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![Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home [Discontinued by Manufacturer]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81w86Vau6aL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
I had separate remotes for AVR, Blu Ray, VHS, 2 TV's, Cable Box, Laptop Computer, 2 Amazon devices, Cassette Player... it was a bit of a nightmare. The AVR and cable box remotes were "universal" types but never did a good job, neither would recognize all of my many different brand and ages of hardware, and when they did "see" a particular device the controls were limited to basic functions.
My AVR and all of the source devices are housed in a rack built through the wall about 3 feet to the side of the TV. I have often experienced annoying line-of-sight issues with the big pile of various remotes I needed to use. From several seating positions in the room the IR signals would be blocked by furniture and I'd have to stand up and point the remotes to get them to control the recessed devices. Sometimes I want a different look and have the TV on a different wall well away from the built-in component rack. Pointing the AVR remote (which also controlled TV volume and source selection) at the TV in that situation didn't work, and when it was pointed at the AVR on a different wall then the left/right up/down 'circle' control changed orientation and became less intuitive to use.
Guests unfamiliar with the setup were often stumped, my settings have been unintentionally changed (grrr) by those simply wanting to change channels, adjust volume, or when (for example) trying to play music from a CD, tuner, i-tunes, turntable, Pandora, cassette, phone, memory stick, Amazon Prime, or the open reel deck. With a complex system like this this it can really, really screw things up when inputs & outputs at the AVR and TV get changed/rerouted. I needed a powerful but simple to operate solution.
Just yesterday I received the Harmony Ultimate. It included a rechargeable hand held remote control, a charger base, an RF/IR/Bluetooth "hub", wall warts for the charger base & hub, 2 external IR transmitters with long cables, a USB cable to connect the remote to a computer (for initial setup purposes only) and an intelligible well written fold open poster instruction sheet. The packaging was very upscale, more like a thick cigar box than the thin cardboard most things come in, I'll keep it against any future need to store or transport.
Before I go into details... I already LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing!
The setup of hardware and software can be done by the average non-tech type. It takes a bit of time and REQUIRES a computer connected to the internet, preferably in the same room as your TV and other hardware. I used a laptop connected to my wireless network and all went smoothly. You will need to be connected to your WIRELESS network (no hard wired ports on the hub) to make any future settings or programming changes. Day to day use does not require the wireless network, someone with a mobile hot spot could do the setup if you don't have wireless internet access.
The remote and the hub work together, both are required for the remote to operate. The hub is the 'brain' that stores your settings and sends the commands to your hardware. The remote is the control interface, it does a very good job of mirroring ALL of my original remotes, but there were a couple small functions that I couldn't easily duplicate. There is a custom setup menu that allows you to assign different functions to the remote buttons, these custom settings will change depending on the device you are controlling. I think I'll be able to program the missing functions if they prove needed. You can also get an app for your Apple or Android device, I put it on my Samsung Galaxy S4 and found it to be extremely useful. The controls look/operate differently in the app then on the remote, and they seem to list ALL native functions by scrolling through different pages... as many as needed for any particular device. I prefer the app for some functions such as switching screen aspects on my TV, using the app I can select the different aspects in any order from a list instead of having to scroll through. This enables me (finally) to make a direct A/B comparison of any two aspects instead of having to see the others first as I scroll through, which previously made such comparisons very difficult.
Most remotes are IR (infrared) types, they utilize IR light and require an unblocked line of sight. Some remotes are RF (Radio Frequency) which can go through walls. THIS version of the Harmony Ultimate Remote is RF, the hub and remote use RF to communicate, I can sit anywhere and point anywhere and it works. The hub and the TWO extra transmitters cover my room very well, all of the IR based hardware responds just like I was pointing the native remote right at it. There is another Harmony Ultimate that does not use RF, it costs less and might be suitable for some users.
