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. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. He also enjoys reading video game manuals. 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. So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. Can I Put My Subwoofer On Top Of Furniture? Created by Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1 5,769 backers pledged HK$ 5,217,117 to help bring this project to life. So its been a whole month since I posted my review, and I have been using the Sofabaton X1 exclusively as my daily remote. And it controlled their two devices perfectly. The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. Customized APP C ontrol: More functions such as: Find the remote. Step3: Use the original remote control to pair the device with Sofabaton X1 via Bluetooth. It has an intuitive button layout that includes most of the control options youll need, and the OLED screen makes it easy to switch between the different AV devices you want to control. 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. Update 6/1/2022: The Sofabaton X1 is now finally shipping from Amazon! If an Activity fails to start, check whether the device information and Activity information is correct. A universal remote is a hand-held device that combines the functions of different remote controls into one unit. I am confident that Sofabaton sees the potential of this remote and will eventually solve the problems. The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in today's home theater. Sofabaton is not perfect, but they are responsive and work hard to make sure they get what you need. However, the app will never be as fast as a real remote, so keep that in mind. (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. Im confused by your update. You can also share a hotspot with another mobile phone, use this hotspot as a router, connect both the HUB and the mobile phone to this hotspot, and then see if the HUB can be found. 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. This is hardly intuitive. You can program this remote using a convenient mobile app that makes adding, removing, and changing devices easy. 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. Not having to specify what off is off. FYI macro whats that, I could not find the word in my instruction package. Universal remotes make it possible for home entertainment systems that wouldnt work together otherwise to do so. If we (as users) hadnt worked with Harmony and stuck with them, they would have folded a long time ago. Sofabaton X1 universal remote supports IR & Bluetooth & Wireless devices. Step3: Follow the instructions in the app to learn from the original remort. The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in todays home theater. I think this would be a nice product if you had a simple system, like a smart TV and a sound bar. Scroll to the bottom for my one-month update. And the number pad may prove essential for cable/satellite customers who have lots of channels to navigate. Once you sync the X1 remote with the hub, you can create activities, bundling different devices /activities gives sequences of orders you can program . on sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control User Manual, sofabaton U1 All-in-One Universal Remote Control User Guide. Now the Sofabaton X1 Hub is aware that your AVR is Off. I have been a cord-cutter for at least four years now, so this doesnt bother me. Sounds promising. This is one of the best universal remotes you can buy. I also have a Harmony Companion remote with hub. Step6: Select the source location where the input device (Stream-ing box, Player) connects to the output device, like a TV. A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required for setup (there is no 5 GHz support). According to the Kickstarter page, it does include 2 IR extension cables, one with a single transmitter and one with 2 transmitters. But heres the thing. 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. The inclusion of Activity buttons, like Watch TV or Play video games (as described. the channel or volume buttons to operate while still holding the remote somehow, - The lack of any actual IR emitters on the remote itself - the IR comes from THE HUB, without which the remote is useless for IR purposes, - The enclosed rechargeable battery which doesn't seem to be replaceable. 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. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Finally, the One For All setup app does have one helpful feature: a remote finder. SofaBaton X1 remote is universally compatible with virtually all brands of audi and video equipment. Sofabaton X1 Universal Remote - One Does For Most All Devices 1. Being able to see the actual model names is more intuitive than generic device buttons labeled TV, STB, or AUD. Compared to the URC remote, setup for my system was a breeze, and the remote works perfectly. You can press any key to stop the beeping. The hub is also where you can teach the system to learn commands for devices not currently in the database. Then go to Set, then Fix, the scroll to your AVR, and then click the wheel until Off is highlighted. 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. 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. I have several components on different shelves. 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. Bollyinside is part of Tofido ltd, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It often disconnects and cannot reconnect. With a universal remote control, television, music listening and video games can be handled better, as several remote controls are combined into one. The wireless X1-Hub delivers a slim and compact design to fit in any interior setup. You can read more about it here. Found 1 Back command which works. While setting up the X1, the phone and hub must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. We recommend the best displays, sources, and accessories for watching 4K HDR movies and TV shows at home. But, unlike the Harmony, the Sofabaton X1 does not offer suggestions if the model number is not correct. Site says it will have a Hub, use IR, BT and WLAN and work with Alexa and Google Assistant. Use the app to connect to your X-Hub with the following steps: Step1: Open the app and select X1 from the device list. please turn off the HomeShield Pro function or authorize X1 access. Last updated March 28, 2022 Its not at a point where I would hand it to a non-techie person and say, have at it! without any instruction. From the Kickstarter: Does X1 support local API to integrate the remote control into a home automation system without going through the cloud? But, as my editor pointed out, this is normal for new devices. 