sofabaton x1 home assistant sofabaton x1 home assistant

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a backup Harmony Elite when Best Buy had blowout prices. The screen automatically lights up when you pick up the remote. Like the Harmony, you enter your brand and model number. The SofaBaton X1 is as close as you can get to best universal remotes like the ones made by Harmony. You can read more about it here. It cost $349 when it first came out on the market. (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. Oh wow - I hadn't heard about this yet. Privacy Policy. The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. There are some very low-budget instructional videos available through the appwith no dialogue, just video of someones hand using the app. Step5: Fill in the Activity name This will complete the activity creation process. A universal remote control has to be, well, universal. They also have improved the IR remote learning function. But these days relatively inexpensive remotes can do the same complex job. Unlike the SofaBaton, which can be set up to control different systems around your home, the URC7880 lets you assign only one TV device, one set-top box, one gaming console, and so forth. 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. So if this new Activity requires the AVR to be On, it will send the Power On command, because now its aware that the AVR was Off. I just read all its' features. Sofabaton covered the remote in a black matte finish that resisted marring and fingerprints. Its not ideal, but it gets the job doneand it means anyone can program this thing, even if they dont own a mobile device. I wish it had a small cradle for charging, which would make things a little bit easier. I used an early Harmony remote, and it was not good. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Im confused by your update. But if you set it up for someone, and then teach them about Activities, the Off button, and the Screen Back button, its impressive for a 1st gen. One thing not mentioned in your review: there is no Help button right on the face of the remote like there was on Harmony remotes. You can use the scroll wheel or any other button to wake it up. So far, I like it. (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. To program the U1, you need to use the free SofaBaton app for iOS and Android. 3. The U1 is powered by two AA batteries, which are included in the package. Update 6/1/2022: The Sofabaton X1 is now finally shipping from Amazon! Step3: Verify that all devices are powered on. I emailed Sofabaton and within 2 weeks, I had working codes for all of my old devices. The Harmony Companion was one of the more affordable remotes to support Wi-Fi, and it cost $150 or more. The pronounced scroll wheel is easy to find, so the lack of an accelerometer to activate the backlight is not a deal-breaker. They are still advertising it. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I have the Harmony Elite and I too was getting the ad on FB. Eight pre-labeled devices are listed at the top, with one device button to scroll through them all (a button for each device would be faster). Oct 25, 2017 3,980. So far this not working out at all. Does this support the Spectrum TV app so I can ge - Q&A. The Sofabaton X1 is NOT the heir apparent to the Harmony throne. 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? Looks like they're aiming for streaming device remote replacement not full AV rack in a closet control. Make sure you add a set to your shopping cart. Same with my Philips Hue. Last updated March 28, 2022 This is simply misleading behaviour. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Good features and performance for the price, If you need to control only infrared devices, Our pick: SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote Control, Budget pick: One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8, A simple remote we like for those with eyesight, memory, or confusion issues. The newly released SofaBaton X1 and older U1 would be great to have an integration for. Using a PC and a USB cable to programme it is a lot less convenient than using the SofaBaton U1 companion app for iOS or Android. To date, there have already been three firmware updates. Setup is done using an Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. If they arent on the list, you can use the U1s learn feature and your factory remote to teach it the commands it needs. I give a full breakdown, overview and walkthrough of how to set it. In years past, if you wanted an advanced universal remote that you could program yourself (as opposed to models that are sold exclusively through dealers, like Crestron and Control4, that program them for you), you had many choicesfrom brands like Harmony, Sony, Pronto, URC, and UEI. It found my Hub and connected it in 30 seconds. You can press any key to stop the beeping. However, I am still on one battery bar after six weeks. As far as the skipping goes, remotes like these often have an option for how many times the command is repeated per button press. We liked that the X1s edges were smooth and rounded, and that its buttons had just the right amount of resistance and feedback when pressed. Step 4: Configure the X1-Remort key for the current Activity. If they do that with the X1, its just going to get your Activities all out of sync. Its kind of annoying. Its not really a universal remote because it can control just one or two devices: a TV and a set-top box. - The no-longer-cheap price - heck, my 525 was LESS than the X1 on KS now; the U1 got the price right, but the features wrong - but the X1's price is starting to sting. As we mentioned, the URC7880 can only control IR-based equipment, so it needs to have line-of-sight with all your gear. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Enter the Sofabaton X1, the only hub-based remote on the market that anyone is talking about. Yes, I have a cable TV set top box its totally useless for changing channels the way they lay out the numbers. The remote communicates with the app via Bluetooth, so the first step in the setup process is to pair the two. 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. I will say that setting your WiFi and Bluetooth devices with the Sofabaton X1 is the simplest I have encountered to date. Details optimization 2. So even if I have to charge once per month, thats pretty impressive. 