Newsletters
Facebook
RSS Feed
EH Store
At a GlanceThe Harmony One was extremely well received when it was introduced more than a year ago. Its smooth lines, higher-resolution screen and touch-sensitive operation took the popular Harmony line to a new level of sophistication.
The only missing piece was radio-frequency (RF) capability. Enter the new Harmony 900, which fills that need and then some.
Other improvements over the Harmony One are a sharper screen and color themes for quick customization, as well as a row of colored hard buttons for things like DVR thumbs up/down and lighting control.
Comfortable Ergonomics, Easy Setup
The 900 retains the best attributes of the One, namely the comfortable ergonomics, light weight and ease of setup. It’s well built and solid, though it doesn’t have the heft and robust feel of some higher-priced offerings. The gloss black on the top surface is both eye- and fingerprint-catching.
And, thankfully, the 900 retains the One’s deep and wide charging base that securely engages the contacts without slipping.
Online Setup a Breeze
Harmony’s online-based setup is extremely straightforward. After a quick survey about what equipment you have, how it’s connected, and how you use it, the software automatically takes care of 90 percent of your setup in 30 to 45 minutes, even for complex theaters including multiple sources and displays.
You can customize things like IR delays, activity macro ordering, power on/off settings, touchscreen icons and favorite channels. You can also set up complex IR-based home automation.
Unfortunately, the Harmony 900 doesn’t integrate with any home automation systems using its RF capabilities, so IR still has to be part of the mix. This is actually a downgrade from the Harmony 890 and 1000, which can integrate with wireless Z-Wave-based lighting control systems.
Flaws in Daily Use
The 900 works well in day-to-day activities, and the odd misstep is easily rectified by the help function within a couple of button presses.
Specs:
- RF capability
- Gloss-black covering
- Deep and wide charging base
- Online guided setup
- Colored, back-lit hard buttons for added functions
- More than 5,000 brands and 225,000 devices supported
- Full-color touchscreen
- Ergonomic design
- Lithium-ion battery, charging station included
- $399
Pros:
- Retains Harmony One styling
- High-res screen
- Adds RF control
- Easy programming
Cons:
- No RF automation, only IR
- Insensitive tilt sensor
I agree with all the pros. But I would like to add one Con. As an A/V custom installer sometimes I have to use multizone AV Receivers, and unfortunately the 900 (and all the Harmony line) can control just one activity at the time. So to control the 2nd zone you have to do it by devices and it could be really confusing for some customers.
One other annoying missing feature: no Bluetooth. The new Bluetooth Low Energy spec includes support for a new generation of Bluetooth remote controls. Right now, it’s just the Playstation 3 (and only their tens of millions of users). Next month Vizio will begin deploying HDTVs with Bluetooth remotes.
Sure, you could pay $50 extra to get Logitech’s PS3 Harmony adapter. But for the new “top of the line” Harmony, Bluetooth should just be built in. Plus the PS3 adapter only works with the PS3. It won’t work with the Vizio or other future BT devices. And I’m not even sure if it’ll work with the RF capabilities of this remote without additional add ons.
- News
- Cool Homes
- Blogs
- Photo Galleries
Seymour Screen Excellence Adds Retractable Masking Option
The woven acoustic screen is now available in a retractable, masking version.
24 Audio Zones, Mirror TV & Loads of Lighting Control
Centralized home control and automation plus boatload of A/V options including dropdown theater screen revitalize 12K-square-foot home.
The Case for Dumb TVs
Should TV manufacturers offer dumbed-down TVs that focus on image quality rather than apps?
Automated Avatar Is Home’s Personal Electronic Greeter
Say hello to home control in this high-tech palace, circa 2006.
The new Harmony 900 uses IEEE802.15.4 radio technology, which is the basis of ZigBee and RF4CE. Now that most major CE manufacturers have put RF4CE on their roadmap or in their products, I could see Harmony remotes being able to control all the CE devices, interact with the home control systems, smart energy stuff, and provide full two-way control. Battery life testing by the CE companies shows tremendously better battery life than the old IR days, with some manufacturers claiming the ability to support “batteryless” operation. My own analysis shows as much as 20x better life. That means in some cases that the remote’s batteries NEVER need replacement. Neither BT nor BTLE can do that.
Bluetooth never made sense, given that handset manufacturers and cellular carriers don’t see a way to derive income from being able to manipulate CE devices in the home. Bluetooth low energy doesn’t solve any of those problems, either. Either way, adds cost and complexity to the handset, and increases service calls for something that’s not central to the “can you hear me now?” business model. And who really needs a remote control that must be recharged regularly?
Z-Wave is dead - the assets of the company that built the chips was sold at a huge loss a year ago to a little company for which home control just isn’t that valuable. Add to that Intermatic (the #1 vendor of Z-Wave stuff) closing their Z-Wave-enabled product line, the only stuff remaining is orphan or showing up in the bargain bin.
Last CES showed a couple of the first devices. CES 2010 is going to be awesome. We just picked up a Panasonic Viera 55-in HD set that is the 1st certified RF4CE device. Beautiful unit and fantastic performance.
ZigBee and RF4CE technologies are really the path industries focused on the home have chosen. Logitech’s choice for the new Harmony 900 is pretty savvy.