To test the remotes, I set up each one to control two different AV systems in my home: One is a more-basic living-room setup with a Samsung TV, Polk soundbar, and Apple TV 4K media player. And dont expect much help from the SofaBaton literature; the setup guide is poorly written and says nothing about macros. Its IR window was a bit wider and more robust than that of the SofaBaton, so I didnt have to be quite as direct in my pointing. For example, when you need to learn a command, the Sofabaton will direct you to point the IR sensor of your devices remote at the circular icon on the top of the hub and press the button for 3-5 seconds. They are still advertising it. 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. I currently purchase this SofaBaton X1 to replace my Logitech Universal Remote with Hub, I was very impressed when I unboxed this remote. Even though we have more devices than ever, universal remotes are becoming less and less common. Customized APP C ontrol: More functions such as: Find the remote. My current Harmony 525 would have become unusable five times over by now if it had a non-replaceable battery. The screen automatically lights up when you pick up the remote. So if Sofabaton can get Google Home integration working, I would be willing to unplug my Harmony Hub and move to the Sofabaton X1 full time! Add in its ability to control a total of 15 devices, and the U1 certainly can be set up to control multiple systems around the house. This is one of the best universal remotes you can buy. Let us know what you think. Also here - not news since almost a year! And early indications tell me I will probably get well over a month on a single charge with my use. Step2: Source information: source switching mode of the output device. I was able to get it to operate both my LG Nano TV and my Yamaha amp as well via IR. Once I had the Activities set up correctly, no issues arose. The U1 has a clean, simple design, with almost all of the buttons youd need organized in an intuitive way thats actually quite similar to that of our former top pick, the now-discontinued (and more expensive) Harmony Companion. You could say that smartphones have replaced them, but switching between a hundred different clunky apps isnt as elegant as the old Logitech Harmony remote, which is no longer made but still works. So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. You must use your phone and the app. Disappointing and waste of money. The U1 lacks backlighting, which, combined with this remotes black-buttons-on-a-black-shell design, makes using it in a dark room somewhat more challenging. Oct 25, 2017 3,980. Please connect the HUB to the router directly, don't use Mesh Repeater to connect. Sofabaton X1 remote | Page 2 | AVForums We are not responsible for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage related to the use of this website or the information contained herein. No one button activities and weaker basic remote functions. Best Universal Remotes 2023: to control all your home device sofabaton r2 programming 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. It seems that Sofabaton is committed to adding features and codes as requested. But a lot of people still only think in terms of the old universal remotes, where you just chose one Device at a time. If the HUB cannot connect to the network, please refer to the following video to complete. It lacks backlighting and a Help function to fix any messed-up commands. (The X1 remote is temporarily not compatible with Amazon eero mesh WiFi). So I will be honest, I was not expecting a lot from a Kickstarter, but I was pretty impressed with the exterior and interior packaging. We like that it hides the number pad behind a slide-down panel, to keep the main remote design as simple as possible. Rest assured, we will continue to update the X1's firmware to be compatible with more routers. A good universal remote not only eliminates coffee-table clutter and the remote shuffle but also reduces button pushes by combining multiple actions into one button press. If Sofabaton continues to refine its app and programming. Sofabaton covered the remote in a black matte finish that resisted marring and fingerprints. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. With support for eight AV devices, the URC7880 can accommodate a pretty extensive home-theater system. . It will be an absolute non-starter at the "$200 retail" they advertise; if they think they can rob everyone blind after the Harmony exit, I believe they're in for a surprise. This appears to be a pretty good Logitech Harmony remote replacement, so it would be really nice to be able to control the hub and app just like the current Harmony integration. For an attractively low price, the SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control combines the essential elements of a universal remotea good physical design with the necessary buttons, the ability to control many (and a variety of) devices, and the option to create shortcuts to launch activities (such as Watch a Movie) with a single button press. Thanks for the heads up! You can program this remote using a convenient mobile app that makes adding, removing, and changing devices easy. Its not really a universal remote because it can control just one or two devices: a TV and a set-top box. But, I could see this being a deal-breaker for someone who uses the number pad for TV channel input vs. the on-screen menus. But you cant control Bluetooth devices, and the setup process is archaic. I dont see a way to select the various inputs that wouldnt confuse anyone but me, let alone control a second zone or control audio modes . Home sofabaton sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control User Manual, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sofabaton/id1456346952, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=www.romateck.com.u1, Search Sofabaton on the App Store or