Overview
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is the ultimate solution for tech enthusiasts seeking to streamline their home entertainment experience. This innovative universal remote offers advanced features and functionality that will revolutionize the way you interact with your devices.
With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, the Harmony Smart Control combines the convenience of a traditional remote control with the versatility of a smartphone app. It allows you to control your entire entertainment system, from TVs and media players to gaming consoles and streaming devices, all from one central hub.
One of the standout features of the Harmony Smart Control is its compatibility with over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands. This means that whether you have a new smart TV or an old DVD player, chances are it will work seamlessly with the Harmony Smart Control. No more juggling multiple remotes or struggling to find the right buttons – this universal remote has got you covered.
Not only does the Harmony Smart Control offer device compatibility, but it also provides an intuitive and customizable user experience. The accompanying Harmony app allows you to easily personalize the controls, create custom activities, and even set up one-touch shortcuts. This means you can have your whole entertainment system programmed to your specific preferences, making it effortless to switch between activities like watching TV, playing games, or streaming content.
Another impressive feature of the Harmony Smart Control is its ability to integrate with popular smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control your entertainment system using voice commands, adding an extra layer of convenience to your home automation setup.
In addition to its advanced functionality, the Harmony Smart Control also offers hassle-free setup and installation. The included Harmony Hub connects to your devices using both Bluetooth and infrared, ensuring reliable and robust connectivity. The set-up process is straightforward, with step-by-step instructions provided in the app – even those who are less tech-savvy will have no trouble getting their system up and running in no time.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control is the ultimate universal remote for tech enthusiasts. Whether you want to streamline your home entertainment system, customize your controls, or integrate with your smart home devices, this versatile remote has you covered. With its compatibility, ease of use, and advanced features, the Harmony Smart Control offers a seamless and enjoyable user experience that will elevate your home entertainment to new heights.
Features and Benefits
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a wide range of features and benefits that make it a top choice for tech enthusiasts. Let’s explore some of its key features and how they enhance your home entertainment experience.
1. Universal Compatibility
The Harmony Smart Control is compatible with over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands. From TVs and set-top boxes to gaming consoles and sound systems, you can control them all with one remote. Say goodbye to the clutter of multiple remotes and enjoy the convenience of a one-stop control solution.
2. Intuitive Harmony App
The accompanying Harmony app allows you to control your devices using your smartphone or tablet. The app’s intuitive interface provides easy navigation and customization options. You can create custom activities and shortcuts, adjust settings, and even use gestures for certain commands. It puts the power of control in the palm of your hand.
3. One-Touch Activities
With the Harmony Smart Control, you can set up one-touch activities that automate the process of turning on or off multiple devices and switching between inputs. For example, you can create an activity called “Movie Night” that turns on your TV, Blu-ray player, and sound system, and sets the right input for an immersive movie experience. It’s a time-saving feature that enhances convenience.
4. Voice Control
Thanks to its integration with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Harmony Smart Control offers voice control capabilities. You can simply use voice commands to adjust volume, switch channels, or launch your favorite streaming apps. It adds a whole new level of convenience and hands-free operation to your home entertainment.
5. Easy Setup and Installation
Setting up the Harmony Smart Control is a breeze. The Harmony Hub, which is included in the package, connects to your devices using both Bluetooth and infrared, ensuring seamless and reliable connectivity. The app provides step-by-step instructions, making the setup process straightforward and hassle-free. No technical expertise is required.
6. Harmony Activities and Device Control
The Harmony Smart Control allows you to create personalized Harmony Activities. These activities enable you to control multiple devices simultaneously with a single command. For example, you can customize an activity called “Gaming” that turns on your gaming console, selects the correct input on your TV, and sets the volume to the desired level. It makes switching between different devices and activities seamless.
7. Compact and Ergonomic Design
The Harmony Smart Control features a sleek and ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your hand. The layout of the buttons is intuitive, making it easy to navigate and control your devices. The compact size ensures that it doesn’t clutter your coffee table or home theater setup.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a range of features and benefits that simplify and elevate your home entertainment experience. From universal compatibility and intuitive app control to one-touch activities and voice command capabilities, this universal remote provides convenience, customization, and ease of use. With its easy setup and sleek design, it’s the perfect addition to any tech enthusiast’s entertainment system.
How It Works
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control utilizes a combination of hardware and software to seamlessly control your home entertainment devices. Let’s take a closer look at how this innovative universal remote works.
