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. But you cant add any actual control functions to the screen, as you could with our former budget pick, the now-discontinued Harmony 665. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a backup Harmony Elite when Best Buy had blowout prices. 3. After searching on the web, I can see that the brand new Sofabaton X1 is the best replacement for Logitech Harmony remotes. The Exit doesnt work. The steps are straightforward. I'm definitely waiting. But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. The full service launched on July 15, 2020. Update 6/1/2022: The Sofabaton X1 is now finally shipping from Amazon! With most devices, you can reassign any button on the U1 to perform any task from any device that youve loaded into your system configuration. I am the supervising editor of Wirecutters AV coverage, and I have worked as a writer and editor in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years. Editors Note: One common complaint that didnt really bother Andrew is that you have to wake up the remote with a button push. The U1 can control up to 15 AV devices and supports Bluetooth control. The remote itself looks nice and feels good to hold, and it has just the right number of . Shipped by Newegg. 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. The second is a more-complex home-theater system with an LG TV, Onkyo AV receiver, Sony Ultra HD Blu-ray player, Chromecast with Google TV, and Xbox One X. Sofabaton covered the remote in a black matte finish that resisted marring and fingerprints. I dont see a way to select the various inputs that wouldnt confuse anyone but me, let alone control a second zone or control audio modes . 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. I will say that setting your WiFi and Bluetooth devices with the Sofabaton X1 is the simplest I have encountered to date. The Harmony Companion was one of the more affordable remotes to support Wi-Fi, and it cost $150 or more. 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. Select the devices, assign functions like what device controls volume, etc., and choose sources. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sofabaton/sofabaton-x1. The FAQs do touch briefly on the use of the IR blasters, but I find it inadequate. The other method is to download the supported app on your TV. According to the Kickstarter page, it does include 2 IR extension cables, one with a single transmitter and one with 2 transmitters. Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. So I wish Devices on the X1 screen could just be hidden entirely. Download the SofaBaton app and log in, it's very easy to set up and adding devices. Step4: Select the device you want to connect to your home Wi-Fi. Step1: Enter the information for your device. Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remotes IR transmitter directly at the devices IR receiver. Your email address will not be published. This improves the user experience by bringing together services that were previously disconnected. Its rounded out by four programmable hotkeys that map to your chosen functions. The most important buttons (such as volume, pause, and play) should be easily accessible. During setup, you can designate which devices should be grouped together for a certain activity, and the URC7880 will automatically assign key buttons (like volume, input, home, and navigation) to control the correct device. These cookies do not store any personal information. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. Now that there arent as many of them, the price can only go up. Lets discuss! Step 2: Type 'Xfinity Stream' in the search bar and wait for the results. 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. UI is an important element of a device and this is where the X1 fails amongst all the other issues, this device has. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. You would THINK that would send a command, similar to Harmonys Help button. Rest assured, we will continue to update the X1's firmware to be compatible with more routers. And since the U1 is not locked in to a set of pre-labeled device buttons, it can control multiple models of the same typesay, two media players, two TVs, and two audio systems. *Sofabaton is a hilarious name, but very apt imo. But those remotes arent designed to provide a really intuitive, streamlined, activity-based experience. This could be true of other remotes as well. They also have improved the IR remote learning function. 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. Only Activities can be controlled by a third-party smart voice assistant such as Alexa. The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. 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. To program the U1, you need to use the free SofaBaton app for iOS and Android. Sabaton Xi supports using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to turn on/off an Activity. SofaBaton X1 remote is universally compatible with virtually all brands of audi and video equipment. Anywho, so here we are, and Harmony is no more. This functionality used to be reserved for high-end, professionally programmed systems. 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. While it lacks the ease of configuration of the Harmony, the bones are good. Overall, we found the basic setup process to be straightforward but not necessarily quick. It works with more than 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices and has one-touch macros that can be changed. With that said, I hope they succeed. Required fields are marked *. If you have a deep custom requirement, you can contact our customer services for an API file after receiving the product. Sofabaton is not perfect, but they are responsive and work hard to make sure they get what you need. 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. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. Its kind of annoying. 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. Cookie Notice 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 thing will sell for $200 - Why not get it right out of the gate and charge $299? Update: I originally published my review of the Sofabaton X1 on April 12, 2022. 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. If you want to hide your gear away in a cabinet, youll need to pick up an IR repeater kit like this one. 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. I added my Xfinity cable box, Samsung TV, Yamaha Receiver and soundbar were immediately represented and added without a fuss. By just saying "Alexa, turn on TV" , "Alexa, change channel to ABC news" or "Alexa, volume down on . Currently, only kickstarted backers have them. 