While we're happy to eschew buttons for touchscreens on some things, we're still not entirely sold on the
Harmony 1100's (relatively) minimalist design, an update to that display-focused layout first seen on the
1000. Most like to use remote controls without looking down, and that could be a bit of a challenge here. However, as the buttons on most Harmony remotes tend to start failing after about 12 months or so, perhaps ditching most of them is a good move for Logitech. Regardless of the intent, if you're so sick of multiple controllers you're willing to spend $500 on the company's latest and greatest, you'd better get that credit card warmed up and click the read link. Our failing economy thanks you.
posted Feb 6th 2009 12:32PM
This thing is gonna make me look so sick on MTV Cribs. It's touchscreen right? I don't really like things that aren't touch sensitive anymore. Buttons are so 90's.
I bought the Harmony 1000 and used it for exactly 10 minutes before packing it up and taking it back.
The lack of buttons means you constantly have to look at your remote to figure out where you have to touch and it ends up taking you twice as long to do what you want to.
My Harmony 720 wins hands down!
Yeah... That's why I really want to try one out first. But like I said below... All they ever have anywhere are those cheap plastic display models that don't actually work. It's annoying as tits.
@ProfessorDex
What were you doing that you had to constantly be looking at the touchscreen? I'm really curious since I've had one for almost 2 years and I don't find that to be the case at all.
My typical use scenario:
1. Pick up the remote, press "Activities" - a hard button - no looking
2. Press the source/activity I want to control - touchscreen - look
3. control that source - like I said below the vast majority of the time for DVDs, Cable/TV, streaming audio... all of these function are almost completely controlled by the hard buttons on the right... Channel up/down, volume up/down, back a menu, multi-directional pad for navigating menus, mute, enter, etc.
Hmm weird that its now shipping when i have been seeing it in my local bestbuy since december '08 and have since been thinking about replacing my still good and shiny 890
I use my Harmony to control all my X10 lighting, appliances, and remote video cameras as well as my HTPC running SageTV.
I have macros setup to turn all my interior motion sensors on and off as well as different lighting schemes ranging from watching movies, relaxing with TV, or having a dinner party, etc.
Simply turning on/off a device then requires much more viewing of the remote as compared to having multiple buttons available and mapping various functions to those buttons.
@ Professor Dex
Your argument isn't really making sense to me... If you are using the remote to control lighting, whats the big deal? Turn off the lights. Start the movie. Set the remote down. Movie finishes. Turn on the lights. I don't see how this would be any different then just turning off the lights with a normal remote control.
My setup is involved and needs to be seen to be understood.
Regardless, I did not like the Harmony 1000 at all and find my 720 to work much better for my needs.
@ProfessorDex
I still don't understand... Wouldn't you just create an individual activity for each of those, and/or map controls for fine tuning to the hard buttons on the 1000 if the touchscreen wasn't to your liking? The macro setup you are describing is pretty straight forward on the 1000 as well and I still don't see how it means you have to be looking at the screen the whole time.
The 720 has 6 activities on the main screen just like the 1000... How many devices does it control? Wouldn't you have to page over, just like on the 1000 if, as it sounds like, your devices + activities is well in excess of 6 anyway? I'll give you that the page function for devices/activities on the 1000 is a touchscreen function, but are we talking over 20 activities or something?
just curious...
@ BlurMagic
If your by a BestBuy you can purchase it try and if you unsatisfied return it with everything within 30 days as there is no restocking fee you get full refund back. I do it alot with new gadgets, just don't pay cash, try to pay credit in case you lose your receipt.
@Moose: You're right on target man.
Harmony's other remotes are a complete mishmash of unpushable buttons...volume and channel are super tiny and same as other keys...unusable garbage.
This one looks like it has some promise.
@ MikeKlein
As lovely as a fantasy world without buttons is, you're always going to need some and ANY of the Harmony remotes aside from the 1000 and 1100 win hands down in comparison.
Use a touchscreen remote and after a few days, you'll start to question your own ignorant logic and want actual buttons so that you don't have to take your eyes off the TV just to do some sort of basic A/V function. Personally, one of the best remotes I have used to date is the one that Onkyo-Integra includes with their high end audio equipment, they are easy to use, intuitive, maco-laden, well laid out, pre-programmed to switch modes automatically when you need to change the volume.
