is amazingly inexpensive compared to the similar products on the market. I would not be able to afford one, myself, but I can see a big home theatre junky loving this.
Nato! at 10:33 PM on 09/14/06
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Wow! I know this is a tech blog and I know similar products go for much more, but I could by a nice tv for that much $$$. Did I just out myself? I feel a bit dirty...
defStef at 12:16 AM on 09/15/06
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Lets hope it has a better charging function than the 880/890 piece-of-crap cradle. My 880 cradle wont charge the battery...I even went out and bought a new battery and no luck. Relying on gravity and alignment of three oval shaped conductors to charge is one of the worst design ideas I have ever seen.
stulaloyd at 01:03 AM on 09/15/06
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Try taking a pencil eraser to the conductors. Once a week eraser scrubbing works for mine.
deenster at 10:54 AM on 09/15/06
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"Then you install the software and "log in" to the remote, similar to how to you log into routers."

You don't actually log into the remote, but you log into the harmony website and do all your configuration online and it gets saved on the harmony server. You then transfer the packaged settings to your remote which gets downloaded from the server to your computer then into your remote.
rbarrett_2 at 02:13 PM on 09/15/06
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Agreed, defStef. I have 2 880s, both of them have to be placed with precision on the contacts otherwise no charg action. Even worse, sometimes when on the cradle, it beeps over and over, all night long, as the contacts are seemingly exactly between touching and not touching. REALLY bad, Logitech.
Clicker at 04:49 PM on 10/10/06
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As a fan of harmony remotes, having used them since the orginal EZ Zapper Harmony days. I now have 2 680s and an 880. Love them all. I played with the old Prontos (which cost much more than $500) and these remotes are what those never really could be. Thanks for the review. I could use less baudy language, it's too adolescent for a product this good.