Full Review - Features Part 2
Features Cont'd Buttons
In addition to touch screen controls, the Harmony 1000 has a number of physical buttons on the face of the remote. They control the basics like Volume Up/Down, Channel Up/Down, Mute, Return/Back, and a gamepad-like button for navigating components' menus. To make these buttons easy to use in low light situations, the buttons are all backlit with a cool blue light.
One downside to the Harmony 1000 and its button layout - it isn't possible to program the physical buttons to perform common actions like pausing, fast forwarding, rewinding, etc. For these everyday actions, you'll need to use the touch screen menus, which may prove a little too slow for some people (though these days, with people text-messaging as fast as other people type, Harmony 1000 users could eventually whip through the on-screen controls as fast as other people master old-school remote control buttons).
Instant Turn-on
One of the coolest features of the Harmony 1000 is its motion sensor. Whenever you touch the remote or pick it up, it wakes from its sleeping state and/or resets the time-out clock to zero. You'll never have to press a button to power up the Harmony 1000; it gets turned on when you touch it. Don't you wish everything in life was like that?
Home Automation
The Harmony 1000 works with the Z-wave wireless home automation standard, so in addition to controlling your home theater, you can control your automated home - turn lights on & off, activate heating/cooling, control your security system, etc.
PC & Mac
The Harmony 1000 works perfectly with both PC and Mac computers.
Home Theater Macro
Normally, when using a combination of dedicated remotes, or even with a "universal" remote, if you want to switch from one activity to another (e.g. change from listening to satellite radio to watching DVDs), it is necessary to manually turn components on/off, switch inputs, etc. It can be a real hassle shifting from one type of content to another.
The Harmony 1000 uses macro-like settings that will intelligently shut off or simply disengage from the current device(s) and command the target components to begin pushing content. You can even let the other devices keep playing while you jump from component to component, keeping everything alive and greatly increasing the amount of instant entertainment being pushed in your direction. It's like a pre-conceived set of macros for your home theater components; something common remotes just don't do.
What's in the Box?
When you buy the Harmony 1000, you get everything you need to start controlling your home theater. You get the Harmony 1000 remote control, charging dock and power adapter, USB cable, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, installation CD, and the user guide. As with almost all consumer electronics nowadays, the Harmony 1000 comes with a one year warranty.
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by Donna on May 26, 2008:
“Although pricey, the remote fulfilled my expectations. It took a little time to get all the activities set up and tested, but once I was done, it worked beautifully. My husband is technically challenged and he loves it! The help option is especially useful....” More...