Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote

The Logitech Harmony 1000 features a brilliant 3.5-inch color touch screen that allows for one-touch activity-based control of even the most sophisticated A/V components. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of multiple remotes controlling multiple devices; Logitech's patented Smart State Technology makes it easy to control your HDTV, adjust aspect ratios, or change sound modes?there are no complicated macros to program. Just press an on-screen activity icon and Harmony does the rest. One remote is all you'll need to control even the most complex home entertainment systems. And when used together with a Harmony RF Wireless Extender (sold separately), you can further reduce clutter by placing your components out of sight. Since the remote can transmit both infrared and radio frequency commands, you can control equipment inside a cabinet or even in the next room. Package Contents - Logitech Harmony 1000 remote control / Charging station / USB cable /AC Adapter / Lithium-ion battery / Installation CD / Installation guide / 1-year warranty

I got this remote thinking it could simplify the myriad of devices I have hooked up in my 2 room home A/V system. It certainly is easy enough to setup and configure to perform the functions you need, but overall I'm not sure I like it and think that maybe I would have been better off with one of the other logitech remotes. Here are my issues: Responsiveness... with the remote being touch screen it has a bunch of different screens it can give you to work with, but it just doesn't seem snappy enough. When you click an option button it seems to take it a moment or two to move to the new screen (and being someone that memorizes key sequences on my keyboard, that kind of delay annoys me because I sit there hovering with my finger ready to punch the next button). Unnessecary dialogs... there are a bunch of dialogs that the remote presents that tell you stuff like 'the remote is now configured to watch tv' which are great the first time you use the remote, but are just annoying after the first two or three times. The issue I have is that after I tell the remote I want to watch TV, I have to click OK twice before I can get to the TV controls. Since the whole remote is software, it seems like they ought to give you a way to turn those silly things off, but Ihave yet to find the way to do it. Form factor... I like the idea of a touch screen that is infinitely configurable; however some of the very common buttons should remain real buttons. Logitech was smart enough to keep volume and the arrow buttons as real buttons, but the key ones they didn't include are the play, pause, and FF buttons that I use all the time while watching DVDs or DVR. The problem I've found with having those commonly used buttons on the touch screen is that you end up having to look at the remote to position your finger over the right button and then when you are waiting to hit play at the right moment at the end of a commercial break, you end up either looking at the remote and missing the end of the commercials or you are looking at the TV and end up missing the button or hitting the wrong one. You might not think so but that really reduces the ease of use of this remote and is the primary reason I might be switching mine out for one of the other logitech models. And while I'm on the topic, it bugs me that you can't configure which button is the center button the remote (the one that is easiest to hit). Freeze ups... This has happened a few different times in the first couple of months that I've owned this remote. It will get stuck on a screen and won't do anything: won't change screens, won't send button press, and even the hard buttons don't do anything. The only fix I've found for it was to either set it back in the cradle to make it go back to idle mode; or to take the battery out completely and put it back in. Since I'm a software guy by trade, I know it's hard to write perfect software, but when you sell me a device that is supposed to be an appliance like a remote or a phone, I expect it to not have these types of problems. All in all, I think this is a decent product and will definitely help you control a complex system (and will look cool doing it), but when it comes down to it I think it lacks some of the key things that would take it from being a decent product to an excellent one. As I said before, next time I would be inclined to purchase one of the other logitech remotes that is more traditional in form factor and would hopefully avoid some of the other problems as well.

I have read many of the reviews and many of them were justified when the 1000 was first released. I had been debating getting one for 6 months now and with the latest rebate offer I figured its now or never. I am glad I did finally take the plunge. I already have the ONE remote but wanted another one for my home theater. The ONE's profile I used to set up the 1000 or at least get me going. I then spent a long time tweaking the components but after awhile I finally got it where I want it. The logos for all of my favorite DirecTV channels also were ported over to the 1000! They look really cool. I am still getting used to the bigger touchscreen but am pretty sure over time it will become second nature. Also the 1000 feels good in your hands. The looks of it are also classy and very impressive. I am using the 1000 with a Carada Masquerade Masking System and Lutron Light dimmers to. It works perfect with them. I am also using it with Blu ray, HD DVD, JVC DTHEATER, Onkyo 886 PRO, Onkyo SP1000 and Xbox 360. Oh and not to mention the new DVDO Edge VP! As you can see it handles a lot for my set up. The ONE will also get the job done but sometimes you just got to spoil yourself!

