Its not at a point where I would hand it to a non-techie person and say, have at it! without any instruction. Many people have complained that the Return button is too high, and you need to shift your grip to access it. So far, I like it. Member. Long Live ThePrince? No matter what brand they are, a universal remote can control all of your audio and video devices. Easily install other applications that will help you manage your home. I just ordered a Sofabaton X1 (they should it the Sofaking) on Kickstarter for a hundred bucks. For example, I chose LG and then B9. Thanks for helping us do what we love. Disclaimer: We want to be clear that the information on Bollyinside.com, including articles, reviews, and guides, is intended for educational purposes only. 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. 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.. And the fact that the remotes programming mode times out after a few seconds means you must act quickly and deliberately. Range is fantastic and set up with the app is pretty easy once you understand the concept of the hub based remote. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Theyre just designed to hold a lot of buttons to control your different devices (usually a total of four to six devices). I have not setup the remote yet (will do when I get home from work) but am pretty excited to try it out. I hope it gets better, but my recommendation is not to buy one until some of the show stoppers get fixed. But if your home-entertainment system is more complex than the basic media playerTVsoundbar combo, and youre looking for one remote to control all your gear, the SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control is the best option weve found. Overall, though, we didnt find the physical design to be as intuitive as the SofaBatons. It also means you can fix commands instantly, without even having to reach for your phone to launch an app. It also had a handheld remote with an OLED screen, backlight, and an iOS and Android app. But do I recommend it right now? It looks great, and the hardware is solid, but it lacks the pedigree of the Harmony. The build quality of the Sofabaton X1 and hub is excellent. Anything on top is just not working as it should. Super easy control - scroll click to switch the different IR & Blu & Wifi devices. Andrew will continue to update this review as time goes on. You can program the U1 using a convenient setup app for iOS and Android, and the app provides a lot of customization options to reassign what the remotes buttons can do. More on that later. So its an Activity-based remote, for sure. Heres hoping Sofabaton gets there one day . Yes, we will open the local API of X1 by providing an API file, but X1 cannot directly add APIs of other products or smart platforms. Theres no option to use computer software or to program the remote manually, so if you dont own an iOS or Android mobile device, this is not the remote for you (consider our budget pick instead). The Logitech Harmony Elite is still the best universal remote weve tried, even though it will no longer be made after 2021. This is simply misleading behaviour. 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. I have since decided to create a dedicated basement HT (in progress) so will use my extra Elite for that set up. Plus, the inclusion of activity controls cuts down on how often youll need to switch between devices. 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. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. This will show up as follows: Step3: Confirm the device information and submit it so that you can download the code to the hub. Download the SofaBaton app and log in, it's very easy to set up and adding devices. We recommend the best displays, sources, and accessories for watching 4K HDR movies and TV shows at home. The app is both simple and frustrating at the same time. If youre looking for advanced whole-house control, with lots of complex lighting scenes and independent control of different sources in different rooms, youre better off turning to a local specialty AV retailer that can create a more-personalized control system from a company like Crestron or Control4. Does X1 support local API to integrate the remote control into a home automation system without going through the cloud? Home Theater Accessories. Finally, the U1 remote can pair with only one Bluetooth device at a time. 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. Im in setup mode but not liking flow of setting up. 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. The system consists of a. 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. Figure if I download code it would know if you choose that device that off button is off. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. It may take them a bit to get there, but I am confident they will get there. Its a more expensive solution, but if done properly, it will result in a much more satisfying experience. Say "GOODBYE" to the intricacies of remote control thoroughly. Secondly (according to the manual), it will wake the remote and activate the backlight. If you need voice control for a device, you can set it up as a separate Activity. Or both. When Logitech discontinued Harmony universal remotes, it killed the last of the big-name brandsas well as all of our former picks in this guideand left us pondering how to proceed. FREE Delivery Across Mauritius. 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. 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). And it controlled their two devices perfectly. Also here - not news since almost a year! If you want to change the behavior of buttons, fix codes that arent working, or build macros, you have to do it directly on the remote (you can add devices manually, too); this involves pressing the Magic button to put the remote in programming mode and then pressing a lot more buttons to accomplish a certain task. Plus, the EasyMote doesnt have a number pad to directly tune in a certain channel; this may be fine for over-the-air or basic-cable users, but it will be a pain if you have a large channel lineup. 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. 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. I would love to have the remote turn on when you pick it up, it seems to work without having to press buttons twice. But, Sofabaton has explained that they are actively working on the solution, and they hope to have a fix in the coming months. And you can reassign buttons to perform different tasks, as well as learn IR codes from your existing remotes. The remote itself looks nice and feels good to hold, and it has just the right number of . (Yes, the remote communicates with the app over Bluetooth, but you cant actually control anything via Bluetooth.). on sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control User Manual, sofabaton U1 All-in-One Universal Remote Control User Guide. 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. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. If you have a better solution, please leave a message to help more users. This functionality used to be reserved for high-end, professionally programmed systems. The IR is better or it isnt? So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. Im confused by your update. The better ones can also control gear via Bluetooth and sometimes Wi-Fi. Found 1 Back command which works. You can press any key to stop the beeping. 