During that time, I have reviewed numerous audio and video products, including virtually every major DIY universal-remote platform. Universal remotes make it possible for home entertainment systems that wouldnt work together otherwise to do so. If youve never programmed a universal remote before, or youre used to the Harmony setup software that figures out the main steps for you, the learning curve for a more complex AV system will be high. Devices can be set up by searching online IR code database or directly learning from original physical remotes. Created by Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1 5,769 backers pledged HK$ 5,217,117 to help bring this project to life. The IR is better or it isnt? The X1 is not out till Nov or Dec '21. Shipped by Newegg. Sofabaton X1 NEW, universal remote control, Harmony If youre setting this up for someone else, they really need to only ever use Activities. The Harmony Companion was one of the more affordable remotes to support Wi-Fi, and it cost $150 or more. 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. This one is really meant to control a single system, which is fair given its low asking price. Best Free Universal File Viewer Software for Windows 11/10, Best Home Security Cameras in 2023 to secure your home, Best Cheap Speakers 2023: 5 recommended affordable speakers, Best C Programming Books 2023: for beginners and professionals, Best Waterproof Speakers 2023: are designed for outdoor use, Best VPNs for Indonesia 2023: encryption of devices Internet traffic, Best Budget Speakers 2023: recommended affordable speakers, Rechargeable, With Touchscreen, With Voice Control. Soyeahtry teaching THAT to your mom haha. Thats a tough one. SOFABATON X1 - Universal Remote with Wifi / BT / IR control - Hubitat I'm still kicking myself for not buying a backup Harmony Elite when Best Buy had blowout prices. Its a more expensive solution, but if done properly, it will result in a much more satisfying experience. The SofaBaton X1 is as close as you can get to best universal remotes like the ones made by Harmony. It can control up to 15 AV devices, including both IR- and Bluetooth-based devices, which covers most of todays AV equipment. I bought the X1 to replace a URC Mx-980 laptop programmable remote. But lets not mince words here. REVIEW: Sofabaton X1 Smart Universal Remote - YouTube Do universal remotes work on all TV brands? 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. I emailed Sofabaton and within 2 weeks, I had working codes for all of my old devices. The promised Google Home, and Philips Hue integration is either non-existent (Google) or very raw (Hue). EASY Returns & Exchange. With support for eight AV devices, the URC7880 can accommodate a pretty extensive home-theater system. The remote requires four AAA batteries, and they are not included in the packagewhich is kind of obnoxious. Instead, what you need to do is set the Fix screen to whatever state the offending device is actually in. 3. It has a small indicator LED on the front. My interaction with Sofabaton support regarding this issue didnt yield a response this veteran IT guy could understand. Sofabaton X1 Review - One Month Update | AV Gadgets 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. In fact, Ill bet youre super confused from what I just wrote! If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one. It may take them a bit to get there, but I am confident they will get there. Once its set up, it works well. Maybe an X2 will have real numbers. We recommend the best displays, sources, and accessories for watching 4K HDR movies and TV shows at home. They are still advertising it. Anyway, I dont like the buttons as they are very plasticky and I always pick it up upside down for some reason, so ergonomics could be better. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still our best universal remotes. Can I Put My Subwoofer On Top Of Furniture? Youd THINK, simple! My family lives with each remote for a while to see how intuitive and reliable each is to use on a daily basis. One For All says you can set up this remote using an app, but the app just lets you add devices. As far as the skipping goes, remotes like these often have an option for how many times the command is repeated per button press. 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. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.com. I also got it for 40% off. That may work fine for you since youll know what button you picked, but it wont be as clear for others trying to use the remote. 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. I dont mind it because I rarely need to access my devices, so I like not being able to press it accidentally. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub & APP, Smart Remote with This improves the user experience by bringing together services that were previously disconnected. . If, on the other hand, your home-entertainment system is built around an AV receiver and multiple source components, and sitting down to watch a movie or play a video game requires shuffling among several remotes to switch inputs and control multiple components simultaneously, a universal remote is exactly what you need. It also means you can fix commands instantly, without even having to reach for your phone to launch an app. The opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. You have to now switch to a different Activity, at which point, the X1 will send appropriate commands for you AVR, being aware that it is actually Off when it should have been On. I actually have a Harmony Elite I dont use cause I like the hard number keys on the Companion/One remote. Harmony was not perfect when they started. The app uses Bluetooth signal to communicate with the Sofabaton remote control, giving access to the full database of IR code for home entertainment devices, such as TV's, SoundBar's, DVD's, etc. 