Logitech's Harmony 1100 remote is more touchscreen, less buttons

Logitech's last Harmony launch was of the subtle and sneaky variety, but there's nothing at all quiet about this one. The big, bold and brash Harmony 1100 is showing itself here in Las Vegas, and the primary selling point is the customizable, 3.5-inch QVGA full-color touchscreen. Rather than getting your buttons all gummed up with pizza grease, you can now smear a nice, innocent panel as you attempt to alter volume and change channels. As expected, the unit packs a rechargeable battery and RF capabilities, and the guided online setup should make programming a lesson in simplicity. Can't wait to get your own? Tough luck, 'cause this one's not shipping to the US and Europe until next month for $499.99.

[Via Electronic House]

[From My Cube @ Jan 6th 2009 10:44AM]

no matter how nice the harmony remotes are, my wife can never figure out how to turn on the tv with the 5.1 setup....

[Adam @ Jan 6th 2009 10:48AM]

you need to upgrade you wife then...my wife 1.1 works fine!

[STINK @ Jan 6th 2009 10:50AM]

Just wait 'til your dog sits on the remote and sends your home theater into TheDamnThingWasWorkingFiveMinutesAgo-Land

[DoomGaZer @ Jan 6th 2009 10:54AM]

I just walk up to the TV/entertainment center and hit a bunch of buttons. Even my grandma figured it out...........

[kjb434 @ Jan 6th 2009 10:58AM]

That's the whole point of the remote! If you set the remote up correctly, then someone with little tech background could just push one button (real or on screen) and everything else just happens.

[From My Cube @ Jan 6th 2009 11:04AM]

yes but leave it to a woman to over complicate even a button that says TV + Stereo




atleast shes hot tho right?

[Anoldcarsnickname @ Jan 6th 2009 11:22AM]

So your wife can't press the "watch a dvd" button?

[David @ Jan 6th 2009 11:24AM]

I set one up for my parents, it's the 360 version, my dad had no problem (but that's mainly due to the fact that I taught him how to do it), my mom took a while, but I labeled the button Turn on the TV and it works now. They have an Olevia TV which isn't accepted by the DirecTV remote, so it was either logitech harmony or two remotes. As long as the labels to the "activities" are logical, it's easy.

[Mike Klein @ Jan 6th 2009 12:24PM]

These All-In-One remotes ALL suck.

Basic problem with all is power toggle vs. dedicated power on/off for devices. As soon as you attempt to loop your DVD player or cable box into system you are hosed.

Just press "Watch DVD" you say? Well what if dvd player was used to front-load a dvd...which means dvd player is ON. This means when you hit "Play DVD" it will turn the DVD player off rather than on.

Same problem exists with other device types too...not just dvd and cable box. When remote sends a signal to turn a device on/off...it better turn on or off or remote is in 'wrong' state.

Same thing goes for when your DVR is recording a scheduled program. It won't turn off and when you want to "Watch TV" again it may be done recording in which case a signal to turn on will actually turn device off.

I went thru this with my wife and mom (creating task lists and triage charts) in addition to a fully programmed Harmony remote...and in the end it was easier merely to describe to them input switching concept and using individual/dedicated device remotes.

My particular Harmony remote is an abomination ergonomics-wise too. It is near impossible to hold in a single hand and use fingers to control vol/ch and other functionality.

You fail Logitech.

[Brian H @ Jan 6th 2009 12:40PM]

Mike - The Harmony remotes handle most of your "user error" issues - all you do is hit the Help button and it either fixes it or walks you through a series of questions until things are fixed.

I've had a lot of universal remotes over the last 15 years - the Harmony models (I have the 860) are very very good.

[Brian @ Jan 6th 2009 1:44PM]

@ Michael -

Don't know about you, but I told my Harmony to use specific Power On and Power Off codes for the devices that support it instead of using the Power Toggle command. I don't have the problem you do. It's not a remote issue, it's a device issue.

[Paul @ Jan 6th 2009 5:38PM]

Less buttons?? It's the exact same size screen as my harmony remote touch screen in silver..

