Logitech Adds to Award-Winning Harmony Remote Line

[Shane]

<img src="http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/images/Logitech-Harmony-600-650.jpg" alt="Logitech Harmony 600/650" height="72" width="72" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0">Nearly all of the entertainment devices in today's living rooms use remote controls, so for most people a remote that simplifies complex home-entertainment systems is essential to performing even the simplest of activities, such as watching TV. Today, Logitech (SIX:LOGN)(NASDAQ:LOGI) added to its award-winning line of Logitech® Harmony® remotes by unveiling the Logitech® Harmony® 600 Remote and Logitech® Harmony® 650 Remote. Giving you one-click control over your favorite activities, both new remotes are simple to set up and simple to use, and can replace up to five other remotes.

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2010/03/logitech_adds_to_awardwinning_harmony_remote_line.php]Read Bulletin[/url]

[akirby]

This is a good price point. The ONE is still tops but it's a little pricey. Just so everyone knows the only difference between the various harmony models is the button layout and LCD screen and device limit - internally they all work the same way.

There is no more family friendly universal remote on the market right now - push one button and it does everything for you and if there is a problem you just press help and it fixes the problem with a series of questions.

They aren't perfect - the software can be confusing and there are some limitations on user macros, etc. and some previous models have had durability issues (but none of the newer ones AFAIK).

And best of all I see they have the red, blue, green, yellow buttons now. Woo-hoo!

[Shane]

I like the usability of Logitech remotes, but I'm questioning their product distinctions.

I bought my first "Harmony for Xbox 360" about 4-5 years ago for $100. I loved it, and had as many as a dozen devices programmed into it at various times. As you might imagine, I review a lot of equipment for the Magazine and have to program (and unprogram) many devices.

The buttons eventually started to go out so I had to get a new one. I opted for the Logitech Harmony 700. I must admit that I did not do a great deal of research. I knew they made good remotes, easy to program, etc. So I bought the one that was on sale at my local big box store ($100, which was $50 off retail).

You know where I'm going with this, right? I transferred my settings and devices to the new remote with no problem. It was actually quite easy changing remotes using the Logitech software. My 9 existing devices transferred with no problem, and everything worked ... but I can't add any more. I then found out that the 700 was limited to 7 devices.

So here's the question: If their remotes can store, remember and program more than 7 devices, why have the software "cripple" the device and limit it to 7? It's obviously not a hardware limitation. Is it just me or does it seem that their "product distinctions" are predominantly the same core hardware/software, with different levels of crippling.

From what I can tell, the following models have roughly the same features, only differing significantly in the number of devices they control:

Harmony 650 - $100 - 5 devices
Harmony 700 - $150 - 7 devices
Harmony One - $250 - 15 devices

It seems if you want unlimited devices, you have to go to the 900 or 1100 and shell out $400. Now granted, you get RF capability with those, but what if the consumer doesn't want or need that?

I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this ... I am considering an official "review" based on the feedback I get here.

Thanks,

- Shane

[akirby]

There are differences in the LCD screen with the ONE being touchscreen while the 650 isn't (not sure about the 700).

While it's possible that the device limit is only a marketing device to allow different price points, there is a better explanation if you understand software and memory.

My guess is the lower end remotes have less memory, therefore the software limits the number of devices you can add to ensure it doesn't run out of memory. Remember that different devices have different command sets and require different memory, so the software has to use a "worst case" scenario to calculate the number of devices allowed. Since that limit is only enforced when adding devices through the GUI, you were allowed to transfer the 9 devices from your old remote to the new one because they physically fit because your devices are not "worst case".

You could test it by going from a 15 devices setup on a ONE to a 650 and see if it bombs out or works. If it works then you don't know for sure because again you could have devices with really small command sets, but it would be a good test.

Also - the higher cost remotes tend to have rechargeable batteries and a cradle.

[Richard]

Is it just me or does it seem that their "product distinctions" are predominantly the same core hardware/software, with different levels of crippling.

That's a pretty good description of the cookie cutter approach for electronics in general.

I won't sell a system remote that isn't RF and most installers won't either. The problem with IR is you have to keep it pointed in the right place when applying a macro command. If one piece of equipment gets missed then the system won't work, customer is frustrated and we get called. With RF they and their guests can point it wherever they want and it always works.

The first one I did was an IR for my parents - I was called quarterly for something not working...

[akirby]

That's the benefit of the Harmony HELP button - if an IR command was missed in the startup or activity switch macros you can hit the HELP button and the Harmony will first attempt to fix the problem by automatically resending certain discrete codes, then if that doesn't fix the problem it will start asking questions (is the TV on?) and eventually fix the problem. It's very user friendly and I don't know of any other universal remotes that offer this as an out of the box feature.

Of course if someone has chronic problems with keeping the remote pointed at the equipment then RF would be the way to go. But the problem with most RF installations where the equipment is in a remote area is that you can only use the RF remote and the RF remotes are typically much more expensive. With an IR repeater you can not only use any universal remote but you can still use the OEM remotes interchangeably.

Not that I blame an installer for using RF - I wouldn't want the support calls either.

[Richard]

Problem is after months of no problem they forget about that button or the guest that knows nothing about it.

I recommend these all the time to my customers whether they want to do it themselves or have me do it because if anything needs to be changed at least they could do that themselves. Unlike pro system remotes I can't lock up the programming and that allows the owner to access their product if they want.

I think IR is great provided you have your own IT family member for troubleshooting!

[akirby]

I found a solution. If I keep the basement cold, the women refuse to go down there. If they're not using the system then they don't need help!

Now if I could just figure out a similar solution for the computers.........