This will show up as follows: Step3: Confirm the device information and submit it so that you can download the code to the hub. My biggest issue is connecting to the hub. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But, I am confident that future updates will fix some of these bugs. 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. As I said earlier, Sofabaton seems committed to working the bugs out of this remote. 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). It has an app to use it with that makes using and programming it much easier than a different model/brand Ive used in the past. I bought the X1 to replace a URC Mx-980 laptop programmable remote. 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. 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. A universal remote control has to be, well, universal. You and I have wildly different experiences. 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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. Anywho, so here we are, and Harmony is no more. As soon as Logitech announced they were killing Harmony I bought an extra Elite from Best Buy which is still unopened. To program the U1, you need to use the free SofaBaton app for iOS and Android. 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. 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). 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. Compared to the URC remote, setup for my system was a breeze, and the remote works perfectly. The frustration lies with the setup process. Super useful! The remote requires four AAA batteries, and they are not included in the packagewhich is kind of obnoxious. I just read all its' features. hmmm how did you order 2? Super impressed so far for such a new product. While setting up the X1, the phone and hub must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. The Exit doesnt work. Though each remote had its flaws, the Harmony line was still a step above the competition in how many features you got for the price and how much easier the remotes were to program for people with complicated home theater systems. It has a small capacitive touchscreen that makes it easy to use what could be a confusing number of devices. 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. Its a more expensive solution, but if done properly, it will result in a much more satisfying experience. And 90% is way better than 0%. Its not really a universal remote because it can control just one or two devices: a TV and a set-top box. You can hide away the cables and receivers and control everything from behind closed cabinets and doors, also you can point the remote anywhere. Its rare to find a universal remote that has built-in voice control. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. All are the same price and there is no clear indication of what the difference between the three are. If your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic TV-soundbar-streamer setup, youd benefit from a universal remote. Your email address will not be published. I'm definitely waiting. Any button press will wake the remote as well. 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. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The design of the Sofabaton X1 remote is relatively simple. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. It found my Hub and connected it in 30 seconds. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. While I agree, that there are bigger issues. I also got it for 40% off. Universal Remotes; Useful Links. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. 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. Any idea if possible ? www.sofabaton.com NekoFever. I had 3 Harmony Smart Hub for many years and really liked them. REVIEW: Sofabaton X1 Smart Universal Remote - Control Everything? Only Activities can be controlled by a third-party smart voice assistant such as Alexa. Top Sellers. My excitment for this was tempered by all the mediocre reviews. An AV Enthusiast since he was old enough to listen to records, Andrew enjoys helping the novice enthusiast with home theater and AV questions. 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. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? Thank you for your patience and understanding. Although they had teased killing it for years prior, we Audio Enthusiasts never thought this day would happen. Currently, only kickstarted backers have them. Without belaboring the point, you are on your own if you need help with anything aside from programming the hub. The inclusion of Activity buttons, like Watch TV or Play video games (as described. Speaker Package Deals - Good Idea or Waste of Money? The Xl- Remote beeps. So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. As we mentioned, the URC7880 can only control IR-based equipment, so it needs to have line-of-sight with all your gear. (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. As for returning it? 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. 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. We like that it hides the number pad behind a slide-down panel, to keep the main remote design as simple as possible. But nothing happens. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still our best universal remotes. (Yes, the remote communicates with the app over Bluetooth, but you cant actually control anything via Bluetooth.). And if the U1 fails to execute a command, theres no Help button to work out the problem. The Sofabaton X1 relies on WiFi and the app for setup and function. But I really dont consider that a Fix. If the remote still executes the command, then its using Bluetooth or RF signals.). There are some very low-budget instructional videos available through the appwith no dialogue, just video of someones hand using the app. What the cable box is looking for is what is commonly referred to as a toggle code. But do I recommend it right now? 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. After deleting all my devices and activities and then redoing them, they seem to work. Step6: Select the source location where the input device (Stream-ing box, Player) connects to the output device, like a TV. Finally, the EasyMote offers only two ways to program in your devices (a quick code search or learning the IR from your device remotes). Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. If they listen to users and make changes based on our feedbackthen yes, I think it will be a great remote. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Then go to Set, then Fix, the scroll to your AVR, and then click the wheel until Off is highlighted. But todays sad truth is that fewer people are buying DIY universal remotes, and this category is nearly dead. Privacy Policy. 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. Like the Flipper, the EasyMote is a large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues. 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 Dont Have Perfect Placement And I Dont Care! With that said, I hope they succeed. I hope it gets better, but my recommendation is not to buy one until some of the show stoppers get fixed. More on that later. Press J to jump to the feed. He also enjoys reading video game manuals. Email Sofabaton and tell them the model you want added, and they will do it. We prefer brands that offer setup software, via either computer or app, and keep a database of manufacturer codes. Last updated March 28, 2022 Lastly, the remote is tough. If Sofabaton continues to refine its app and programming. Still, its not easy to get a Harmony Elite for a fair price. Step 4: Configure the X1-Remort key for the current Activity. It often disconnects and cannot reconnect. 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. The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in todays home theater. (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. Make sure to enter your username and password. We looked for remotes that can control at least eight devices, have an intuitive button design, and are easy to program. Dian Erwin is a writer for Bollyinside, covering topics related to computing, such as laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. 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. 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. Once set up, its simple to use the app instead of the remote. 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. FYI macro whats that, I could not find the word in my instruction package. Will it be the new must-have remote? Todays home entertainment equipment delivers more functionality in fewer boxes. Well, a month later it dropped. Like me, you probably started to search for used Harmony remotes to stockpile but quickly found that prices skyrocketed. Non-tech people who have no experience with hub-based remotes will struggle. Decade long AV technician here. Not the most user friendly solution, but its one we have been stuck with for longer than I have been an installer. So far, I like it. I have a lot of of vintage tech MD player, CD player and VCR that were not in the database. 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 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. We independently review everything we recommend. The remote should be generally easy to program. By just saying "Alexa, turn on TV" , "Alexa, change channel to ABC news" or "Alexa, volume down on . Configuration of devices is pure frustration! I'm looking forward to it already because right now the U1 is okay, but doesn't really fully replace the Harmony. Its common for lower-priced universal remotes to work only with IR devices. Although theres a lot we like about the SofaBaton U1, it has a few significant drawbackssome are expected for a remote in this price range, and some are just unfortunate design choices.
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