The only thing that would ever sell me on this harmony remote is if they included Blutooth for control of the PS3's Blu-Ray drive. And personally, I believe that IR should be phased out for use in future AV devices in favor of Blu-tooth based controls, because they are just better. (Future Universal remotes will feature both IR ant BT)
You know, most people that complain about this remote (the same as the 1000 model for all practical purposes) that actually own and use it regularly, aren't complaining about having to look down. 99% of the things you do with it once you are already managing a source can be done with the hard buttons on the right. This repeated shibboleth about having to look at it to use it is really untrue. If it was a total touchscreen remote a la a Crestron or AMX or something like that that was devoid of hard buttons, then you would have an argument, but it really doesn't fly with this guy IMO.
Now, crashes and instability with the 1000... That's the real issue.
Do you have one of these? I seriously am contemplating buying one... but all the stores i go to have that cheesy ass fake plastic p.o.s. and I really wanna see it in action. If I can't then I'm gonna be forced to go with the Harmony ONE.
@BlurMagic
Yeah, I do have one. I do like it, but I couldn't say that I would recommend it for the price. Setup is easy, and I just don't buy the anti-touchscreen argument, at least in my use cases... I don't think people are really giving it a chance in that regard. There are effectively 15 distinct hard button controls on the thing!
But it is unstable, can freeze up and need rebooting once every week or so. That can be really annoying when all you want from a remote is that it just work.
I had never heard about the Harmony buttons failing as mentioned in the original post, and from that standpoint mine seems to be just fine 2 years on.
Hope that helps!
Actually it does help! Im wondering if this crash issue has been resolved with the 1100? Is there anyway by chance they issue firmware updates for these things?
@BlurMagic
I wouldn't want to speculate on whether or not they've fixed the instability issues. That probably wouldn't be known until enough of them are out there and people are using them regularly.
There haven't been any firmware updates that I am aware of since I bought the unit, but it may be that when they update the client software (Mac and PC) they update it when you plug in the unit. I don't know on that count. You can head over to the Harmony forums or AVS if you wanted to know for sure...
I had an earlier iteration & completely agree. However, for our home use, their button-filled 670 works just fine for most everything we do (except I've dropped it so many times it now rattles & the USB connection doesn't work- so we can never buy an blu-ray player or add anything to the existing setup).
"However, as the buttons on most Harmony remotes tend to start failing after about 12 months or so"
Is this true? I've had mine for about 3 years now, and it is getting to the point where certain buttons (Guide and fast forward come to mind) don't work, I have to push them a bunch or real hard. I'm having to map their functions to other buttons I don't really use (like Pic)
I bought my parents a Harmony 688 a few years back and that thing is still going strong. All the buttons still work but some of the words and symbols printed on the buttons have rubbed off. My dad just recently replaced the remote with the Harmony One and he loves it. He was most impressed with the remote's ability to store his favorite channels to the touchscreen and having the channel's logo show up on the touchscreen - it really helps when you're switching back and forth between HD (~channel 700) and non HD (~channel 20).
I've been impressed with the Harmony remotes so far and they make a GREAT gift for people who aren't too tech savy but have a home theater setup that requires a few remote since you no longer need to remember which input is what device and what remote controls which volume.
Haven't messed with 1000, I think I'd like a more traditional remote.
My buttons started to fail after about a year or so, but you can open up the remote and clean all the contacts out carefully. You do have to do some forceful prying, but it should work without damaging the unit. You can use some alcohol just make sure it is completely dry before closing it. Once it was back together it worked like new again.
The play button on my 720 has gotten sketchy in the last two months, after 1.5 years of use. It still works but you have to press it all the way down, unlike the others that respond to half presses.
Still like the remote though :)
I wish they'd just stick with the design of the Harmony One. The touchscreen is there for your activities and your more complicated tasks, while they hard buttons perform everything from channel and volume changing, to menu access to DVR functions. Now that's a remote worth buying (if they add RF any time soon, even more so)
I prefer the advanced one remote. touch and still lots of buttons.
Harmony One baby ... best .... remote .... ever !
After my $250 Harmony remote died after only one year, I won't be buying another Harmony product.
I used to be a Harmony dealer. I no longer offer their products due to reliability. Go for a Pronto or an RTI for a well built remote that lasts. You may pay more, but you will definitely get your moneys worth if you have several sources.
