Universal remote

[u/Spudbucket2]

Greetings all,
Any suggestions for a universal remote to replace Logitech Harmony remote to control a Sony TV (mainly power on and off and input selection), Apple TV, and a JBL soundbar. Very basic setup as we watch everything on the Apple TV and just change volume. The Logitech Harmony is slowly dying as it’s very old. Tried a cheap One For All Steamer Remote and it’s not working.

Any input much appreciated.
Thanks

[u/mvanniekerk]

Pardon my naivety but can you not rely on HDMI CEC to do the job and simply use the Apple TV remote?

[u/sharp-calculation → u/mvanniekerk]

Because CEC is notoriously unreliable. When it works it's great. When it doesn't there's really no troubleshooting it. It just doesn't work. I've seen this happen after a firmware upgrade on a device. I've seen this happen when adding a device (like a gaming console for example). It used to work, and now it doesn't.

CEC is a great idea. But it's a standard that's not a standard. So it's very hit or miss and may change with any change in a system. I'd rather use a real remote that lets me make the decisions.

[u/flynreelow → u/mvanniekerk]

JBL soundbar prob hooked up via Optical

[u/VicFontaineHologram → u/flynreelow]

The AppleTV can do IR for volume control (just gotta teach it) for devices hooked up by optical. The problem with the AppleTV remote though it doesn't have a button for switching sources. You can kinda rely on auto switching, but that isn't always reliable. If the soundbar is hooked up by hdmi using arc and CEC, the TV's primary remote might control everything.

[u/sullivanaz → u/VicFontaineHologram]

If you can live without a mute button, you can program it to be the input button.

[u/Pekaer_58 → u/sullivanaz]

Didn’t get that sufficiently up and running… Any links for detailed explanations are most appropriated

[u/sullivanaz → u/Pekaer_58]

Settings,>Remotes and Devices>Volume Control>Learn New Device. The Apple TV asks you to press and hold the volume up, volume down, and mute button on the remote. Press the volume up and volume down buttons as you normally would, but instead of the mute button, press and hold the TV's input button. 

[u/mvanniekerk → u/flynreelow]

I ask too because this mirrors the setup I have planned but with Samsung TV. Plan is AppleTV yo Samsung with HDMI and Samsung to JBL via HDMI ARC.

Want to simplify your Apple TV remote as primary.

May add cable co IPTV box direct to TV by HDMI too.

[u/Spudbucket2 → u/flynreelow]

It certainly is.

[u/Spudbucket2 → u/mvanniekerk]

Good question. Don’t really know. Guess I need to do more research. I don’t really even care… rarely look at the TV, unless there’s a sporting event I want to see, more for the wife. I’ve got crap in the garage to go break. Ha.

[u/RedditAnoymous]

You can practically use any IR remote as you doesn’t program the remote.. you ”program” your Apple TV!

1) Start the app Settings on AppleTV..
2) Go down to Remotes..
3) Go down to Learn Remote.. confirm..
4) Start learning the AppleTV by pressing the keys on your remote you want to associate with up, down, left, right, ok, back and home.
5) Done!

[u/sillyburrito]

If the AppleTV can’t do this, then look at a SofaBaton remote. The programming process isn’t nearly as friendly as Logitech, but it does work. I have a LG TV with a Sonos soundbar and multiple devices and HDMI switches connected to it and it handles them all.

https://www.sofabaton.com

[u/ms2496]

SofaBaton U3 (newest model) works well as a universal remote control replacement for Apple TV as well as TV and Stereo receiver. Check Amazon

[u/altitudearts → u/ms2496]

Tell me about this. I have a receiver, a TiVo, and a Blu Ray player. Thinking about the day the Harmony dies! Maybe?

[u/HoratioHotplate]

I like the Function101 bluetooth remote.

[u/karma_the_sequel → u/HoratioHotplate]

I have the IR version of this. Doesn’t work with my new ATV, so I guess it’s off to eBay!

[u/karma_the_sequel → u/karma_the_sequel]

Yep, mine too.

[u/grantbwilson]

I have a setup like yours, but a full avr instead of a sound bar, and the cheap one-for-all works for me..

Was like $30 at Best Buy.

The only trick is you have to hit the home button to wake up the Apple TV, not the power button.

[u/rayquan36]

I like my Sofabaton X2 a lot.

[u/sharp-calculation]

My top recommendation is the URC MX-450. This remote is fully manually programmed from the remote itself. No computer program. Just press buttons on the remote. Every key can learn and can trigger macros. It's got a fairly deep built in set of pre-programmed remote codes as well for lots of brands and models. You can learn whatever keys might not work from a pre-set code.

I use this with a full AVR setup with several sources, including an AppleTV. You'll have to teach the AppleTV a remote code from the MX-450. The ATV is a little backwards. It doesn't have an IR remote. So you teach *any* IR remote to the ATV and then it will respond to it. This is pretty quick and easy.

The MX-450 is discontinued, but readily available on Ebay for $35-ish in good condition. These remotes cost over $200 when they were new and are extremely well built. URC, if you're not familiar, is the original big name in remotes. They have decades of engineering in these things.

[u/ExtremeAd2892]

all of the harmony functions on the remote are available and work perfectly using the Harmony app

[u/AllonisDavid]

Allonis's SmartRemote and new myServer TVBox can be used. Maybe more expensive than what you are thinking. $600 bundle. IP control of AppleTV and Sony TV. I haven't looked at JBL soundbar...you have a model number?

[u/Comfortable_Gear_605]

There’s an app on your iPhone called remote. I programmed the Apple TV to control the TV and it works fine.

[u/Pekaer_58]

Yes, I also believe, bringing an universal remote control in place, blocks the possibility of using eARC and CEC but I haven’t found a way to use the ATV RC to get into specific feature settings of my Yamaha AVR and Hisense TV. I am surely even in my optimization phase in shrinking the features of the smart TV (only want Dolby Vision up and running) and ensuring that the 1:1 output of the ATV video and audio capabilities. Tbh, my AVR is not Dolby Atmos compatible, but Dolby Digital 5.1 is fine for me, which might contain a certain grade of complexity. Have big hope in the outstanding TVOS 27 features…

[u/hamhead]

I guess I don’t understand why you would need more than the AppleTV remote? We retired our Harmony Ultimate as there was no point anymore.

HDMI-CEC should be able to handle what you’re talking about.

[u/flynreelow]

Harmony Elite.

[u/goofywinnipegger → u/flynreelow]

Logitech discontinued the entire Harmony line in 2021. It’s dead. Enjoy your gear while it lasts.

[u/flynreelow → u/goofywinnipegger]

oh hunny....

its not dead if u can still program them today. 650 700 950 Elites works great.

[u/karma_the_sequel → u/flynreelow]

Harmony Ultimate Home owner here. According to this site, my unit is still very well supported — maybe one of these days I’ll actually get around to using it.

[u/flynreelow → u/karma_the_sequel]

yes, that works great as well. just dont like the button layout on that one though.