Logitech Harmony 890 - User Manual

The Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote is a sophisticated universal remote control designed to simplify the management of home entertainment systems. Its primary function is to provide one-touch, activity-based control over multiple home-entertainment components, even those hidden behind closed cabinets or in different rooms of a house. This is achieved through a combination of infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) wireless technologies.

Function Description

The Harmony 890 remote acts as a central control unit for a wide array of entertainment devices, eliminating the need for multiple device-specific remotes. It uses a patented "Smart State Technology" that allows it to recognize the current states and settings of all programmed entertainment components. This intelligence enables the remote to send precise commands to set up an entire entertainment system for a specific activity with a single button press. For instance, selecting "Watch HDTV" will automatically power on the TV, high-definition receiver, cable receiver, and DVR box, setting them to the correct inputs and configurations in the proper sequence. This capability streamlines the user experience, making complex home entertainment setups accessible to any family member.

A key differentiator of the Harmony 890 is its RF wireless operation, utilizing the Z-Wave wireless standard. Unlike traditional IR remotes that require a direct line of sight, RF signals can travel through solid objects like cabinets, doors, furniture, and walls. This means users can control components hidden in entertainment centers or even in other rooms of the house, up to 100 feet away. The remote communicates with a Logitech RF Wireless Extender (included in the retail package), which receives the RF signals and then blasts out the necessary IR commands to the individual components. Additional wireless extenders can be purchased for multi-room control.

The remote also boasts comprehensive online database support, containing IR codes for over 120,000 components from more than 3,300 manufacturers. This database is continuously updated, with user contributions validated by Logitech's customer support team, ensuring accuracy and support for both new and older, popular or obscure devices. In cases where a component's information is not in the database, the remote can "learn" IR commands directly from the original device-specific remote controls through its infrared learning port.

Usage Features

The Harmony 890 is designed for intuitive and user-friendly operation. Its setup process is guided by an online wizard, where users create a profile by answering simple questions about their equipment and preferred usage. This wizard then downloads customized data from the Logitech database to the remote via a USB connection.

The remote features a vibrant, customizable color LCD display screen. This display provides essential status information such as date and time, battery indicator, and current screen/activity labels. Users can define up to eight custom activities or controls for each screen, linked to the eight buttons surrounding the display. The display can be personalized with uploaded background images, images for favorite channels, and even run slideshows while the remote is charging.

One-touch activity buttons simplify the user experience significantly. Instead of manually turning on multiple devices and adjusting inputs, a single press of an activity button (e.g., "Watch DVD," "Listen to CDs," "Watch TV") configures the entire system. The remote intelligently manages power states and input settings, allowing seamless switching between activities without the need to power off all devices.

For controlling individual devices, the remote offers a "Device" mode. This allows users to select and control any specific component in their entertainment system, accessing all its features. This is particularly useful for making specific adjustments that might not be part of a predefined activity, such as turning off the TV screen while listening to music.

The Harmony 890 also provides simplified HDTV control. It automatically calls up the correct aspect ratio and audio settings for various digital video formats (SDTV, EDTV, HDTV), ensuring optimal viewing. Users can further customize buttons for toggling between different picture and sound modes.

The remote's design is both stylish and ergonomic. It features a comfort-grip shape and a centered directional pad, making it comfortable to hold and easy to navigate. The fully backlit buttons and color display, combined with a built-in motion sensor and lighting sensor, ensure effortless use even in dark environments. The screen dims when motionless and brightens automatically when picked up, eliminating fumbling in the dark.

Maintenance Features

A significant maintenance feature of the Harmony 890 is its rechargeable design. It incorporates a lithium-ion battery and comes with a sleek docking station. This eliminates the need for disposable AA or AAA batteries, providing up to a full week of normal use on a single charge. The horizontal docking station allows the remote to be used while charging and serves as a convenient, easy-to-remember place to store the remote, ensuring it's always charged and readily available.

The remote's "Help" button is a crucial maintenance and troubleshooting feature. If any component doesn't respond correctly during an activity, pressing the Help button initiates a diagnostic process. The remote asks a series of simple questions to identify the problem and guides the user through steps to correct the entertainment system's state.

Users can also optimize and customize the remote's settings through their online Harmony account. This includes adjusting the speed settings for various components, which is particularly useful if devices respond at different rates or if there are issues with components not turning on or switching inputs correctly. Parameters like "Power On Delay," "Inter-key Delay," "Input Delay," and "Inter-Device Delay" can be fine-tuned to ensure smooth operation.

The online setup wizard and database ensure that the remote's programming is always current. Any updates or new component information can be downloaded to the remote via the USB cable, keeping its control capabilities up-to-date. The system configuration, including all control data, is stored in the remote's flash memory and the RF Wireless Extender, ensuring that settings are not lost even if the remote's battery is depleted.

Logitech provides comprehensive customer support, including a toll-free phone line available seven days a week and a quick-response e-mail support system, to assist users with any setup or operational issues.