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. AKA Richard46 Sony OLED KE48A9BU; Yamaha RX A2A; MA Bronze BX2 & Radius 225; SVS 3000 Micro;; Goodmans Maxim2; Sony BDP-S1100; Manhattan T3-R 1TB. Its easy to do in the app, but if you have lots of very specific desires for how things ought to work (like I do! Select the devices, assign functions like what device controls volume, etc., and choose sources. This new X1 does not appear to offer the ability to accept separate IR flashers making the thing next to useless. Step1: Enter the information for your device. joho500 (Joost) October 3, 2022, 2:49pm #2 Harmony was not perfect when they started. Samsung Roku Alexa Apple Philips Logitech Tcl Vizio LG Hisense Tivo Sharp Nvidia XBOX TOSHIBA NETFLIX Directv tv remote. The hub is also where you can teach the system to learn commands for devices not currently in the database. Plus, the remotes longer, slimmer form makes everything feel a bit cramped, and I had more trouble reaching all the buttons with my thumb without having to shift the remote around in my hand. TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too. We independently review everything we recommend. Does X1 support local API to integrate the remote control into a home automation system without going through the cloud? and our We hope that future firmware updates will allow the wake up button press and command to happen at the same time. You heard me right. The One For All URC7880 Smart Control 8 is a simple, affordable remote for people who can control all their gear via infrared (IR). It could be they are trying to work out the worst of the bugs, it could be supply chain issues. Thanks for the review Andrew. Step2: Source information: source switching mode of the output device. This appears to be a pretty good Logitech Harmony remote replacement, so it would be really nice to be able to control the hub and app just like the current Harmony integration. SofaBaton X1 remote is universally compatible with virtually all brands of audi and video equipment. Perhaps most importantly, there are no dedicated activity buttons labeled Watch TV, Watch a Movie, and the like. SofaBaton is reportedly working on a new remote that will support more than one Bluetooth device, but we dont have any further details yet. The hub handles all the IR, wi-fi, and Bluetooth commands for your entire system. Found 1 Back command which works. This functionality used to be reserved for high-end, professionally programmed systems. FREE Delivery Across Mauritius. Smooth scroll wheel buttons with comfortable movement and pressing feel, which is very practical, allowing you to move up and down quickly and switch devices. *At the time of publishing, the price was $40. The average living-room entertainment system may include a single-source devicesay, a streaming media player, cable/satellite set-top box, or gaming consoleplus a smart TV and a soundbar. Under the scroll wheel are standard buttons for back, home, menu, volume, channel up/down, mute, and basic transport buttons. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. With support for eight AV devices, the URC7880 can accommodate a pretty extensive home-theater system. It seems that Sofabaton is committed to adding features and codes as requested. 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. 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. It lacks backlighting and a Help function to fix any messed-up commands. So I think its 90% to where it needs to be. You cant program in specific manufacturer codes like you can with the Flipper, which was something we thought was easier and more reliable than doing a generic code search. This remote can control more than 250,000 devices (10 at a time) and combine them into single functions, such as turning on the TV, DVD player, changing to the right channel, and switching to the HDMI input. Super impressed so far for such a new product. But, like the Sofabaton U1, it lacks backlighting and a Help function. Free shipping for many products! Fewer people need a universal remote control these days, which explains why the category is dying and great options are hard to find. Super useful! Their marketing is questionable in that they have 3 versions (apparently all 2021 revisions) of one another) rather than simply updating the firmware? If Sofabaton continues to refine its app and programming. I tried fixing the Activities, but nothing seemed to work. If, on the other hand, your home-entertainment system is built around an AV receiver and multiple source components, and sitting down to watch a movie or play a video game requires shuffling among several remotes to switch inputs and control multiple components simultaneously, a universal remote is exactly what you need. Even used models can cost up to or more than $400. 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 remote should have a well-organized layout that includes all the necessary buttons to perform essential tasks (and, yes, we think physical buttons are essential, versus a touchscreen that requires you to look away from the TV to find the right button). Without belaboring the point, you are on your own if you need help with anything aside from programming the hub. So I was pretty impressed with the Sofabaton X1 because my Harmony hub needed two blasters to control devices, not the Sofabaton! Im in setup mode but not liking flow of setting up. If yes, you can use the hotspot to pair the HUB first. So its more flexible than many of the lower-priced remotes on the market. 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. Remote is still note usable beyond the set of features a 25 USD universal remote is providing. But I noted that the instructions had smaller print, so they might be harder to read. 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. I will agree that the updates are slow. But, as my editor pointed out, this is normal for new devices. Your time investment will depend on how precisely you want to tweak your controls. The most important buttons (such as volume, pause, and play) should be easily accessible. Sure, you could program a game console onto the DVD label and a second TV onto another unused category, but thats not helpful for other people trying to use the remote. But do I recommend it right now? Or both. Run AdGuard, a DNS-based ad blocker Run third party automation engines like NodeRed Turn Home Assistant into a Spotify Connect target EXPLORE ADD-ONS All your smart home data stays local When you press the number 1 on the stock cable remote, it sends one code. Overall, though, we didnt find the physical design to be as intuitive as the SofaBatons. The X1 controls the Apple TV via Bluetooth, and works flawlessly. I went to Amazon but it is not available and doing Google searches I do not find any site selling the X1 currently? However, with the curtains open at certain times of the day, it seems the brightness of the room can impact it. 