Here's the cool part... along with gaining FULL independent control of all your hardware from a single remote, you can also create "activities". Want to watch TV? During the setup you tell the Harmony remote to turn on (for example) your TV, cable box, and AVR. Thereafter, all you have to do is press "Watch TV" in the activities menu on the remote and all the correct hardware will activate. Change your mind? Just press (for example) "Watch a Movie" and the cable box will deactivate, your DVD player will turn on, all the correct inputs will be selected, and the remote will now be controlling the DVD, all with the press of of a single "button". If you want to concurrently operate any of your other devices, you can always switch them on and off and control them from the devices menu without affecting the current "activity". Maybe you want to start the TV at a lower volume than the default selected on the AVR... simply create a new activity that just turns on the TV and cable box without the receiver being activated, have the default volume on the TV set low and you'll be listening through the TV speakers instead of your sound system, you can then name it "TV Low Volume"... or anything else you choose.
Ok, now you have your activities programmed and you've also programmed your favorite channels (up to 50 of them). Pick up the remote, press any favorite channel icon on the touch display (which turns on when you move the remote, and, the physical buttons become backlit at your preferred intensity... way cool). All the right hardware activates and you even go directly to the selected channel, very slick!
Hurrah... all past remote control issues have been resolved, and my guests can operate things without creating headaches!
The only thing I don't like, and I REALLY don't like it, is the method of programming and organizing your channels. The 'drag & drop function is at best clunky, and, the naming function is lacking and inflexible. Takes 5x longer than it should to program favorite channels. Why such a big flaw on an otherwise excellent device? Because this doesn't affect day-to-day use, and because the rest is SO good, I'm making this a 5 star review.
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Product description
Style:New
Easily control entertainment—and devices in closed cabinets—with a tap of the touch screen
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Logitech Harmony Ultimate
RETHINK YOUR REMOTE. WE DID. Meet Harmony Ultimate, the most powerful Harmony remote. It redefines ultimate control over your entertainment system—including game consoles and devices behind closed cabinet doors. One simple tap of the touch screen adjusts your entire home entertainment system so you can switch between movies, game consoles, favorite TV stations and music without fumbling with multiple remotes or button presses. Customize it the way you enjoy your entertainment. It has the power and intelligence to do what you demand.
Product Features
RF control of devices inside closed cabinets and behind walls | Controls up to 15 devices including cable TV boxes, Apple TV, Roku, Sonos, Amazon Fire TV, Phillips hue, Xbox One, PS3 and TV-connected PC or Mac | Harmony App turns household smartphones into powerful personal remotes | Intuitive tap-and-swipe color touch screen | Powerful customization, including 50 Favorite channel icons*, creating one-touch activities and reordering buttons | Illuminated buttons for easy entertainment navigation in the dark | Haptic feedback: A gentle vibration lets you know when the remote receives a command from the touch screen, so there’s no need to look down | Recharging station included | Works with over 270,000 devices | Easy online setup | (*Channel availability subject to your local service provider. )
Included Harmony Hub for closed-cabinet control
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Ultimate control
Harmony Hub turns RF signals from the remote into IR or Bluetooth commands your devices can understand and can’t see—behind closed cabinet doors or walls. Control up to 15 devices including your Xbox One, Wii, or PS3, plus your Internet subscription services, like Netflix or Hulu. Harmony supports 270,000 devices from 6,000+ brands, including devices you own today and add tomorrow. Just connect your remote to Harmony’s regularly updated online device database to download commands for new devices.
Music, movies and lighting at your fingertips
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Controls Sonos, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV or Phillips hue
Control your Sonos* with Harmony App to play, pause, change volume or launch your Sonos Favorites. Control Philips hue lights** by integrating lighting control into your Harmony activities like Listen to Music, Play a Game or Watch a Movie. Imagine starting a Watch TV activity and your hue lights automatically dim to your favorite accent lighting settings. You can control Amazon Fire TV, too. Just launch the Harmony App, add Fire TV, and create a Watch Fire TV Activity. (*Sonos music player sold separately. **Phillips hue lights sold separately. Online setup required. )
Easily find entertainment with your smartphone keyboard
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Find your content faster
Now you can avoid frustrating on-TV keyboards. Use your smartphone/tablet keyboard or speech recognition capability with the Harmony App to find your content faster on Apple TV, Roku or Amazon FireTV. Also works with Windows PC and Macs.
