The URC7880 includes all the important buttons and can control eight AV components, and you can group devices together into activities. The second is a more-complex home-theater system with an LG TV, Onkyo AV receiver, Sony Ultra HD Blu-ray player, Chromecast with Google TV, and Xbox One X. IMPORTANT: Your first post will be checked for appropriate content. I still think the u1 is worth the 50 or 60 bucks I payed for it. As we mentioned, the U1 can control IR and Bluetooth devices, which should cover most any AV device you want to add to your system, including Bluetooth devices like the Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and some gaming consoles and older Fire TV players. The remote requires four AAA batteries, and they are not included in the packagewhich is kind of obnoxious. For my family, the most logical option was to program a Watch TV macro onto the power button for the Apple TV or the Google Chromecastlikewise with the Xbox for gaming. It may take them a bit to get there, but I am confident they will get there. But you cant add any actual control functions to the screen, as you could with our former budget pick, the now-discontinued Harmony 665. Users have reported lots of issues with Roku and other streaming boxes. If you are one of those people, be prepared to do a lot of Internet searches for guides and walk-throughs. Thank you!! An AV Enthusiast since he was old enough to listen to records, Andrew enjoys helping the novice enthusiast with home theater and AV questions. Once a device is loaded into the app, youre given the option to customize the buttons. Yes, we will open the local API of X1 by providing an API file, but X1 cannot directly add APIs of other products or smart platforms. Monoprice Monolith Dual 15 M-215 THX Ultra subwoofer Is On Sale For $600 Off. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Overall, though, we didnt find the physical design to be as intuitive as the SofaBatons. A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required for setup (there is no 5 GHz support). The One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8 is a simple, affordable remote for people who can control all their gear via infrared (IR). As we mentioned, the URC7880 can only control IR-based equipment, so it needs to have line-of-sight with all your gear. The hub has a solid feel and build quality as well. Once its set up, it works well. Battery life is good, and I charged it once when I got it six weeks ago. Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remotes IR transmitter directly at the devices IR receiver. The software automatically (and wirelessly) updates the remote with the proper control codes after each new device is added. Same with my Philips Hue. You can search SofaBatons database for the models of your devices, and if theyre there, it only takes one tap to add them. The remote also functions with both WiFi , bluetooth and IR devices. This could be true of other remotes as well. And there are no dedicated activity buttons for grouping different devices together to perform tasks like Watch TV or Watch a Movie. You can still create activities and assign them to whatever buttons you choose, but you have to figure out all the programming yourselfand we fear the apps learning curve may be high for someone who has never programmed a universal remote. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. Thanks for helping us do what we love. Thats a tough one. There is a bit of a learning curve and set up can be intimidating if you are new to these types of remotes. Step2: Confirm the device information and submit it so that you can download the code to the hub. I still dont have any support for Google Home, and Philips Hue support is still nada. Email Sofabaton and tell them the model you want added, and they will do it. Let us know if that works. I'm potentially interested with the 50% discount, but I really hated the U1, so I'm wary. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still the best universal remote weve tried, even though it will no longer be made after 2021. Last updated March 28, 2022 Less buttons than the U1. Harmony was not perfect when they started. All that to say, as of Saturday, if you add it to your cart it should let you order it even though its says delivery is a month or so off. It does consolidate remotes and the hub is great at sending signals. SofabatonX1-Most Versatile Universal ALL-IN-ONE Smart Remote Ultra-universal remote control for all your entertainment and home devices. That would FIX IT, right?. And since the U1 is not locked in to a set of pre-labeled device buttons, it can control multiple models of the same typesay, two media players, two TVs, and two audio systems. The good news is that all of the programming and customization has to happen only once (unless you tend to upgrade your AV gear a lot). I'm definitely waiting. The developer responded and finally told me there is a bug in the IR design. No one button activities and weaker basic remote functions. It can control up to 15 devices, including both infrared- and Bluetooth-based AV devices. I keep seeing this advertised in my Facebook feed does anyone have any experience with this companys past remotes? As with most things, little quirks show themselves over time. However, the instructions do not speak to the proper placement of the hub for correct use or how to connect and place IR blasters. My biggest issue is connecting to the hub. Hopefully by the time that happens (or Logitech stops supporting it) the Sofabaton will have matured a bit and us HT enthusiasts will