The NEW Universal Remote - Sofabaton X1S

[@nmtay]

Kind of sad that Logitech got rid of their Harmony series remote line. Used to love them.

[@geraldslonaker3289]

Same... I saw other people try to use more complicated and costly systems like control4 and they constantly had to have people come to their house to fix things with the setup and connections and here I was with my Harmony remote managing everything from that single remote just fine. I was really disappointed when they gave up on the Harmony remote.

[@drwelby]

​@@geraldslonaker3289 Y'all think this is the heir apparent to my beloved late great Logitech Harmony? I'm upgrading my setup and likely to bump into problems with my old remote... Seems to have all the features of the harmony series.

[@zuzkazuzka8284]

Are they not available anymore or the service got shutdown? I’ve got a couple remotes still in box in case my One will die on me eventually.

[@sethi100]

My Elite still works.

[@videobandit]

I still have 2 Harmony Hubs up and working. As of the last time I checked the app on my PC was s also working to configure them. But they aren’t available for sale. Maybe on eBay?

[@travelerfourever1347]

Your instructional video is excellent. It's very detailed and helps folks like me who haven't set up a remote in over 10 years. Thank you

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching. 😁

[@josephreynolds4962]

Thanks for the Hdmi cec heads up!

[@charlesa.wobbly5578]

Excellent overview/review/tutorial. Thank you for your work creating this video.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

My pleasure!

[@ChrisXif1]

Really great review and tutorial. And I love the Scooby shirt too!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you!

[@andrew8638]

Appreciate the solid review! Kids are destroying my Harmony and need a replacement - this looks to be the winner.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching, I hope it helps you out!

[@dan_hitchman007]

You'll still miss the Logitech. We need something closer in features to a Harmony to fill in the market gap left by them. The next best step up in remotes are models that require dealer programming.

[@andrew8638]

@@dan_hitchman007 Probably, but it's lost so I'm missing it anyway. Might take a look at buying a used replacement versus a new one. I had the original Harmony One and used it for like 15 years lol

[@dan_hitchman007]

I own one, but it's still a big step down from the Harmony One and Elite remotes. It's missing a few key physical buttons, it doesn't have additional user configurable screen buttons for the activity you're on (forcing you to go to the Devices page and scroll through a bunch of commands), the ergonomic feel in the hand is off, and the fit and finish is definitely cheaper.

[@BassPlyr23]

@@dan_hitchman007 actually, you can configure the screen buttons for each activity in the software. It’s fairly easy.

[@videobandit]

On the issue of CEC, on some devices when you turn off CEC you also disable eARC. This is the case on my S90C Samsung TV and also the JBL MA710 AVR. I went back to the Sony STR-AN1000 AVR and it allows you to turn off CEC and eARC independently from one another. So if you use your TV, I.E. my S90C, via HDMI eARC to your AVR and turn off CEC no audio will be sent to your AVR.

[@kevinwilliamson7158]

Thanks for the review, I just ordered one, looking forward to trying it out. I needed something to replace a 10 year Harmony remote. The only thing this remote is lacking is the number keys. I do like that it can be programmed without a computer. It was difficult to find something that does everything once you have surround sound system with multiple inputs on it.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching

[@randelldavis578]

I've been wanting to get one for awhile but early on some folks and reviewers were complaining about it having some bug issues but it seems lately most of that has been worked out, so it's now time to give it a try. I'm using the Roku ultra, apple TV 4k, Nvidia shield pro, Sony 4k blu ray, Sony 85" TV and a marantz AV receiver. So yeah a all in one remote can be helpful. Thanks for the review because I will need it to help me get mine set up.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙂

[@dotnetdevni]

Did u end up buying it am on the fence to for same issues i have dennon 2700h epson ls800b apple tv roku and other devices such as viid storm screen

[@paulc5389]

Being looking into smart/combination remotes recently and unfolded circle looks to be the best by far. Although new so availability is currently an issue. Can be used as just a combination remote via IR. Has an external IR blaster too. But it also works fully by IP (so no need to use IR with anything modern that has IP control) and has smart home integration via third party software such as home assistant. So it can do anything such as controlling scenes, light dimming, etc. Basically a DIY much cheaper Control 4.

[@brianerock]

Stumbled across your podcast by chance. VERY informative! 11:04 I Liked and Subscribed. Thank you!

