Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control Reviews

• not quite ready for prime time yet...

  
  By A2LOTRKVWXIQI on 2005-12-30
  Harmony has had a lock on great univeral remotes for several years now, but has really missed the mark with the 890. OS X support is broken, and well as the RF repeater.
  
  I would recommend ANY of the other Harmony remotes without reservation for any home theater, from the simpliest (grandmother) to the most elaborate (Tom Jones).
  
  However... The reason for the poor rating, is that it really looks like that Logitech rushed this remote to market. The software/remote simply does not work.
  
  1. Out of the box, the software on the CD is out of date. Don't bother installing the CD. Go staight to the website to get the latest software.
  
  2. The OS X support is broken. Support has actually said the remote is not configurable on a Mac at this time.
  
  3. The RF repeater (the only reason to buy this remote over any of the other great Harmony remotes), can not be updated. On many of the remote and AVS forums, a lot of people have been unable to update the firmware on the repeater. Since the firmware of the remote and repeater do not match, RF is unusable.
  
  This rating may change, when Logitech/Harmony finally gets the software up to date, but who knows how long that will take.
  
  Don't buy this item until you have done your homework/research. A lot of Harmony fans (including myself) eagerly await a working Harmony RF remote!
  
  cheers...
  
  

• best of breed - ready for prime time (with latest firmware and software)

  
  By A2XPK6XCL0UH1S on 2007-01-06
  UPDATE: I've just upgraded to the Harmony 1000, and talk about fantastic. Nice, easy to read screen and hard buttons, especially if you need glasses to read. Well worth the added price (since the RF receiver isn't bundled with the 1000).
  
  ---
  
  3 years ago, I purchased my first Harmony remote, the 768. At the time, I wrote that it was the best universal remote, bar none. I've since purchased a Harmony 668 for another setup, and have recommended various Harmony remotes to my friends. It was now time for me to update my home system.
  
  Based on the numerous reviews, many over a year old, I was hesitant to give the Harmony 890 a try. I'm glad that I did! With the latest Harmony Software and firmware updates (which are automatically installed the first time you connect your devices), my experience has been excellent. And Amazon's price is outstanding - the same that local "discount" chains are selling the non-RF capable model.
  
  I have had no problems configuring both the 890 remote and RF wireless extender under Mac OS X (Intel and PPC) and Windows XP clients. Clearly this is a different experience from the early adopters who bought this a year ago.
  
  Some background - I'm an electronics geek and audiophile. My system is complex, and with more components (12) than the average home setup. In my opinion, if the Harmony can be configured to control all aspects of my environment, then it should handle any configuration as long as you have the patience to work through Harmony's setup wizards and lack of adequate documentation.
  
  Initial setup is easy - install the Harmony software, connect and register, connect your devices (firmware will be automatically updated) and then specify what components you have, and what activities you want them to be in. If that's all you need to configure, there's not much work.
  
  In my instance, I wanted all aspects to be controlled - changing sound modes on the amplifier depending on input source, switching to the optimal input on the TV monitor, controlling all component functions on the remote. This takes some time, and some learning through the sometimes quirky Harmony wizards. But in time, I was successful.
  
  As I've mentioned in my past review of the 768, one of the real differentiators of the Harmony remotes is their ability to intelligently understand the STATE of various devices, and what commands are needed to establish a setting. For example, they will remember if your TV was last ON or OFF, what input it was set to, etc. For some devices, without separate settings for On/Off, or for selecting inputs, this is a lifesaver. And if the remote ever gets out of sync, you can just hit the Help button and it will prompt you through.
  
  The included RF wireless receiver is great capability, allowing you to control devices in separate rooms without a line-of-sight from the remote to the components. However, I would recommend against using the RF receiver at first. Instead, configure the remote for all of your devices using the IR commands. Then, add the RF receiver and change your inputs. (See my separate review of the Logitech Harmony RF receiver for complete details).
  
  Although the screen isn't very large, it is easy to read, providing 8 selections per screen. I prefer the Harmony 890's use of physical buttons to the touchscreen-only approach of other remotes, which force you to look at the screen each time.
  
  Also a nice touch, the Harmony 890 has a motion sensor that will turn on the backlight when you pick up the remote.
  
  
  There areas that could be improved:
  
  > The included documentation is almost useless. Logitech attempts to be user friendly but in the process it ends up being so oversimplified it is of little use.
  
  > Some remote commands (for example, the sound mode settings on my Sony receiver) cannot be learned except in "RAW" mode. This is not the standard Learning mode, and I only found it by searching various online forums.
  
  > The Mac OS X client software can sometimes lose "focus", where it will stop responding to the keyboard (for example, for naming a learned command, renaming an activity, etc). It is easily worked around - just quit and restart the Harmony client software.
  
  > The Harmony client software has a resizeable window, but the actual content doesn't adjust to fit the window size. this is annoying when setting up custom button settings.
  
  > Once you add the RF receiver to your configuration, you must always plug it in and update it, even when you make a minor change that shouldn't affect the RF receiver. I'd recommend placing it (and plugging it to a power source) where it is easy to disconnect/reconnect from your system.
  
  > You can only define 16 favorite channels for a TV activity. This would seem to be an easy change for Logitech (the remote itself is not limited to 2-screenfuls of information).
  
  > The buttons are laid out for appearance not ergonomics. If you have trouble reading without glasses, it may be tough to read the labels on this remote.
  
  Even with these limitations, I still give this a 5-star recommendation, and would recommend it without reservations.
  
  
  Some tips:
  1) Make sure you let the Harmony software update the remote AND the wireless RF receiver to the latest firmware
  
  2) Remove the RF receiver from your initial setup, and configure for IR only. Once you're satisfied with all your settings and configurations, then it is simple to add the wireless RF receiver.
  
  3) Configure the RF receiver to send commands to a specific channel (there are 4 different channels with 2 IR emitters on each wire) to minimize interference and improve performance. But, make sure if you do this that you label the IR emitter wires!
  