1. Harmony Hub
The Harmony Smart Control comes with a Harmony Hub, the central piece of the system. The Harmony Hub acts as the bridge between your devices and the remote control. It connects to your devices using both Bluetooth and infrared signals, ensuring a reliable and robust connection.
2. Remote Control
The remote control itself is sleek and ergonomic, designed for comfortable use. It features a range of buttons, including standard media control buttons (play, pause, volume) and an intuitive directional pad for navigating menus. The remote communicates with the Harmony Hub using radio frequency (RF) signals.
3. Harmony App
The Harmony Smart Control is powered by the Harmony app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app acts as an additional control interface, allowing you to control your devices using your smartphone or tablet. It offers a more versatile and user-friendly experience, with additional customization options and features.
4. Device Compatibility
To get started, you need to set up the Harmony Smart Control by inputting the make and model of each of your devices into the app. The Harmony database includes over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. Once set up, the app sends commands to the Harmony Hub, which then transmits the signals to your devices.
5. Activities and Customization
One of the standout features of the Harmony Smart Control is the ability to create custom activities. Activities allow you to control multiple devices simultaneously with a single button press. For example, you could set up an activity called “Movie Night” that turns on your TV, soundbar, and Blu-ray player and sets the right input for watching movies. The app guides you through the process of creating activities and provides suggestions based on common device setups.
6. Voice Control Integration
With its integration with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Harmony Smart Control offers voice control capabilities. This means you can control your devices using voice commands, such as “Hey Google, turn on the TV” or “Alexa, switch to channel 5.” The voice commands are sent to the Harmony Hub, which translates them into infrared or Bluetooth signals to control your devices.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control works by using a combination of the Harmony Hub, the remote control, and the Harmony app. The Harmony Hub acts as the central hub, connecting to your devices using Bluetooth and infrared signals. The remote control and the Harmony app communicate with the Harmony Hub to send commands to your devices. With its device compatibility, customizable activities, and voice control integration, the Harmony Smart Control provides a seamless and intuitive way to control your home entertainment system.
Set-Up and Installation
Setting up and installing the Logitech Harmony Smart Control is a straightforward and hassle-free process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Whether you’re a tech-savvy enthusiast or a novice user, you’ll have your system up and running in no time.
1. Gather Your Equipment
Before you begin the set-up process, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. This includes the Harmony Hub, the remote control, and the Harmony app installed on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure that your devices are all within range of the Harmony Hub and that you have access to a stable Wi-Fi connection.
2. Connect the Harmony Hub
Begin by connecting the Harmony Hub to a power source using the provided power adapter. Once the Hub is powered on, connect it to your home Wi-Fi network using the Harmony app. The app will guide you through the process of connecting the Harmony Hub to your network, ensuring a seamless and secure connection.
3. Add Your Devices
Once the Harmony Hub is connected to your network, you can start adding your devices to the system. Using the Harmony app, follow the on-screen instructions to search for your devices by brand and model. The extensive Harmony database ensures that your devices will likely be recognized and added to the system.
4. Customize Your Activities
After your devices have been added, you can set up activities to automate the control of multiple devices with a single button press. The Harmony app provides pre-set activity options, such as “Watch TV” or “Listen to Music,” or you can customize your own activities based on your preferences. Follow the instructions in the app to configure each activity and assign the appropriate devices to each one.
5. Test and Fine-Tune
Once your devices and activities are set up, it’s time to test your Harmony Smart Control. Use the remote or the Harmony app to navigate through different activities and control your devices. Make sure that all functions work as expected and that the devices respond correctly to the commands. If any adjustments need to be made, the Harmony app provides intuitive options for fine-tuning the settings.
6. Enjoy Your Simplified Home Entertainment
With your Logitech Harmony Smart Control system set up and all devices configured, you can now enjoy the convenience and simplicity of controlling your entire home entertainment system from one central hub. Whether you’re watching TV, playing games, or streaming content, you’ll have full control at your fingertips.
In summary, setting up and installing the Logitech Harmony Smart Control is a straightforward process that doesn’t require technical expertise. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in the app, you can easily connect your devices, customize activities, and enjoy the seamless control offered by this innovative universal remote. Say goodbye to juggling multiple remotes and embrace the simplicity and convenience of the Harmony Smart Control.