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

🙏🏾 thank you 😊

[@MatTeague]

I'm new to this channel and have to say this is a great video walkthrough. Thank you for putting the time in to show this. Do you have a smart home? Would your walkthrough with this remote for a smart home.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Hi, thanks for watching, I have a few items in my home like hue bulbs, a few outlets, and a smart speaker or two but I don’t really have a “smart home” sorry.

[@jcburger733]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful. You were very thorough and I have a better idea how to setup my activities!!!!!

[@Victor-i4g4u]

I like your shirt

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

😁😁 scooby dooby doo! thank you

[@JoshRazauskas]

This looks like such an amazing remote! I also use the Apple TV 4K so the one thing you didn’t show in this video that I’m curious about is how would you go about closing an app with this remote since you have to double click and then scroll up in order to get an app to close down? Is that possible or would you still need to have the Apple TV remote around for that function?

[@christopher1800]

Should be possible. I have a Harmony Elite. I bring up the app switcher by pressing Menu *twice*. Then go to the app I want to close with left/right buttons. Then close the app by pressing “up” button *twice*. The same should be possible on this remote if it knows the same commands.

[@DowntownBrown]

Awesome video thank you I learned a lot. Really well done. I wasn’t able to turn off HDMICEC because if I do that, my Bose 900 sound bar won’t work. But I’m having the same problem that you’re having. Or that you were having. I have an Apple TV and a fire TV. But when I try to switch from one or the other, of course the TV turns off. Have you ever heard of this happening?

[@vilasn16]

I have a question not having to do with the video? Why do you have a fire stick and Apple TV? I have both and I’m trying to decide what I need for my new home theater I’m building. Please and thank you!! Great video.

[@rcauthen324]

Wish this and all newer remotes have numbers so that I can go directly to a channel on my cable box

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Yea, number buttons are rare these days.

[@davidmojonnier1034]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jdryyz]

If all of my devices are within line of sight, is the hub still necessary? Looking to replace my Harmony One and just want to be able to use the remote by itself.

[@HomeCinemaEnthusiast]

Great review 👌👌👌

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Carlos-gc4hb]

Once it can support or control Lutron devices I will consider buying one.

[@jonndoh]

It should be able to. You would need to manually input the functions. I'm looking to put a Lutron curtain across the doorway to enclose my front room home theater.

[@Mhosborn]

Great review...thanks for publishing it! Some questions, if you don't mind? 1. How many IR blasters are in the box, and how many does it support? (Maybe I missed something, but it appeared you have 3 IR blasters connected, but I only saw two being plugged into the back of the hub). 2. I have a mesh WiFi router, and both the 2.4GHZ and 5GHz bands use the same network name, and I can't shut one of the bands off. You mentioned that your phone must be connected to the same WiFi as your hub in order to set it up. My phone is (almost) always connected to the 5GHz band, but often times other devices are connected to the 2.4GHz band. So if my phone is on the 5GHz band and the hub connects to the 2.4GHz band, will this be a problem? Thanks again for your review!

[@folaxstar]

1. One of the TX cables has 2 IR emitters.

[@poturbg8698]

Does this work with IR DVR cable boxes?

[@mattgiunt]

Excellent video. I own the original XI that many said was full of bugs so I never used it. Are there software updates so I might be able to bring the old X1up to working level of the X1S or do I need to buy the X1s ? Thankfully my harmony is still going strong but when that fails Sofabaton will take up the slack. Thank for your help

[@Subacabra]

I’m loving mine

[@MrJazsingh]

Does it work with Sonos Arc to control volume?

[@ronalcasid3844]

Do you need an account to use the app? After you've configured the remote does it need internet access to work?

[@RedLeo-pf9yo]

Cool T-shirt !!!

[@sethi100]

Thx. Nice review. I still use the Harmony Elite, though my wife hates it. I like that on my Elite I have 48 (channel) favorites with an icon/picture of a channels logo (such as HBO) without needing to know the 3 digit number. The Elite has 9 logos per page. And I have one page for each of the 10 numbers if entering a channel that is not a favorite. Where I find concerning with the X1S is its small screen and use of a wheel. Would you agree this is where the X1S is not to par with the Harmony? No where on the internet do I find samples of such X1S screens to help me decide if I should pass on this and wait for something better to come along. I’ve looked at folded circle 3 & cantata haptique rs90x - but not a kickstarter fan.

[@dan_hitchman007]

Sofabaton is not on the same level. It's a few steps down from the best Harmony remotes.