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. The screen is a non-touch, 2 color OLED. Learn more. But I am happy to say they now work! Sad day indeed. Step2: Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on and the phone is connected to your home Wi-Fi. Even though this isnt a remote control in the traditional sense, the Harmony HUB and smartphone app can fill the void. Non-tech people who have no experience with hub-based remotes will struggle. Its rare to find a universal remote that has built-in voice control. The good news is that a universal remote will work with any TV sold today. 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. If you are a Harmony power user you will be right at home. Step3: Press and hold the button on the X-Hub for 3s to allow the Bluetooth connection. The inclusion of Activity buttons, like Watch TV or Play video games (as described. What does this mean for you? It has a small capacitive touchscreen that makes it easy to use what could be a confusing number of devices. The URC7880 includes all the important buttons and can control eight AV components, and you can group devices together into activities. Heres hoping Sofabaton gets there one day . on sofabaton X1 Universal Smart Remote Control User Manual, sofabaton U1 All-in-One Universal Remote Control User Guide. If the HUB cannot connect to the network, please refer to the following video to complete. Overall, we found the basic setup process to be straightforward but not necessarily quick. With a universal remote control, television, music listening and video games can be handled better, as several remote controls are combined into one. 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. As soon as Logitech announced they were killing Harmony I bought an extra Elite from Best Buy which is still unopened. 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. By contrast, a good universal remote should offer the following features: Although the pickings are slim in todays market, we continue to call in new remotes that meet as much of the above criteria as possible. This process is more labor-intensive than what SofaBaton offers through its setup app. Lets discuss. I just curious to know the thought regarding. The app is both simple and frustrating at the same time. We looked for remotes that can control at least eight devices, have an intuitive button design, and are easy to program. The HUB must be placed in the same space as the device and must be within 30 feet. We are not responsible for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage related to the use of this website or the information contained herein. Eliminate clutter and enjoy convenient control. But, I think that if you arent ready for that, you should wait and let us nerds work with Sofabaton and fix all the bugs. Speaker Package Deals - Good Idea or Waste of Money? (The X1 remote is temporarily not compatible with Amazon eero mesh WiFi). Thats a tough one. While the code base is not complete for the Yamaha receiver, learning codes from the remote is super simple. 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. Read more about Disclaimer. Hopefully by the time that happens (or Logitech stops supporting it) the Sofabaton will have matured a bit and us HT enthusiasts will continue to have a good option without having to spend a ton on something like Control4 and not even be able to program it without a dealers help. If we (as users) hadnt worked with Harmony and stuck with them, they would have folded a long time ago. And it isnt anywhere near as useful and intuitive as Harmonys Help button. UPDATE: Here are my thoughts on the remote as of April 2022 So I wish Devices on the X1 screen could just be hidden entirely. This improves the user experience by bringing together services that were previously disconnected. But you cant control Bluetooth devices, and the setup process is archaic. Logitech doesnt make Harmony remotes anymore, but the company still fixes them, so they are still a good choice. And you can reassign buttons to perform different tasks, as well as learn IR codes from your existing remotes. It seems, Sofabaton is neither responding here any more, nor did we see any improvement lately. There is apparently a known problem with routers configured in a mesh mode as are mine. By continuing to use our site you are agreeing to our, killing the Harmony line of remotes and hubs. I expected more gaps or imperfections in the finish for a first-gen remote. 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. I ordered two x1 today on the Kickstarter. This may take a bit of time. 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. This is so nice to have a single, easy to see, hold and use remote control and best of all, no batteries required!!! We prefer brands that offer setup software, via either computer or app, and keep a database of manufacturer codes. The majority of the programming takes place the old-fashioned wayby manually putting the remote in programming mode and punching a lot of buttons. sofabaton r2 programming. But when I tried to use it, it was not at all intuitive! Press J to jump to the feed. Extend your system with add-ons Home Assistant is not just limited to Home Assistant. Another option is, try and get hold of just the Harmony Hub (without remote) and then hook it up to Home Assistant. And early indications tell me I will probably get well over a month on a single charge with my use. Shipped by Newegg. If you have a better solution, please leave a message to help more users. Secondly (according to the manual), it will wake the remote and activate the backlight. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If it cannot be connected, please restart the power of the HUB, open the APP and search for the X1 HUB again. So fix it! The mobile phone and the HUB need to be connected to the same router. The hub is the heart of the Sofabaton X1. This one is really meant to control a single system, which is fair given its low asking price. As with any product, not everyone will have the same experience. 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). Thanks to reader Jimi for letting us know! 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. Still, if you want a universal remote with a lot of features and a lot of ways to use it, nothing beats the Harmony Elite. Use the app to connect to your X-Hub with the following steps:Step1: Open the app and select X1 from the device list. Can I Put My Subwoofer On Top Of Furniture? 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.