Compatible Devices
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is designed to be compatible with a wide range of devices, ensuring that you can control all your home entertainment seamlessly. Whether you have a new smart TV, a gaming console, or an older DVD player, chances are it will work flawlessly with the Harmony Smart Control. Let’s explore the different types of devices that are compatible with this universal remote.
1. Televisions
The Harmony Smart Control supports a variety of televisions, including LED, LCD, OLED, and QLED models. Whether you have a major brand like Samsung, LG, Sony, or a lesser-known brand, the Harmony Smart Control is likely compatible. It can control functions like power on/off, volume adjustment, channel selection, and input switching.
2. Media Players
Popular media players such as Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast are compatible with the Harmony Smart Control. This allows you to navigate through your favorite streaming services, play videos, control playback, and adjust volume, all with a single remote.
3. Gaming Consoles
If you’re a gaming enthusiast, the Harmony Smart Control can simplify your gaming experience. It supports major gaming consoles like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. You can control gaming functions, navigate menus, and even adjust audio settings, creating a seamless gaming experience.
4. Streaming Devices
In addition to media players, the Harmony Smart Control is also compatible with popular streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Roku Stick. You can easily control streaming apps, browse through content, and adjust settings, bringing the power of streaming to your fingertips.
5. Sound Systems
The Harmony Smart Control is designed to work with various sound system setups. Whether you have a standalone soundbar, a surround sound system, or a home theater receiver, you can control volume, audio modes, and power functions effortlessly with the remote or the Harmony app.
6. DVD and Blu-ray Players
Even if you still have a DVD or Blu-ray player in your entertainment setup, the Harmony Smart Control has you covered. It supports a wide range of DVD and Blu-ray players, allowing you to control playback functions, menu navigation, and more.
In addition to these device categories, the Harmony Smart Control is compatible with other home entertainment devices such as DVRs, cable/satellite receivers, and even smart home devices that are integrated with popular platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands in its database, the Harmony Smart Control ensures compatibility across a vast range of products.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control is compatible with a wide range of devices, including televisions, media players, gaming consoles, streaming devices, sound systems, DVD and Blu-ray players, and more. Its extensive database covers major brands and lesser-known brands, ensuring that you can control your entire home entertainment system seamlessly with a single remote. Simplify your setup and enjoy the convenience of the Harmony Smart Control.
Harmony App
The Harmony Smart Control comes with the Harmony app, an essential companion that enhances the functionality and customization options of this universal remote. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, the Harmony app takes your control experience to a whole new level.
1. Seamless Control from Your Smartphone
The Harmony app allows you to control your devices using your smartphone or tablet, giving you the freedom to navigate through menus, adjust settings, and switch between activities with ease. The app acts as an additional control interface, providing an alternative to the physical remote control.
2. Intuitive User Interface
The Harmony app features an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and understand. The layout is designed to simplify the control process, with clearly labeled buttons and menus that allow you to access different functions and settings effortlessly.
3. Personalized Remote Control Layout
One of the standout features of the Harmony app is the ability to customize the remote control layout. You can rearrange buttons, add or remove buttons, and even assign specific functions to shortcuts. This level of customization ensures that you have quick access to the controls you use most frequently, tailored to your preferences.
4. Custom Activities and Shortcuts
The Harmony app allows you to create custom activities and shortcuts, enabling you to control multiple devices with a single tap. You can set up activities like “Watch TV,” “Play Games,” or “Listen to Music,” which automatically adjust the devices and inputs for a seamless experience. Additionally, you can create shortcuts for specific functions, such as changing audio settings or launching a specific app.
5. Gesture Support
The Harmony app offers gesture support, allowing you to perform certain commands using swipes or taps on your smartphone or tablet. For example, you can swipe up to increase volume, swipe down to decrease volume, or tap to play/pause. These gestures provide a convenient alternative to button presses.
6. Integration with Smart Home Platforms
The Harmony app seamlessly integrates with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control your devices using voice commands, adding an extra layer of convenience to your home automation setup. Simply use your voice to switch between activities, adjust volume, or launch specific apps.
7. Easy Setup and Device Management
The Harmony app guides you through the set-up process with clear and concise instructions. Adding devices, creating activities, and customizing settings can all be done within the app. Additionally, the app provides device management options, allowing you to add new devices, remove devices, or adjust device settings easily.