Google Play. I havent been very active on the Sofabaton forum, but I do check in from time to time, and I see lots of requests from users for additions to the database and responseS from Sofabaton saying they added the code. The remote itself looks nice and feels good to hold, and it has just the right number of backlit buttons. Im confused by your update. Using a PC and a USB cable to programme it is a lot less convenient than using the SofaBaton U1 companion app for iOS or Android. Since fewer people need universal remotes these days, there are fewer great options that you can set up and program yourself. Pros: Easy to program Works. No command is sent. Im thinking Im sending mine back. www.sofabaton.com NekoFever. I have a lot of of vintage tech MD player, CD player and VCR that were not in the database. But, as my editor pointed out, this is normal for new devices. If it cannot be connected, please restart the power of the HUB, open the APP and search for the X1 HUB again. The fact that you can program the remote manually is a plus for those who cant or dont want to use a mobile device to program a remote. As far as the skipping goes, remotes like these often have an option for how many times the command is repeated per button press. And 90% is way better than 0%. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. Harmony was not perfect when they started. Anywho, so here we are, and Harmony is no more. Build quality feels good, though I could see a need for more than 2 IR ports for more complex setups, it works perfectly well for my needs. https://www.sofabaton.com/x1.html Assistant Support: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Features: With Voice Control Technology: Bluetooth, Infrared (IR) Type: Blu-ray, DVD, TV, Universal Date Listed: 12 hours ago Last Edited: 11 hours ago Condition: New Shipping: Pickup Only Similar Ads WD TV MEDIA PLAYER UNIT (no remote control ) Speaker Package Deals - Good Idea or Waste of Money? They found it very easy to set up (it took about one minute), and they thought the instructions were easy to understand. Decade long AV technician here. I No Longer Need The Perfect Remote Control - HomeTechHacker According to the Kickstarter page, it does include 2 IR extension cables, one with a single transmitter and one with 2 transmitters. 2022.9.9, Major Update of Android APP ,HUB. And if the U1 fails to execute a command, theres no Help button to work out the problem. YMMV. Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1. But these days relatively inexpensive remotes can do the same complex job. All signals are sent from the HUB, and the remote control communicates with the HUB via RF. Currently, only 3 WiFi devices are supported: Roku, Philip hue, and Sonos speaker. The unit has a feature that will confirm actions and take corrective steps to make sure the right things happen. As soon as Logitech announced they were killing Harmony I bought an extra Elite from Best Buy which is still unopened. We plan to support our Harmony community and new Harmony customers, which includes access to our software and apps to set up and manage your remotes. Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. The One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8 is a simple, affordable remote for people who can control all their gear via infrared (IR). (If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one.) I had 3 Harmony Smart Hub for many years and really liked them. Speaking of macros, the process of creating them, though logistically simple in the app, will be more mentally taxing than some people will tolerate. Finally, all the functions are mixed up on my Shaw cable boxhome is menu, menu is list, etcso their database is incorrect. But its a shame that SofaBaton omitted such a simple and important feature. But nothing happens. It said delivery was expected between June 23rd and July 21st, but it showed up today. But I noted that the instructions had smaller print, so they might be harder to read. The SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control is a well-designed universal remote that offers a lot more features than you might expect for $50. The Best Universal Remote Control - Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World This is hardly intuitive. SOFABATON X1 - ALL NEW HOME THEATER UNIVERSAL REMOTE to - YouTube Since our last update in May 2021, several universal remotes that we previously tested have been discontinued, including the Caavo Control Center and the Sevenhugs Smart Remote U and Smart Remote X. Logitechs Harmony Companion, Harmony 665, and Harmony Elite were our former picks in this guide, but parent company Logitech discontinued the entire line. You can read more about it here. Honestly this review does not match my experience with the Sofabaton, and I think advising people to buy them at this point is wildly inappropriate without more realistic details on the stuff that is broken. The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in todays home theater. We looked for remotes that can control at least eight devices, have an intuitive button design, and are easy to program. Last updated March 28, 2022 So the setup of the actual hub is a breeze. All Rights Reserved. A universal remote, also called a smart remote, can connect devices from different manufacturers and brands. Update 6/1/2022: The Sofabaton X1 is now finally shipping from Amazon! But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. If you dont want another handheld device, you might consider an app-based control system, such as the (recently discontinued) Logitech Harmony Hub or MoesGo, which lets you use your mobile device as a remote control. We all preferred the Flipper over the EasyMote. I doubted it would work but sure enough, about 18 hours later I got a response with a code and it worked. After obtaining the source configuration of the output device and the source location of the input