  4) Harmony now has a Media Center device profile for the AppleTV. The trick is that you need to assign Volume Up to the Direction Up key, Volume Down to the Direction Down key, and Play to the Select key. When you do, the Harmony can control the AppleTV, even with the RF receiver, properly repeating commands to accelerate through the AppleTV menus. The profile is even smart enough to send the PowerOff sequence (hold down Play for 5 seconds).
  
  5) If a learned command doesn't work, click on the "Custom" button at the bottom of the Learn IR screen, and then try to learn the command in "RAW" mode.
  
  6) If you search the internet for "Harmony Remote icons" you can find several sites where people have gone through the work of creating custom icons for the Favorite Channels. This is something that Logitech should provide themselves, but they don't.
  
  
  

• Don't buy this product--good idea, needs to be Beta tested

  
  By A1P47UO1UCJOOU on 2006-01-22
  I bought this remote to control my home theater..the first remote did not work right out or the packeage. I returned the product to the store where I bought and exchanged for a second one. after two weeks, the remote will not work or keep a charge.
  
  Software is buggy, firmware out if date. Logitech support is the weakest I have ever seen. if this were a $40 item rather than a $400.00 Item, I would expect this.
  
  

• What you MUST know about this remote before making a Decision.

  
  By A2PTDBHQBB58R8 on 2006-10-02
  UPDATE: I have changed out the following components Receiver, TV, DVD player, and added an XBox. I had an issue with the craptaculor operation of the cable box ( powering it on and off was difficult due to DVR settings: late night recording ) so I sent an email off to customer support. Two days later (could have been faster) and they fix was there under devices. Just leave it on all the time. It has codes for things factory remotes don't do!!!! All the Internet Radio stations can be accessed directly and there is a last server command. Essentiall it's made the system more pleasurable to with. I may even buy a spare JIC someone breaks this one!!! Incredible experience!!!
  
  I read all the negative review and became VERY wary of purchasing. I decided due to the price and no clear runaway reason to go with another Universal remote to give this one a try. Boy am I glad I did that because it's GREAT once you get it programmed. There are 4 caveats!
  
  #1 The CD included is a travesty wayyyyyyyyyyyy out of date. Don't bother with it just go the the Logitech site and download their software/drivers. It's slow and you need a fast connection because the firmware update is 50mb and you need to update both controller and base station before programming.
  
  #2 IMO you don't need to be that computer savy but Mac users seem to have more issues than PC users I believe because Mac support is poor.
  
  #3 This is simply a two day process. The remote needs to charge over night before getting started. This is NOT well explained (if at all) in the instructions. The remote can not be powered by the USB connection so it has to be charged. I tried using a different mini-USB cable BAD IDEA!!! use the included cable.
  
  #4 Updating/reprogramming the remote requires that you update BOTH the base station and the Remote Control. If you're doing a big install be patient don't hide the base station at first and if you can get the programming down with the base as an IR blaster first before using the 4 prs of IR emmitters. getting to the Base that often would be tedious.
  
  After all that why 5 stars? It's perfect after that. Simply perfect and WAYYYY cheaper than a cusom Pronto or Universal Remote (that'll set you back 1k with programming) from some expensive High End shop. My fiance had lost the remote to her television and now we have the remote back (it downloads ALL the remote codes. I don't know what to say to the folks who've struggled with the update process. It may have something to do with having an older PC. My machine is only 2 years old and I recently rebuilt it.
  
  Well that's my experience in a nutshell. My fiance can now use the system, we have 1 remote and everything is hidden. I'm ecstatic.
  
  

• Latest version has most of the bugs worked out

  
  By A24J2Y1O22JYZX on 2006-05-08
  We recently reviewed this unit on Big Picture Big Sound, and I felt an Amazon review was merited in order to offer an updated/alternative perspective from earlier Amazon reviews. Although we did run into a couple of glitches during configuration, once the model 890 was properly set up, it offers the excellent usability and ergonomics of the Harmony model 880, but with the additional benefit of RF controls so that it can operate devices in other rooms or behind solid cabinets. Plus, the RF feature is very useful for guests and family members, as it can control complex multi-step home theater operations simply, without the remote having to be pointed in any particular direction during the potentially lengthy power-on/input switching process.
  
  It seems like Logitech has definitely improved the set-up operation of the 890 in its latest firmware as our writer had far fewer, less dramatic installation issues than those described by earlier reviewers here.
  
  If you're looking for a simple, family-friendly remote to operate complicated entertainment systems and home theater gear, and particularly if you're comfortable with using a computer for the set-up process, then the Harmony 890 is definitely worth a look. You can read the complete review on Big Picture Big Sound.
  
  
  
• I changed my mind, it is ready for prime time!
  By A2BJM6WWXQSFTZ on 2006-02-08
  Well I've had this remote for about 18 months now and during that time Logitech has steadily improved the firmware for this product so that it's now pretty stable and works well. I also recently had an incident where the LCD on the remote stopped working, who know why. I got a prompt response from Logitech customer service with some initial steps to perform. After the LCD still did not work, Logitech replaced it. Good job Logitech, you stand behind your products, steadily improve them and provide a good deal of support. If you need RF capabilities then buy this product, it's now easy to set up, it's stable and a great company stands behind it.
  
  
• Takes Time To Setup, But An Impressive Remote
  By A38IOI828HIDLT on 2006-09-24
  I was a little skeptical, but after reading some online magazine and user reviews, I decided to give this remote a try. Like others have said, it takes time to get the remote set up. I spent the better part of an afternoon setting everything up and testing and changing the settings numerous times. But once it's done, it's a great remote. I would have to say the included instructions did not provide me with too much useful information. Out of the box, you'll need to install the lithium-ion battery in the remote and then charge using the included charger.
  
  I took others' advice and just installed the latest Harmony software from the Logitech site. Upon opening the software (which connects to the internet), you'll have to initially set up a username and password. The remote and wireless rf extender use the same included usb cable to connect to your pc. After signing in and connecting the remote, an online firmware update was found which prompted a download and update of the firmware (same when connecting the wireless rf extender).
  
