No one button activities and weaker basic remote functions. The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in todays home theater. Step2: Search for brand sofa action on the skill page. After you enter your WiFi password and then pair your remote, you can begin to program devices. Until then, maybe find a used Harmony and wait for Version 2.0! Overall, we found the basic setup process to be straightforward but not necessarily quick. Get fast shipping and top-rated customer service. I appreciate your thoroughness and willing to call out the defects, and update us on the current status! Do universal remotes work on all TV brands? I ordered it Saturday night. But you have to figure out the macro (or sequence of steps) and assign it to a random button. Just below its screen is a small scroll wheel that lets you switch between activities and devices. Thankfully, the printed instructions are thorough. I have a lot of of vintage tech MD player, CD player and VCR that were not in the database. You can then fashion any cheap android touch screen device into a fully . Pros: Easy to program Works. 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. Say "GOODBYE" to the intricacies of remote control thoroughly. The remote itself looks nice and feels good to hold, and it has just the right number of . Whether you want to shop by size, price, or purpose, we have recommendations. A remote that can juggle at least eight devices at once should cover the average audio/video enthusiasts system. 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. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. But those remotes arent designed to provide a really intuitive, streamlined, activity-based experience. 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. A universal remote, also called a smart remote, can connect devices from different manufacturers and brands. Any button press will wake the remote as well. Andrew will continue to update this review as time goes on. Free Shipping. Update 6/1/2022: The Sofabaton X1 is now finally shipping from Amazon! The X1 controls the Apple TV via Bluetooth, and works flawlessly. With the SofaBaton U1, you have to program all these things yourself, so the URC7880 is actually a little easier to set up in that respect. Its easy to jump on a company and slam it when you have a competent competitor already in the market space. Sofabaton is one of the few commercial universal remotes that will let you control a generous number of home theater devices, including your TV, DVD player/recorder, Blu-ray player, and more. The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. Step3: Press and hold the button on the X-Hub for 3s to allow the Bluetooth connection. Sad day indeed. The good news is that a universal remote will work with any TV sold today. Lastly, I wish you could just hide the Devices menu option entirely. I was able to get it to operate both my LG Nano TV and my Yamaha amp as well via IR. If you are one of those people, be prepared to do a lot of Internet searches for guides and walk-throughs. The return button allows you to toggle between Activities, Devices, and Set (should be Setup). On the downside, the remote lacks backlighting and dedicated, clearly labeled activity buttons (such as Watch TV) that make it easier for everyone to use. I have the U1 and lack of a backlight make it a non-starter, plus the thumb wheel frustrated my wife to the point it was put back on the shelf. sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control, DirecTV Blue Remote Control Manual [Universal Remote Control], Smart IR Universal Remote Control User Manual, Whirlpool TDLR 65241BS BE Lave-Linge Posable User Guide, dahua HMC5100X-H-506C2-W10A-BW High-Performance Module Computer User Manual, HINKLEY 4558 18.25 Inch Height Outdoor Lantern Wall Sconce Instruction Manual, eurotech ED-RHW60BK 60cm Wall Canopy Rangehood Instruction Manual, kbice FDFM1JA01 Self Dispensing Nugget Ice Machine User Guide, LUMINAR EVERYDAY 59250 2ft LED Linkable Plant Grow Light Owners Manual, Viatom Blood Pressure Monitor BP2 & BP2A User Manual, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, @2.4 GHz, WEP/VVPA-PSK/W-PA2-PSK. Logitech discontinued Harmony universal remotes, the now-discontinued (and more expensive) Harmony Companion, Everything You Need to Watch 4K HDR Movies. Nor have I had to reboot it aside from firmware updates. 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. Once you sync the X1 remote with the hub, you can create activities, bundling different devices /activities gives sequences of orders you can program . I have not had any issues finding a code for my devices, but I tried to teach the Sofabaton X1 commands, which worked for me this time. 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. With the Harmony, you could very easily change buttons to cycle inputs, or switch to that device and control it. Thanks for helping us do what we love. So if either dies Im stuck. But when I tried to use it, it was not at all intuitive! 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. I got mine on the kickstarter, so I got the heavy discount of being an early adopter. Your email address will not be published. This process is more labor-intensive than what SofaBaton offers through its setup app. Make sure you add a set to your shopping cart. 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. Connects up to 40 devices in your home including TV, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV & cable boxes, gaming consoles, Apple TV, Roku and more. 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). If the HUB cannot connect to the network, please refer to the following video to complete. Seemed like they were saying create a macro what for every 1 2 3 and 4 digit channel number? They also have improved the IR remote learning function. So its more flexible than many of the lower-priced remotes on the market. And that pesky bug where you had to press a button to wake the remote and a second time for the command? They are still advertising it. 