In summary, the Harmony app enhances the functionality and customization options of the Logitech Harmony Smart Control. With its intuitive interface, personalized remote control layout, custom activities and shortcuts, gesture support, and integration with smart home platforms, the Harmony app provides a seamless and versatile control experience. Take control of your home entertainment system from your smartphone or tablet and enjoy the convenience of the Harmony app.
Customization Options
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a range of customization options that allow you to personalize your home entertainment experience. From customizing the remote control layout to creating unique activities and shortcuts, the Harmony Smart Control puts you in control of your devices in a way that suits your preferences and lifestyle.
1. Customizing the Remote Control Layout
One of the key customization options is the ability to customize the layout of the remote control. The Harmony app allows you to rearrange buttons, add or remove buttons, and even assign specific functions to shortcuts. This means you can create a remote control layout that aligns with your usage patterns and preferences, ensuring quick and easy access to the controls you use most frequently.
2. Creating Custom Activities
Another powerful customization feature of the Harmony Smart Control is the ability to create custom activities. Activities allow you to control multiple devices simultaneously with a single button press. You can set up activities like “Movie Night,” “Gaming,” or “Sports,” which automatically adjust the devices and inputs for a seamless experience. This streamlines your entertainment process and eliminates the need to navigate through different menus and buttons to get your desired setup.
3. Personalized Shortcuts
In addition to activities, the Harmony Smart Control also allows you to create personalized shortcuts. Shortcuts are customizable commands that perform specific functions or actions with a single button press. For example, you can create a shortcut that launches your favorite streaming app, adjusts audio settings to your preferred levels, or switches to a specific channel. With shortcuts, you can streamline common tasks and access them at the touch of a button.
4. Gesture Support
The Harmony Smart Control offers gesture support, allowing you to control your devices using swipes or taps on the remote control or the Harmony app. This adds an extra layer of customization and convenience to your control experience. For example, you can assign a swipe gesture to adjust volume, a tap gesture to play/pause, or a long press to activate a specific function. Gestures provide a more interactive and intuitive way to control your devices.
5. Device Management
The Harmony app also provides options for device management. You can easily add new devices, remove devices, or adjust device settings within the app. This allows you to keep your Harmony Smart Control system up to date and tailored to your specific devices and setups. Device management ensures that your system remains compatible and optimized for your changing entertainment needs.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a range of customization options that allow you to tailor your home entertainment system to your preferences. From customizing the remote control layout and creating custom activities and shortcuts to utilizing gesture support and managing devices, the Harmony Smart Control puts you in complete control of your home entertainment experience. Personalize your system, streamline your control processes, and enjoy a truly customized entertainment setup with the Harmony Smart Control.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Seamless Control: The Logitech Harmony Smart Control simplifies the control of your home entertainment devices, allowing you to navigate through menus, adjust settings, and switch between activities with ease.
- Compatibility: With support for over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands, the Harmony Smart Control is compatible with a wide range of televisions, media players, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and more.
- Customization Options: The Harmony app provides a range of customization options, including customizing the remote control layout, creating custom activities, assigning personalized shortcuts, and utilizing gesture support.
- Intuitive Interface: The Harmony app features an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and understand, making it accessible to both tech-savvy users and novices.
- Voice Control Integration: The Harmony Smart Control integrates with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your devices using voice commands for added convenience.
- Easy Setup: The setup process is straightforward, with the Harmony app guiding you through step-by-step instructions to connect your devices and configure your activities.
- Hassle-Free Management: The Harmony app also provides options for device management, allowing you to add new devices, remove devices, and adjust settings easily.
Cons
- Learning Curve: While the Harmony Smart Control offers a range of features and customization options, there may be a slight learning curve involved in setting up and fully utilizing its capabilities.
- Limited Physical Buttons: The remote control included with the Harmony Smart Control has a limited number of physical buttons, which may require navigating through on-screen menus for certain functions.
- Dependence on Wi-Fi: The Harmony Smart Control relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection for communication between the Harmony Hub, the remote control, and the Harmony app. Any Wi-Fi connectivity issues may impact the functionality.
