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Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Reviewer’s Guide 

– Page 5 

 

3. Industry Overview 

3.1 The Problem: The Growing Complexity of Home Entertainment  

Until recently, most home-entertainment systems were confined to a single room of the 
house – a living room or media room with only a few components. In nearly all cases, 
these components were out in the open, so that conventional IR-based remote controls 
could operate them. 
 
But today’s home may feature entertainment consoles and systems concealed inside of 
cabinets or other furniture. And today's consumers often enjoy music, video, games and 
other home entertainment throughout home. Many high-end music systems include 
speakers built into several rooms – a scenario in which walls prevent conventional IR 
remote controls from controlling the equipment in another room.    
 
This state of affairs has left many consumers frustrated – while they may spend 
thousands of dollars for top-of-the-line home-entertainment technology, the experience 
is tainted by their lack of complete and flexible control over their systems. They resort to 
using several remote controls, often in several rooms, to operate their equipment. 
Worse, the proliferation of multiple remotes throughout the house makes it all the more 
difficult for family members to both learn and remember how to operate everything. 
 

3.2 The Opportunity 

Several companies have tried to solve the problem of home-entertainment complexity 
with universal remotes. However, most third-party programmable remotes have been 
inadequate for these reasons:  
 

• They are difficult to set up. They require consumers to program complicated 
infrared codes into the remote, so they must have deep technical knowledge or 
hire an installer. 
 
• They control components individually, even though most entertainment 
activities involve more than one component. They require pressing an elaborate 
sequence of buttons to simply watch television or a DVD, or listen to music.  
 
• They do not work with all components. Many remotes only work on a limited 
number of popular devices. On some remotes, information that the remote uses 
to control components is stored internally, at the time it was manufactured, and 
quickly becomes outdated, forcing people to teach these codes to the remote via 
a confusing, laborious process.  
 
• IR dependent remotes don't work through cabinets, where today's components 
often reside, and they can't work through walls or floors to operate equipment in 
other rooms of the house. 

 
 
As a result, some consumers have turned to elaborate whole-house automation systems 
that provide operation of all remote-controllable electronics throughout the home. 
Unfortunately, these systems are typically custom installed and programmed by a 
professional, extremely costly and still complex to operate.  

Содержание 966193-0403 - Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Страница 1: ......

Страница 2: ...2 Logitech Harmony 890 Remote Layout 12 4 3 Harmony 890 Remote Product Specifications and System Requirements 13 4 4 Reader Info Box 14 5 Setting Up the Harmony 890 Remote 15 6 Using the Harmony 890 Remote 18 6 1 The One Button Activity 18 6 2 Controlling Devices Behind Cabinet Doors or in Separate Rooms 18 6 3 Switching Between Activities 18 6 4 Controlling Individual Devices 19 7 Optimizing and ...

Страница 3: ... our efforts helpful we would appreciate your feedback Contact References Refer your readers to www logitech com harmony Customer Support 1 866 291 1505 Harmony_Customer_Support Logitech com Press Relations Contact not for publication Nathan Papadopulos Marketing Communications Manager Logitech Harmony Remotes Voice 510 713 4207 Fax 510 713 4780 Nathan_Papadopulos logitech com Product Images Image...

Страница 4: ...r on the components they want to control If the component is behind a cabinet door or if furniture or any other obstacle blocks the beam the remote can t communicate with the device and thus can t control it The Harmony 890 remote communicates with Logitech s RF Wireless Extender included in the retail package by using RF signals Unlike light waves these radio waves can travel through solid object...

Страница 5: ...learn and remember how to operate everything 3 2 The Opportunity Several companies have tried to solve the problem of home entertainment complexity with universal remotes However most third party programmable remotes have been inadequate for these reasons They are difficult to set up They require consumers to program complicated infrared codes into the remote so they must have deep technical knowl...

Страница 6: ...ople think Nobody sits down to switch on the TV change the input turn on the DVD player and A V receiver switch the input and sound field setting and adjust the volume They simply want to sit down to watch a movie With the Harmony remote they need to press only one button to do so Smart State Technology Logitech s patented Smart State Technology powers every Harmony remote control This technology ...

Страница 7: ...ing a Harmony remote owner s setup the database occasionally lacks information about a particular electronics component or a unique feature In these cases the wizard walks the person through a process that teaches the Harmony remote about the component as the person presses a few buttons on the component s original remote control The Harmony remote then captures these commands and uploads them to ...

Страница 8: ...imized for complicated HDTV and DVR systems the Harmony 880 remote helps to tame sophisticated home entertainment systems 249 99 Harmony 550 The Harmony 550 remote delivers one touch activity control easy setup simple for anyone to use in a budget friendly design 149 99 Harmony Remote for Xbox 360 The Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 makes gaming easy with Play Xbox 360 one touch act...

Страница 9: ...in the following ways Up to eight custom activities or controls can be defined for each screen these functions are linked to the eight buttons surrounding the display A background image can be uploaded from the PC Images for favorite channels can be uploaded from the PC Images can uploaded from the PC and run as slideshows The Harmony 890 remote s LCD displays the following status information A Da...

