And like Ive just described, that Fix function is a nightmare. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with hub and app, . Step3: Use the original remote control to pair the device with Sofabaton X1 via Bluetooth. Once a device is loaded into the app, youre given the option to customize the buttons. Quick Search (Via IR Mode)Here are the steps to perform a quick search to add devices.Step1: Search for the device brand and model in the app. I still think the u1 is worth the 50 or 60 bucks I payed for it. But you have to figure out the macro (or sequence of steps) and assign it to a random button. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. I am assuming it is something to do with the glare from the sun on my glossy speakers and TV. Overall, though, we didnt find the physical design to be as intuitive as the SofaBatons. - The no-longer-cheap price - heck, my 525 was LESS than the X1 on KS now; the U1 got the price right, but the features wrong - but the X1's price is starting to sting. Still, its not easy to get a Harmony Elite for a fair price. While setting up the X1, the phone and hub must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Its easy to do in the app, but if you have lots of very specific desires for how things ought to work (like I do! Even when the Logitech Harmony was the best universal remotes, it cost hundreds of dollars for as much versatility as it has now. The build quality of the Sofabaton X1 and hub is excellent. ALL IN ONE Universal Remote ControlThe SofaBaton X1 universal remote works with over 500,000 entertainment devices,such as TV/ streaming media box/ Blu-ray player/ DVD/ projector/ soundbar and other devices. 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? And then you can start adding your devices; this is a straightforward process in which you can choose from a list of preloaded devices (including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Nvidia, DirecTV, and Xfinity) or enter the manufacturer and device name. The Exit doesnt work. Bollyinside provide Guide, Tips and tutorials. I'm potentially interested with the 50% discount, but I really hated the U1, so I'm wary. No one button activities and weaker basic remote functions. If youre setting this up for someone else, they really need to only ever use Activities. Well, a month later it dropped. The circular d-pad below lets you control your system. This allows my smart home controller, Home Assistant, to control almost all of it. All of the customization of buttons and choosing which commands show up on the screen is really only in Activities, anyway. And the fact that the remotes programming mode times out after a few seconds means you must act quickly and deliberately. Some Wi-Fifriendly remotes can also control smart-home devices, and some can be linked to an Alexa or Google Home device to add voice control. The opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. watch Apple TV) and do 'stuff'. This remote requires line-of-sight to control any IR-based equipment, and you need to be deliberate in pointing the U1 at your gear rackand keeping it pointed there until any command sequences are done. Our site uses cookies. Does this support the Spectrum TV app so I can ge - Q&A. I used an early Harmony remote, and it was not good. Just under the screen are a scroll wheel and D-Pad/select button. I expect Sofabaton will follow the same trajectory. 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 average living-room entertainment system may include a single-source devicesay, a streaming media player, cable/satellite set-top box, or gaming consoleplus a smart TV and a soundbar. For proper functioning, the system needs to obtain the following source information for the output device (TV, power amplifier, projector, etc.). The remote should have a well-organized layout that includes all the necessary buttons to perform essential tasks (and, yes, we think physical buttons are essential, versus a touchscreen that requires you to look away from the TV to find the right button). The hub is the heart of the Sofabaton X1. 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. If you are trying to turn the volume up or down or quickly pause a scene, youll have to press the button once to wake up the remote and a second time for the command. baseball font with tail generator Seems very time consuming vs harmony. I have been a cord-cutter for at least four years now, so this doesnt bother me. Configuration of devices is pure frustration! 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. The X1 features a small, but full-color OLED display that makes using the remote a straightforward process. Finally, the One For All setup app does have one helpful feature: a remote finder. But it lacks backlighting and activity buttons, and programming advanced tasks can be challenging. 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. Unlike the SofaBaton, which can be set up to control different systems around your home, the URC7880 lets you assign only one TV device, one set-top box, one gaming console, and so forth. The Flipper is an IR-only remote intended for channel surfers who use traditional cable/satellite boxes or their TVs internal tuner. You can use the scroll wheel or any other button to wake it up. Maybe im doing something wrong. Step2: Make sure your phones Bluetooth is on and the phone is connected to your home Wi-Fi.Step3: Press and hold the button on the X-Hub for 3s to allow the Bluetooth connection. I bought the X1 to replace a URC Mx-980 laptop programmable remote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCGN_Bmmf4. You can search SofaBatons database for the models of your devices, and if theyre there, it only takes one tap to add them. Direct from Manufacturer. Sabaton Xi supports using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to turn on/off an Activity. The IR is better or it isnt? 