A universal remote control has to be, well, universal. Disappointing and waste of money. Now the Sofabaton X1 Hub is aware that your AVR is Off. and our Like the Flipper, the EasyMote is a large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues. The database is powerful. 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 Dont Have Perfect Placement And I Dont Care! 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. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). I added my Xfinity cable box, Samsung TV, Yamaha Receiver and soundbar were immediately represented and added without a fuss. Lets discuss. https://www.sofabaton.com/x1.html Assistant Support: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Features: With Voice Control Technology: Bluetooth, Infrared (IR) Type: Blu-ray, DVD, TV, Universal Date Listed: 12 hours ago Last Edited: 11 hours ago Condition: New Shipping: Pickup Only Similar Ads WD TV MEDIA PLAYER UNIT (no remote control ) We tested two popular large-button remotes: the Flipper and the EasyMote. Decade long AV technician here. Site says it will have a Hub, use IR, BT and WLAN and work with Alexa and Google Assistant. Giu 11, 2022 | narcissistic withdrawal. Sofabaton has kept its word and is working with users to fix issues as discovered. Sofabaton X1 - The Newly Anticipated Replacement For The Logitech Harmony Hub Has Arrived! 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. None of the product shots show anything but media, so I was skeptical. I do love that there is a find my remote function. I expect Sofabaton will follow the same trajectory. 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). But, I am confident that future updates will fix some of these bugs. No hub, so you have to point directly at IR devices. I think this would be a nice product if you had a simple system, like a smart TV and a sound bar. If you use it with an Alexa device, you can control your home entertainment with your voice. It lacks backlighting and a Help function to fix any messed-up commands. I recently got a new puppy, and he has had my Sofabaton X1 in his mouth several times with nary a scratch. And it relies on a mobile app for setup. A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required for setup (there is no 5 GHz support). Once I had the Activities set up correctly, no issues arose. Step6: Select the source location where the input device (Stream-ing box, Player) connects to the output device, like a TV. The hub handles all the IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth commands for your entire system. 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. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. 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. I just ordered a Sofabaton X1 (they should it the Sofaking) on Kickstarter for a hundred bucks. The Exit doesnt work. Anything on top is just not working as it should. It also means you can fix commands instantly, without even having to reach for your phone to launch an app. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But it cant control Wi-Fibased devices, so you cant integrate smart-home lighting or temperature controls. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? 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. Thanks for the review Andrew. 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. Created by Sofabaton X1 Sofabaton X1 5,769 backers pledged HK$ 5,217,117 to help bring this project to life. Configuration of devices is pure frustration! Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. Even though we have more devices than ever, universal remotes are becoming less and less common. 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. If Im way off base, you have my apologies! 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. Well keep our eyes peeled and post an announcement when it starts to sell. 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. When will it be available? CEC: The final nail in the coffin of the universal remote . Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Ive been using this for a few months and it is still a love-hate relationship. 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. To date, there have already been three firmware updates. It has a small capacitive touchscreen that makes it easy to use what could be a confusing number of devices. Step2: Enter the name of the key you want to learn. This is so nice to have a single, easy to see, hold and use remote control and best of all, no batteries required!!! Overall, we found the basic setup process to be straightforward but not necessarily quick. You have no option to hardwire the remote via USB and program it with your computer. And 90% is way better than 0%. REVIEW: Sofabaton X1 Smart Universal Remote - Control Everything? So I can confirm that the finish on the remote is tough as nails. The X1 folks speak of is apparently coming soon. It found my Hub and connected it in 30 seconds. The X1 has a built-in battery, but it wont need to be charged for weeks. We appreciated the bright, green backlighting (which you can turn off) and the wrist rope. 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. They found it very easy to set up (it took about one minute), and they thought the instructions were easy to understand. As for returning it? Maybe an X2 will have real numbers. 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. Step 4: Configure the X1-Remort key for the current Activity. So I think its 90% to where it needs to be. The remote feels solidly made, and the fit and finish are superb. 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. And if you dont want to read the rest of the update, I will give you the skinny. 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. The screen automatically lights up when you pick up the remote. Extend your system with add-ons Home Assistant is not just limited to Home Assistant. The good news is that a universal remote will work with any TV sold today. The Logitech Harmony 665 is a remote that can control more than one device. Only Activities can be controlled by a third-party smart voice assistant such as Alexa. One-Click Activity: Select an activity such as "Watch Movie" to automatically turn on the power and switch the device to the correct input. 