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. 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. There are some very low-budget instructional videos available through the appwith no dialogue, just video of someones hand using the app. Nothing, no hints. Once you sync the X1 remote with the hub, you can create activities, bundling different devices /activities gives sequences of orders you can program . Was a Kickstarter buyer figured, what the heck. I tried using it as a daily driver, but was needing to get up and unplug the hub at least once per day. The software automatically (and wirelessly) updates the remote with the proper control codes after each new device is added. Step 4: Configure the X1-Remort key for the current Activity. Enter the Sofabaton X1, the only hub-based remote on the market that anyone is talking about. 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. While the code base is not complete for the Yamaha receiver, learning codes from the remote is super simple. Unfortunately, it didnt see all my lights. But those remotes arent designed to provide a really intuitive, streamlined, activity-based experience. Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. This has already been so much of a headache that even if I eventually get it to actually function correctly it will never actually make up for the time I have wasted trying to set it up. Our only complaint about the button layout is that fast-forward/reverse and chapter skip share the same buttons by default, but you can reassign those functions to other buttons if you want. 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). I tend to agree with you. 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. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. But thats all the app offers by way of setup. Thankfully, the printed instructions are thorough. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 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. Xfinity Remote Codes are essential for connecting your Xfinity Remote to your audio device or television. Update: I originally published my review of the Sofabaton X1 on April 12, 2022. But, unlike the Harmony, the Sofabaton X1 does not offer suggestions if the model number is not correct. sofabaton x1 universal remote | Newegg.com Step3: Verify that all devices are powered on. I havent gotten my hands on one of these yet to give any product specific suggestions, but I am talking to the higher-ups in my company about maybe getting one to test out. We appreciated the bright, green backlighting (which you can turn off) and the wrist rope. Let's keep checking if you like the idea. Visit our corporate site. Not the most user friendly solution, but its one we have been stuck with for longer than I have been an installer. No matter what brand they are, a universal remote can control all of your audio and video devices. But todays sad truth is that fewer people are buying DIY universal remotes, and this category is nearly dead. 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. 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. Because of this, a One For All universal remote is a good and affordable way to replace a single remote or combine multiple remotes into one. Im pretty sure you and I are in agreement about pretty much everything with this remote. 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. Any button press will wake the remote as well. Disclaimer have not tested all functions such as code learning and the voice stuff. Switching between devices is as easy as scrolling a rollerball and pressing it, and a list of advanced controls for every device can be found with an additional click of the rollerball. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. I do hope that Sofabaton will eventually give us options for this so we can dial it into our preference. 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. 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. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. Step6: Syncing activities from Sofabaton X1 If you need voice control for a device, you can set it up as a separate Activity. They used to be responsive but have stopped replying to my emails. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Good features and performance for the price, If you need to control only infrared devices, Our pick: SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control, Budget pick: One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8, A simple remote we like for those with eyesight, memory, or confusion issues. Scroll to the desired device/Activity and click to open. The remote itself looks nice and feels good to hold, and it has just the right number of . The better ones can also control gear via Bluetooth and sometimes Wi-Fi. If we (as users) hadnt worked with Harmony and stuck with them, they would have folded a long time ago. The more a remote costs, the more flexibility it should have to control different kinds of devices. You might still find these remotes in stock for a while, but no new models are being manufactured. Our senior testers generally liked the EasyMote, but they thought the Flippers slightly larger size made it more comfortable to hold. The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. But it cant control Wi-Fibased devices, so you cant integrate smart-home lighting or temperature controls. I have returned, one month later, to give some updates and give my impressions after using it exclusively for a solid month. But a growing number of devices, especially game consoles (like the Sony PlayStation 4) and streaming media devices (like some Nvidia Shield TV and Chromecast products), are controlled via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so youll need a universal remote that supports those technologies. Ill go to Set, then Fix, then scroll to my AVR, and then click the wheel to make it say On. On top of the remote is an off and return button. I know that some people hate the fact that you have to wake the remote with a button press, but for me, I find that scrolling the wheel is an intuitive motion, so its a non-starter for me. We hope that future firmware updates will allow the wake up button press and command to happen at the same time. As soon as Logitech announced they were killing Harmony I bought an extra Elite from Best Buy which is still unopened. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date. But it does mean that your first button press, no matter what it is, only wakes up the remote. I Dont Have Perfect Placement And I Dont Care! However, I am still on one battery bar after six weeks. The hub is also where you can teach the system to learn commands for devices not currently in the database. Found 1 Back command which works. That would FIX IT, right?. . It seems, Sofabaton is neither responding here any more, nor did we see any improvement lately. They fixed that! 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. I would love to have the remote turn on when you pick it up, it seems to work without having to press buttons twice. Customer and warranty support will continue to be offered.. The equipment consists of a mix of traditional IR devices, Bluetooth devices, and some Wi-Fi smart-home lighting and temperature items from Lutron and Honeywell. I hope it gets better, but my recommendation is not to buy one until some of the show stoppers get fixed. Step4: Select the device you want to connect to your home Wi-Fi. I am assuming it is something to do with the glare from the sun on my glossy speakers and TV. After that you need to click on the '+' icon. But heres the thing. You can use the scroll wheel or any other button to wake it up. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. 2022.9.9, Major Update of Android APP ,HUB. 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. Not sure if both of those cables can be used at the same time, but I would guess not. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. 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. Well, a month later it dropped. I used an early Harmony remote, and it was not good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCGN_Bmmf4, 2022.9.9, Major Update of Android APP ,HUB. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Any idea if possible ? That may not be good enough for those looking for a plug-and-play solutionyet. Plus, a press-and-hold of the red power button serves as an all-off for each activity. The HUB must be placed in the same space as the device and must be within 30 feet. 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. The hard truth is, with the death of the Harmony remote line, consumers have been left with a smattering of universal-remote options that all have notable flaws. Only up and coming one I've seen is the aforementioned Sofabuton brand with mixed reviews. Although they had teased killing it for years prior, we Audio Enthusiasts never thought this day would happen. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. The Harmony only has 4 buttons that can be used as 'home control' (unless there's a way of responding to the other buttons). So when youre trying to add a Bluetooth-based source, you have to unpair the remote from the setup app to test the device control, and then re-pair to the app to keep going with setup. www.sofabaton.com NekoFever. Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. 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. Seemed like they were saying create a macro what for every 1 2 3 and 4 digit channel number? IMPORTANT: Your first post will be checked for appropriate content. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. This will show up as follows: Step3: Confirm the device information and submit it so that you can download the code to the hub. The King is Dead! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Anything on top is just not working as it should. You must use your phone and the app. But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. But the Sofabaton X1 was able to learn them successfully. Your email address will not be published. Maybe im doing something wrong. Eventually, I figured out the quirks with my settings, but I would assume that the novice would get frustrated quickly and give up. Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remotes IR transmitter directly at the devices IR receiver. In the initial review you said the Logitech required 2 IR blasters while the Sofabaton required none. 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. But I am happy to say they now work! But when I tried to use it, it was not at all intuitive! I have a semi complex home theater(85" TV, 11 channel atmos, HD Bluray, XBoX, Apple 4k, Tivo etc.) The Exit doesnt work. You cant program in specific manufacturer codes like you can with the Flipper, which was something we thought was easier and more reliable than doing a generic code search. We all preferred the Flipper over the EasyMote. The X1 has a built-in battery, but it wont need to be charged for weeks. If they listen to users and make changes based on our feedbackthen yes, I think it will be a great remote. Ok, so the remote is still not perfect. Under the scroll wheel are standard buttons for back, home, menu, volume, channel up/down, mute, and basic transport buttons.