In my short adult lifetime, I have owned at least a dozen televisions and A/V receivers; yet I have never owned a universal remote control. Even after I wrote the Guide: How to shop for your first HDTV, I refused to open myself up to buying an aftermarket remote. I know that this may seem like crazy talk to some of you, but brace yourselves: sometimes I even right walk up to the equipment and turn it on or off… manually. I blame my denial of convenience on the progress of technology, because it changes so quickly that all of the equipment seems to be replaced long before the remote begins to shows signs of wear. Okay, so it’s mostly all of that, but it’s also because I’m not lazy.
Regardless of my cautious approach to convenience technology, now that I have a whole new array of electronics the real problem begins. You see, up until 2007 I was a three remote kind of guy. The ‘system’ was comprised of a television, DVD player, and receiver. Then everything changed. It all started when I bought the new Sharp AQUOS LC-52D62U 52″ 1080P HDTV, which was followed by a new 7.1 HDMI A/V receiver, and then the satellite receiver, HD-DVR, and finally a nice Windows MCE HTPC to round things out. My simple entertainment room quickly turned ugly on me, and the new collection of remotes began to occupy almost all of my table space. If clutter wasn’t bad enough, all of the equipment was brand new, which meant that I had no idea which remote went to what device.
Since none of the manufacturers filling my entertainment system shelves can offer more than simple one-device remotes, I was in need of either a deluxe remote control caddy with labeled organizer, or I would need to get a universal remote control and take a day off work just to program it. It was a quest for the unobtainable, a journey for the unthinkable; I wanted to replace a collection of remote controls with… One Remote to Control Them All. Logitech heard my cries of despair, and presented the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced Universal Remote Control to save the day.
Short of hiring NASA engineers to build me an in-home command center, the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is as good as handheld universal remote controls can get. I know that someone out there reading this is going to wonder why I am praising a review product right at the introduction, and it’s because this isn’t going to be one of those reviews where the author starts out by sounding tough and declaring “we’ll find out if the biggest name in universal remotes knows how to build a good product”, that would just be silly. I have already searched online, and looked at what local retailers offered while I shopped for the initial equipment, so I already know that the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is a great product. Instead, what I plan to do in this review is explain why I think it’s so great, show you just how easy it was to configure, and prove to you that it’s well worth the price tag. About the Company: Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. The company’s products combine essential core technologies, continuing innovation, award-winning industrial design and excellent price performance.
Logitech’s origins lie in the OEM sector, which remains an important part of its business, and represented 11.6 percent of the company’s total sales in Fiscal 2006. To meet the demands of its OEM customer base, which includes most of the world’s largest PC manufacturers, Logitech offers high-volume manufacturing with focused quality control, worldwide distribution and logistics, and the ability to leverage its infrastructure under changing demand conditions.
Logitech continues to broaden its product offering and its presence in the retail sector. This is fueled by a trend among consumers to enhance their basic PC systems with more fully featured personal peripherals that add functionality and cordless freedom to their desktops. They are also purchasing supplementary devices designed for new applications and specific purposes such as gaming, multimedia, or audio and visual communication over the Internet. Further, Logitech’s retail business includes personal peripherals for platforms beyond the PC, such as gaming consoles, portable music players, mobile phones and home-entertainment systems.
Today, Logitech’s retail business accounts for 88.4 percent of its revenue. To provide the market with a broadening array of best-of-category products, Logitech’s business model calls for supplementing its internal engineering and manufacturing strength with additional products and technologies through a combination of strategic acquisitions and industry partnerships.
More information about Logitech is available on their company website.Features
When you review a product such as the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced, the list of features can become a boring read. In truth, the list was too long, and was page destined to be passed over by even the most patient reader. I went easy on that list, and decided to break it up and place snippets into different sections of this article. On this page you will find only the most important features which separate the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced from the average universal remote control.
The Harmony 890 remote sends RF commands to the wireless receiver with a wireless range of up to 100 feet, and the receiver then blasts infrared signals to the components. The Harmony 890 remote is also designed so that a person can navigate through photos, videos, and music on a PC by using the optional Harmony USB wireless PC transceiver, which plugs directly into the computers USB port.
The Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced universal remote control supports the Z-Wave wireless technology standard, which is used by manufacturers of dimmer switches for lighting, climate controls, and security systems. The Harmony 890 remote is already capable of control advanced lighting systems using this standard, and will eventually support other categories of home-automation systems in the near future. An additional (optional) range extender is available to help offer coverage to far reaching area’s.