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. Is there any other manfature that will produce a product like the harmony remote controls, There is also https://www.yio-remote.com/. However, the app will never be as fast as a real remote, so keep that in mind. I refuse to feed scalpers anything, so I decided to start searching for a new solution just in case my beloved Harmony chose to kick the bucket or Harmony (doubtful) suddenly cut support for the database. A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required for setup (there is no 5 GHz support). (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. There are even a few app-shortcut buttons (including a dedicated Netflix button) that you can program from the device of your choosing. DVD, Mac / iOS, PlayStation 4, TV, Universal, One-Click Activity Buttons; Color Display; Interactive Help, A capacitive touchscreen makes it easy to control your devices, Not in production, so may be difficult to find new. (If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one.) The hub is also where you can teach the system to learn commands for devices not currently in the database. 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. In the past, the TV was the centre of home entertainment, connecting things like DVD/Blu-ray players, surround sound, game consoles, etc. 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. I have my Sofabaton on a Bell Fibe Homehub 3000 which does 2.5 and 5 ghz on the same SSID and I have not had a single issue with my device yet. There are no options for brightness (yet), so its a one-size-fits-all solution. Although a few DIY universal remotes incorporate a bit of smart-home control to adjust your lighting, temperature, or security system, there arent many options that can intuitively perform complex home-automation tasks. All Rights Reserved. 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. The build quality of the Sofabaton X1 and hub is excellent. One-Click Activity: Select an activity such as "Watch Movie" to automatically turn on the power and switch the device to the correct input. Use the app to connect to your X-Hub with the following steps: Step1: Open the app and select X1 from the device list. I also got it for 40% off. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a1865bd728228e82e73921c5b53f0404");document.getElementById("afe6277d1c").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It took years of work and refinement to get the product they had. - 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. 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. Recognized all my devices. 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! And dont expect much help from the SofaBaton literature; the setup guide is poorly written and says nothing about macros. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. 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. By just saying "Alexa, turn on TV" , "Alexa, change channel to ABC news" or "Alexa, volume down on . 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. An AV Enthusiast since he was old enough to listen to records, Andrew enjoys helping the novice enthusiast with home theater and AV questions. 2. Your time investment will depend on how precisely you want to tweak your controls. As the pioneer in smart universal remote is the market, have you analyzed the Sofabaton remotes. It took Logitech years to get them to the polished form we all remember. 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. 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. But there is a Fix function within the Set menu. While the code base is not complete for the Yamaha receiver, learning codes from the remote is super simple. Thanks for your first-hand report. Although our senior testers wouldve liked the volume and channel buttons to be vertically aligned (instead of horizontally), they did like the remotes size and shape: The buttons were easy to read, and the remote was not too heavy, too big, or too small. I tend to agree with you. Even though this isnt a remote control in the traditional sense, the Harmony HUB and smartphone app can fill the void. Free shipping for many products! The U1 can control up to 15 AV devices and supports Bluetooth control. This is one of the best universal remotes you can buy. Search Newegg.com for sofabaton x1 universal remote. 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. Youd THINK, simple! They fixed that! Sofabaton has kept its word and is working with users to fix issues as discovered. I hope your experience gets better, but from my unit and my experience, I stand by saying that its not perfect, but I expect it to get darn close. This one is really meant to control a single system, which is fair given its low asking price. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. But todays sad truth is that fewer people are buying DIY universal remotes, and this category is nearly dead. ; X1 Universal Remote for All Devices Supports more than 500,000 home entertainment devices of 6,000 brands. This improves the user experience by bringing together services that were previously disconnected. Xfinity Remote Codes are essential for connecting your Xfinity Remote to your audio device or television. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The FAQs do touch briefly on the use of the IR blasters, but I find it inadequate. The remote feels solidly made, and the fit and finish are superb. My biggest issue is connecting to the hub. But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. 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. After that you need to click on the '+' icon. So while I still dont feel as if I am an expert with the remote, I can give you all a good sense of if its worth your cash. This is so nice to have a single, easy to see, hold and use remote control and best of all, no batteries required!!! Let us know what you think. 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. They found it very easy to set up (it took about one minute), and they thought the instructions were easy to understand. But, as my editor pointed out, this is normal for new devices. With a universal remote control, television, music listening and video games can be handled better, as several remote controls are combined into one. The system consists of a. Hands-free Voice Control: Works with Alexa and Google Assistant to control of your appliances, turn your TV to sports, crank the volume, play and pause the action and so on with voice command. Sofabaton is not perfect, but they are responsive and work hard to make sure they get what you need. Extend your system with add-ons Home Assistant is not just limited to Home Assistant. Nothing, no hints. Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. The back has power/IR blaster inputs and a push-button to initiate the pairing of the remote. Im thinking Im sending mine back. I loaded all of my gear from both of my AV systems into the remote in just a few minutes, since all of my devices were in the SofaBaton database. Under the scroll wheel are standard buttons for back, home, menu, volume, channel up/down, mute, and basic transport buttons. Finally, the EasyMote offers only two ways to program in your devices (a quick code search or learning the IR from your device remotes). 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. Sounds promising. 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. 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. While its not my daily driver, I am keeping it in case my Harmony dies. With my Harmony, I could never turn on the TV, so that tells me that at least in the IR department, the Sofabaton has the advantage. OK? Super impressed so far for such a new product. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. If they do that with the X1, its just going to get your Activities all out of sync. Email Sofabaton and tell them the model you want added, and they will do it. If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one. Yes, I have a cable TV set top box its totally useless for changing channels the way they lay out the numbers. Works with alexa & google assistant to control your appliancessuch as,"Google turn on your TV","Google turn off TV".Or by just sayingAlexa,turn on TV",Alexa,turn off TV". With the sudden development of technology By IFTTT/IOS shortcut Sofabaton Remote is accessible to your smart home system to your smart home systems which is easy to satisfy your new upgrade smart living+ mode.Make your home entertainment e life unprecedented minimalist. So I can confirm that the finish on the remote is tough as nails. Dark Matter Sentry Streaming Microphone - The Blue Yeti Killer? Still, its not easy to get a Harmony Elite for a fair price. SofabatonX1-Most Versatile Universal ALL-IN-ONE Smart Remote Ultra-universal remote control for all your entertainment and home devices. 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. For instance, if you want to control your AV receivers volume and mute functions while watching your Apple TV (without having to jump back and forth between devices), you have to manually reassign the volume buttons. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still our best universal remotes. So fix it! 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. Copyright 1998-2023 AV Gadgets. If it cannot be connected, please restart the power of the HUB, open the APP and search for the X1 HUB again. These cookies do not store any personal information. Site says it will have a Hub, use IR, BT and WLAN and work with Alexa and Google Assistant. I recently got a new puppy, and he has had my Sofabaton X1 in his mouth several times with nary a scratch. Battery life is good, and I charged it once when I got it six weeks ago. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. In recent years, smart home technologies have been getting better and more popular, and universal remotes are also being changed to work with a variety of smart home devices. Even though I need something like this really badly, I have some giant issues with the X1: - The buttons look horribly positioned: most of them are way too low to comfortably reach, there's just not enough grip left below eg. Update: I originally published my review of the Sofabaton X1 on April 12, 2022. If Im way off base, you have my apologies! sofabaton r2 programming. As soon as Logitech announced they were killing Harmony I bought an extra Elite from Best Buy which is still unopened. With the X1 app, I selected the Nvidia Shield and then found the Sofabaton under the pairing menu on the Shield. Theyre just designed to hold a lot of buttons to control your different devices (usually a total of four to six devices). But it lacks backlighting and activity buttons, and programming advanced tasks can be challenging. Plus, the inclusion of activity controls cuts down on how often youll need to switch between devices. Can I use my smartphone as a remote control? I added my Xfinity cable box, Samsung TV, Yamaha Receiver and soundbar were immediately represented and added without a fuss. (Yes, the remote communicates with the app over Bluetooth, but you cant actually control anything via Bluetooth.). I love my Harmony Elite for our living room home theater setup. 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 despite these issues, the U1 is the best option weve found for people who have a mix of IR and Bluetooth devices. At that rate, I can just sell it on Ebay if I don't like it. SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote with hub and app, . Also here - not news since almost a year! On top of the remote is an off and return button. While I agree, that there are bigger issues. I bought the X1 to replace a URC Mx-980 laptop programmable remote. Press J to jump to the feed. For instance, instead of having to push separate buttons to turn on your TV, switch HDMI inputs, power on your AV receiver, change inputs there, turn on your Blu-ray player, andfinallyget your movie started, a good universal remote can reduce all of that to one command (Play Movie), which you can access at the touch of a single button. The screen automatically lights up when you pick up the remote. Step 6: The device will a successful connection. We independently review everything we recommend. They used to be responsive but have stopped replying to my emails. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Being able to see the actual model names is more intuitive than generic device buttons labeled TV, STB, or AUD. and our FYI macro whats that, I could not find the word in my instruction package. I expect many more. If you are a Harmony power user you will be right at home. The Exit doesnt work. For example, your AVR is Off when it should be On? I think this would be a nice product if you had a simple system, like a smart TV and a sound bar. Harmony was not perfect when they started. 3. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date.