SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote (with Backlight), All-in-One Smart Universal Remote Control with Customized APP for TV/Soundbar/DVD/Blu-ray/Projector and More, Macro Buttons & Extended Infrared Range

This is a pleasant upgrade to the already excellent Sofabaton U1. I especially like the lighted buttons on the new model -- much more usable in a dark A/V setting. This device consolidates a basket of other controllers, as well as offering the ability to create custom controllers with macros that control several devices. Disclaimer: Sofabaton offered me a full rebate on my U2. That's important for a reader to know. Also important is that the reason they did so was probably that I was happy with the U1 that I purchased four years ago. The U2 is even better.I found the setup intuitive, especially for the power and flexibility offered. I had an easy time downloading the data for my TV, Blue-ray, digital radio, Sonos, Apple TV 4k (3rd generation), and old Nakamichi receiver. The hardest part of that was tracking down the exact model numbers of some of my components.I didn't always meet with immediate success. For example, there were two models that seemed close to the model of my LG TV, and the first one had the volume up and down backwards for my TV. So I tried the other profile, and all was well. You can test the buttons in the phone app, and it's easy to download a different profile or customize individual buttons. When I bought my U1 about 4 years ago, some of my components didn't have entries in the Sofabaton database. But their customer support folks were very responsive and helpful, and immediately added the devices I needed.My old Nakamichi TA-3A receiver was recognized, but the buttons didn't all work correctly. It was a simple matter to customize those buttons. You get a layout of the Sofabaton's buttons displayed in the Sofabaton phone app; press the button in the app, and then select an option to set its function. You can either look up the selection from the database, or select the option to learn from the existing remote. Then point the remote at the Sofabaton, and press the button on the remote. I did that to set buttons for the main four inputs on the receiver, the tuner track up and down, and tuner seek back and forward. Works like a charm. You can also simply customize a button's function from the database, which might have been easier. I did that for some of the other functions I added.With about 30 seconds of playing around, I figured out how to create a macro. So I downloaded a second profile for my Oppo Blue-ray player, but named it OppoNakCD. Then I set the power button to be a macro to which I added actions to: power on the Nakamichi receiver, select the "CD" input on the receiver, and power on the Oppo Blue-ray player. I made another button into a macro to reset the receiver's input to "Video", power off the receiver, and power off the Blue-ray player. I also set the volume up / down buttons to control the receiver's volume, and I set the "input" button on the control to be the Oppo's disk eject button.When you add multiple commands to your macro (just hit the "+" and select the device and then the command to add), there's a default pause added between the commands. Just tap on that pause, and you can change the interval to whatever you want. I did this between my receiver's power-on and input selection, because it takes a couple seconds before it's ready. Very cool. Now it's as if I had a simple, all-in-one CD player with dedicated remote control.I just discovered a Sofabaton video explaining a lot of this, but it turned out I didn't need it. I think I'll want to review it anyway, because it seems to include tips beyond what I've been exploring tonight. In case it helps someone else, here's the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLT6MJQVDY

The backlight is what I have been waiting for! Solid build quality, and a full database of TVs and devices help you quickly setup the remote. It has infrared and bluetooth to interface with your devices easily. After setup I was able to completely replace my Fire TV and Samsung remotes, without any loss in functions. Even the proprietary functions like AMBIENT mode on the TV can be programmed. I give it four stars for above average build quality, backlight and robust database of devices as well as an easy to use Phone App. Also, they are committed to improving the product through firmware upgrades. I reserve 5 stars for a remote that has digital buttons that could use the same icons as the original remote (to be honest I haven't found one yet ... something like the Elgato Stream Deck). Good price, good features.

While there will always be a special place in my heart for Logitech Harmony remote, this one was easier to set up than that... and can be done from your phone (Android/iOS). Add your own remote commands through learning or from a user database... basically the successor to Harmony's great repository. I had a Sony TV, Pioneer Amp, and a Zapperbox. All 3 found in the repository with a few user submitted command sets. I could pair my TV set via bluetooth and also my Apple TV to control them without pointing at it. That's nice. Zapperbox and Pioneer need IR, but it's great I can do both. So since Logitech is not being updated anymore and you can't add new remotes to it, this is a great replacement. I opted for this vs the $200 more advanced one... kind of like how Harmony remotes had a hub too... and that didn't work for me... but this one does (much like my old Harmony IR one) but better.The only complaint is the OLED display... we know OLEDs tend to deteriorate over time so I don't know how long that will last... but it's readable and serves its purpose. I'm definitely happy with this $65 remote and RIP, Harmony... this one is my new remote now.

Set up was quite easy and with descent instructions and it worked at 70% from the get go. I had to do a lot of customization but whatever. I set up my LG smart TV, soundbar, Fire, ATT cable box. As time has gone by, a month or so now the remote is working less and less and stalling and taking time to switch between devices and some functions just went away and it’s become unbearable to use, especially for my wife and kids. I know it’s an affordable, smart remote, but functions of workday. One should not go away and basic functions should be pre-programmed like for the TV and such.