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. Ok, so the remote is still not perfect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvCGN_Bmmf4, 2022.9.9, Major Update of Android APP ,HUB. I have a semi complex home theater(85" TV, 11 channel atmos, HD Bluray, XBoX, Apple 4k, Tivo etc.) Not having to specify what off is off. On top of the remote is an off and return button. Sofabaton X1 - The Newly Anticipated Replacement For The Logitech Harmony Hub Has Arrived! I doubted it would work but sure enough, about 18 hours later I got a response with a code and it worked. Easy to tweak with delays, discrete power codes etc. There was definitely some trial and error involved as I tried to build macros for Watch TV and Play Video Games. But eventually I got the remote programmed to do everything I wantedexcept control my Chromecast, of course. Step 6: The device will a successful connection. Plus, its a real pain to have to wake up your phone or tablet and wait for the app to reconnect with the system whenever you want to change the channel or the volume. But, Sofabaton has explained that they are actively working on the solution, and they hope to have a fix in the coming months. Makes me wonder what the issue with the previous two versions is. Step2: Source information: source switching mode of the output device. My excitment for this was tempered by all the mediocre reviews. The Logitech Harmony Elite is still our best universal remotes. and our If Sofabaton continues to refine its app and programming. The Sofabaton looks to me like it's the same team that created the Harmony remotes, or at least there's something going on there. Sofabaton one for all smart universal remotes have powerful cloud database, with easy programmable macro function,to simply your entertainment life among multi-activities switch freely. Read more about Disclaimer. Im in setup mode but not liking flow of setting up. I also got it for 40% off. Lastly, the remote is tough. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. There are even a few app-shortcut buttons (including a dedicated Netflix button) that you can program from the device of your choosing. But I manage to configure a new remote from scratch through command testing. SofaBaton is reportedly working on a new remote that will support more than one Bluetooth device, but we dont have any further details yet. I'm trying to order 2 and I'm getting a msg "sorry, the project is not live". As we mentioned, the U1 can control IR and Bluetooth devices, which should cover most any AV device you want to add to your system, including Bluetooth devices like the Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and some gaming consoles and older Fire TV players. Last updated March 28, 2022 The circular d-pad below lets you control your system. Pros: Easy to program Works. Another option is, try and get hold of just the Harmony Hub (without remote) and then hook it up to Home Assistant. The SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control is a well-designed universal remote that offers a lot more features than you might expect for $50. This system may include a TV (or projector), a DVD/Blu-ray player, a cable/satellite DVR, a surround-sound receiver, and probably a media streamer (such as a Roku or Apple TV). Only up and coming one I've seen is the aforementioned Sofabuton brand with mixed reviews. You can program this remote using a convenient mobile app that makes adding, removing, and changing devices easy. From the Kickstarter: Does X1 support local API to integrate the remote control into a home automation system without going through the cloud? So its an Activity-based remote, for sure. 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 like that the Flipper gives you three ways to program the remote (versus only two for the EasyMote) to help ensure compatibility. The Logitech Harmony 665 is a remote that can control more than one device. Step3: Verify that all devices are powered on. Its fine if it takes some time, but their communication people have burned a lot of their credibility. 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. up and running with this remote in just a couple hours. 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 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. Add in the lack of backlighting, and we think this one will be a bit more challenging to use in a dark room. But it cant control Wi-Fibased devices, so you cant integrate smart-home lighting or temperature controls. No hub, so you have to point directly at IR devices. Sofabaton X1 Universal Remote - One Does For Most All Devices 1. 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. The King is Dead! 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. Non-tech people who have no experience with hub-based remotes will struggle. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? However, the app will never be as fast as a real remote, so keep that in mind. We dont recommend this approach, however, because using your mobile devices touchscreen as a remote requires you to look away from the TV screen and down at your deviceto search for the right part of the screen to touchand this makes channel surfing and volume tweaking cumbersome. The newly released SofaBaton X1 and older U1 would be great to have an integration for. Adrienne Maxwell is the supervising editor of Wirecutter's audio/video team, covering everything from headphones to TVs. 2022.9.9, Major Update of Android APP ,HUB. As for returning it? Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. Any idea if possible ? No matter what brand they are, a universal remote can control all of your audio and video devices. The database is powerful. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. While setting up the X1, the phone and hub must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Enter the Sofabaton X1, the only hub-based remote on the market that anyone is talking about. Step2: Search for brand sofa action on the skill page. 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. The buttons do not appear to be backlit, unless all your devices are sitting within IR view of the Hub it's useless. Looks like they're aiming for streaming device remote replacement not full AV rack in a closet control. But the U1s intuitive button layout and the fact that the main navigation, volume, and channel buttons are clearly distinguished by size and shape will help alleviate those challenges. Scroll to the desired device/Activity and click to open. Get fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Our senior testers generally liked the EasyMote, but they thought the Flippers slightly larger size made it more comfortable to hold. If they listen to users and make changes based on our feedbackthen yes, I think it will be a great remote. Does this support the Spectrum TV app so I can ge - Q&A. Whether you want to shop by size, price, or purpose, we have recommendations. Just under the screen are a scroll wheel and D-Pad/select button. I currently purchase this SofaBaton X1 to replace my Logitech Universal Remote with Hub, I was very impressed when I unboxed this remote. I tested both remotes using the internal TV tuners in my Samsung and LG TVs. Seleziona una pagina. Configuration of devices is pure frustration! However, learning commands is still not perfect, and it requires you to play with the remote positioning. This is an universal home theater remote for home cinema which is targeted at multi-devices scenario-based Activity control, while adding a wireless Hub,which we believe can better meet the needs of power users. A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required for setup (there is no 5 GHz support). This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Your email address will not be published. That would FIX IT, right?. 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.. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. So if either dies Im stuck. Like me, you probably started to search for used Harmony remotes to stockpile but quickly found that prices skyrocketed. If you look at the design accents on the U1 it very much looks like a Harmony Ultimate or Elite handset. Its not at a point where I would hand it to a non-techie person and say, have at it! without any instruction. 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. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv tv remote.