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. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. So here is the biggest complaint I have with the Sofabaton X1. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub - All in One Smart Remote Control with Customize Activities for Bluetooth IR 2.4G Devices Compatible with Alexa (Charge Plug Included) Brand: SofaBaton 11 ratings 24999 FREE Returns Size Name: With Plug See more About this item My excitment for this was tempered by all the mediocre reviews. I actually have a Harmony Elite I dont use cause I like the hard number keys on the Companion/One remote. Heard about this a few months ago, excited to see it coming as the remote only version my mom loves! 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. I also have a Harmony Companion remote with hub. When will it be available? UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. It found my Hub and connected it in 30 seconds. Created by Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1 5,769 backers pledged HK$ 5,217,117 to help bring this project to life. But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. 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. After that you need to click on the '+' icon. But the U1 has some drawbacks. Many cheap universal remotes require that you press a certain combination of buttons and then input manufacturer codes for each AV device until you find one that works. The URC7880 includes all the important buttons and can control eight AV components, and you can group devices together into activities. SofabatonX1-Most Versatile Universal ALL-IN-ONE Smart Remote Ultra-universal remote control for all your entertainment and home devices. 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. As I said earlier, Sofabaton seems committed to working the bugs out of this remote. Sofabaton X1 consists of an X1-Remote and an X1-Hub. I reported that my Sofabaton X1 could reach all of my devices without the IR blasters, which is mostly the case. Tony spends much too much of his free time on Twitter, reading speculative fiction novels, playing video games, and reading comic books. While the code base is not complete for the Yamaha receiver, learning codes from the remote is super simple. All of the buttons light up, making it easier to use in the dark, and the screen on the remote allows you to select tons of other options in comparison to standard ones. Weve now upgraded to IPTV (Rogers in Ontario, Canada) and the Harmony hub refuses to recognize the Xi6-T remote. Being able to see the actual model names is more intuitive than generic device buttons labeled TV, STB, or AUD. There are even a few app-shortcut buttons (including a dedicated Netflix button) that you can program from the device of your choosing. Absent is a numeric pad to allow you to input channels or other functions that may need numbers. It took Logitech years to get them to the polished form we all remember. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. Maybe im doing something wrong. Not having to specify what off is off. Dian Erwin is a writer for Bollyinside, covering topics related to computing, such as laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. So I am not going to lie; I was very disappointed when Logitech finally announced it was killing the Harmony line of remotes and hubs. Nothing, no hints. Hell $499 - The alternative Control 4 or Crestron will be many times more and require some half trained A/V kid to come to your home for "programming". If the HUB cannot connect to the network, please refer to the following video to complete. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. Learn more. These cookies do not store any personal information. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Im pretty sure you and I are in agreement about pretty much everything with this remote. After you enter your WiFi password and then pair your remote, you can begin to program devices. 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. It can control up to 15 AV devices, including both IR- and Bluetooth-based devices, which covers most of todays AV equipment. 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. Long Live ThePrince? They also have improved the IR remote learning function. If they listen to users and make changes based on our feedbackthen yes, I think it will be a great remote. 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. Finally, the U1 remote can pair with only one Bluetooth device at a time. The hub is also where you can teach the system to learn commands for devices not currently in the database. Lastly, the remote is tough. on sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control User Manual, sofabaton U1 All-in-One Universal Remote Control User Guide. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. The Logitech Harmony 665 is a remote that can control more than one device. 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. You use the wheel to scroll through your devices, and then you click the wheel to select either On or Off, or to select an Input. The remote feels solidly made, and the fit and finish are superb. Had the blasters been necessary, it would have just been a matter of affixing them by the IR sensor of the device I needed to reach and then plugging it into the back of the hub. You can get the Harmony app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. 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. An AV Enthusiast since he was old enough to listen to records, Andrew enjoys helping the novice enthusiast with home theater and AV questions. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Will it be the new must-have remote? The hub randomly locks up requiring power cycling by unplugging it frequently for many people on the forums (leading to Lost hub messages on the remote). Anything on top is just not working as it should. Yes, there is a free One For All setup app for iOS and Android, and yes, it pairs with the remote via Bluetooth and lets you add your devices by inputting the manufacturer name and model number or testing different codes. In the box were a well-packaged remote, the hub, a couple of IR blasters, two USB cables (one for charging the remote and one for the hub), a power brick, and instructions. If you want to change the behavior of buttons, fix codes that arent working, or build macros, you have to do it directly on the remote (you can add devices manually, too); this involves pressing the Magic button to put the remote in programming mode and then pressing a lot more buttons to accomplish a certain task. *Sofabaton is a hilarious name, but very apt imo. What the cable box is looking for is what is commonly referred to as a toggle code. Update: I originally published my review of the Sofabaton X1 on April 12, 2022. If you have a deep custom requirement, you can contact our customer services for an API file after receiving the product. Its rare to find a universal remote that has built-in voice control. 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. And any little tweak you make can be uploaded to the remote instantly, as long as its connected to the app, so theres no need to search for a cable, connect the remote to your computer, and load an all-new configuration. Not sure if both of those cables can be used at the same time, but I would guess not. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. Pros: Easy to program Works. There are no options for brightness (yet), so its a one-size-fits-all solution. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. www.sofabaton.com NekoFever. If they're not in the lists, you can manually learning the remote functions to the system via the hub. Home Theater Accessories. Thankfully, the printed instructions are thorough. Sad day indeed. To date, there have already been three firmware updates. This model can control a lot more devices (up to 40) and adds a wireless hub to control AV and smart home equipment via W-Fi. Weve been checking Amazon as well (where they say it will be sold). We recommend that readers conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website. (If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one.) Scroll to the desired device/Activity and click to open. If youre thinking about getting one before theyre all gone, the companys statement on the product discontinuation added the following: We expect no impact to our customers by this announcement. The better ones can also control gear via Bluetooth and sometimes Wi-Fi. 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. If you cant locate the URC7880, you can press a button in the app to make the remote beep. New Unread Topics; Today's Posts; Member List; Mark All Forums Read; Forum; General Discussion & Support; General Discussion Area; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ.You must register before you can post.. If your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic TV-soundbar-streamer setup, youd benefit from a universal remote. (More on this below.). Luckily Rob H from the AV Rant Podcast and I were chatting on Twitter, and we had both heard about Sofabaton dropping a Kickstarter to fund a new hub-based remote. This new X1 does not appear to offer the ability to accept separate IR flashers making the thing next to useless. And the number pad may prove essential for cable/satellite customers who have lots of channels to navigate. You can press any key to stop the beeping. Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. Sofabaton X1 Universal Remote - One Does For Most All Devices 1. Logitech discontinued Harmony universal remotes, the now-discontinued (and more expensive) Harmony Companion, Everything You Need to Watch 4K HDR Movies. Range is fantastic and set up with the app is pretty easy once you understand the concept of the hub based remote. I doubted it would work but sure enough, about 18 hours later I got a response with a code and it worked. The SofabatonX1 universal remote has been specifically designed to provide an easy way for you to control all your home entertainment devices from a single controller. A game console or two might also be included. So its an Activity-based remote, for sure. Please connect the HUB to the router directly, don't use Mesh Repeater to connect. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv tv remote. 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. Customer and warranty support will continue to be offered.. I appreciate your thoroughness and willing to call out the defects, and update us on the current status! Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remotes IR transmitter directly at the devices IR receiver. Take Alexa as an example and perform the following operations:Step1: Open the Amazon Alexa app, and click Skill & Games from the menu bar. Amazon had a 10% off click to add coupon and I read in Facebook group that emailing [emailprotected] and asking for a discount code they would give another 30% to stack on top. Looks like they're aiming for streaming device remote replacement not full AV rack in a closet control. Im in setup mode but not liking flow of setting up. If you use it with an Alexa device, you can control your home entertainment with your voice. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still our best universal remotes. ), be prepared to spend time making it happen. And if you dont want to read the rest of the update, I will give you the skinny. I think this would be a nice product if you had a simple system, like a smart TV and a sound bar. Yes, I have a cable TV set top box its totally useless for changing channels the way they lay out the numbers. But I really dont consider that a Fix. If you look at the design accents on the U1 it very much looks like a Harmony Ultimate or Elite handset. But, I am confident that future updates will fix some of these bugs. The software automatically (and wirelessly) updates the remote with the proper control codes after each new device is added. Step4: Sign in to your Sofabaton account, which is the same account you used to register Xl-Hub. The promised Google Home, and Philips Hue integration is either non-existent (Google) or very raw (Hue). The Exit doesnt work. Just below its screen is a small scroll wheel that lets you switch between activities and devices. Plus, a press-and-hold of the red power button serves as an all-off for each activity. So the setup of the actual hub is a breeze. Nice review, Andrew! 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. 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. The One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8 is a simple, affordable remote for people who can control all their gear via infrared (IR). Also, since this hub can send commands to devices using Wi-Fi, IR, or Bluetooth signals, you can control your devices even when they are behind closed doors or cabinets and use home entertainment services like Netflix and Hulu. Unfortunately, it didnt see all my lights. Heres hoping Sofabaton gets there one day . 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. 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. Its not at a point where I would hand it to a non-techie person and say, have at it! without any instruction. That being said, if my assumption is correct about your service and you have an AT&T cable box, its a quirk of the way some cable boxes are designed. Disclaimer: We want to be clear that the information on Bollyinside.com, including articles, reviews, and guides, is intended for educational purposes only. BTW the up/down buttons actually move my channels 2 digits vs 1.. so stations get skipped with hardly any way to access them! If they do that with the X1, its just going to get your Activities all out of sync. Highly recommend. Copyright 1998-2023 AV Gadgets. But do I recommend it right now? At that rate, I can just sell it on Ebay if I don't like it. Buy latest SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub & APP, Smart Remote with One-Touch Activities, Works with Alexa/Google Assistant for Voice Control, Control up to 50 Entertainment IR/Bluetooth Devices online at best prices at desertcart. Its common for lower-priced universal remotes to work only with IR devices. Details optimization 2. However, the app will never be as fast as a real remote, so keep that in mind. The King is Dead! We have added a What you need to know box, and added our thoughts on the new Sofabaton X1 remote to the Competition section. It really is amazing! So if either dies Im stuck. Do universal remotes work on all TV brands? Im thinking Im sending mine back. However, if I open my curtains while cleaning and try to turn on my LG B9 with the hub, it struggles to turn it on. The remote should be generally easy to program. In the past, the TV was the centre of home entertainment, connecting things like DVD/Blu-ray players, surround sound, game consoles, etc. 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. Sofabaton has promised a firmware update to fix that. But todays sad truth is that fewer people are buying DIY universal remotes, and this category is nearly dead. Any idea if possible ? Todays home entertainment equipment delivers more functionality in fewer boxes. Devices can be set up by searching online IR code database or directly learning from original physical remotes. ; X1 Universal Remote for All Devices Supports more than 500,000 home entertainment devices of 6,000 brands. Same with my Philips Hue. Then go to Set, then Fix, the scroll to your AVR, and then click the wheel until Off is highlighted. I tried it with my LG B9 and my Pioneer Elite CD player and could not get either to register a command with the Sofabaton. If the remote still executes the command, then its using Bluetooth or RF signals.). A universal remote, also called a smart remote, can connect devices from different manufacturers and brands. Once I had the Activities set up correctly, no issues arose. Its rounded out by four programmable hotkeys that map to your chosen functions. I have an email in for assistance. 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. If you are one of those people, be prepared to do a lot of Internet searches for guides and walk-throughs. 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. 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. For those enthusiasts that are willing to put in the time, this is about the only universal remote option left. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. I have since decided to create a dedicated basement HT (in progress) so will use my extra Elite for that set up. Sofabaton X1 - The Newly Anticipated Replacement For The Logitech Harmony Hub Has Arrived! Seems very time consuming vs harmony. 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. 3. When learning, the original remote should be pointed toward the circular icon, at a distance of 3-5 inches and perpendicular to the hub surface. We looked for remotes that can control at least eight devices, have an intuitive button design, and are easy to program. A remote that can juggle at least eight devices at once should cover the average audio/video enthusiasts system. The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. So if you need something more than the Sofabaton U1, but dont want something as expensive as Control4, then the Sofabaton X1 is the best choice. With the Harmony, you could very easily change buttons to cycle inputs, or switch to that device and control it.