This is hands down the absolute worst product I've purchased in years. I have the Harmony 880. That remote works and works well. Here are my concerns with the Harmony 1000. 1. Firmware updates. Out of the box, the unit did not work. I installed the battery, it tried to boot and hanged on the logitech startup screen. Since the owner's manual is largely useless, I searched the internet to find a Safe Mode which the device can boot to. (Hold the power key button and plug in the battery) In Safe Mode I was finally able to manually flash the firmware. However, even this method took several attempts. In addition, asking to update the firmware via the Logitech software seems to reliably breaks the unit. Afterwhich, you'll need to go back and flash the firmware again via Safe Mode. 2. The battery life is about 1 useful night. After one night, the battery will indicate it's empty. Mind you, I'm not channel surfing and the backlight timer for the LCD is set to the absolute minimum time. Overall it's nice when it works; however, the price tag absolutely does not outweigh the cons. Perhaps future firmware updates will correct some of the issues. However, the latest firmware version (5.0) does not correct key usability concerns. I cannot use this product nor would I recommend it. In short the old Harmony 880 is a great remote. Decent battery life, reliably works. The Harmony 1000 is an overpriced, under developed, rushed to market heap of slag.

Pros: -you can control just about EVERYTHING with this little gadget -the touchscreen is very responsive -side hard buttons are firm, and can be easily "memorized" for quick control of volume, selection, muting... -the two side panels on each side of the screen, have self-explanatory buttons, that will match the "most common" buttons that you have on you DVD, PVR, Digital Cable...remotes! -you can program the screen color and your favorite (you can even put small broadcaster pictures in) television channels -the main menu controls are easy to use...calibration, volume, brightness, and if you want to put the "Help" menu on the screen -The battery LAST A LONG TIME...don't believe the other reviews that say it last only a few hours to one day!!!! **The best thing about this remote, is its Help function** -If anything goes wrong, like you accidently turned off the TV (or something like that), or the incorrect input/output is on, the remote will ask you if you need help, and will go step-by-step, asking you simple questions...like: "Is the TV on?...Is the Home Theatre System on?...Is the Home Theatre System set to HDMI II?..." I'm able to control my: -Cable -DVD -Home Theater System (for music) -Windows Media Player on my laptop (I have not tried the radio) In addition, the remote's program on the computer is very user friendly. You can easily add and remove appliances, and events (Watch TV). Cons: -The only con I can think about is that about once every month, the remote freezes, before you turn it on...ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS plug it into the computer and update it...it only "freezes" because it needs to be updated... THIS IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY...I had 5 remotes on my coffee table...now I just have one!

I've reviewed all the reviews of this Harmony model. And, here's the upshot. The set up may be the hardest thing to overcome with new users. And I suspect that the problems most users have is with the software, not the device. By that I mean all of the upper series Harmony remotes operate on the same principal: you charge the remote; you install the software on a pc connected to the Internet; you connect the remote via a USB cord (supplied)to the PC (or laptop). Then you log onto the free Logitech you created when you installed the software; you list the model numbers and brand of the devices you will control with the remote; and setup the activity you wish to perform (watch TV, watch Blu-ray). This last one may confuse some as they think you tell select the device, but in actuality, you wan to select and activity and have the remote turn on or off all the devices associated with the activity you wan to perform. Once done, save your settings and then it will reboot and initialize the remote and 99% if not 100% of the buttons on your original device remote will also appear on the nice color screen for you to access. It even has a provision to add buttons, ir even learn buttons on your original remote to ensure you get everything you had with the original remote. So, this is the "leanring curve" and once you do it and understad it, it's simple form then on. Now, I did this very same thing with the same software when I had the Harmony 880. When I bought the 1000, I was mildly surprised..and delighted to find that it had not changed and all I had to do was change my remote listed from the 880 to the 1000. The 1000 works as advertised..perfectly. If you get impatient and forget to point the remote toward your tv/devices for the few seconds it requires to initialize and turn on all your devices for a particular activity, then you can just press help and it will guide you through a couple of questions about what is on or off and once you select the right answer, the remote will fix them accordingly. So simple and intuitive. If, by chance, you have devices hidden behind cabinet doors, then add the remote extender to ensure the signal can reach each device. If your devices are plainly visible and near the TV, then you won't need an extender. And did I state that this remote just looks..well..cool? Great display..classy look and light feel. I love the touch screen! I've ha done now about 9 months and it has been problem free and the batteries are dependable as long as I return the remote to the cradle. Right ow the price on Amazon is right, as I bought mine on Amazon for $299. At a major retailer, this was $499. I love mine, won't trade it anytime soon, although I am a gadget freak. I even bought one for my son, who installed it on his Mac notebook. I had to have something to corral seven remotes as I was running out of end table room and it looked like an eyesore. Don't be dissuaded by negative reviews unless you are gadget-challenged, can't usually or easily set up most electronics. If so, this one is not for you. You should stick to your original remote with the big buttons.