The FCC assigns RF frequencies to each mfr to avoid interference between devices. It would be illegal for the Harmony to control a ceiling fan via RF. Z-wave is the exception but I haven't seen a lot of Z-wave supported products. Z-wave uses a single frequency with addressable devices (similar to a bunch of laptops on a wireless home network).

You're assuming I want to hide my equipment in a closet somewhere and control it remotely from my couch. That isn't the case at all. My equipment is all next to the TV. What I want to do is to go anywhere I want in the house and still control my equipment. I might be in the dining room and want to adjust the volume of my music. Or in the kitchen and want to change the channel (from an angle that can't reach my equipment). I'm even considering running cables through the wall up to my upstairs office to connect to my computer monitor (1920x1200 with multiple input types) creating a multi-room setup.

An IR repeater system lets you put your equipment anywhere. But only an RF remote let's YOU go anywhere (ooh, that's a good sales line).

Anyway, I've heard that the Harmony One's LCD is the older type touch screen that you have to put pressure on to activate, as opposed to just making physical contact without any real pressure (as in it detects the electrical difference from your finger, like the iPhone). Is this true?

Also, I talked a lot to a guy at Best Buy about Logitech and their history with remotes. He's of the opinion that there will not be an RF version of the Harmony One. He thinks that the next remote with RF designed to replace the 890 (and it's $100 higher price tag) will have more features than just RF, such as WiFi and things like that. He also said that in the past, Logitech has never given much warning at all about their new remotes. When the last remote was replaced, one day Logitech just stopped making that model of remote and a month later the replacement was in stores. So even though Logitech has said nothing, it's possible a new remote will be out in a month. But agian, assuming that guy's prediction about the features of the next new remote, it could be a while longer.

No - the One LCD is actually the new type requiring almost no pressure at all. And don't trust things you hear from 'guys' at Best Buy.

You got me on the roaming around the house thing. Most people don't do that.

Obviously I take everything said to me by people I don't know with a grain of salt (what does that actually mean anyway). But his accounting of Logitech's history isn't his opinion, it's simply what happened. So unless he's just making it up, then it is possible that Logitech will release a new remote with less than a month's notice.

As for what he said about a new remote being more than just the Harmony One with RF, it does make sense. WiFi is the new thing with remotes these days, so Logitech might be anxious to get those features on their remotes as well.

Wow...! thank you :)

That's exactly the functionality I always mean to express, but I can never seem to think of the right way to put it.

Using a central rack and distributing A/V throughout the home is where RF control really starts to take flight. Waking up and being able to simply wander half asleep from say the Masterbedroom to the ensuite while flipping radio stations seems pretty damn frivolous. But hey if you can do it...why not..?

There is of course no reason why you couldn't do this with an IR repeating system but the labour involved in a reno situation would be huge $$$, and lord knows I don't have the motor control to aim anything at that time of day....lol. With RF, you buy this remote and that basestation, program, and voila'....done.

Totally agree. But how many harmony owners have whole house audio or video distribution or home automation installations versus the person who just wants to control A/V equipment in one room?

So I'll go on record saying you need RF if you need to control devices from multiple rooms or outside the house with one remote. For the other 99.9% of homeowners who just want to control A/V equipment in one room, an IR repeater is a better solution IN MY OPINION.

come on now... it's got to be closer to 99.7% :)

I'll agree with what you mean to say, because I know what you're talking about. You'd really do have to expand beyond one room, like you did say, to get a strong grasp the convenience of RF. However, I've experienced both types of systems and can say that RF is the better solution. Keeping mind the whole permise for an aftermarket universal is convenience and so you can focus on the A/V experience. Not fight with remotes. It does it better, and is more reliable.

For getting the job done, while still covering your ass is something random should happen to your control system, IR takes it.

I personally, don't make luxury purchases based on the idea that it might break one day. If I did, I'd certainly wouldn't have my PC.

I'm lost on this forum, so pls excuse stupid question. Have an H659. Wasn't set up properly by Circuit City. Warranty expired, they won't help. Techies kept manual and CD. I downloaded the manual. How do I get a CD? Do I need it? thanks

You don't need the CD just go to Logi site and download the software, this will get you the latest version.

Since when can you get a copy of the software from anywhere...?

Has something changed...? I thought it's always been: do the programming on Logitech's site and download to your remote.

Somebody in the know please clarify this please.

My buddy has one of the first 880's and he said the initial setup was all software based (not web). Kinda cool however the web-based makes it easier for Tech Support calls.

Logitech has been using client side software for at least 2 years. The browser interface is no longer supported although it used to still work if you knew how to get to it.

The data is still on the Logitech servers - that hasn't changed. But you do need local software now and that's available on the Logitech website.

Lets see if I can explain this without sounding like an idiot. The Logitech "software" seems to be nothing more than a user-friendly GUI. The "software" logs on, and the Logitech site is still the driving engine behind any updates that users make to their remotes. The thing that had me puzzled a while back.....I tried to update a 1000 directly from the site and it just wouldn't work. I kept getting all sorts of errors. I called Support and they told me to download the latest version of their software. Once I did that, everything worked fine. Strange.

If you want to download and take a look at the software, here is the link....
[Link: logitech.com]

Thanks

That's exactly how I thought it worked. Just a driver and a GUI so your PC can interface with the remote. Not a stand alone version of the software allowing you to edit and reconfig without being online with Logitech's servers.

How can I learn more than one command to a key? I have a matrixed switch that you have to choose source then output location and I would like to do this with one key...