Introducing Smart State Technology

2.3 The Solution: Harmony Advanced Universal Remote Controls

The first Harmony advanced universal remote was brought to market in 2003 – and like its successors, it aimed to solve the problems with previous remotes with its easy setup and use, while providing simple and complete control of the most complex and unusual entertainment systems.

Introducing Smart State Technology

Logitech’s Smart State Technology® powers every Harmony remote control. Smart State Technology includes Logitech patented technology that allows a remote to understand the current states and settings of the entertainment components it controls. For example, a Harmony remote understands whether the television’s power is on or off, or which video input it is currently set to. This capability is the backbone for a Harmony remote’s ability to deliver complete, simplified control of an entire entertainment system. For a complete description of how Smart State Technology works, see Logitech’s Smart State Technology Innovation Brief.

Simple One-Touch, Activity-Based Control

People want to experience entertainment on their terms. They watch TV, they listen to music and they view movies. And when they need to turn up the volume, they don’t really want to think about whether the volume is controlled through the TV or the receiver, nor do they want to dig through a pile of remote controls to find the right one.

Harmony remote controls feature buttons that, when pressed, are able to send a sequence of infrared commands to set up the entire entertainment system for an activity. For example, to watch high-definition TV on a cable system with a DVR, the TV, high-definition receiver, satellite, and DVR box may all have to be powered and set to the appropriate inputs – which could require pressing 10 or more buttons on several remote controls. With the Harmony remote, one button

–Watch TV – can be programmed to launch all the correct components with the correct input settings in the correct sequence. After starting an activity, the remote knows how to control any of the components used during that activity. If the volume for watching television is controlled through a stereo receiver rather than the television, the Harmony remote will know to send infrared commands to the receiver when the Up or Down volume buttons are pressed.

With activity buttons such as Watch TV, Listen to Music, and Play DVD, Harmony remotes are designed to reflect how people experience entertainment.

Easy Set-up Wizard

New Harmony remote owners initially set up their remote by creating an online login and system profile. Next, a simple set-up wizard asks basic questions about their entertainment system’s setup. During the intuitive step-by-step process, consumers enter the model numbers of their entertainment components and answer questions about how various components are used during specific entertainment activities, such as “When watching a DVD, which device do you use to control the volume?” After all of these questions are completed, all of the information the Harmony remote needs will be downloaded into the remote through a USB cable.

Because there are intricacies with everyone’s setup, Logitech maintains a toll-free tech support line, available seven days a week, and a quick-response email support system.

The Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Reviewer’s Guide

Summer 2005

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