  When setting up the remote, you are prompted to enter the brand and model number of your components (one by one). If the brand and model is in the online database, the commands will be stored in the remote. I've added 8 components for control so far (Sony Widescreen RPTV; Denon A/V receiver; Denon DVD; Pioneer DVD; Sony DVD Recorder; Scientific Atlanta HD Cable Box; DirecTV HD Receiver; and Sony VHS). I'm currently not using the wireless rf extender (I guess I could have purchased the Harmony 880 instead???). The Sony vhs and dvd recorder were the only components not fully recognized initially. The software prompted me to use the original remotes to send some commands to the Harmony before they were fully added as components. There's also an option if you don't have the original remotes as well as being able to manually specify a remote action.
  
  After adding your components, you'll need to define `activities' such as "watch a dvd" or "listen to a cd," etc. Once you're done adding components and setting the activities and saving them, you'll then need to transfer/update these settings to the remote using the connected usb cable by pressing the `update remote' button on the home page of the remote software.
  
  There is much flexibility in setting what components turn on and also in choosing a setting for the component. For example, when choosing what I defined as my "watch denon dvd" activity, the tv, dvd and a/v receiver turn on; the tv changes to input 7 (dvi) and the receiver changes to its dvd input. This all happens with a press of one button as these were the actions that I defined for this activity in the software setup. If I subsequently press the activity button for "play vcr", the remote turns both the receiver and dvd player off, turns the vcr on and sets the tv input to channel 3. You define and name your activity. Once the activities are set up, the remote is relatively simple to use. In other words, your spouse/family members/friends can actually turn on and use your tv without you having to explain multiple remote controls.
  
  There is also the option of controlling a specific component by pressing the `device' button on the remote. Depending on the component and how the commands were stored in the remote, you can use either or both of the commands displayed in the lcd portion of the remote or the command buttons on the lower part of the remote. There is also a global `off' button that can be used to turn all components off. The remote also seems to be motion activated, e.g., the backlight turns on when you move the remote. Very handy in the dark.
  
  
  
• excrutiating frustration
  By A1PJZMG4VHOF7I on 2006-03-08
  In all honesty, I feel like Logitech should be held legally liable for selling a product which is so far from functional.
  I'm very technically adept and have been committed to getting this thing to work. The remote shows moments of great potential, but those moments are brief compared to the 15-20 hours I have personally spent on the phone with Logitech, and at least double that amount of time on my own.
  Tech support have been extremely polite and patient, but they have not been able to make up for the poor software and apparent lack of any real QA or beta testing.
  At this point I'm stuck - the remote will not synch with the extender and is therefore totally useless. Version "4" of the extender firmware was supposed to be a magic bullet, but the remote won't accept the file. I have yet to hear back on what the next step should be.
  They tell me my recourse is to force the merchant to accept the return, even though I'm now well outside their return period. It burns me up that I'm supposed to dispute this via my credit card, harming the innocent merchant, while Logitech escapes without real consequence.
  Also, beware of positive reviews for the 880. That's a totally different product and is apparently much more stable than the 890.
  
  
• Great remote for the price
  By A14K0BSEB47DY7 on 2006-12-01
  I bought the Harmony 890 from Amazon 1 month ago and I recommend it highly!
  The 890 is easy to program with the PC based software. The software uses a wizard to lead you through the setup. All you have to do is to tell the wizard the make and model of a component to be controlled and it automatically knows all of the functions provided by the original component remote and will load all of those functions into the 890. Then the wizard asks you what function you want to use your components for (eg: Watch TV), which components you want to use and then which component to use to perform basic functions (ie: Volume control, change channels, etc.)and that is it.
  You could get really fancy and go to specific channels, etc.
  I use My Harmony 890 to control 3 TVs, 3 DVD players, 2 Satellite Receivers, 1 VCR and a digital AV receiver that does video switching. I have set it up by function (ie: Watch HD TV, Watch HD DVD, Listen to CDs,Watch Bedroom TV, etc.). It does this almost flawlessly.
  The RF transmitter feature of the remote enables you to operate AV equipment from anywhere in the house. It will not operate other RF equipment directly so you have to option them to accept IR signals and then they work as before.
  The IR transmitter function of the 890 and the remote transceiver are very
  powerful so you don't have to be very precise in pointing.
  When you activate the help function on the remote it starts a wizard that asks you simple questions to correct a problem. For instance, if you activate a function and one of the components does not do what it was supposed to do it will ask you questions, correct the problem and remember what it did.
  What amazes me the most is that the 890 remembers the status of all of the AV components. Pushing a single OFF button will turn off the components that you were using. In addition, you can be in one function and then switch to another and the 890 will turn off those components not being used anymore and turn on components needed for the new function. If a component is common to both functions (eg: AV Receiver) it will leave it on and make any changes needed to perform the new function. I love this!!
  One annoying thing is that when you download new functions or changes to the 890 you must always also update the remote transceiver. This can be a logistical problem if the transceiver is not located close to your PC. This is a minor annoyance for me.
  As was mentioned in other reviews, you have to be careful when placing the 890 on it recharging cradle.
  I have used a $400+ Pronto remote and this blows it away.
  The size is right, the display is in color and easy to read. I have big hands and I have no problem with the buttons on the remote.
  Buy it, you'll love it!
  
  
  
• Getting better quickly
  By A1W91E84CPADTW on 2006-02-10
  This remote was plagued with many problems initially:
  - RF receiver lock ups
  - remote lock ups
  - firmware update procedure flakey
  - initial s/w install on PC touchy; if it can't connect to logitech at initial install there is no way to update to a working version
  - completely dead out of the box, 100% doorstop
  - No documentation/help 890 specific, non-obvious to upgrade from 880
  
  IMO it was barely beta quality as released in Jan. I've had very good response from support however and clearly they're trying to fix this thing. The versions of the firmware at this writing (1.4/1.4) are performing much better and the device is actually useful.
  