And let me tell you a couple things about this remote... IT SUX.
And my friends who owns the same as mine as ALL the same complaints.
This is the worst remote I have ever owned.

1. The remote lags and crashes intermittently.
2. the LCD screen sux, and the life of it when brightness is 50% is about 2 hours.
3. Sometimes it just decides to not work.
4. If it crashes, you have to take the battery out which is a pain in the ass.
5. Sometimes, you press a button like 'guide', it takes about 4 seconds to come up, so you end up pressing it again. resulting in
frustration.
6. You have to plug it into your computer in order to program it.... WTF, everytime you want to change something small, you have to plug it in, and re-program the remote, which takes at least 5 minutes(pending there are no new updates)
6. I hate it. It was the worst waste of money I've ever spent. do NOT buy this remote. Other than the 'cool' factor of having a touch remote, it is not practical.

Buy a remote with buttons.

[Lundmark @ Jan 7th 2009 5:46AM]

@Paul:

I agree with you. The 1000 sucks just because of bad software. The hardware design is alright, but the interface is so damn slow and unreliable it's a pain to use. Mine crashes a few times a month, but the major issue is the time it takes to change pages within the remote. It just takes too long to swap to another screen with buttons, I always end up whipping up my original remote instead to do the small changes. It kinda defeats the point of having a universal remote.

Logitech should have a look at Apple's iPhone interface. That'd be a great way to operate a universal remote.

[Locke @ Jan 6th 2009 10:45AM]

What about Bluetooth?

[thepatient @ Jan 6th 2009 10:52AM]

I hear that...I've been waiting for a Harmony remote that has Bluetooth built-in so I can control my PS3 as well as all of my other components with a single remote.

[Spider1981 @ Jan 6th 2009 10:56AM]

Exactly.
I have the Harmony One and my one pet peeve is no Bluetooth. I really wish they'd get around to incorporating it into their remotes, especially one like this new one.

[Josh @ Jan 6th 2009 11:10AM]

it's the only thing hold me back from getting one - and i don't like all the IR->BT options that exist now, it's gotta be seamless

[Denver_80203 @ Jan 6th 2009 12:46PM]

No mention of it on website....

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/4708&cl=us,en

crap

[MarkS @ Jan 6th 2009 11:03PM]

No need to wait:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/28/ir2bt-infrared-to-bluetooth-converter-now-on-sale-ps3-owners-re/

You can use this $50 adapter to convert IR to PS3 Bluetooth signals. And if you don't mind not having the power-on functions you can get it for $35 at:

http://www.schmartstuff.com/

[Bob @ Jan 6th 2009 10:49AM]

Quote "Rather than getting your buttons all gummed up with pizza grease, you can now smear a nice, innocent panel as you attempt to alter volume and change channels."

Someone didn't even look at it did they? It still has hard buttons for volume and channel.

More to the point. Did they fix the problems with the 1000? The 1000 sucked with it's high pitched squeal, forced screen saver, unfriendly one handed operation, too sensitive touch screen and complete lack of customizing the look and feel of the panel. All the other harmony's are far better than the 1000 and if they hope to compete with RTI and UC, they better get their act together.

[David @ Jan 6th 2009 11:27AM]

After the last firmware update on my 1000, all the issues you mention are gone. with one touch my wife can start up the 7.2 system and use any of the connected equipment, including the HTPC with blueray drive with no problem...everything is one click away...who needs two hands?...but even with two hands it works fine. I paid $200 on Amazon with an extender! Everybody who visits thinks its one of those multi-thousand dollar remote systems. (I control my x10 & infrared dimmers lights with it also)

So I'm curious what newness the 1100 brings, it looks like a black 1000. I'd like a bigger screen with full control over the graphics.

[BuddyBoy @ Jan 6th 2009 11:57AM]

I updated mine at the weekend, It still freezes at random, then suddenly actions about 30 button presses and squeals when charging.