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. The X1 is clearly the companys attempt to create a more advanced DIY remote to fill the void left by Harmonys departure. 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. I didnt have any issues with commands not being transmitted, and I havent noticed any significant lag from button press to device action. Sofabaton covered the remote in a black matte finish that resisted marring and fingerprints. Take Alexa as an example and perform the following operations:Step1: Open the Amazon Alexa app, and click Skill & Games from the menu bar. Step1: Search or select your device in the list. Step5: Send the WiFi password so that the Hub can access your home LAN. This is hardly intuitive. Maybe im doing something wrong. I have the Harmony Elite and I too was getting the ad on FB. up and running with this remote in just a couple hours. The return button allows you to toggle between Activities, Devices, and Set (should be Setup). For more information, please see our 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. But I am happy to say they now work! The Sofabaon X1 promised a hub-based remote that supported IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth, all a must in todays home theater. Seemed like they were saying create a macro what for every 1 2 3 and 4 digit channel number? Let us know what you think. I appreciate the simplicity of the design. 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. Like me, you probably started to search for used Harmony remotes to stockpile but quickly found that prices skyrocketed. The hub works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home, which is a plus. You can hide away the cables and receivers and control everything from behind closed cabinets and doors, also you can point the remote anywhere. ALL IN ONE Universal Remote ControlThe SofaBaton X1 universal remote works with over 500,000 entertainment devices,such as TV/ streaming media box/ Blu-ray player/ DVD/ projector/ soundbar and other devices. The IR is better or it isnt? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sofabaton/sofabaton-x1. And it controlled their two devices perfectly. If you look at the design accents on the U1 it very much looks like a Harmony Ultimate or Elite handset. This allows my smart home controller, Home Assistant, to control almost all of it. The scroll wheel has two functions. I had an issue with my Hue lights and updated them and they told me next week. The circular d-pad below lets you control your system. 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. 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. Absent is a numeric pad to allow you to input channels or other functions that may need numbers. Perhaps the company is working on fixes and will reintroduce it at a later date. And you can reassign buttons to perform different tasks, as well as learn IR codes from your existing remotes. Super impressed so far for such a new product. So this tells me that if you have the Sofabaton in a bright room, you might have the same issues. Its rounded out by four programmable hotkeys that map to your chosen functions. So the setup of the actual hub is a breeze. Sofabaton X1 Universal Remote - One Does For Most All Devices 1. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. Soyeahtry teaching THAT to your mom haha. Add in the lack of backlighting, and we think this one will be a bit more challenging to use in a dark room. Thank you for your patience and understanding. If we (as users) hadnt worked with Harmony and stuck with them, they would have folded a long time ago. The Xl- Remote beeps. (Yes, the remote communicates with the app over Bluetooth, but you cant actually control anything via Bluetooth.). For proper functioning, the system needs to obtain the following source information for the output device (TV, power amplifier, projector, etc.). I have returned, one month later, to give some updates and give my impressions after using it exclusively for a solid month. You must use your phone and the app. Highly recommend. The Flipper is a simple, large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues (or perhaps for young children who are prone to randomly pressing the remotes buttons and throwing your whole AV system out of whack). So, a couple of clicks later, we both backed it and eagerly awaited delivery. EASY Returns & Exchange. The promised Google Home, and Philips Hue integration is either non-existent (Google) or very raw (Hue). The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. But despite these issues, the U1 is the best option weve found for people who have a mix of IR and Bluetooth devices. Perfect the first time. Nice review, Andrew! Disappointing and waste of money. Step2: Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on and the phone is connected to your home Wi-Fi. The cheapest remotes usually only control infrared devices. If an Activity fails to start, check whether the device information and Activity information is correct. 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). Let us know if that works. 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. One For All says you can set up this remote using an app, but thats misleading. 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. Tony spends much too much of his free time on Twitter, reading speculative fiction novels, playing video games, and reading comic books. 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. Most AV devices still rely on IR (infrared) control, where you must point the remotes IR transmitter directly at the devices IR receiver. Last updated March 28, 2022 You have to select the device in question and resend the command. However, with the curtains open at certain times of the day, it seems the brightness of the room can impact it. You could say that smartphones have replaced them, but switching between a hundred different clunky apps isnt as elegant as the old Logitech Harmony remote, which is no longer made but still works. One For All says you can set up this remote using an app, but the app just lets you add devices. With the Harmony, you could very easily change buttons to cycle inputs, or switch to that device and control it. But it does mean that your first button press, no matter what it is, only wakes up the remote. I tend to agree with you. Another option is, try and get hold of just the Harmony Hub (without remote) and then hook it up to Home Assistant.