Страница 10: ...ote also allows users to add optional settings for each activity For example it s easy to customize buttons for toggling between different picture and sound modes Stylish Comfortable Design Featuring a stunning industrial design a color display and a low profile recharging station the Harmony 890 remote matches even the most sophisticated entertainment room s décor Featuring a comfort grip shape a...

Страница 11: ... one touch switching between activities without having to turn on or adjust components for different entertainment activities Recharging Station Rechargeable lithium ion battery means no more running out of batteries attractive charging station provides a convenient location where the whole family can find the remote Web Based Wizard for Easy Setup and Customization People simply tell the wizard t...

Страница 12: ... corresponding commands and activities listed on the screen 7 DEVICE Lists all devices in the entertainment system on the remote s LCD screen and allows you to select and fully control any feature from any device 8 MENU BUTTONS For most cable or satellite TV services this opens the main menu from which to choose themes or search for program information 9 GUIDE Provides television program listings ...

Страница 13: ...the following warranty for new products purchased directly from Logitech or from a Logitech Harmony Authorized Dealer with proof of purchase A one year repair exchange warranty for factory assembly defects only not normal wear and tear over time including UV light acts of nature rain animals as examples buyer s remorse commercial or institutional use or any user mishap or misuse System Requirement...

Страница 14: ...y 890 remote does it all upstairs or downstairs even through walls floors and cabinets With simple one touch activity controls the Harmony 890 remote is easy for the entire family and even the babysitter to use With an intuitive clean Web interface and USB connection the Harmony remote is extremely easy to set up Its rechargeable design means no more changing batteries Price Harmony 890 remote ret...

Страница 15: ... to the Harmony Web site if not please visit logitech com harmony and click on New User Login You will be asked to enter your User ID and password which you will use to log in each time you want to update your Harmony remote control Fig 2 fig 1 Step 2 Testing the Connection At this point the Web interface will ask you to plug in the Harmony 890 remote with the provided mini USB cable This is simpl...

Страница 16: ... device specific remote This process allows the Harmony remote control to learn the exact kinds of codes needed to control the component These codes are then uploaded into your account where it is stored and then downloaded to the Harmony remote at the end of the process Fig 5 Step 4 Setting Up Activities During this step the setup wizard will ask questions about how your entertainment devices are...

Страница 17: ...t in the event the remote s battery is depleted the system configuration will not be lost Fig 6 Step 6 Connecting the Remote to the RF Wireless Extender After a successful update of the remote and the extender a message on the remote s display screen will prompt you to connect a Z Wave module in this case the module is your RF Wireless Extender Plug the RF Wireless Extender into a power outlet nea...

Страница 18: ...pment adjusts to operate in the selected activity as you requested If at any time an activity doesn t launch correctly use the Help button above the LCD screen and it will ask a series of questions to help put your entertainment system into the correct state 6 2 Controlling Devices Behind Cabinet Doors or in Separate Rooms If you have equipment behind closed doors place the RF Wireless Extender in...

Страница 19: ...ess More Once you select the TV the remote will be set up to control the television only now you can simply turn it off or make any other adjustments 7 Optimizing and Customizing the Remote One of the strengths of the Harmony remote is the adjustable level of programming Some people may choose to run only the basic setup and have all of their primary needs fulfilled But people may choose to run se...

Страница 20: ...activities The next window allows you to designate your favorite channel numbers and then add icons for those channels If you choose not to add an image for a channel the channel number will appear on your Favorite Channels screen To access your favorites while watching television click the Media button just below the LCD screen on the Harmony remote Fig 7 7 2 Creating a Custom Button It s easy to...

Страница 21: ...uch as DVRs and audio servers often have functions that are unique to that product and its remote control If this situation is encountered it is simple to teach the Harmony remote the new commands As an example try adding a button to enhance your control of the television From your Harmony home page click More Options under the Television device From there click Customize the Device Sound and Pict...

Страница 22: ...s the device needs to accept one signal and be ready for the next Input Delay How long the device takes to respond to input signals Sometimes TVs take a second or two to switch between one input setting and another Inter Device Delay Some devices get confused when infrared signals sent to it are followed closely by signals sent to other devices Increasing this setting provides a buffer between tho...

Страница 23: ...e difference between infrared and RF wireless technology Infrared signals are actually light pulses that are too low in frequency for human eyes to see Like any other beams of light infrared signals are directional and can be blocked by obstacles RF wireless technology works on the principle of radio waves They are not directional and not affected by obstacles so people don t have to point RF remo...

Страница 24: ...o you should have no problems lining up the node with the component you wish to control The node provides a flexible extension of the IR signals How do I know that the information I receive from the Harmony database is accurate There is a two step verification process that takes place for information entered by Harmony customers First Harmony engineers validate the commands before allowing them to...

Страница 25: ...ufacturing 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 cordl...

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