[Bob @ Jan 6th 2009 12:50PM]

I may have to dig mine out of the closet it's been living in for over a year and see what happens.

[Mr. S. @ Jan 6th 2009 9:27PM]

I have the 1000, and i'm constantly shocked at how bad the software updates are. Some of hte most simplest issue are NEVER solved. I hope that we would get this latest software upgrade, but i know we wont. :-(

[marc mitchell @ Jan 6th 2009 10:51AM]

Ive not seen a wife with blue tooth yet..

[iphotostuff @ Jan 6th 2009 11:08AM]

mine has yellow tooth. Does that count?

[gadgeTT @ Jan 6th 2009 10:53AM]

So what's new between this and the prior 1000 model? Looks like they changed the color to Black and upped the model number by 100. A quick "compare" on the Logi web site of the two models shows no differences, either.

[Mach 1 @ Jan 6th 2009 11:01AM]

The Harmony "ONE" is still the best seller.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jan 6th 2009 11:52AM]

By. Far.

[iphotostuff @ Jan 6th 2009 11:03AM]

headline > edit > replace "less" with "fewer"

"...Fewer Buttons."

[David @ Jan 6th 2009 11:26AM]

Grammar Nazi

[iphotostuff @ Jan 6th 2009 11:35AM]

No, no. I think of a grammar Nazi as someone that points out the smallest errors in grammar. But I think we can all agree that the mistake in this headline is a particularly egregious one. :)

[Denver_80203 @ Jan 6th 2009 12:33PM]

Nah.. I many of us agree with david. You're a grammar nazi.

[TheSailor @ Jan 6th 2009 11:04AM]

Sooooo... What exactly is different from the 1000 except from the black alu, the slightly different hard buttons and those (quite ugly) guides around the display?!

I have a 1000 and is very happy with it, but I really don't see any reason for me to spend $499 to get a black remote instead of my silver one!
I was really expecting Bluetooth for my PS3 (that would have been awesome) and proper Z-Wave support for more than their own extender. Then I would have no problem coughing up the extra cash for this new one! It looks like Logitech have run out of innovative ideas for their Harmony series! How about including WiFi support for HTPC control - now THAT would have been innovative!

[BuddyBoy @ Jan 6th 2009 11:54AM]

I'm wondering the same thing, other then a slick black look, it's seems to be the same hardware and a tweeked matching black interface on the software

[Xstream @ Jan 6th 2009 11:06AM]

Got a harmony 895 for my parents, mainly because of the rf features and easy usage. I tell you programming it was a pain in the ass, it took me over 16 hours of work but it is well worth i cause now everything works like magic and even my parents can set up the system for sacd playback or something like that.

[Cade Goldenberg @ Jan 6th 2009 11:28AM]

16 hours? you should be using the remote. not setting it up. i have my current 1000 set up to control my entertainment unit with actuator, all components, 360, wii (limited use), and PS3. as well as all the lights in my APT. i did this in an afternoon. EPIC FAIL

[Xstream @ Jan 6th 2009 12:22PM]

the programming tool for the harmony is just crap, have you tried sorting the commands on the screen in an order that you like? it's just crazy there are arrows to move the commands up and down, the problem is the arrows are on the command itself, not on the side like in any other app and you can't drag and drop either and ohh you can't maximize the window (you can but the list with the commands doesn't use the space). so you have to click on the arrow, move your mouse back to the command (cause the command has moved one up and the arrow is on the command), click again, move again, click again, scroll (cause the list is not long enough), move the mouse, click and so on. now imagine you have a remote with 84 buttons (like i have for my amp) and you have to move commands from the bottom of the list to the top (thats like 12 pages) you need so much time it makes you freak out an hate the one who has written that programm. you could delete all commands and recreate it in an order that you like but that wouldn't make it easier. since the arrows are on the commands you can't select multiple commands at once so you have to move every single command and it just sucks so much its not imaginable. and if you delete a command it does not just goes away, no it leaves a gap, so you have to move every single command below it one up *damn*.
so if you are lucky and all the configurations for the devices you want to control are allready in the database AND are like you want them to be you can just connect the remote to the pc and tell him what devices you've got and all will be fine.
problem is, from what i've experienced and from what other owners tell me, that just never happens and you end up moving commands up and down for hours. so if it worked for you cade consider your self lucky.