[@dotnetdevni]

Is there a back light for night or low dark situations

[@ashyt16turbo]

Yes

[@TheSoldieroftheOne]

I have this remote it's ok not the greatest but I want to talk about that stand you have your remotes on. Please tell me where you got that from?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Do you mean my TV stand? It’s a Salamander, I reviewed it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omfYaXVtnLtkjNU

[@rct8884]

If all of my devices are visible and in line of site of the remote do you still have to use the hub? Thanks for the great tutorial and overview.

[@dan_hitchman007]

Yes, you need the hub. It is the IR blaster.

[@rayharmacinski4934]

I bought this remote and after all the updates its still buggier than all get out. The app wont let you delete/replace a device in an activity and even when you set up an activity you have to keep telling the remote it isnt turning everything on, not once.. every single time. Even when a device is in their data base you still need to map out the buttons. Wait for something better to come along

[@apeel2008]

Just found your channel and subscribed. I have an old Harmony One Remote that has served me for many years. However, the app used yo configure it is run on. Computer (a Mac for me). That app has long been unsupported and no longer works on the a Mac (it was a 32-bit app that is no longer supported on on Mac and cannot update the Logitech app). Some functions on my remote have stopped working and I can no longer update it, so will need to buy a new universal remote. All that said, are you familiar with Logitech’s new offerings? If you needed to purchase a new remote, would you buy a Logitech or a Sofabaton X1S?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Unfortunately I’m not familiar with their new offerings. 😞 I have a very old Harmony 650 but as you said it’s no longer supported. So my only experience of late is the X1S so I can’t give you my objective opinion, sorry. But thanks for watching and subscribing!!

[@apeel2008]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist Thanks for taking the time to reply. Perhaps someone else who has experience with both brands will chime in with their input?

[@rudedog6868]

Does this remote have high speed scrubbing like the Apple Remote?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

Not that I’m aware of.

[@cordlesswire]

super niche question. does thing work with caavo center (now discontinued 4 hdmi box that can control devices connected to it, we tried it with xbox, rokus, android devices and it also has tv mode so you can control your tv - unfortunately does not completely replace tv remote meaning you cant adjust picture settings for instance meaning cant engage the menu for picture settings etc - but it does use a companion app the device that will be controlled needs to have it installed)? so, for instance. i have my xbox, shield and ps5 connected to caavo and then caavo goes into the tv. can this thing control/replace caavo (e.g. caavos remote)? im not ready to splurge 140-200$ for this thing if it cant replace caavo remote (i think the hurdle in this instance is that caavo companion app, its available for roku, xbox, android devices etc). thanks.

[@MrMichaelEsser]

Have you ever heard to JTR? If so: what is your honest opinion?

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I heard them at a show once but never in my own home so I can’t say, sorry 😞

[@MrMichaelEsser]

@@HomeTheaterHobbyist okay. How do they sound at the Show?

[@bpalpha]

Why’d my Logitech harmony remote have to die?!? 😢

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

I'm sorry 😞

[@KayanEnsan]

You can control almost everything with the TV remote.. and my LG C1 and G4 can control all my devices.. don’t need to control anything with my Yamaha rx-a6a it switches automatically.. I never need any other remote.. even with my PS5.

[@86EPLM]

When you searched for the DVD player that wasn't showing up in the database, you spelled the brand name incorrectly. You typed "Phillips" with two L's. The proper spelling is 'Philips' with one L. If you rewatch that section of the video, you'll see that the name auto-populated as the first result when you were typing the name into the text field.

[@ranger_a6953]

Most of your devices use the phone, Denon, Apple, probably the others too

[@LockeTheCole]

I have to disagree. CEC was a great idea, but it is NEVER helpful. Unless you want literally everything you own able to turn on everything else you own it's terrible. That said, I'm quite curious about this thing as a potential replacement for my Harmony remote. Not sure how I feel about it needing a Phone app. While the Harmony did need a PC app, in general, phone apps are unusable rather quickly if the company doesn't update them.

[@HomeTheaterHobbyist]

The only time I used the app was for setup or adding a new device/ activity. Otherwise I only used the remote. I think it’s pretty comparable to Harmony. I have an old Harmony 650 and it worked pretty much the same. The main difference between the two is my 650 had more physical buttons. I thought about comparing the two for the video but since the 650 is so old (2011 or around there) I didn’t think it would be a good/fair comparison. One of the Harmony remotes from 2021 or 22 would have been a better option.