  My remaining complaints are intermittent lockups of the remote itself (with new firmware promised 'soon'), and sluggish performance (key presses take a long while to transmit from the RF extender intermittently, as long as 5 seconds sometimes).
  
  I see no good RF alternative; I was forced to RF to combat severe IR noise from a new Samsung LCD TV. Previously I used an 880 and was happy with it, you would expect this is as good as the 880 and it certainly has the potential to be.
  
  Unless you really need RF right now and are willing to spend a few hours getting this working I would not recommend it quite yet. If they continue with their focus and bring it to late beta or release quality before moving on to the next thing it will be a great product.
  
  
• A staggeringly terrible piece of junk
  By APZADOZDS1FLF on 2006-06-05
  It is unfortunate that there is not an option of a rating of "zero stars".
  
  This is very likely the worst piece of gear that I can remember ever buying. I did not get around to starting to program the Harmony unit until about one week ago. Well it still isn't programmed primarily because the unit cannot hold a charge long enough and the software does nothing but tell me that it cannot get an internet connection.
  
  Besides these major points I think this 890 is truly a piece of junk. This is due to many things not the least of which in my case are:
  
  The programming problems,
  The failure to hold a charge,
  The build quality is incredibly poor,
  The buttons are too small and very unresponsive,
  Despite Logitech's promises to the contrary this unit does not work with my lighting system (I checked with them before buying),
  It does not work with my DVDO unit which is an important unit in my setup,
  You need great eyesight to even hope to read the functions on the buttons,
  I don't have enough years left to live to sit on hold with the ironically named Logitech Customer Care people (only to be told the same thing I can read off the internet) or the days and days it takes them to respond to an email.
  
  If I cannot get a credit on this from dealer I will literally throw it in the garbage.
  
  
  
• A waste of money!
  By A2S08Z21HMOMMM on 2006-12-17
  This device may be useful to some but not to me. I used a Sony Universal Remote for years and while it wasn't the easiest to program, once it was working, it never failed. The Jarmony 890 is billed as the remote to end all remotes but my experience and those of many otheres have proven this commercial inaccurate. I have a Pioneer 60 inch flat screen TV, a Bose Lifestyle 48, a Panasonic VCR/DVD recorder, a Motorola cable box with built in DVD recorder, several wall lights controlled by remote switches, and a black out shade run by an RF remote. I was hoping that the 890 would do away with all these devices. The best I could do after hours of programming, re-programming, installing, and re-installing was to get some of the TV functions contolled by the Harmony. It will not supplant RF controls (although it implies that it will), it does not control the shade, the wall lights (although the devices are included in the database), and it will not control the Bose since it uses an RF remote control. I could not upgrade the RF extender which probably didn't make any difference since it wouldn't work on my devices anyway.
  
  My advice is if you have a few components and one or two remotes, live with them. If you have a more complex setup, look somewhere else. I do not recommend this remote control and I returned mine.
  
  
• Don't waste your money!
  By A1UIE3TSLCZNDX on 2006-05-29
  I'd just like to echo what others have already said. This remote is not ready for prime time. If you're on a Mac, forget even trying it. It will not work. Logitech support is some of the worst I've ever encountered. It takes several days for any sort of response to questions - and when they finally arrive, the answers are usually wrong. Very frustrating.
  
  I love my Harmony 688, but since Logitech took over, things have been going downhill. Hopefully Logitech won't run the great Harmony concept into the ground. Until they fix the (numerous) bugs, avoid this remote!!!
  
  
• Gosh, how I love Harmony remotes!
  By A9RLQK40WCHGN on 2006-08-10
  It's obvious that the earlier incarnations of the 890 and/or its accompanying software had some bugs. Based on my setup and early use, I can say with confidence that those bugs have been squashed.
  
  I've been a Harmony fan since their very early days. I always found the online setup to be the most logical means of keeping the firmware and feature-set up to date. I loved (still have and still love) the old model (659 maybe?), but this one is head and shoulders above. The RF feature is fantastic. The backlighting is wonderful. The screen is the only thing I've found thus far that's not perfect: It's a wee bit dim, but not enough to warrant any rating less than five stars from me.
  
  The balance and contour is excellent. Button placement is SO much better than the older models. Setup can be time consuming, but compared to other high-end universal remotes it's a breeze. From logging on to the site to executing my first control took around 45 minutes. (Try to set up a Pronto in that timespan!) Most importantly, IT WORKS.
  
  
• A remote with serious problems and horrible support
  By A3MAB5EX6QX8LL on 2007-09-25
  The Harmony 890 remote (Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control)
  
  Reviewer experience level: Electronics hobbiest; considerable experience with both PCs and consumer electronic devices
  
  I've owned this remote since December of 2006. Since then, I've had three major problems with it. In all three cases, tech support was awful.
  
  In the first two instances, efforts to program / update the remote failed because of errors in Logitech's web-based programming utility. The first problem occurred when I tried to program the remote for the first time. I kept getting a Java error mid-way through the programming process. Eventually, after trying every troubleshooting trick I could find on the Logitech website, I called tech support. The initial tech support operator absolutely refused to believe that I wasn't doing something wrong in the programming process, and kept trying to talk me through the process over and over. Finally I was transferred to someone who knew what they were talking about. That person admitted that the problem was due to a programming error on the web site, and suggested that I "try again in a few days." They finally fixed the problem, and I was able to do the obligatory firmware update and program the remote and RF receiver, but having a brand new remote that I couldn't program for several days because of a software error by the manufacturer left me less than impressed. Sadly, that was the easiest of the problems to resolve.
  