Time-saving Setup One of the staple features of the award-winning Harmony family of universal remote controls is the easy online setup. Logitech’s comprehensive online database features discrete codes and characteristics of more than 100, 000 different devices models from more than 3, 000 different manufacturers. This online database of detailed information is updated daily with the latest devices. Even my brand new Sharp AQUOS LC-52D62U 52″ 1080P HDTV was discovered in Logitech’s database despite the fact that the product was so fresh to the retail market.
As consumers set up a Harmony 890 remote, they enter component or appliance model numbers using the online interface, and the Harmony setup wizard matches the component with the appropriate infrared codes. This simple process alleviates the need to program a remote with dozens of individual infrared commands. The Harmony 890 remote plugs into a PC so that these codes can be easily downloaded to the remote through the included USB cable. Once programmed, the Harmony remote sends wireless signals that automatically update all the Harmony wireless receivers throughout the house with the latest control information.
Logitech Smart State Technology
The Harmony 890 remote delivers powerful activity control by using Logitech’s patented Smart State Technology®, which allows a remote to track the operations of the various components it controls. Harmony 890 remote users can effortlessly switch between watching high definition television and listening to music in surround sound, by selecting a single activity button. Each time a new activity is selected, the remote establishes the proper state of all of the components needed for the current activity, and turns off the components not needed.
The Harmony 890 remote makes use of one-touch activity buttons that include any combination of entertainment components, and even light settings. The simplicity of Logitech Smart State Technology makes it easy for customers to operate the remote.
Designed for State-of-the-Art Home-Entertainment Systems
Maintaining the same popular comfort-grip design featured on previous Harmony remotes, the new Harmony 890 remote includes a vibrant, color display that serves as a personalized activity control center. Colorful icons accompany text on the display to allow for quick and easy command of home-entertainment equipment and household appliances. The remote is fully backlit so it is easy to navigate in the dark, and the finely sculpted primary navigation controls – such as play, pause, record and the number buttons – are easily identified by touch due to their varied size, shape and location. The remote’s sleek polished chrome directional pad and buttons are contrasted by the remote’s silver finish.
The remote also uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, eliminating the need to change batteries. When the remote is not in use, it rests on an attractive charging platform.
Product Description
Logitech introduces radio frequency to its award-winning line of Harmony universal remote controls. The Harmony 890 remote has all the great features of the best-selling Harmony 880 remote, but adds the ability to control devices without a direct line of sight. Hide all the wires and components behind cabinet doors or in a separate room and still command them with the one-touch activity buttons on the Harmony 890 universal remote.
• Complete control with one remote
• Replaces up to 15 remote controls
• Works with components hidden behind walls or in cabinets
• So advanced, it’s simpleDetailed Features
• Simple, One-Touch Activity Control
Control your entire home entertainment system with just one button. Choose the “Watch a DVD” activity and the Harmony remote will power on your TV, DVD player, and stereo receiver, set all the inputs and even eject the bay.
• Advanced Control without line of Sight The Harmony 890 remote uses Z-wave wireless home automation technology to control entertainment devices without a direct line of sight. Hide wires and components behind cabinet doors or in a different room and command it all with one remote.
• Guaranteed To Work With Your Devices The Harmony 890 remote delivers full control of up to 15 devices. Logitech’s on-line database includes over 5,000 manufacturers and over 200,000 devices – everything from HDTV’s to projectors, from DVR’s to VCR’s, lighting controls and more!
• Easy To Set-Up The Harmony set-up wizard does the programming, so you don’t have to. Just connect your remote to your computer and answer a few questions about how you currently use your home theater. Logitech’s patented Smart State Technology® does the rest.
Logitech has taken many extra steps to ensure that owners of the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced are reassured that they are getting a premium universal remote control. When you first open the package, you find the contents nestled into two levels of high-quality velvet-coated plastic trays. The top tray stores the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced remote and charging cradle.
The lower tray contains the A/C power adapter, 4-foot USB data cable (with ferrite core noise choke), a 950mAh 3.7V rechargeable Li-Ion battery, and the Logitech Harmony Remote software CD-ROM. In my review, I decided to download the most current Harmony remote software directly from the Logitech website.
When the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced charging cradle is plugged into an A/C power source, the indigo blue ring lights up. This may or may not become a distraction, since the ring remains lit at all times so long as the cradle is receiving power. My thoughts on this design were mixed.