- Initial Set-Up Time: The initial set-up process may take some time, particularly when adding and configuring multiple devices. However, the investment of time during the set-up process pays off in the convenience and seamless control experience.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a range of pros, including seamless control, compatibility with a wide range of devices, customization options, intuitive interface, voice control integration, easy setup, and hassle-free management. However, prospective users should be aware of the learning curve involved, the limited number of physical buttons on the remote control, dependence on Wi-Fi, and the initial set-up time required. Despite these potential downsides, the benefits and versatility of the Harmony Smart Control make it a popular choice for those looking to simplify and enhance their home entertainment experience.
Comparison to Other Universal Remotes
When considering a universal remote, it’s important to compare the Logitech Harmony Smart Control with other options on the market. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against other universal remotes in terms of features, compatibility, ease of use, and overall performance.
1. Features and Customization
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a wide range of features and customization options. From customizing the remote control layout to creating personalized activities and shortcuts, it provides a high level of flexibility and convenience. Some other universal remotes may have limited customization options or lack certain advanced features offered by the Harmony Smart Control.
2. Compatibility
The Harmony Smart Control boasts compatibility with over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands. This extensive device support ensures that it can control a wide range of televisions, media players, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and more. Comparatively, other universal remotes may have a more limited device compatibility list, which could result in compatibility issues with some devices.
3. Ease of Use
The Harmony Smart Control is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and straightforward setup process. The Harmony app guides users through the steps of adding devices, creating activities, and customizing settings. While other universal remotes may offer similar functionality, they may have a steeper learning curve or a more complex setup process, which could be a deterrent for some users.
4. Performance and Connectivity
The Harmony Smart Control utilizes both Bluetooth and infrared signals for connectivity, ensuring reliable and robust control of your devices. This dual connectivity method improves the overall performance and reduces the likelihood of interference. Some other universal remotes may rely solely on infrared signals, which may result in connectivity issues or limitations, especially when line-of-sight between the remote and the device is obstructed.
5. Integration with Smart Home Platforms
The Harmony Smart Control seamlessly integrates with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows users to control their devices using voice commands, adding an extra layer of convenience to their home automation setup. While some other universal remotes may offer voice control capabilities, they might not have the same level of integration or compatibility with smart home platforms.
6. Price and Value
Pricing can vary among different universal remotes, and the Logitech Harmony Smart Control offers a competitive price point considering its extensive features, intuitive interface, and compatibility. While there may be other universal remotes available at different price ranges, it’s essential to consider the overall value and the specific features that meet your needs.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control stands out among other universal remotes due to its wide range of features, extensive device compatibility, user-friendly interface, reliable connectivity, integration with smart home platforms, and competitive pricing. While there may be other universal remotes available, the Harmony Smart Control offers a comprehensive and customizable control solution that enhances your home entertainment experience.
Price and Availability
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is competitively priced and widely available, making it accessible for tech enthusiasts and those looking to simplify their home entertainment system. Let’s take a closer look at the price range, where to buy, and the added value it provides.
1. Price Range
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is priced in the mid-range of universal remotes, offering a balance between affordability and functionality. Pricing may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions, but generally, it falls within a reasonable range for the features and value it provides.
2. Where to Buy
The Harmony Smart Control is widely available for purchase both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. It can be found on popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon, as well as electronics retailers and department stores. Additionally, it may also be available for purchase directly from the Logitech website.
3. Added Value
While the price of the Harmony Smart Control may be a consideration, it’s important to consider the added value it provides. With its extensive device compatibility, customizable activities and shortcuts, intuitive interface, and integration with smart home platforms, it offers a comprehensive and versatile control solution that enhances your home entertainment experience. The convenience, simplicity, and enjoyment that it brings to your entertainment setup make it a valuable investment for many users.
4. Availability of Accessories and Support
In addition to the Harmony Smart Control itself, Logitech offers a range of accessories to enhance your setup, such as additional remotes, extender systems, and wall mounts. These accessories provide additional flexibility and convenience, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Logitech also provides customer support through its website, offering troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and community forums to assist users with any questions or issues that may arise.
5. Warranties and Return Policies
When purchasing the Harmony Smart Control, it’s important to check the warranty and return policies offered by the retailer or Logitech. This ensures that you have peace of mind and options available in case of any defects or dissatisfaction with the product.
In summary, the Logitech Harmony Smart Control is competitively priced, widely available for purchase online and in stores, and offers added value through its extensive features and compatibility. Consider the mid-range price, availability of accessories and support, and the warranties and return policies when making your purchase decision. The Harmony Smart Control provides an affordable solution to simplify and enhance your home entertainment experience.