  A few months later, in early 2007, I changed TVs and needed to reprogram the remote and receiver. Once again, the programming process bombed, and once again I got to listen to a tech support operator who seemed convinced that I couldn't possibly be seeing the error I was reporting. After spending hours on the phone with tech support over a couple of days - most of it on hold, listening to snippets of classical music and unhelpful "hints" replayed incessantly - I was finally transferred to someone at Level 2 tech support who was able to tell me that I was experiencing a known problem, and that it could only be corrected by (guess what?!) programming changes at the Logitech end. Once again the problem was eventually corrected, but by this time the pattern was established -- try to program the remote, experience a problem in the web-based programming software, call tech support, talk to someone who tries to tell you that you're not doing something properly, be persistent, spend an hour or three on hold, and eventually get to talk to someone who can, sooner or later, fix the problem. That's not, in my opinion, a very good model for product support.
  
  The latest adventure, and the one that finally prompted me to write a review of (or, more correctly, a warning about) this remote, occurred in September, 2007. The remote began experiencing recharging problems, so I carefully cleaned the contacts on the charger, remote, and battery. The problems persisted, and soon the remote wouldn't recharge at all. After visiting the online troubleshooting guide to check for known problems and advice, I connected the remote to a USB port and found that it would power up. This narrowed the problem down to either a bad battery or a bad charger. So... another call to tech support, another referral to the mysterious and elusive Level 2 support staff, and - after spending almost two hours on hold - I was able to talk with someone who didn't seem at all surprised to hear about a bad charger. Supposedly a new charger will be arriving soon; I'm not sure that I want to know what Logitech's definition of "soon" is.
  
  During the few months that the remote worked properly, it worked very well. The problem is that the software is buggy (to say the least), the hardware is unreliable, and tech support is among the worst I've ever dealt with. The front-line tech support operators seem able to do little more than repeat the information you can find on the Logitech web site and the hold times are ridiculous. If you don't mind recurring problems, and lots of time spent on hold listening to endless repititions of basic user techniques set to classical music, then this might be the remote for you. Otherwise, I'd suggest looking for something - anything - else.
  
  
  
• Works for me
  By A1MUP1KOT1X9MZ on 2006-06-14
  The install process went fine on my Mac running OS X 10.4.6. I encountered some not-unexpected problems with my H-P television because I had recently updated its firmware. A (fairly lengthy) call to the excellent Logitech support center took care of everything.
  
  My Harmony is controlling 6 devices, all from different manufacturers, none of whom designed their product to be used this way. I don't think it's reasonable to expect seamless ease in these circumstances. I figured setup would consume an afternoon, and there would be a couple of small issues left for later fiddling. That's about the way it worked out.
  
  This product is for users who are somewhat geeky. If you've ever wasted an hour building a custom macro in Word, you'll probably like the Harmony 890. If you get angry when Word converts (c) to the copyright symbol, you need a different remote.
  
  
• Works great for middle of the road installations
  By A89840IILHY8E on 2006-11-07
  My setup: plasma TV, Tivo, VCR, carousel DVD, HD digital cable box, passable all-in-one home theater receiver. This may not be the "power remote" for AV snobs needing RF support and other sophisticated stuff, but it works great for me, and it passes the all-important "babysitter test" (as long as you show them where the help key is.) I actually created a separate softbutton on the display just for our nanny, who always watches the same show. Programming online via USB is pretty easy, but definitely requires some clicking around to get everything working just right. I had an older Harmony remote and was able to reuse the profile for the most part. Yes, you have to do the driver/software download shuffle, a painfully familiar task for Windows users. I have both Macs and PCs, and can sympathize with the other reviewers crying "Anti-Mac!" requiring to use cr-ppy Windows, but fortunately I have an out. The other reviews dinging charge time and other one time setup issues are a little whiny if you ask me, I had this thing humming pretty quickly (yes you have to charge it first, but what doesn't require that these days?)
  
  Why four stars? I find this remote tries a little TOO hard to be "ergonomic". Many key buttons are tiny, close to other "Do Not Touch the Red Button" buttons, hard to see with the backlighting, etc. I still find myself pressing the "dammit I pressed that fast-forward-to-end-of-show button AGAIN!" button. Overall though, for the cost, this was the one remote that really allowed me to closet (not throw away) the others. You still need to dig out your other device remotes if you need to do deep programming, but this is very rare (once every couple months?)
  
  
• Don't believe the negative reviewers!!
  By AWF7J7M5WJ1KJ on 2007-10-07
  In reviewing this product, I noticed that many of the low ratings were from older reviews. It would seem that Logitech has resolved whatever problems they had in the past. I want to reiterate what some previous people have said: "Don't use the install CD that comes with the remote. Get the updated driver." This will also automatically update your firmware as well. Also, read some of the other lengthy reviews for many useful tips on installation!
  Set-up was not near as difficult as some buyers might lead you to believe. It was fairly easy, and once I got the hang of how the customizing works, I have been extremely happy with this remote.
  
  Cons: The ergonomics could be improved upon a little. The remote slips and slides around in your hand too easily and many of the buttons are a little small and/or difficult to press without possibly pressing the adjacent button. However, a little practice and user adjustment period solves most of this "uncomfortableness"
  
  Like I said - don't believe the haters. This remote is fantastic, especially considering the price! One short year ago, this type of "through-the-wall" technology was available for around $1000 and to be installed by stereo pros. Now for about 25% of that price you can easily install it yourself!! The cons aren't that big of a deal. A little common sense goes a long way when understanding this product and it's technology. Many people have complained about the lack of instructions. Be sure to look within the programming software for the manual! It's pretty detailed and helpful.
  
  
• Great buy for Me
  By A32FK2E7VX5V30 on 2006-02-05
  The two people that have reviewed this product are much more techie than I am but I must tell you, this remote is working great. It is controlling all of the below equipment via RF and I was able to get it all up and running after about 4 hours.
  
  1) Marantz SR-8400
  2) Kenwood Entre MR-H1
  3) Kenwood DV-5900M
  4) (4) Tivos
  5) One Plasma
  6) 1 Mits 65" TV
  7) 1 Denon DVD
  8) Dish Network PVR
  9) 10 HD Dish Tuners
  
  The setup was a little buggy and there was a lot of going back to the computer to update the remote but now that for the most part it has been completed. It is awesome.
  
  In one touch I can watch a DVD with all components turning on and setting themselves to the correct settings.
  
