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Entered CNET Catalog: 10/11/2004
SKU: 966183-0403
Manufacturer: Logitech Inc.
Manufacturer description
The Harmony Remote is the world's only remote with Smart State Technology Activity Control. Just press an Activity button such as "Watch TV" or "Watch a Movie", and the Harmony Remote will automatically set-up your entertainment system in seconds without you ever having to program a 'macro'. The Harmony Remote provides simple, intuitive control of even the most elaborate entertainment system for anyone in the family. With the world's only Smart State Database of electronic devices, set-up is a snap. The community-driven database together with IR learning ensures support of all infrared-controlled devices made by any manufacturer, including TiVo, HDVCR, HDTV, Plasma Displays, Monitors, Projectors, Lighting Control, CD/DVD-R, PVR, Satellite Radios, Amplifiers, DVD Players, Receivers, Dual VCRs and even combination devices like DVD-VCR components. With interactive media capabilities, you can select TV Shows, Movies or Music titles from the interactive display. You can even control devices like lights, fireplace and your personal computer!User opinions
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User Rating: 
5/10
Great but becomes unusable in a couple of years due to button design
Pros: Easy to program - great database of devices
Cons: Activity buttons wear or become dirty and wont work. A little difficult to keep devices in IR field while operating.
I even took it apart and cleaned the contact surfaces with alcohol and a swab. This helped for about 2 weeks but now the problem is worse. Button board design or sensor circuit sensitivity seems to be lacking.
Other minor problems: IR field of view and/or power level a little low. When sitting in a chair i have to hold it level, at or near eye level and point it carefully to operate multiple devices (an activity), making it awkward to push the correct buttons. When operating a single device, i can hold it lower and read the display while operating, but still must be a bit careful to keep it pointed at the device.
Had problems with the software early on but the latest rev seems to be working smoothly.
As with most software, it installs a run time program that sits there and uses CPU time even though you may not need it for months (I disable it until needed).
User Rating: 
9/10
Terrific Remote for a starter system
Pros: works with everything
Cons: no rechargeable battery
User Rating: 9/10
Best electronic toy I've bought in years
Pros: Simplicity of one touch operation, easy online setup, backlighting
Cons: one direction function nav, patience for on/off function
The one touch options are priceless for her. Just select "Play Music", "Watch TV", or "Watch a Movie" and the remote does the rest: turning on/off the required components, making all the correct settings and giving you control of the devices you need. Friends come over and I don't even have to tell them how to use it. They just see the "Watch TV" button and it is a home run from there.
Setup was a little daunting in that it starts you off with the full list of functions for each component and narrowing it down to the ones you really want takes time. However the fact that this is all done in a convenient website setup in a real bonus.
More frustrating is the fact that you can only scroll in one direction to get the function you want shown in the Display. Accidently miss it and you have to scroll all the way through again. Editting this order during setup is even more frustrating given you have to basically start from scratch and build your function list to get the order you want.
The only other feature that takes getting used to is the on/off. When using remote to turn things on or switch between activity you have to be patient and let the remote cycle through instructing all your devices. Accidently orient the remote away from the devices in the middle of its cycle, and steps get missed or devices do not get turned on/off. Try pressing the button again and the remote either ignores you or confuses the components. Once you understand this, it is a small price to pay for the convenience the remote brings.
I believe this version from Logitech is one of the lower models so I can only assume they have improved on this much more.
I can't wait to see how it works in my soon-to-be-finished entertainment room controling remote control lights, projector, and possibly my MCE computer.
User Rating: 
8/10
Great for the rest of the family that can't figure out my remotes
Pros: Works with everything
Cons: Still difficult to access some specific features from time to time
User Rating: 9/10
Super simple interface.
Pros: Set-up is a snap. Device works nearly flawlessly.
Cons: You need a PC to program this remote.
User Rating: 8/10
After making through the setup seem to work nicely
Pros: Configuring throught the web interface nice, worth the money
Cons: Web interface a little tricky sometimes after the initial setup to change
