Table of Contents 1. A Note to Reviewers ......................................................................................................................3 2. Industry Overview ..........................................................................................................................4 2.1 The Problem: Complexity in the Modern Living Room..................................... 4 2.2 The Opportunity ............................................................................................
1. A Note to Reviewers This guide provides information to help you craft your independent review of the Logitech Harmony Remote 880 The communications team at Logitech hopes you’ll find our efforts helpful; we would appreciate your feedback. Contact References: Refer your readers to: www.logitech.com/harmony Customer Support: 1-866-826-5722 customerservice@harmonyremote.
2. Industry Overview 2.1 The Problem: Complexity in the Modern Living Room Undeniably, new technologies such as high-definition television and digital video recorders (DVRs), also referred to as personal video recorders (PVRs), enhance how people experience home entertainment – but they also introduce new complexities to the living room.
2.3 The Solution: Harmony Advanced Universal Remote Controls The first Harmony advanced universal remote was brought to market in 2003 – and like its successors, it aimed to solve the problems with previous remotes with its easy setup and use, while providing simple and complete control of the most complex and unusual entertainment systems. Introducing Smart State Technology Logitech’s Smart State Technology® powers every Harmony remote control.
Powerful Online Database One reason the setup is so easy is that Logitech has a comprehensive online database that features information about tens of thousands of components and the infrared signals required to control them. When users enter a component model number during setup, the Harmony wizard matches it with infrared codes about that device already stored in the database. Those codes are later downloaded into the remote.
3. The Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote The Harmony 880 remote is designed for anyone who is tired of juggling a plethora of remote controls in the living room, and for those who frustrated by universal remotes that require a lengthy sequence of steps and buttons to launch any activity. It’s also designed so that people can easily configure and update their remote without a technician to program it for them.
Recharging Station The Harmony 880 includes a sleek docking station that keeps the remote fully charged. The horizontal docking station allows the remote to be used while it is charging. A docking station also helps family members know where to put, and find, the remote. The lithium-ion battery provides up to a one-week charge under normal use. Also, the Harmony 880 remote has motion sensors built in – when stationary, the color LCD monitor brightness is reduced to conserve power.
3.1 The Harmony 880 Remote: Features and Benefits Features Color Display Recharging station HDTV control DVR control Smart State Technology® Robust Internet database of devices Set-up wizard for easy setup One-touch Activity buttons Help button Learning ability Seven-days-a-week tech support Benefits Room for eight customized buttons per screen; images can be uploaded for background, slideshow or favorite channels; style of icons and text can be changed based on personal preference.
3.2 Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Layout 1) USB Connector: Downloads remote configuration from the Harmony Web site. 2) OFF: Turns all devices off with one button press. 3) HELP: Asks simple questions so that the Harmony remote can troubleshoot when a component is not in the correct state. 4) ACTIVITIES: Press Activities to view a list of activities you have added. Press the screen (LCD) button next to the activity you want and the Harmony remote will set up your entertainment system.
3.3 Reader Info Box Many product reviews provide a product overview with pricing, options and vendor contact information. If your review contains a reader information chart, you may find the following table useful. Reader Information Harmony® 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control The Logitech® Harmony 880 advanced universal remote control takes the guesswork out of controlling today’s complicated home entertainment systems, especially those with HDTVs and DVRs.
4. Competitive Landscape As remote controls have evolved, four basic categories have emerged.
5. Harmony 880 Product Specifications and System Requirements 5.1 Price The Logitech Harmony 880 has a suggested retail price of $249.95 in the United States and Canada. 5.2 Product Specifications • • • • • • 2 MB flash memory USB communication Hardware: Color 64K LCD screen LCD 84 x 48 pixels, 53 buttons, Infrared sensor, USB communication. Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries; included charging platform Dimensions: 8.1x 2.3 x 1.3 inches Weight: 5.8 oz 5.
6. Easy Internet Setup with Web Wizard The Harmony remote control setup is a five-step process, estimated to take approximately 20-30 minutes the first time. First, install the software and drivers from the CD, and follow the onscreen instructions. The software will connect you with the Harmony Web site, at which point it will ask you to set up an account.
Step 4: Setting Up Activities During this step, the Web wizard will ask questions about how your entertainment devices are connected and how they are used during each activity, such as Watch a DVD, Listen to Music, or Watch TV.
7.1 The One-Button Activity For starters, try pressing one of the Activity buttons on the side of the color LCD screen.
7.4 Controlling Individual Devices The Harmony 880 remote can work in two different modes: through programmed activities, as discussed above, or through individual devices. Here’s one example of where you may want to use the Device control. You decide to listen to music through your satellite TV or digital cable service, which runs through your television box. Once you arrive at the channel you want, you don’t need the TV to be on.
Choosing Images for Favorite Channels: The Harmony 880 also allows you to create a list of favorite channels, and then choose icons to represent those favorites. From the Harmony home page, choose Set Up Favorite Channels within the Watch TV, Watch PVR or Watch HDTV activities. The next window will allow you to designate your favorite channel numbers, then add icons for those channels. If you choose not to add an image for a channel, the number will appear on your Favorite Channels screen.
From there, click Customize the Device, Sound, and Picture commands for this TV. At the top of the next window, you will see a Learn Missing Commands button. Click it, and you will see a grid of commands already represented in the database. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will see a Learn a New Command window. There you can name the function you are going to add.
listed that is closest to what you want – in this case, we’ll choose Watch TV. At the next window, select Custom, which will ask you a series of questions about which devices you want to use for this activity. When you are done setting the state of the devices, return to your home page where you can rename the activity by clicking Customize, and then Rename. You can also set up the buttons on the controller to give commands to the various devices.
9. Frequently Asked Questions What types of devices can be controlled by the Harmony Remote? The Harmony remote can control most types of devices that come with an infrared remote control. Harmony remote controls use infrared technology. Will they ever use other technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, or Fast RF? Infrared is the common communications technology for most consumer electronics today.
10. About Logitech Inc. Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. The company's products combine essential core technologies, continuing innovation, award-winning industrial design and excellent price performance. Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange under the symbol LOGN and on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol LOGI.
• Offering personal peripherals for people on the go: Logitech addresses the mobile market with an array of products for several platforms. For notebook users, Logitech offers cordless and corded mice and portable webcams. For mobile phone users , Logitech offers comfortable cordless and corded headsets. For people enjoying entertainment on the go, Logitech now offers a line of personal peripherals for the PSP®, and will soon offer a variety of products for the iPod® and other MP3 players.
