SofaBaton U2 Universal Remote Control for TV/Soundbar/Streaming Players

I love it - much more user friendly than Harmony. It does everything I need (multiple Bluetooth devices and IR devices) My first 1 began to have the wheel malfunction a bit. it wasn't covered by warranty because I purchased off eBay. that happened after about a year of heavy use. I sprayed contact cleaner in the wheel and it has been good as new for 6 months. At the price point I couldn't help but pick another up for my other residence (this time purchased here) Can't say enough good things about this fantastic clutter-killer

I used Harmony remotes for many years, but they had their share of flaws i.e. failed buttons poor battery life etc. So, I purchased this U2 because the price was very low, and it is well suited for what I wanted. Over the years I have streamlined my Audio/Video system which now includes only a TV, 9.2 surround receiver, Roku Ultra, and a HTPC. With only a few components I can make CEC behave in a reliable fashion so all I really needed was a solid multi-device remote that allowed control over individual buttons, and the U2 does just that. I didn't require the use of macro's which I've read can be quite a pain, and that made my setup much easier, or so it seemed to me. All my equipment had preconfigured code to download, even my MS HTPC which shocked me. Note: Microsoft used to offer an IR receiver for the OS, and Veris Multimedia (no longer available) had an IR receiver to turn the PC on and off by remote, and I still have both. Anyway, I wanted to customize the button arrangement on each device, and the Sofabaton app made that very easy. For instance, when using my HTPC, I can use the U2 to control JRiver Media Center, the volume on the receiver and access the TV settings without changing devices so that it is all a fluid interaction. Each also gives me one touch access to switch TV inputs should I want to switch to the Roku and back to HTPC. All I have to do is roll the controller up a notch to Roku from the HTPC for total control of that device. While I have only had the remote for a few days, it has worked very well for me so far. If anything comes up in the future I will try to update to share it.

This is a competent universal remote, which I thought the market stopped making. I especially value the ability to control my Roku TV ... the problem with the Roku remote is it lacks the function to switch sources. This remote solves that problem, although I needed to set it to start-up on the 4K disc player and then switch to Bluetooth. starting in Bluetooth and then switching to the disc player was cumbersome. It is possible to set the remote to 1) start everything with one button and 2) create a setting to control the gear without constantly having to use the fly wheel to select the specific piece. Neither of these is explained well in the instructions nor very intuitive, but I worked it out... so can you. recommended.

I had always used the Logitech Harmony remotes but they have been discontinued. I do have a couple of complicated set ups and need different macros and button control options. The Sofabaton covers a lot of manufacturers and different models. It also allows buttons to be mapped easily enough. Say I have it in TV mode and use a stereo amp for volume and I don't want to change the mode of the remote. I can easily select a command in any mode and have the correct component respond. It is very comfortable and well built and find it an able substitute for the Harmony remotes.

The remote has a limited number of pre-coded devices. The website did not have the codes for my Denon Receiver, or my Samsung Blu-Ray. I have been spoiled by the Harmony remote. That being said, it does learn well and can learn if you have a working remote already. It also seems to be well made. Instructions were not that clear, and I had to go to YouTube to program it.

The setup process was a bit time consuming, but that was not the reason I returned it. I returned it because I very quickly realized that the remote that came with my DirecTV streaming dongle did everything that this one did and that remote had been set up automatically for my TV and amplifier during the account sign in process on DirecTV.

If you what to turn things on and off, change the channel or control the voluume this remote works well. However, if you have a surround sound system or other things you want to control. ie change from tv to radio, AM to FM, type of sound or other setting. This remote doesn't have all the options harmony remotes had.

I used the macro function to set up 4 devices and turn them on in order. I could not get one of the devices to turn on, even though the device would turn on by itself.

Everthing i read and watched compared this remote to a Harmony remote and said the softbaton was just as good. I found it a lot harder to program than harmony. main difference was that harmony goes by activity where softbaton goes by device. Just did not work for my setup with tv, receiver, roku, blue ray ans dvd player. might work on a simpler system. might try this winter when i have many hours to work with it.

Nowhere in the description does it say that it's limited to only four Bluetooth devices. Product description says it supports 15 infrared and Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Wish I could give it a higher rating but because it's limited to only four Bluetooth devices and the description does not say this, I cannot give it higher rating. False advertising and will likely just return product back to Wal-Mart.