On one hand, the indigo blue ring provided a reminder that the Harmony 890 remote was not returned to the cradle. On the other hand, the remotes usually rest somewhere near the coffee table or on a seat. This means that I must either plug in the cradle nearby to where I want access to the remote, or I can charge the remote and plug in the cradle whenever I need to recharge the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced. For now, it is more convenient for me to keep the remote handy and the cradle stored away.
The underside of the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced charging cradle is contoured to provide a channel for the A/C power cable. This makes for a flush mount on top of a table of desk. The charging cradle cannot be mounted vertically, as it was not designed to secure the remote.Closer Look: Logitech Harmony 890 Pro
Considering the large amount of technology present in the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced remote control, the chassis is surprisingly small and lightweight. Nearly every other remote control occupies a much larger footprint on the table space. Logitech used a bit of common sense when they designed the Harmony 890: instead of a thin remote which is long and wide, they designed the Harmony 890 with a little more rise to it which allowed them to cut the length and width down considerably.
The Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced could probably be considered a beautifully sculptured piece of technology thanks to the ergonomic design and smooth contours. The flat black finish is accented by polished smoke-tinted chrome buttons surrounding the LCD display.
You can begin to see that the buttons are all laid out in similar fashion to other remotes. In order to properly control the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced in dark environments there is a “Glow” button which illuminates all of the buttons with an backlight. One of the few negative marks was discovered in the dark-chrome buttons surrounding the LCD: in low light conditions the text labels on them are very thin and nearly invisible. Alternatively, in very bright light (daylight), the engraved text is equally unnoticeable. Unfortunately, most of the buttons I need are in this button array.
The Li-Ion batter inserts into the underside of the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced. The compartment door is very firm, but since you will likely on ever need to open just once, the fact that it won’t pop open and drop the battery out may provide peace of mind.Setup & Installation
Remember back in the introduction, where I said “what I plan to do in this review is explain why I think it’s so great, show you just how easy it was to configure, and prove to you that it’s well worth the price tag”? Well, we are up to that point. When I first unboxed the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced, I found the software packed nicely under the first tray. This came as no real surprise to me, since the Harmony 890 attaches to the PC through the included USB 2.0 cable. It was the experience afterward which had me concerned.
Let me begin describing the set and installation process by offering a little background on me. For the past seven years I have owned and operated Performance Computers Inc, which services and maintains small to medium sized business networks. Armed with my MCSA credentials, I approach tasks like configuring a universal remote control with a small amount of disdain. For the average Joe (or JoAnne), the process may need to be put into simple layman’s terms. But for a guy like me, a guy who puts Nick Burns in his place, this experience should be a very short and sweet one. It wasn’t.
But before I get into why exactly the configuration process wasn’t as easy as buttering bread, we should make sure that you know what is needed to make it all work. Take a moment to really look at the system requirements below, because there is one particular requirement that is out of the ordinary. There will be a quiz later, so take notes. System Requirements
For set up, a Windows compatible or Apple computer is needed with an Internet connection and available USB port. All Harmony remotes are compatible with tens of thousands of makes and models of home theater components.
The minimum recommended Windows® system configuration is:
• Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP/Vista operating system
• USB plug-and-play support
• 10 MB free hard drive space
• CD Rom drive
• Internet connection (dial-up, cable, DSL, LAN, etc.)
The minimum recommended Macintosh system configuration is: • Mac with USB plug-and-play support
• Mac OS X 10.2 or later operating system
• 10 MB free hard drive space
• CD Rom drive
• Internet connection (dial-up, cable, DSL, LAN, etc.)
So did you see something that you didn’t expect? If you answered “Internet connection”, you are correct. Now go to our forum and sign up for an account so I can mail you a gold star. Seriously though, the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is not your average universal remote. By utilizing the Internet, Logitech can offer users automatic firmware updates and current hardware device codes. In general, this is a great idea. I say this generally, because if some little old lady wants the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro universal remote to replace the “clicker” on her BetaMax, she had better have dial-up Internet at a minimum.
I wouldn’t consider the requirement of an active Internet connection to be a flaw, or something which would detract for the overall score of the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced. After all, Logitech makes plenty of other universal remote controls which do not require the Internet for programming. But this is the Harmony 890, and the chance of the owner having access to an Internet connection is nearly certain. in fact, it’s very likely that the average consumer looking to purchase the Harmony 890 is already a progressive enthusiast of technology.
