My view for Harmony SmartControl remains therefore - added - rather subjective.
When the Harmony Smart was available at amazon short as lightning offer for 64.90 in December 2014 I've been thinking, my old Harmony 785 at last to send into retirement. The thing is, after seven years in daily use, tapped accordingly and (supposedly) no longer up to date. Although the 785 had a graphic display but neither touch nor radio function support.
The SmartControl came packaged to send, no question. The scope of supply includes the Hub as the main device with a USB power adapter, a complementary and really good in your hand remote control, Infrarotextender to control hidden devices and the instructions.
The included remote control you can leave for now safely in a box, because the establishment, efforts initially a PC or Mac, or even a smartphone / tablet with Android or iOS and the Hub. The stroke can by the way be connected directly via USB to the PC and so power.
Who, like me, has already set up an online Harmony can apply the settings via PC / notebook directly to the new device. For this, the "old" Harmony program and the software must be installed specifically for the Smart models or be installed on the Logitech website on the PC to a.
The transfer of existing settings from the Harmony 785 closed to 99%. The last one percent can, however, take your last nerve. Given the large number of devices to be controlled in interaction not everything works as usual.
The main reason was that their own sequences, so even entered key sequences across multiple devices
to assign to a single Harmony button were just plain wrong or not taken.
Of this I had dozens, some sequences were even nested several sequences. To only one
it should turn on the new Smart Control again, it took me almost two hours - and it was still
the worm in it.
Actually, I would get better starting completely from scratch, without takeover of old equipment.
Another stumbling block was the limitation of the devices on the count of eight. As you wonder,
what you want. If you want to use the remote control in two or more spaces with completely different entertainment devices you know, at the latest, that eight is not enough - for me it is alone in the living room for nine, but what I can do without in terms of remote operation on three.
I have the further device then once deferred to think about where I should place since the stroke. It was initially pleased that the infrared signals actually of virtually every open position from virtually reached every corner of the living room. Class. This facilitates the unobtrusive positioning. Unfortunately, unfortunately, but has the Hub to the power grid, which restricts the siting back and my resolve, finally to save electricity in addition effectively confronts.
Among the TV to me the thing is certainly not, even if it works even there. It took me enough
Cost effort, all accessories (AV receiver, decoder, DVD player ...) so to be placed in cabinets that nothing
can be seen except the hanging on the wall screen and the top of lowboards remains including totally free.
However, in order to control the devices in this Lowboard via the included extender can, must also have a
Cable connection from the hub to consist Extender - annoying. So wrapped up the Extender again supplied and maintained my old Extenderlösung. With this, the receiver is virtually invisible attached to the lower edge of the TV and is also operated via the new Smart Control Hub as before. Good so far ...
The hub is then just standing on a sideboard against the TV wall. Unless too much the infrared signal is in the way or goes through the way it works well.
To ask the Hub to the devices in the cabinet would, however, unfortunately, not have been better, because the sensors of the device are too close to the closed cabinet door, supplied as the infrared signals arrive and the TV outside would have that, either per Extenders with signals ... be a vicious circle.
At this point I want to point out that only the Hub infrared signals outputs. The
actual commands via smartphone / notebook / tablet or the supplied remote control via wifi signal
sent through the router and / or via Bluetooth to the Hub, which then converts the in infrared or Bluetooth in commands such as game consoles.
This makes it virtually anywhere you aim the remote control, it works even without visual contact with the
Stroke, even from another room in radio or wireless coverage.
This is the most innovative development and a crucial advantage of this Harmony Remote Systems.
Then have a go to the tablet (a Samsung Galaxy Tab S). First download the Logitech app for Android via Google Play Goals. After installation, the credentials are retrieved. Who has the establishment previously carried out via PC / notebook, this data already knows, the form can be the first filing and necessary registration with Logitech directly via the Tab / smartphone.
The first call of the app, what fun! No, I was looking forward a little too early. The design of the user interface is still quite passable, but the arrangement of the virtual buttons, switches and digits was chaotic. Despite that I have successfully transferred the establishment of Harmony on the app, some unused placeholders had appeared without function, the labeling of the keys usually on the small side even on the 10-inch tablet, and to find logically related functions on different pages ,
Sure you can all customize and straighten wonderful - but who has the time and the nerve for something?
I have of both still reserves, but not enough by far.
Well, also I leave first so are - at bottom, then work the app, even on your smartphone
and the tablet at the same time. Sometimes nevertheless somewhat unwieldy, because only time switch would have to
Take the tablet or mobile phone in hand, unlock, open the app, because even WhatsApp or something running ...
But the solution is still in the Harmony package and then on the table: The "Not" remote control.
This remote control sends simple commands - as well as the smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - to the hub.
A device of the hand held remote control is not necessary because the key assignment gets this often praised "flatterer" via Bluetooth directly from the Hub from. In the app you can still realize personal wishes change.
I can without going into at the point size of the Logitech-typical distinction between actions and devices say that the functions of the remote control, despite multiple assignment of keys disappointed.
There is no complicated sleight hardly possible to assign one button several functional processes of different devices, let alone, this key then to remember yet. Yes, somehow it all, but somehow unfamiliar often not really logical, which indeed seems paradoxical given the manufacturer's name.
My personal ultimate solution would be all over my gripe According probably the Harmony Smart Ultimate,
at least a promising name. In this variation is again the actual remote focus and
the possibilities of the app can be called a nice little bonus. In the direction of the horse would be bridled right side up again.
My personal conclusion to Smart Control: a not really free placeable Hub, a memorable confusing app, an undersized additional remote, largely untapped Infrarotextender, plenty of customization work but a lot of potential to improve - at least of the software.
From my own experience I can nevertheless say, Who impartially the first time the topic "Universal Remote Control" takes to get to the Harmony SmartControl basically good quality hand tools for acceptable price.
Four star is definitely worth. Especially when you consider that alternatives are hard to find on the market.
But for me, at best, would the much more expensive Ultimate version into account. And since the question whether the investment in view of the existing Harmony 785 is justified. Probably not ...
True to the motto "never change a running system" I remain so for the time being at the old tried and tested.
