Product Description:
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The Harmony 900 remote is a Radio Frequency and Infrared.
-> Infrared (IR) means that 99.99% as TV remote controls, DVD, HIFI system or other, you have to be in front of the device to buy it.
-> Radio Frequency (RF) means that the remote sends radio waves instead of infrared light, which allows you to control devices through a wall or cupboard door.
That said, for Harmony 900, the fact that it is a remote radio frequency (RF) does not mean that we can control radio-controlled devices (such as remote-controlled electrical outlets for example).
=> In fact, the emission of radio waves is capable of controlling a single device: the RF receiver comes with the remote This device includes 3 parts: an RF receiver / transmitter IR emitters IR plus 2 satellites.
This device therefore operates in the following way:
-> The remote control sends commands as radio wave. These radio waves are received by the receiver / transmitter RF-> IR receiver / transmitter RF-> IR transforms these commands into RF IR commands and retransmits these commands in the form of infrared light.
-> In addition, the RF-unit> IR transmit IR commands to its 2 satellites via a wired connection.
The connection between the module RF-> IR IR and the two satellites are done using 2 cables of about 2 meters each.
In summary we have:
- A remote control capable of transmitting IR commands, or transmit commands via radio frequency to the module RF-> IR
- Module A RF-> IR receiving RF remote control commands and retransmits as IR commands,
- IR and 2 satellites connected by a cable to the module RF-> IR and capable of transmitting IR commands.
Opinion on the remote control (5 stars):
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The remote control unit with its RF-> IR and 2 satellites is really very good.
It is very easy to use. So the choice, on the remote to control a device directly from the remote control or through the unit RF-> IR is childishly simple.
Ergonomics are good, the touch screen responds well and is very readable.
Also any time you can switch from "Activity" to the mode "device" and then return to the mode "Activity" in progress (I will not explain here the difference between "activity" mode and the "Device" fairly well explained on the website Logitech and Philips site).
This is very convenient when you want to access a specific functionality of a device during an activity. In practice, for those who know, pretty much replaces ca keys "picture" and "sound" of Harmony remote controls 555 or 525 for example.
Note that the RF-unit> IR, plugged in, has a quite exceptional power infrared emission: you can place the little loan anywhere on the shelf of your closet or what is your DVD or player stereo: your device will receive the IRs commands without problem!
In fact, the RF-unit> IR "lights" so good inside your closet that you can even order a device on the shelf above: in my case for a closet interior is white ( and thus reflects infrared light).
The 2 satellites IRs are less powerful and therefore their location on the shelf can affect the receipt of orders by your device. That said, once the two well-placed IR satellites, it works very well.
In short this set + remote control unit RF-> IR IR + 2 satellites is really convenient: no need to point the remote at the TV, no need to open the closet doors to remote control the digital receiver, and more need to ask his drink to quench the living room TV from the terrace.
Reviews of the configuration software and documentation (1 Star)
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The documentation is limited to its simplest device: a quick start guide and ... that's it. Nothing on the web. Nothing on the supplied CD. There is a phone number to contact support, but 10 o'clock in the evening, must fend for himself.
A very simple example of bad design documentation: You receive your remote control and, impatient, you want to configure the same evening. You open the installation guide to see the procedure to follow, and you find, written in bold if I remember correctly: the remote control needs to be charged at least 50% prior to the configuration.
You say, "no problem, I'll check the charge level of the battery and charge if necessary" ... except that it is nowhere explained how one checks the level of battery charge.
In fact it is later that includes: indeed, once you're set up, the level of battery charge appears on the top right of the screen. No luck, as long as you have not made a first configuration, the charge does not appear ...
So no way to know first if the battery is sufficiently charged or not.
If it were only that, it would not be a big deal .. but in fact everything is a rider ...
Another example: we told you not to disconnect the current configuration remote, but it is by no mentioned that during the first use, the software checks the firmware version on the remote control and automatically download it if not a day ... it would not be a problem if it did not fit the download ten files 3MB each, which in some cases can take for ages. Result you wait stupidly asking you if something is blocked or if it is actually doing something ...
Come on, one last critical for fun: configuration software keeps your settings to a Logitech server ... well you will say to me, like that I can change my configuration from any computer.
Except that:
-> This means that a person with no internet connection can not use this remote,
-> And especially it's so bad that the software uses absolutely no cache: no data being stored, even temporarily, on your computer, the software spends time to communicate with the remote server. The result is a software maddeningly slow when the line or server is a little bit loaded!
Also, this should take you 3 minutes you can easily take 30!
For 3 devices to be ordered in addition to your TV, have at least two full hours of work.
Come on, a last one on the invalidity of the software and promised me to stop, I already had an account on the Logitech server to configure a remote Harmony 555 (to not remaining very solid). Besides the fact that I hoped to recover all or part of my setup on my Harmony 555 on my Harmony 900, which proved impossible, if you want to manage two different remote controls, you necessarily need 2 accounts.
Result, I had to re-register with a new nickname! Super convenient ... as if I had not already enough different accounts and aliases on the web. But it was not really complicated to make software able to handle multiple remote controls from a single account ...
Anyway, in conclusion: the remote control is really great, but the configuration software and documentation suck!
So if you buy this remote control (a bit too expensive for my taste), remember: If the configuration software you angry, that its slowness and poor design exasperates you, stay zen ... this is normal!
For the rest, I will see the strength for the use. My Harmony 555 has deteriorated quite rapidly (few defective screen and keys) without having suffered shock (in 3 years).
Considering the price, hope the Harmony 900 will be more durable.