After connection the remote to the computer and creating a Logitech account for the Harmony software, I signed in and began the configuration process. The first thing I found once I began to get started was that the Harmony 890 was in need of a firmware update. This really pleased me, since I am a computer enthusiast who in addicted to having the latest BIOS or device firmware. Once the Logitech Harmony 890 Pro Advanced was brought up to date, I began the process of configuring my preferences.
When the Harmony software asked me about my equipment, the first thing I programmed was the Sharp AQUOS LC-52D62U. The software asked me to confirm my entry before moving on to the next step. However it wasn’t until after I went to the next step that I noticed an error. The Harmony software somehow translated this entry as “Shark” AQUOS LC-52D62U (even though I pasted in the text), which of course doesn’t exist. In any other software, I could have just pressed the “back” button. Not here, and not in this software. After the initial half-hour of frustration and submission I closed the Harmony software, and went out to dinner and drinks. The following morning, I think the Harmony software must have felt sorry for me, because it allowed me to wrap-up my configuration without further stress. In fact, I was stunned at how easy the setup became at my second sit-down.Final Thoughts
Logitech has created a piece of functional art in the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced universal remote control. It compliments my home theater system very well, and perhaps even raises the living room appearance up a notch. The color LCD is a helpful feature, especially since it acts as an on-screen assistant to help me fine tune the configuration. I later explored the Harmony software, and learned that I could customize the background with an image of my own. While there isn’t documentation anywhere as to the size and file type requirements, I found that GIF images work just fine.
Since most of my time in the living room is in the evening hours where light is dim, the dark-chromed array of buttons were a little difficult to see due to very faint back-lighting. Once I memorized which side was volume and which side was for channels, everything fell right into place and I no longer searched for text labels.
The range on the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is unbeatable. Even when I stand over sixty feet away and behind a wall, the home theater devices have no problem receiving commands. In a larger home, this feature is invaluable.
Conversely, there was a noticeable one-second delay in-between the push of a button and the reaction of the device. This would become a problem when rapidly changing channels or adjusting volume. The remote remembers how many times you pressed the button, and the result would usually mean passing the stopping point. Conclusion
Logitech doesn’t let you forget for one moment that you have just purchased a premium product. From the sturdy velvet-coated plastic trays, to the thread fastening ties replacing standard twist ties, the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is presented as a crown jewel.
The Harmony 890 has a look and feel all of it’s own. Not one boxed corner or square button to be found, it truly is a sculptured piece of art guaranteed to add value to your home theater systems appeal.
Even when dropped onto a carpeted floor from a standing position (and it was often… just for testing of course), the Harmony 890 never had a single problem. The ergonomic design offsets the LCD screen below surface level, so even in the worst accidents the screen should be safe from contact.
The fact that the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced conveniently dismisses up to 15 other remotes from my tabletop is testament to it’s functionality. There were a few tiny glitches, such as button delay and dim backlighting, but it was an otherwise very functional universal remote control. Even when the initial configuration faltered, the assistant corrected the configuration problem in under a few seconds.
Value is a subjective term in regards to a product such as this. Similar to comparing luxury cars to economy cars, the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced is not meant to be the every-mans replacement. Logitech clearly issues the Harmony 890 as a prestigious product destined for premium home theater environments. This is why the device is guaranteed to work with every piece of equipment out there, and also why it features an LCD display and Li-Ion rechargeable battery. Add to these features the additional tilt sensor power-resume, and extended radio frequency range, and the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced begins to sell itself well worth the premium price.
In conclusion, the Harmony 890 Pro Advanced comes highly-recommended for above-average entertainment centers and premium home theater systems. There is nothing else presently available for less which offers nearly the same features and functionality, except of course for the other Logitech Harmony family of universal remotes. This is one product which clearly has blown away the competition. Pros:
+ Extremely attractive design
+ Large on-line device database
+ Ergonomic lightweight case
+ Replaces up to 15 remote controls
+ Convenient button layout
+ RF works with components hidden behind walls or in cabinets
+ High-quality solid construction
+ Smart tilt sensor brings remote out of standby
+ Rechargeable Li-Ion battery Cons:
– Remote does not power off
– Dark-chrome backlighting is too dim
– Charging base ring always glows
– Delayed button reaction Ratings:
Presentation: 9.5
Appearance: 9.75
Construction: 9.75
Functionality: 8.75
Value: 8.25 Final Score: 9.25 out of 10.Award: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.
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