Harmony RF Wireless Extender Basics:

The Harmony RF Wireless Extender allows a Harmony remote control (the 1000 in this case), to control up to eight additional devices out of the line of site of the remote. While the remote controls things directly via Infrared (IR), it communicates with the RF Wireless Extender via Radio Frequency (RF). This allows the Wireless Extender to be located up to 100 feet away, behind cabinet doors, through walls, or on different floors of the house.


The Harmony RF Wireless Extender is a rather simple looking device, as shown in the images below. What I will refer to as the front (below left image) has a smooth curved surface covered in shiny black plastic. You have a Logitech logo on the top, a "Connect" button used to mate it to the Harmony remote control, and a few status LEDs.


The back of the device (above right image) has a USB port (only necessary for setup and programming) and four 1/8" jacks for the IR leads that can control up to eight additional devices out of site of the Harmony remote. The AC power adapter is hard wired to one side of the RF Wireless Extender.

As mentioned, you receive four IR leads that plug into the 1/8" jacks on the back side of the RF Wireless Extender. Each lead is about eight feet long with a branch in the line about one foot from the end opposite the 1/8" connector. While the overall length is more than adequate to reach components at a distance from the Wireless Extender, the rather short distance between the two IR transmitters on each lead means that each pair of components must be rather close to each other.


The above right image shows just one IR lead separated from the bundle. You have a connection that is just like you would find on a microphone, and two translucent red plastic blocks. These blocks transmit the IR signal to the devices to be controlled by the Wireless Extender, and you simply use the adhesive found on each block to secure it to the IR sensor on the component in question. While it may not look as neat as the completely wireless operation of the Harmony 1000 controlling things directly, it is your only option when the devices are out of site but you still need to get an IR signal to them.

The image below shows the balance of accessories included with the RF Wireless Extender. You have a Logitech catalog, a software CD, a manual, and a USB cable.