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. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Finally, the EasyMote offers only two ways to program in your devices (a quick code search or learning the IR from your device remotes). Thank you!! Yes, I have a cable TV set top box its totally useless for changing channels the way they lay out the numbers. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date. A clear and bright screen that wont consume a ton of battery power, so you should be able to go a long time between charges. In the past, the TV was the centre of home entertainment, connecting things like DVD/Blu-ray players, surround sound, game consoles, etc. It took years of work and refinement to get the product they had. (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. 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. An AV Enthusiast since he was old enough to listen to records, Andrew enjoys helping the novice enthusiast with home theater and AV questions. BTW the up/down buttons actually move my channels 2 digits vs 1.. so stations get skipped with hardly any way to access them! I'm still kicking myself for not buying a backup Harmony Elite when Best Buy had blowout prices. 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. Configuration of devices is pure frustration! The more a remote costs, the more flexibility it should have to control different kinds of devices. 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. Step5: Fill in the Activity name This will complete the activity creation process. 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 U1 is powered by two AA batteries, which are included in the package. OK? The URC7880 has all the necessary buttons we like to see, and the core functions, like volume, mute, channel, home, menu, back, exit, and navigation, are grouped together near the center. Make sure to enter your username and password. Say "GOODBYE" to the intricacies of remote control thoroughly. 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. 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. 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. Lastly, the remote is tough. Unfortunately, it didnt see all my lights. Sofabaton covered the remote in a black matte finish that resisted marring and fingerprints. If it cannot be connected, please restart the power of the HUB, open the APP and search for the X1 HUB again. Direct from Manufacturer. My interaction with Sofabaton support regarding this issue didnt yield a response this veteran IT guy could understand. Sofabaton X1 - The Newly Anticipated Replacement For The Logitech Harmony Hub Has Arrived! There were a few quirks but to be honest not any more than you would encounter with a complex Harmony set up. All are the same price and there is no clear indication of what the difference between the three are. Easily install other applications that will help you manage your home. Please note I HAVE NO NEED for those servers since all I want is to teach my remote from OTHER single-device remotes; I have no use for those "proprietary IR code databases" of theirs. And the setup app requires you to figure out a lot of the advanced programming yourself, which may prove to be too challenging or frustrating for some people. We have no insider info on what the holdup is. I expect Sofabaton will follow the same trajectory. This is simply misleading behaviour. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. 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. I didnt notice it with my Harmony however. Decade long AV technician here. After that you need to click on the '+' icon. 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 If the remote still executes the command, then its using Bluetooth or radio frequency, not IR.) So its more flexible than many of the lower-priced remotes on the market. For example, your AVR is Off when it should be On? 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. Free shipping for many products! Connects up to 40 devices in your home including TV, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV & cable boxes, gaming consoles, Apple TV, Roku and more. SofaBaton Universal Remote with Hub, All-in-one Smart Remote Control with Customizable APP, One-Touch Activities, Compatible with 60+ Devices TV/Soundbar/Streaming Players and More, Works with Al*exa SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control with Smart APP & Macro Buttons, Harmony Remote Control for up to 15 Home Devices, Compatible 6000+ Brands . Do universal remotes work on all TV brands? This improves the user experience by bringing together services that were previously disconnected. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. Lastly, I wish you could just hide the Devices menu option entirely. My current Harmony 525 would have become unusable five times over by now if it had a non-replaceable battery. To date, there have already been three firmware updates. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. I don . 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. If youre setting this up for someone else, they really need to only ever use Activities. 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. And it isnt anywhere near as useful and intuitive as Harmonys Help button. Lots of potential, quite nice to use once you actually have it fully set up, but the setup process is not for anybody who is impatient! Sofabaton recently launched the crowd-funded X1 universal remote, which costs roughly three times more than the U1. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. Select the appropriate option for your device. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. A remote that can juggle at least eight devices at once should cover the average audio/video enthusiasts system. The full service launched on July 15, 2020. If the remote still executes the command, then its using Bluetooth or RF signals.). Please connect the HUB to the router directly, don't use Mesh Repeater to connect. Because the URC7880 is locked into eight device optionslabeled TV, STB, BLU, AUX, DVD, GAME, MEDIA, and S.BARyoure more limited in how you can configure the remote. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? Step2: Search for brand sofa action on the skill page. No one button activities and weaker basic remote functions. But there is a Fix function within the Set menu. 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. I expected more gaps or imperfections in the finish for a first-gen remote. You would THINK that would send a command, similar to Harmonys Help button. The X1 has a built-in battery, but it wont need to be charged for weeks. Once its set up, it works well. (More on this below.). UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has.