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. You can read more about it here. Top Sellers. It said delivery was expected between June 23rd and July 21st, but it showed up today. Recognized all my devices. Yes, I have a cable TV set top box its totally useless for changing channels the way they lay out the numbers. 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. Todays home entertainment equipment delivers more functionality in fewer boxes. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date. The Exit doesnt work. 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. Not yet. 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. 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. I had an issue with my Hue lights and updated them and they told me next week. I currently purchase this SofaBaton X1 to replace my Logitech Universal Remote with Hub, I was very impressed when I unboxed this remote. Then go to Set, then Fix, the scroll to your AVR, and then click the wheel until Off is highlighted. The steps are straightforward. 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. Anywho, so here we are, and Harmony is no more. Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1. The Exit doesnt work. You can also quickly learn IR codes from your existing remote, and you can choose what you want each device to be named on the OLED screen. In the past, the TV was the centre of home entertainment, connecting things like DVD/Blu-ray players, surround sound, game consoles, etc. I had to enter the exact model number off of Amazon (OLED65B9PUA) before it would add it. When you press it again, it sends a different code. The remote itself is a manageable size thats not too wide, long, or heavy; even with my small hands, I could reach all the controls with my thumb without having to shift the remote around in my hand. The most important buttons (such as volume, pause, and play) should be easily accessible. Hi noob to this really confused if I give the model number of tv shouldnt the program already assign all buttons without all the intervention of asking what each button should do? But I noted that the instructions had smaller print, so they might be harder to read. Logitech doesnt make Harmony remotes anymore, but the company still fixes them, so they are still a good choice. I have the SofaBaton X1 and I am trying to add a Bluetooth remote and I am having a problem with the directions, I just cannot figure them out. So fix it! The circular d-pad below lets you control your system. I tried fixing the Activities, but nothing seemed to work. Disappointing and waste of money. 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. Im pretty sure you and I are in agreement about pretty much everything with this remote. And 90% is way better than 0%. But it does not have a Help button to deal with commands that arent executed properly, and it could not control my Bluetooth-based Google Chromecast. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. I have the harmony 680 or 650 or something and they are starting to get worn out. 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. After obtaining the source configuration of the output device and the source location of the input device(Streaming box, Player), the system can automatically switch to the correct source to enable all associated devices when you start an activity.To do this, follow the steps listed below.Step1: If the device has not configured the source in advance, you need to click to configure when creating an Activity. What the cable box is looking for is what is commonly referred to as a toggle code. Visit our corporate site. 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. So I can confirm that the finish on the remote is tough as nails. 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. However, with the curtains open at certain times of the day, it seems the brightness of the room can impact it. Step2: For some models without a corresponding code base, you may need to select the most suitable code base through key testing. If yes, you can use the hotspot to pair the HUB first. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). Makes me wonder what the issue with the previous two versions is. Any idea if possible ? But its a shame that SofaBaton omitted such a simple and important feature. Sofabaton X1 universal smart remote control works with all your entertainment and home devices, and it also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Buy latest SofaBaton X1 Universal Remote Control with Hub & APP, Smart Remote with One-Touch Activities, Works with Alexa/Google Assistant for Voice Control, Control up to 50 Entertainment IR/Bluetooth Devices online at best prices at desertcart. But there is a Fix function within the Set menu. Even when the Logitech Harmony was the best universal remotes, it cost hundreds of dollars for as much versatility as it has now. Customer and warranty support will continue to be offered.. 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. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. Scroll to the bottom for my one-month update. 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. Seamlessly switch between devices via scroll wheel with 20inch display and enjoy convenient control with ease entertainment. The SofaBaton U1 is special because it can control up to 15 IR and Bluetooth devices, but it only costs $50. 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. (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. Step5: Fill in the Activity name This will complete the activity creation process. And, though archaic, the ability to program the remote manually may actually be welcomed by people who dont own a mobile device and therefore cant program their remote using an app. YMMV. I have several components on different shelves. I also review budget projectors, portable projectors, and other AV accessories for Wirecutter. I didnt have any issues with commands not being transmitted, and I havent noticed any significant lag from button press to device action. Just plug them into the back of the hub as you would on your Harmony. Required fields are marked *. The remote requires four AAA batteries, and they are not included in the packagewhich is kind of obnoxious. If you use it with an Alexa device, you can control your home entertainment with your voice. If you have a deep custom requirement, you can contact our customer services for an API file after receiving the product. OK? The U1 can control up to 15 AV devices and supports Bluetooth control. I love my Harmony Elite for our living room home theater setup. For those enthusiasts that are willing to put in the time, this is about the only universal remote option left. Universal Remote Control (the company) used to offer a variety of good DIY remotes, but it now focuses on the professional-installation market. The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. Rest assured, we will continue to update the X1's firmware to be compatible with more routers. Its rare to find a universal remote that has built-in voice control. Copyright 1998-2023 AV Gadgets. If you dont have that second code, you can press the same number continuously for hours and the box would never respond past the initial press. As we mentioned, the URC7880 can only control IR-based equipment, so it needs to have line-of-sight with all your gear.