Who pays $500 for a touch screen remote and still has a VCR?
I was thinking the exact same thing
I had the 1000 and it was nice but just wasn't easy to use. My wife hated it too. I sold it on Ebay and got the Harmony ONE. This remote rocks!!!! It has easy to use buttons AND a touch screen which is color and very touch friendly. Go with the ONE - I don't think I will ever want another remote. It has all of the options as the 1000 & 1100 and is smaller in size. Plus wife approved!
:P
I will stick with my 1000. This remote should have had bluetooth capability. Can this one control AT&T U-Verse service? Because the 1000 damn sure don't do a good job with the Cisco set-top boxes.
The Harmony Remotes are so amazing, I would love one of these! I've still got a Harmony 880 that is still working strong for me. I use it to control:
-Samsung LCD TV
-Comcast Digital Cable Box (BLEH! COMCAST!)
-Yamaha Receiver
-AppleTV
-XBOX360
-LG BluRay Player
-XM Sattelite Radio
The activities make everything so simple, I can't imagine having to change inputs on different devices anymore. I love my Harmony Remote!
Will it work with the PS3? I have the PS3 and I don't use it for gaming just movies on DVD or Blu-ray...
chris, get the nikko or w/e infrared usb dongle (lol) for your ps3 and a harmony remote (cheaper one will do fine).
if you want to spend more money, get an IR to BT adapter.
i use my ps3 for only movies also. wth were they thinking leaving out the IR???
360>ps3 :-\
Not out of the box it wouldn't since it doesn't have Bluetooth. If you want to do that, do a search on IR2BT to convert the IR signal to the BT controls. And Harmony's online setup has the Sony controls so if you go that route you can have full XMB and Disc playback control with your remote. Biggest question when you are choosing the converter though is whether you want power on/off ability. Only a few of them do that and they tend to be expensive.
what the fuzzles? i've been using an 880 since it launched (daily use) in my tv room and it has never failed. last month i moved it to my bedroom and bought a harmony One for the tv room and that seems to be even more robust.
the 880 has to literally have thousands of button pushes. text is wearing out on some buttons too (like the previous channel button), but never ever has it shown any sign of mechanical failure. In fact, it works just as well as the day I bought it. button pushes are just as firm and solid.
I've worked with the 880, 890, One and the 1000. Honestly, I prefer to have a remote-feel in my hand.
The 1000 was VERY slow to respond, not very navigable and a bulky piece of hardware. I use an 880 (as do my parents) and it works like a charm. No reason to buy this or the 1000.
still love my monochrome Phillips Pronto... but that's not too shabby looking.
Am I the only one that doesn't dig the form factor of the new square remotes? To me, a remote should fit comfortably in one hand and be operated using only one hand. I don't like this I'll put it on my lap and push the button square type remotes. I'll stick to my 880 thanks.
For those asking why you might want more hard buttons...
Do you not have a Tivo? Every few minutes I press the skip button repeatedly to skip 30 seconds forward to pass over the commercials, then when I overshoot a little I press the back button to back up 7 seconds once or twice.
Or a DVD or CD player I might want the fast-forward, rewind, skip track, previous track buttons, pause, etc on hard buttons.
I'm not personally sure I couldn't live with a touchscreen remote, but its not hard to figure out scenarios where some additional hard buttons would be a good idea.
If you need RF (i do) your only harmony options are 890 or 1000. Best Buy was closing 1000s out for $250 after christmas. so now I have both and 890 and a 1000. they each have their strengths and weaknesses. my 1000 isn't unstable or crash-prone. i can use it to control my gear hidden in a cabinet, including my ps3 -- i got a $19 nyko blu-wave remote at gamestop for the BT to USB dongle it comes with, which harmony has a profile for. I can surf with the hard buttons. can't figure what's different between 1000 and 1100 other than a new color and a couple of nubs on the case.
dudes, if you don't like it, don't buy one.
what I'd like to see is evidence of the extensive testing Engadget did on Logitech remotes to flat out say that most buttons will fail within 12 months...
There as been an update for the firmware for the 1000 which i just did yesterday. I think if you have to always forward and rewind what you have recorded or are watching live then you shouldnt have the 1000 because this remote is just not for you. But if just like to chill with the family and friends and watch together then this is the remote for you. If you have to be pressing buttons every 10 min commercials go on... your just watching too much tele!