continue to have a good option without having to spend a ton on something like Control4 and not even be able to program it without a dealers help. The more a remote costs, the more flexibility it should have to control different kinds of devices. I have the SofaBaton X1 and I am trying to add a Bluetooth remote and I am having a problem with the directions, I just cannot figure them out. With the Harmony, you could very easily change buttons to cycle inputs, or switch to that device and control it. We like that it hides the number pad behind a slide-down panel, to keep the main remote design as simple as possible. Lastly, the remote is tough. Step3: Verify that all devices are powered on. Just below its screen is a small scroll wheel that lets you switch between activities and devices. Maybe an X2 will have real numbers. If we (as users) hadnt worked with Harmony and stuck with them, they would have folded a long time ago. You can still find some older DIY URC remotes online, but at elevated prices. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? If youre looking for advanced whole-house control, with lots of complex lighting scenes and independent control of different sources in different rooms, youre better off turning to a local specialty AV retailer that can create a more-personalized control system from a company like Crestron or Control4. I tried fixing the Activities, but nothing seemed to work. If they're not in the lists, you can manually learning the remote functions to the system via the hub. Or both. But lets not mince words here. And it often times needs to be done for every button on the remote. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. I was able to get it to operate both my LG Nano TV and my Yamaha amp as well via IR. Hi noob to this really confused if I give the model number of tv shouldnt the program already assign all buttons without all the intervention of asking what each button should do? Plus, the inclusion of activity controls cuts down on how often youll need to switch between devices. It has an intuitive button layout that includes most of the control options youll need, and the OLED screen makes it easy to switch between the different AV devices you want to control. With a universal remote control, television, music listening and video games can be handled better, as several remote controls are combined into one. Thats not a surprising omission for something in this price range. After the remote has already been set up the HUB no longer needs to be connected to WiFi unless you're using WiFi to control one of your devices. Sofabaton x1 comes with a wireless hub,ultra-universal remote control for all your entertainment and home devices. Its not at a point where I would hand it to a non-techie person and say, have at it! without any instruction. The best universal remotes, Trying to control your TV, cable box, soundbar, game consoles, and everything else in your living room with a bunch of different remotes can be very frustrating. He also enjoys reading video game manuals. Scroll to the desired device/Activity and click to open. But, I think that if you arent ready for that, you should wait and let us nerds work with Sofabaton and fix all the bugs. Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. Seemed like they were saying create a macro what for every 1 2 3 and 4 digit channel number? The Sofabaton X1 relies on WiFi and the app for setup and function. (If youre not sure how your device is controlled, try this: Point the remote at the ground in the opposite direction from the device its supposed to control, and then press a button. Your email address will not be published. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. Do universal remotes work on all TV brands? Thanks for the heads up! BTW the up/down buttons actually move my channels 2 digits vs 1.. so stations get skipped with hardly any way to access them! The wireless X1-Hub delivers a slim and compact design to fit in any interior setup. Sep 2, 2022 #4 There isn't one at the moment, unfortunately. The Flipper isnt backlit like the EasyMote, but it uses different colors for the power, mute, volume, and channel buttons, which may be more helpful for those with eyesight limitations. Like the Flipper, the EasyMote is a large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues. SofaBaton centralizes command of all your devices by controlling them with IR, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless signals within 10 meters 390 inches no need to worry about the device disconnected. And 90% is way better than 0%. Just under the screen are a scroll wheel and D-Pad/select button. (If youre not sure how your device is controlled, point the remote at the ground in the opposite direction from the device its supposed to control, and then press a button. I think Sofabaton will make this a great remote, and I recommend that you get one if you are willing to work with the shortcomings now for a great remote later. Short and long-press options for the hardware buttons only exist in Activities. Im in setup mode but not liking flow of setting up. We hope that future firmware updates will allow the wake up button press and command to happen at the same time. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. Tutorial X1 User Guide and FAQ, Continuously Updated Back key cannot be configured on Samsung The Frame 2022, You can press the key to assign Return and Exit on X1,choose the device, click edit---assign key for the X1 remote, then assign the command you like to the physiccal key of the X1. Seems very time consuming vs harmony. *Sofabaton is a hilarious name, but very apt imo. Step2: Enter the name of the key you want to learn. I appreciate your thoroughness and willing to call out the defects, and update us on the current status! Hi all, Im a suffering Harmony user we lost the smart remote to a water spill a couple of months ago at learned at that point about the line being discontinued. There are some very low-budget instructional videos available through the appwith no dialogue, just video of someones hand using the app. If you are finding number or direction commands double-tapping, you should be able to dial it down to 1 or 0 repeats, depending on the limitations of the software. A universal remote control has to be, well, universal. According to the Kickstarter page, it does include 2 IR extension cables, one with a single transmitter and one with 2 transmitters. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. Super impressed so far for such a new product. It also means you can fix commands instantly, without even having to reach for your phone to launch an app. They are still advertising it. When Logitech discontinued Harmony universal remotes, it killed the last of the big-name brandsas well as all of our former picks in this guideand left us pondering how to proceed. You could buy a remote made just for your TV from the company that made it, but this could be expensive and isnt really necessary. Seleziona una pagina. The King is Dead! Todays home entertainment equipment delivers more functionality in fewer boxes. So which is it? The X1 controls the Apple TV via Bluetooth, and works flawlessly. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. It has a small indicator LED on the front. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. The Exit doesnt work. Still, its not easy to get a Harmony Elite for a fair price. and our The app is used to set up and configurate the physical Sofabaton remote. The Sofabaton App and X1-hub are connected via a local area Please ensure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as the hub when using the App. I placed my hub on top of my AV rack in front of my Xbox Series X. I had no issues with it controlling any of my devices, so I didnt have to connect the IR blasters. But, like the Sofabaton U1, it lacks backlighting and a Help function. Step 6: The device will a successful connection. For example, I chose LG and then B9. www.sofabaton.com NekoFever. Free shipping for many products! So its been a whole month since I posted my review, and I have been using the Sofabaton X1 exclusively as my daily remote. We prefer brands that offer setup software, via either computer or app, and keep a database of manufacturer codes. FREE Delivery Across Mauritius. And if youre willing to buy a used device, like a Harmony remote, it will still work well. It cant control Bluetooth-based devices like the Google Chromecast or Nvidia Shield TV, but it will work fine with the majority of AV products, including most cable and satellite boxes, Blu-ray players, soundbars, gaming consoles, and AV receivers. Bollyinside is part of Tofido ltd, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The X1 folks speak of is apparently coming soon. Its common for lower-priced universal remotes to work only with IR devices. Anywho, so here we are, and Harmony is no more. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally was able to get my hands on my new Sofabaton X1, set it up and give it a real test to see how it fared against my beloved Harmony Ultimate. Get fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date. Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. And if the U1 fails to execute a command, theres no Help button to work out the problem. Lots of potential, quite nice to use once you actually have it fully set up, but the setup process is not for anybody who is impatient! The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. First, it navigates the on-screen menus and allows you to select by pressing on the wheel. It can control up to 15 AV devices, including both IR- and Bluetooth-based devices, which covers most of todays AV equipment. Does this support the Spectrum TV app so I can ge - Q&A. Maybe im doing something wrong. It seems, Sofabaton is neither responding here any more, nor did we see any improvement lately. Found 1 Back command which works. Sure, you can still find a ton of low-end replacement remotesmodels whose primary purpose is to replace the one the dog chewed up and do little else. So if this new Activity requires the AVR to be On, it will send the Power On command, because now its aware that the AVR was Off. If you need voice control for a device, you can set it up as a separate Activity. The URC7880 can control eight devices and has all the important buttons youll needincluding five activity controls that let you group devices together to watch a movie, play video games, and so forth. 3. If you are a Harmony power user you will be right at home. I just got mine form Amazon today. I love my Harmony Elite for our living room home theater setup. Easy to tweak with delays, discrete power codes etc. This may take a bit of time. Sofabaton X1 consists of an X1-Remote and an X1-Hub. For proper functioning, the system needs to obtain the following source information for the output device (TV, power amplifier, projector, etc.). Step3: Follow the instructions in the app to learn from the original remort. Maybe im doing something wrong. The scroll wheel has two functions. SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control Good features and performance for the price The U1 can control up to 15 AV devices and supports Bluetooth control. We independently review everything we recommend. You might still find these remotes in stock for a while, but no new models are being manufactured. baseball font with tail generator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCGN_Bmmf4. Sound quality is important when youre picking an AV receiver, but its critical to find one with the features you need, so we have multiple recommendations. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. But, I am confident that future updates will fix some of these bugs. You can get the Harmony app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. Any idea if possible ? The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in today's home theater. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Finally, the U1 remote can pair with only one Bluetooth device at a time. Heard about this a few months ago, excited to see it coming as the remote only version my mom loves! As the pioneer in smart universal remote is the market, have you analyzed the Sofabaton remotes. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub & APP, Smart Remote with One-Touch Activities, Compatible with Alexa for Voice Control, Control up to 50 Entertainment IR/Bluetooth Devices Features : Compatibility without LimitsThe most advanced X1 universal remote comes with a hub that can control most of your home entertainment devices. My excitment for this was tempered by all the mediocre reviews. Step3: Press and hold the button on the X-Hub for 3s to allow the Bluetooth connection. If you want the best AV presentation of your favorite films, we recommend 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, and the Panasonic DP-UB420 is the best player weve tested. Plus, a press-and-hold of the red power button serves as an all-off for each activity. It could be they are trying to work out the worst of the bugs, it could be supply chain issues. I have been a cord-cutter for at least four years now, so this doesnt bother me. If Im way off base, you have my apologies! But thats all the app offers by way of setup. Plus, the remotes longer, slimmer form makes everything feel a bit cramped, and I had more trouble reaching all the buttons with my thumb without having to shift the remote around in my hand. But a lot of people still only think in terms of the old universal remotes, where you just chose one Device at a time. Universal Remote Control (the company) used to offer a variety of good DIY remotes, but it now focuses on the professional-installation market. Top Sellers. It looks great, and the hardware is solid, but it lacks the pedigree of the Harmony. I have an email in for assistance. It really is amazing! If you dont have that second code, you can press the same number continuously for hours and the box would never respond past the initial press. Sofabaton X1 universal remote supports IR & Bluetooth & Wireless devices. Once set up, its simple to use the app instead of the remote. Step6: Select the source location where the input device (Stream-ing box, Player) connects to the output device, like a TV. You heard me right; the remote is nothing but a wireless connection to your hub that gives you tactile buttons for essential functions and allows you to map your frequently used commands to a specific key. I find this troublesome because it assumes that everyone will intuitively know where to put the hub to reach your IR devices or where to place blasters. More on that later. My family is accustomed to using a Wi-Fibased system, where you can point the remote anywhere in the room and the commands will still work, so the U1 took some getting used to. But (thanks to the mom of a Wirecutter colleague) I also was able to get them in the hands of a few residents at a senior living center who were in need of a new remote. Step 1: Select the device you want to use for this Activity, Step2: Confirm the input source.If you are not familiar with source configuration, please follow the instructions on IV Configuring the source in an Activity. Sofabaton is not perfect, but they are responsive and work hard to make sure they get what you need. So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. Universal Remotes; Useful Links. Sofabaton X1 universal smart remote control works with all your entertainment and home devices, and it also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Many people have complained that the Return button is too high, and you need to shift your grip to access it. Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. You can do that with the Sofabaton, but it takes a few more steps, and as you said, its not as simple. If the remote still executes the command, then its using Bluetooth or radio frequency, not IR.) The remote itself has a larger, more customizable screen (with the ability to create activities) but fewer physical buttons. It lacks backlighting and a Help function to fix any messed-up commands. Looking for a new TV but unsure where to start? You can create your own activity button that does what a Watch TV button would dolike turn on all the necessary devices, switch to the correct inputs on your TV and receiver, and perhaps launch a menu. I also review budget projectors, portable projectors, and other AV accessories for Wirecutter. Site says it will have a Hub, use IR, BT and WLAN and work with Alexa and Google Assistant. Absent is a numeric pad to allow you to input channels or other functions that may need numbers. Now that there arent as many of them, the price can only go up.