  With one touch I can watch HDTV by switching settings on my receiver.
  
  One of the reasons i also bought this remove was for its ability to control my lighting, thermostat and other home automation in the future.
  
  
  I would have given it 4 stars but there is a lot of going back and forth to the computer to update the remote during setup that could have been avoided.
  
  
  
• Very Good interfacing
  By AQOBHZ2FWDGSC on 2006-11-07
  I read the good and bad reviews on this and was more taken by the negative ones.....I was concerned about ease of interfacing with PC and programming. The tech who hooked up my system (several componets in cabinet and 50" plasma on wall integrated to Direct TV HI def....not a wire to be seen!) said he would program remote. The unit came when he was unavailable, and I decided to give it a shot myself....within a short period of time, all componets were working perfectly. Now, one touch in Activites ( watch TV) turns everything on and allows for channel operations, volume, guide etc from same screen...excellent. Can't imagine what else would be needed.Final tweaking added favorite channels with icons.... Retails at Best Buy for 400 bucks......good price on Amazon as well. Need to have a little computer savy though.....
  
  
• This remote is excellent
  By A1OU0M0Q3U0Y1B on 2007-08-25
  After realizing that I cannot function efficiently with 7 remotes, I decided I needed a good all in one remote that was fully functional but as cheap as possible. I almost passed this one up because of all the bad reviews and ratings. After looking at all the other remotes out there, I thought that this one was the most aesthetically pleasing, provided full functional support for everything and best priced. I still held off because some of the reviews were awful, but finally I got fed up with switching remotes and just bought it. I could not be happier. The set-up is easy (I am tech savvy, but the set-up was so easy that even if I weren't it would not have been much trouble) and I had no problems connecting it to my MacBook Pro. I heeded the warnings in the reviews and downloaded the most current software from Logitech. I have had no problems and this remote controls my TV, Fan, Roomba, Home theater, HDMI switch box, lights and Xbox. The only gripe I have is that it doesn't control the PS3 (unless you use the PS2 RF/USB receiver that came with the difficult-to-find PS2 DVD remote, then it will work but poorly), which is Sony's fault for making it only bluetooth compatible. This remote comes with an IR extender, which can add functionality for up to 8 other devices. I don't use it, but it's a nice touch for those that do want IR capability. It also will control products behind cabinets and glass via signal relay wires.
  
  If you don't read my verbose review, that's cool. The bottom line is: This remote is easy to set-up with the most current software and provides FULL functional support for all of your products. It currently replaces 7 remotes in my apartment and I am sure it will control more if I need it to in the future. One caveat, it does not work with PS3.
  
  
• How can the software be this bad?
  By A3AVK9MUPWG3YL on 2006-10-13
  I've been using a one-for-all 9910 RF remote for a while. I used JP1 to program it all nice and neat. The problem was you needed to explain to everyone (and remember yourself) what each button did and it wasn't as automated as the 890 promised to be. Plus I wanted one for my parents, so I thought I'd get one and try it out before subjecting the old folks to it (I'd program it for them). I love the features of the 890, and once it's running smoothly, it's mostly good (I need to get used to hard plastic buttons and I'd like a button to activate a feature on the TV when in any mode) but getting it set up is the most frustrating thing in the world. When you use JP1, you expect to hit a few bumps (buy a 40 dollar remote and 10 dollar cable and have at it). I hacked my tivo and set up networks in my house and my parents house, I'm not new to futzing around with electronics. When you spend over $250-$400 for a remote with web functionality, the setup should be much simpler. The remote crashes, locks up, gets corrupted and has system failures. The desktop software isn't any better :( I think one tip is to leave the battery out when syncing with the computer. That way, when the remote crashes, you don't have to take the battery out to reboot, simply unplug the usb cable. I thought I was going to break the battery cover for all the times I had to take it off.
  
  Furthermore, the RF extender is permanently attached to a large headed plug. In case you haven't heard, every time you update the remote, you have to update the extender, Boo!! So, if you need to get behind the your entertainment center to plug in the extender, don't bother pushing it back against the wall, you'll be unplugging and replugging that baby a few times before you're done. And for God's sake, don't try to fish it through the hole in the back of you entertainment center until you're absolutely sure you won't need to update it again. Even then wait a week. The charger for the remote has a removable power supply, so I know logitech knows how to make them. Other than that, the extender appears to work beautifully.
  
  Poor planning = poor customer experience on the initial setup. Not for the faint of heart. But after the growing pains, you might be happy with it (like when your kid deletes the numbers from your cell phone, you'll get over it, but it sure does stink!)
  
  
  
• Very pleased with this remote
  By AXYFEHSVUUNLT on 2006-11-06
  At my home I have most of my home entertainment components in a cabnet, behind a solid door. I also have a projector mounted to my ceiling. For the past year I have either had to operate my components by hand (DVD, DVR, Amplifier, Component Switch) or leave the door open so my IR controller would work. After much research I chose the Harmony 890 as my new universal remote. This is the ideal remote for my purposes since it utilizes both IR (infra-red) and RF (radio frequency). I still need the IR for my projector mounted on the ceiling. My biggest reservations were from reading the reviews that said set-up was a nightmare. When I got the remote I took the advice of a friend and discarded the set-up CD and went straight to Logitech's website and downloaded the most current software. This was very easy to install. I was planning on the set-up to take all evening and maybe the next as well. However, after a little less than 1 hour I was done. I figured that was too easy, but when I tested it...everything worked perfectly. I am so excited, this is the best universal remote investment I have ever made. Just an FYI, the components I am controlling with the Harmony 890 are: Marantz DVD, Marantz SR-18 receiver/amplifier, Panasonic HDTV Projector, Dish Network DVR and Psyclone 4 component switch.
  