device(Streaming box, Player), the system can automatically switch to the correct source to enable all associated devices when you start an activity.To do this, follow the steps listed below.Step1: If the device has not configured the source in advance, you need to click to configure when creating an Activity. They have a looong way to go to catch up to Logitech! Home Theater Accessories. It often disconnects and cannot reconnect. All of the buttons are smallish andbeyond the navigation wheel in the centernot well distinguished by shape. The Google Home integration is the last hurdle (for me) that Sofabaton needs to meet for me to be content with the remote as a whole. Its a more expensive solution, but if done properly, it will result in a much more satisfying experience. I recently got a new puppy, and he has had my Sofabaton X1 in his mouth several times with nary a scratch. So I wish Devices on the X1 screen could just be hidden entirely. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with Hub, All in one Remote with 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. Its not designed for people who use streaming media devices and will not work with devices that are controlled via Bluetooth or radio frequency (RF). The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. You can search SofaBatons database for the models of your devices, and if theyre there, it only takes one tap to add them. Like the Flipper, the EasyMote is a large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues. All are the same price and there is no clear indication of what the difference between the three are. Not having to specify what off is off. My Harmony Elite died and replacments are not available so I took a shot with the Sofabaton. Given that it will be a bit of work to learn all command, I am looking at a way to configure that Back key into my original Samsung TV remote. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. None of the product shots show anything but media, so I was skeptical. 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. We hope that future firmware updates will allow the wake up button press and command to happen at the same time. For example, I saw firmware and app updates last month, and they added settings on the remote, like a timer for the sleep and backlight modes, to change how long it remains lit before dimming. The build quality of the Sofabaton X1 and hub is excellent. Thats a tough one. But you cant add any actual control functions to the screen, as you could with our former budget pick, the now-discontinued Harmony 665. For more information, please see our But it lacks backlighting and activity buttons, and programming advanced tasks can be challenging. Universal remotes are still made by a few companies. Some remote manufactuers with very well maintained code databases already have the toggle commands built in when you select those specific models of cable boxes. I didnt encounter any connection issues between the remote and the app, and when all was said and done, the U1 successfully controlled both of my systems the way I wanted it to. It can control up to 15 devices, including both infrared- and Bluetooth-based AV devices. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. The design of the Sofabaton X1 remote is relatively simple. Step6: Syncing activities from Sofabaton X1 If you need voice control for a device, you can set it up as a separate Activity. Seleziona una pagina. After deleting all my devices and activities and then redoing them, they seem to work. If they arent on the list, you can use the U1s learn feature and your factory remote to teach it the commands it needs. Therefore, after creating an Activity, it is not recommended to switch the power supply of the device or switch the source position in the device model, to avoid an error with the information recorded in the Activity setting, as well as potential confusion of functions.IMPORTANT, Cox Universal Remote Control User Manual - Optimized PDF Cox Universal Remote Control User Manual - Original PDF, Smart IR Universal Remote Control Product View Product installation instructions Plug the Smart IR Controller USB-A into, Your email address will not be published. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Just below its screen is a small scroll wheel that lets you switch between activities and devices. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. Right now, with my curtains closed, the Sofabaton turns on the TV without the need for IR blasters at all. Super useful! With most devices, you can reassign any button on the U1 to perform any task from any device that youve loaded into your system configuration. 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. In fact, Ill bet youre super confused from what I just wrote! You can quickly switch between devices you want to control. please turn off the HomeShield Pro function or authorize X1 access. But if you set it up for someone, and then teach them about Activities, the Off button, and the Screen Back button, its impressive for a 1st gen. One thing not mentioned in your review: there is no Help button right on the face of the remote like there was on Harmony remotes. Bollyinside is part of Tofido ltd, an international media group and leading digital publisher. If you want to hang your flat-panel TV on the wall, we recommend the Sanus VMPL50A-B1 or Sanus VLF728-B2, depending on how much motion you need in your mount. The Harmony only has 4 buttons that can be used as 'home control' (unless there's a way of responding to the other buttons). Our senior testers generally liked the EasyMote, but they thought the Flippers slightly larger size made it more comfortable to hold. The majority of the programming takes place the old-fashioned wayby manually putting the remote in programming mode and punching a lot of buttons. The inclusion of Activity buttons, like Watch TV or Play video games (as described.