[Cade Goldenberg @ Jan 6th 2009 1:32PM]

Of course with every thing I have in my set up I did plenty of customization. It's nothing compared to setting up a superior universal remote such as a MX 3000. Creating Macro commands to turn on specific components and time the changing of settings on those components is very easy. this is what the remote is for. if you are going to scroll through menus to change options on lets say a surround sound receiver then just use the remote for that device. otherwise create a macro for the most common settings you use.

remotley,
Cade

[Xstream @ Jan 6th 2009 2:11PM]

guess what, i bought the harmony so i nobody here would ever have to use one of the other remotes again (thats why it's called universal remote).
so of course i have made macros for the most common things and yes that was quite easy and they work well but my point is that with only a few changes to the software (like selecting multiple commands at once and enable drag and drop) it could be equaly easy or easier to configure the rest of the possibilities of the remote.
dont get me wrong i'm happy with the harmony and my parents love this thing but the programming software is far from perfect.
so my comment on the harmony: remote itself > epic win, software > fail

[Cade Goldenberg @ Jan 6th 2009 3:23PM]

I'm going to have to end this with agreeing with you. YOU WIN! I still don't know why your parent's have enough components to render a 16 hour setup time necessary. All parents need is at most TV, DVD/Blu-RAY, and maybe a sound system. However you are more than right about the software. Customization is not fun; I want to put my own pictures and not just for the background and favorite TV stations, I want a TiVo button instead of a picture of a cable box DVR rental unit.

All in all, sorry for upsetting you.
-Cade

[Xstream @ Jan 6th 2009 3:33PM]

you didn't upset me, i just wanted to tell how i feel about the harmony
in other words: agree ;)

[Level 5 @ Jan 6th 2009 11:12AM]

A $500 remote is just not on my priority list, no matter how many devices it can control.

[KilgoreTrout @ Jan 6th 2009 11:43AM]

Exactly my thought, 500 bucks for a remote is silly no matter how good it can be.
I bought a touch screen universal remote made by AGK in a supermarket, i payed the equivalent of 12 USD for it and it controls perfectly the 5 devices I programmed it for.
Now that's 12$ !!!
What can a remote do to make people pay 500$ for it is byond me.

[Spin @ Jan 6th 2009 11:32AM]

Will this one smash as easily as the 1000 if thrown in a fit of frustration?

[Peter ostrowski @ Jan 6th 2009 11:44AM]

hahaha SPIN
that's what happen to my 1000, at least it was only $200. I have a Harmony ONE now. Way better

[Adrian @ Jan 6th 2009 11:38AM]

I used to have a 525 but had to upgrade after many drops off the sofa onto the laminate flooring... I ended up getting the One but to be honest I'd prefer to go back to the 525 or something similar, the touchscreen I find a pain to use and you can't just operate devices/activites blindly, you have to look at the remote and make sure you touch the correct part. Its probably just me being clumsy with touchscreens. Another thing, this Harmony One remote constantly needs a charging, its quite annoying.

I hope logitech don't eventually stop putting buttons on their remotes.

[csmitty @ Jan 6th 2009 12:00PM]

Interesting. My main reason for going away from the 1000 was the mainly touchscreen operation. I like my One where I now know where all the buttons are for operations by feel. Except for the touch screen obviously. But only use that for mainly changing activities. Renaming the Activites helps alot too.

If the One had RF and BT, it'd be a dream.

[Todd @ Jan 6th 2009 11:45AM]

Wow... totally ripped of the old Phillips Pronto design...
http://www.zalmar.com/detail-Audio-A_V_Accessories-RC9800i.htm

[Joylove @ Jan 6th 2009 11:48AM]

What about Vista Media Center users? Don't we deserve RF universal remotes?