2. Some Hardware Issues

• Harmony 890 Advanced...
• • LENOVO
  • $345.00
• • WorldInternational
  • $199.00

Overall, the remote works fine. However I do have three concerns about the device. Two of these can be resolved. I can think of no quick fix for the third.

First, the 890's infrared beam is not wide enough to cover components that are located at various places in a room. Notice in the photo below that the Westinghouse HDTV and cable box are located in one place along the wall, while other components, specifically the Toshiba DVD player, JVC VCR and Sony receiver are down the wall some in the black component rack. The HDTV has a very narrow infrared signal acceptance angle. So, it's almost impossible to position the remote so that it reliably sends signals to all of the components.

The Harmony 890 is unable to reliably cover the angle between the HDTV and cable box and the black rack to the right that hold the Toshiba DVD player, JVC VCR and Sony receiver.

Moving the components in the black rack closer to the TV and cable box would resolve the problem, though it might make it difficult to properly place the Boise satellite speaker. Another solution would be to use the 890s wireless capability. In this mode the remote sends radio frequency signals to Logitech wireless receivers that then send IR signals to components. RF signals cover pretty much up to 360 degrees and up to 100 feet, more than enough for the lone components on the rack. One wireless receiver comes with the remote control. I'd need two, one to cover the components on the black rack and one for the TV and the cable box (at least for channel tuning, if I set up the 890 so it neither turned the cable box on or off). So, I'd have to buy a separate RF receiver.

This is a Logitech wireless receiver.

A second issue relates to the life of the Logitech remote's rechargeable battery. It isn't all that good. It seems to last for around 3 days with very little use. The solution here is simple, put the remote's stylish battery charger and dock near your components and just leave the 890 in the charger when you're not using it. When you need to connect the 890 to your computer, move the charger-dock to wherever your computer is.

My last issue with the 890 has to do with how the keys are illuminated. A motion detecting switch on the 890 assures that the remote's display and keyboard are illuminated when the device is picked up or moved. When the remote is at rest for a bit, the illumination is turned off. That's very nice and the display is quite readable when lit up. But if you hold the remote parallel to the floor and so that it's not directly beneath your eyes as you might do when pressing its keys, the keys, which have cutouts for the symbols on them through which a blue light shines, are no easier to see than if they were not illuminated at all. I've not found a good fix for this one other than to rotate the remote upward so I can sort of see the markings on a key, putting my finger on the key, returning the remote to a position parallel to the floor and aimed properly and pressing the key. It might have been better if symbols were printed on a transparent key through which the blue light shined.