Logitech Harmony 900 - Best Universal Remote For Home

• Complete RF (radio frequency ) wireless technology lets you control out-of-sight devices hidden neatly away behind cabinet doors from up to 100-feet away.


• Full-color touch screen for simple one-touch access to your favorite channels and activities, like "Watch a DVD" or "Listen to music"


• Sculpted backlit buttons in logical zones for easy entertainment control even in the dark


• Recharging dock eliminates the hassle of searching for and replacing batteries


• Replaces up to 15 remotes with universal control of virtually any home entertainment component

I'm using the 900 to finally supplant all the remotes for Samsung LN52A550 TV, Samsung BD-P2500 Blu-Ray, Xbox 360 (for videos), and Verizon Fios QIP 7232-2 PVR/STB. I'd been worried that the remote would be confused when switching inputs for "activities" (ex. Component 2 for Fios DVR, HDMI 1 for Blu-Ray, HDMI 2 for Xbox), but Harmony 900 (and the TV itself) enables specifying the exact input, instead of "wrapping" around the input options. No more turning on the TV with the TV remote, then pressing "source" X times to switch to Component 2, THEN turning on the DVR with ITS remote. This is all done with 1 button on the Harmony 900.

Depending on the "activity" (watch TV/DVR, DVD, Xbox, etc.), the physical and touchscreen buttons can be customized accordingly. So, the "+" button below "7" button can be set for "favorites" for TV/DVR, but as "bookmark" for Blu-Ray/DVD. Of course, you can also set the same buttons in the scrollable touchscreen.

All set up is done on the computer in a Java app and requires an active Internet connection. That in itself isn't too bad, especially since the online database contained all of my devices to be controlled. You'll want to peek behind your devices (or search your Amazon order history) to get the exact model names/numbers to enter in the setup app. If your device somehow doesn't exist in the vast database, you can use the traditional "IR training", where you point the original remote at the bottom of Harmony 900 to record the command.

However, the setup software (came with v7.6 on CD, but I downloaded v7.7) tends to "log out" without warning, discarding all of your changes, even if you were continually clicking and making changes. You only find this out when clicking on "Done" to save all of your hard work and subsequently losing them!

The setup software is also so dumbed down, that even simple changes take forever. For example, say reverse & fast-forward are at the bottom of page 3; you have a max of 6 soft buttons per screen. To move these 2 functions to the top of page 1, you'll need to click the up arrow next to the rewind button 16 times, AND click the up arrow next to fast-forward ANOTHER 16 times, all the while scrolling up the fixed-height app window (another 2 clicks per button type). Why can't I just drag & drop the 2 buttons with 2 clicks, instead of clicking 36 times??

The remote also handles RF (radio frequency), but doesn't handle Bluetooth and thus can't control Wii. Harmony 900 setup software also confused the Xbox 360 & Wii activities, forcing me to just remove the Wii from the list of activities. However, being able to control ripped videos on Xbox via the Harmony 900--instead of the regular control (the wife doesn't find using RB for skip as intuitive)--is fantastic.

2 days of moderate use resulted in 50% battery remaining (replaceable proprietary LI-ion 930mAh battery, same as on Harmony 1100). Considering that a regular remote goes for years on typical alkaline AAA/AA batteries, putting the Harmony 900 on its cradle every few days is indeed a minor hassle.

The remote is ergonomically shaped and comfortable to hold (actually lighter than my TV remote), but its rounded bottom (directly below the number buttons) causes the remote to rock when trying to press buttons (like skip button) while the remote is on a flat surface, such as a table. The charging cradle would keep it steady, but since it uses a power cable, you probably won't have it on a coffee table in front of the couch.

As a long time fan of the Harmony remote series, particularly the Harmony One, I was excited to hear that Logitech had introduced the radio frequency (RF) version of this incredible universal advanced remote. This 900 builds upon the comfortable shape and great key layout design of the Harmony One. It also has an even more rich look and feel. It looks great on my coffee table, on or off the charging base! The additional 4 color buttons map perfectly to my set DirecTV receiver's and Blu-Ray player's additional features.

This is my 3rd Harmony remote purchase and I am still amazed at how simple the one touch Activity (Watch TV, Watch DVD, etc) approach makes controlling my system. My wife and kids can control my entire setup without having to call for help. One touch simplicity and the remote gets it done. The OEM remotes from my 6 components never come out of the drawer.

Like all Harmony's, the Web programming and USB connection make setup a breeze (Harmony had the remote codes for each of my components in their database). The Logitech Harmony 900 takes simple setup a step further by making the final remote and extender configurations all done on the touch screen. Very intuitive and trouble free.

The Harmony 900 is everything I hoped it would be and more and has no equal. If you have remote or hidden equipment, or just want the convenience of not having to `point' the remote every time you enter a command, the Harmony 900 is your ultimate solution!

This is the upgraded version of Logitech Harmony One. If in any case you haven't know what is it. Just a little thing we can say about the Harmony One is that an amazing universal remote that how the universal remote should be, and now with the Logitech Harmony 900, Logitech once again has raised the bar on how the universal remote should be. There are tons of additional features that make this thing is a must have if you have more than two remotes in your home.

One of the biggest advantages of this remote is the rechargeable battery, it means that you can eliminate the need for extra batteries because all you have to do is place the remote in its included remote holder/charger, when not in use, and you'll always have enough power to use this remote when you need it.

The full color touch screen of this remote is also another good point here, though it's not as responsive as Apple iPhone, but it helps us so much. Yes, there are some touch recognition problem, but it's not major problem. There are also multiple options that allow us to change the theme of the buttons on the screen and we can also add pre-defined images to soft buttons.

And last thing, there's IR Blasters, the concept of this feature is to convert IR signals to RF signals, means that we don't have to point the remote directly at the devices to get them respond. Imagine it, now you can make your room very neat, just place all of your electronic devices on the area where people can't see them, then control them using this remote. Very awesome.

Question is, should you buy it? If you have problems with two or more remotes, i think yes, you should take it. It will help you solve all your problem. Guaranteed!