Turns your smartphone into a Harmony controller
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Harmony App for smartphone or tablet
Supplement the remote with touch screen gestures and personalized settings via Harmony mobile app. The Harmony App for iPhone or Android turns a smartphone or tablet into a personal entertainment controller. Everyone in the house can have their own set of custom gestures and favorite channels right at their fingertips.
Download commands for devices you own today and add tomorrow
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Easy guided online setup
Simply connect the remote to your computer, go to MyHarmony. com, and download the commands for your devices—without having to enter endless equipment codes. Live customer support is ready to help if you need it.
Tap-and-swipe touch screen with Favorite channel icons
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Powerful customization
The color touch screen gives you the power to access your entertainment the way you want. Tap an Activity like “Watch a Movie” and the right devices power on to the right settings. Easily customize your remote by creating Activities, re-ordering buttons, and choosing up to 50 Favorite channel icons* . (*Channel availability subject to your local service provider. )
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2015
Style: NewVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2016
I got this when it was on the deal of the day. Overall it is a good upgrade from the Harmony 650, and the MyHarmony software allows you to transfer your settings from an old Logitech remote to this one.
Pros:
-Nice sleek design.
-Touch screen, good dots per inch so could be read with ease.
-Ability to change Icons for activities to anything you upload through the software (Like for Kodi on my activity).
-App for Android is well designed and allows some modifications to the setup.
-Can link to other devices via WiFi (August, Nest, Hnoeywell, Philis Hue).
-No need for direct line of sight to control devices.
-The software on the PC is very flexible, and once you are past the initial setup you could edit your remote from anywhere without needing it connected to the PC (I changed somethings while on vacation in Egypt!)
Cons:
-The transfer from the old remote wasn't without bumps and hiccups as the remote froze twice and had to start over and didnt fully transfer.
-Half way through the setup the remote notified me it needs to be in the same room with the hub and the devices it will control, so had to abort and start again in a different room.
-The play/pause etc buttons are at the very top above the screen, they probably would have been better on the lower half of the remote (this might be more of a habit for me coming from the 650 which had all the buttons below the screen).
-Sometimes if you make too many changes on the remote to the layout of buttons and icons it asks to sync with the hub and then ends up deleting all your changes, so need to save every few steps.
Style: NewVerified Purchase
This is a great remote! I got this when it was on ...
By Y. Abdelwahed on February 12, 2016
This is a great remote!By Y. Abdelwahed on February 12, 2016
I got this when it was on the deal of the day. Overall it is a good upgrade from the Harmony 650, and the MyHarmony software allows you to transfer your settings from an old Logitech remote to this one.
Pros:
-Nice sleek design.
-Touch screen, good dots per inch so could be read with ease.
-Ability to change Icons for activities to anything you upload through the software (Like for Kodi on my activity).
-App for Android is well designed and allows some modifications to the setup.
-Can link to other devices via WiFi (August, Nest, Hnoeywell, Philis Hue).
-No need for direct line of sight to control devices.
-The software on the PC is very flexible, and once you are past the initial setup you could edit your remote from anywhere without needing it connected to the PC (I changed somethings while on vacation in Egypt!)
Cons:
-The transfer from the old remote wasn't without bumps and hiccups as the remote froze twice and had to start over and didnt fully transfer.
-Half way through the setup the remote notified me it needs to be in the same room with the hub and the devices it will control, so had to abort and start again in a different room.
-The play/pause etc buttons are at the very top above the screen, they probably would have been better on the lower half of the remote (this might be more of a habit for me coming from the 650 which had all the buttons below the screen).
-Sometimes if you make too many changes on the remote to the layout of buttons and icons it asks to sync with the hub and then ends up deleting all your changes, so need to save every few steps.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2018
Style: NewVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Pj
Worst IR remote control system
Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2021Style: NewVerified Purchase
