Let me put this simply-this is the finest remote I have ever seen. Every element of this product has been designed with the consumer in mind.
In the box you will have the following:
Universal Remote
Charging Station
USB Cable
AC Power Adapter
Lithium Ion Battery
CD-Rom with Logitech Software
Installation Guide
At $250, the Harmony One is definitely pricey for a device that's simply used to control whatever you're watching, listening to, or playing. Harmony One is a wonderful remote and brings some nice features that other models lack. If you're in the market for a universal remote, this one is the best.
The first thing that struck me with the remote is that it was very sleek, thin and had few buttons. Installation of the included software was a breeze and I was pleasantly surprised at just how easy it was to set the whole thing up. After installation, you're basically led by hand through each of the steps. The software is very nice and easy to use, without the need for scouring through pages of pages of information to do the easiest of things.
Instead of being "device-focused" as every single universal remote I've used is, the Harmony One is "activity-centered." This means that when you add a device to the remote, you're attaching it to a specific activity like "Watch TV." More about it later
You'll need to round up all of your model numbers in order to locate your device in their database. The setup is relatively simple; you start by selecting the type of device (TV, DVR, etc.), then another drop down will let you choose the manufacturer of the device (Microsoft, Motorola, etc.) and in the final block you put your model number in. As long as you know your model number (most of them can be found on the actual device), it's a cinch.
The device manual states that its database has 225,000 devices, so chances are your device will be on the list. Of course, there are times when you simply cannot find the model number for a device. Use the `learn' function on the Harmony One Remote to teach the Logitech device the correct codes, using the original remote from the device.
After loading up the activities and tweaking the buttons and the configurations (of which there's a multitude), plug your remote into your PC via the enclosed USB cord and it takes about a minute for the remote to be synched with your activities and devices. After that, it's pretty much smooth sailing. Actually using the device is pretty self-explanatory. The touch screen includes your activities, favorites buttons, devices, etc. based on the context while the actual buttons include basically everything you could want from recording, fast forward/rewind, number buttons, guide, menu, etc.
Programming custom buttons for devices is very easy. I like to control the volume on my television while the remote is in DIVX mode, so I simply used the TV remote to program the volume buttons on the Harmony One Remote for the specific TV I will use. This procedure is as simple as lining up the two remotes and clicking the button you are configuring, and then letting the Logitech software do its magic!
For example, I attached my TV, surround sound system and DVR (Fox Tel, Tata sky etc) to "Watch TV" and on the remote's touch screen one of the options becomes "Watch TV." When I press that activity, the remote automatically turns on my TV, my surround sound system and my DVR. It will also switch off all other devices not being used. Then, all of the buttons are automatically programmed (but you can also manually program them, if you want) to work with the particular activity. So, when I push Channel Up, the remote knows to use my DVR. When I push Volume Up, again the remote knows I use my surround sound system and uses it accordingly. Simply stated, there's no need to located each device on the remote use that specific device for any supposedly easy function. The remote just knows, based on the current activity.
The buttons are well constructed and have the right amount of resistance to be responsive while requiring a normal amount of pressure. The layout is very intuitive, and the touch screen is very responsive and well organized. The icons for the various activities are easily distinguished so you don't have to spend a lot of time making sure that you are selecting what you really want. Finally, the remote has a very natural feel in my hand, and it is comfortable to use.