  
• Poor Support and Lockups
  By A2GUH8EBS02SQU on 2006-11-09
  I love the unit...when its working...software problems in the beginning and was transferred to "upper level" support who told me I should replace my new Dell XPS 600...I eventually fixed the problem...then frequent lockups...emailed tech support...responded in 24 hours with a test which I performed immediately and emailed back the results...two days later and no response...called customer support who stated that they were sending out new unit in two days...four days later got an email that Logitech was processing the order and that the new unit would be delivered in 5-7 business days...All my equipment is in a remote location so I must go to other room to change channels, volume input etc. Logitech doesn't seem to care...I'm presently on the phone waiting for tech support and have been holding for 20 minutes thus far...Good luck if you buy this one....
  
  
• Probably The Best!
  By A23UTWKI8Q6GDP on 2007-03-15
  I was hesitate to purchase this remote after reading some of the negative reviews few as they were. I also had concerns about being able to program my DirecTV HD-20 PRV correctly as it is a really complicated beast. But I purchased the 890 and couldn't be happier. This remote has every feature you could want and more. Nice size that fits in your hand, Feedback Icon on remote displays when a button is pressed. Cool charging cradle. Some people say the buttons are too small, they probably never had to use some of the remotes that I have. Buttons light up when remote is picked up (tilt switch that can be turned on or off). The remote just works flawlessly for me.
  
  No actual problems. Everything was done correctly right through the Logitech On-Line Wizard (after upgrading the software and firmware). You are prompted and guided through the whole process. The only tweak I had to do was increase the latency from 500ns (1/2 second) to 1000ns (1 second) for my Sony BDP-S1 Blu-Ray. I had problems with the unit switching On. I went to the Help section within the On-Line setup. As the Help section explains when the activity button is pressed the IR signals are sent out, each device receives each IR signal whether or not it is for that particular device. Some devices have a delay time until they could read the next IR signal. So when you are powering on several devices and setting input sources, etc. a particular device may not be ready to receive it's signal to say Power On. Once I changed the latency to 1000ns (1 second) I have no other problems.
  
  I like to sometimes watch my TV using it's own internal sound system and sometimes I like to watch TV using my Theater Sound System, so I set one activity to turn on the TV, PCR and use the TV sound and a separate activity to Turn on the TV, PCR and AVR. Works Great, same for my Blu-Ray player. You can operate virtually any devise including Lights, Heating/Venting using the Z-Ray modules.
  
  As for people having problems with components turning On then maybe they didn't try the Help System Available On-Line. I have read here someone complaining about the 890 not having macros. What do you think the Activities buttons are for? One Button turns on every necessary component, sets up your TV input source, turns off other components that you might have been using prior. Seems like a macro to me! I have replaced 5 remotes with this one and the functionality of this one is better then any of the included remotes I had.
  
  You can even have the remote set on in feedback mode where it will ask you "Is Everything On?" and if you answer "No" it will start correcting the problem asking in each step "Is the Device On Now?".
  
  Some people say it was too complicated to setup! Well these people are probably the same people who had their VCR clocks constantly blinking from lack of setting the time on them because they could either not figure it out or too lazy to read and learn.
  
  I even read that this remote is totally unusable with a Macintosh. Well that's a big lie, I have a Mac and I had no problems, just uploaded the software upgrade.
  
  I think most of the complaints and problems could be resolved with a few simple rules:
  1) FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
  2) ALWAYS, as with any software, UPGRADE TO THE LATEST VERSION of Both the software and firmware.
  3) If you are still having problems, first use the On-Line Help System, If that doesn't get you through the problem then contact Logitech. You can even go to the Logitech online forums where almost every conceivable problems had been already discussed and if not ASK there.
  
  Bottom Line: This remote works better then advertised. It works better then I ever thought it would. You are not going to get a better remote at this price or even higher. And Amazon has the lowest price for a trusted source. If you need a remote to control all your devices without the hassle of click-and-learn (although this remote has learning capabilities too) then this is the remote for you. It may not work with each and every device, i.e. Bose systems, PS3 systems or whatever, but it probably works with more devices then most. When in doubt contact Logitech.
  
  P.S. Yes this remote comes with the IF Wireless AV receiver and all necessary cables such as UBS, etc.
  
  
• Great Remote but....
  By A9FQ8900WWSSH on 2007-04-15
  Greetings
  
  If you think your search for one remote to do all has ended here then please review your needs again as it may or may not be true.
  
  Good:
  * Programmable with real ease user friendly guided setup
  * Using all basic controls extremely easy with macros/activities. My mother-in-law can also operate my complex home theater system. One button does it all
  * Good LCD screen but can be better. Lighted key pad and motion sensor lights up when you lift it
  * separate controls for devices and macros along with support for individual screens for favorite DVDs (in my 400 DVD changer) or channels
  * Z-wave support for home automation
  * RF to IR built in which works good
  
  BAD:
  * No Vista support yet :-(
  * Icons on LCD are not clear enough
  * Default Layout of advanced functions in devices are laid out in really complex manner and really needs tweaking example subtitles etc and EXTRA TIME
  * If you have lots of devices like I do then you will be going thru screen by screen until you get used to of it and remember what device which screen.
  * Z wave support very limited for number of devices
  
  Bottom line: I love it and recommend it for a home with 6-8 devices for home theater and 8 devices in your Zwave setup. This is really good once you setup and get used to of it (few days).
  Two more options are harmony 1000 or finally well Pronto
  
  Hope I could convey some information which might of some use to you may help you decide what you are looking for.
  
  All the best.
  
  
  
• Sheds the ignorant...
  By AR5IA5KXRJPA2 on 2007-08-20
  The Logitech Harmony 890 is one of the best univeral remote controls to come out, ever. It has the ability to consolidate all your home theatre remotes into one console. It may be a little overwhelming for those new to audio/video control. Even guys like me, with some experience with home theatre, can hit some snags along the way.
  
  Not every one of my seven components worked right the first time I programmed it. It turned out to be my incorrect inputs on setup that made the errors. If you're patient, give it a little thought, and try the many programming options it offers, you should eventually get it to control your entire audio/video system satisfactorily. I had an issue with my PlayStation 3 (it only accepts Bluetooth, not infra-red signals), but I worked my way around it with a Nyko Remote dongle.
  
  I haven't used the R/F transmitter yet, but the Z-Wave light controls were a breeze to control. Now, when I tell the remote I want to watch a DVD, not only does it set my audio/video components correctly, but my lights dim to just the right level for viewing, all with one push of the button. Fantastic!!
  
  
  
• World's most frustrating software
  By ACIW7ZQ5CMDYG on 2007-09-14
  The setup process is a disaster. Although I entered the exact model number for my Tivo Series 3, it didn't recognize it. However, it doesn't tell you it doesn't recognize it until after its too late to go back. There's no way to restart setup either and because the information is stored online, a reinstallation of the software . It just plows through the setup aimlessly with the wrong information, configuring things in the wrong way.
  
  
• Good Luck!
  By A1T77A10EGB5RB on 2007-09-17
  The Harmony 890 Advanced Remote did not work straight out of the box. Logitech's customer support service proved to be impossible: The Harmony 890 Advanced Remote indicated that it was never fully charged (only 1 battery bar would show) however, the battery measured full charge and the charging cradle measured proper charging voltage (as measured with a digital voltmeter). The remote acknowledged two different methods of programming (programming is only achieved through a PC using Logitech's user interface). Overall, I had all the indications that the Harmony 890 Advanced Remote should be operative but it simply did not control any devices (using either RF or IR). So I called their customer support and hours of phone time later, they deemed the charging cradle bad (which is truly a poor design). Furthermore, it would take approximately two weeks to get a charging cradle replacement (they would not accept the full remote for exchange even though I provided technical reasoning that the remote itself appeared faulty (I am an Electrical Engineer in the wireless RF communications field)).Nevertheless, I asked for the RMA number (which takes 2-days to get via email) -- I never received the RMA number (do a Google search for Logitech Customer Support for many horror stories). Fortunately, I purchased the remote from Electronica Direct and I was able to get a truly "no hassle" RMA number from their website (without talking to customer service. Unfortunately, I had to pay for the shipping back to Electronica). I may just end up with a replacement remote in a week or so... maybe it will work!?!
  
  
• A very good remote with many advanced features but also a few problems.
  By A1F7SX3GNVBNE3 on 2007-10-28
  The Harmony 890 does what it needs to do - plus offering RF transmit which frees you from line of site operation. Configuration takes some effort, however, and rewards experimentation and some tweaking. Also, the layout of the lower button block isn't great - and takes some learning. Ergonomics, in general, are somewhat flawed.
  
  I had the typical problem: audio visual setup with 6 different components (TV, home theater receiver, Tivo, DVD, VCR, cable box), 6 different remotes and problems with wife, babysitters, and kids using it. What makes the Harmony special is the activity based setup. Initially I thought this was going to be about key scripting - but what it's really about is configuring the remote to control multiple components with one set of keys. For example, while watching TV via Tivo the volume buttons control the stereo's volume while the navigation keys control the Tivo. The "off" button at the top turns off the stereo and the TV - but I was able to configure the cable box and tivo to never turn off. Very nice. I was worried about complexity setting stuff up - and the Harmony took about an hour to install and configure - but then I spent another 90 minutes or so reconfiguring buttons to my taste after test driving the configuration. I was worried about using the Harmony 890 to control a Tivo (I have a Humax 800, a Tivo/DVR combo). The Harmony 890 works fine for the Tivo, and everything else - just be prepared to edit the soft buttons after your test drive the default configs.
  
  The RF feature also works very well. I love not having to point the remote any particular direction to make it work.
  
  The downsides are:
  1) the layout of the navigation buttons (pause, play, fast forward, rewind etc...) the block at the bottom, don't fall easily to the thumb and are not layed out in a logical and ergonomic way. They should be arranged in a circle like the cursor keys above (the Tivo remote has the dual circle layout - and it's superior). With time you get used to it, but I'd hope a state of the art remote would get this basic design aspect right.
  
  2) The cradle is persnickety about charging. You have to really jam the unit down to make it stick to the contacts and start charging. This is pretty inexcusable. One of these days I'm gonna get my dremel and grind off plastic in strategic areas to fix this - but I shouldn't have to.
  
  3) The buttons around the top oval - volume up/down, channel up/down and all the soft keys (user programmable buttons) are very thin and hard to learn and use by touch alone. Clearly form rather than function were design priorities.
  
  Bottom line, this unit works and some nice luxury features. I love that visitors and technically challenged family can turn on the whole thing to watch tv with a single button push and turn it off with a single click of the silver top button.
  
  Follow-up 4 months later:
  With time I've grown more and more fond of this remote. The charging issue went away. After a few insertions and removals the remote finds the charging contacts just fine (no Dremel required). The key arrangement in the bottom block isn't optimal, but we've all gotten used to it. (By all I mean my wife, kids, babysitters etc... - everyone can use the complicated AV system with just a brief orientation (except for the tiny 4 year old girl who can't read the Tivo screens)). Bottom line, once you configure the Harmony 890 your AV system is just much much easier to use on a daily basis. It is definitely worth the investment in time and effort up front.
  
  Follow up 2: 8 months out the unit stopped charging. The screen shows a red battery indicator for a moment and then goes black. It only intermittently lights up when pressed hard against the charging base. On-line advice is to shove some paper on top of the battery so the cover holds it down harder (didn't help). I ordered a new battery on Ebay (info on battery types is hard to find - but I saw on an rsa feed that the Nokia BLB-2 works). I post after I've received it and we'll see if it works.
  
  Follow up 3: Watch out about the Nokia BLB-2 batteries. They come in two amperages (both have same form factor and 3.7 voltage): 720mAn & 920. Only the 920 will work in the Harmony 890. I found a source on Ebay that sells two of the right kind with a charger. It was a little pricey, but it worked. For some reason, the Harmony will not properly charge on the cradle any more, but I'm able to use the external charger and swap between the two batteries successfully. I'm addicted to my Harmony 890 - but I wish the battery/charger cradle issue were better.
  
  

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