With the rise of smart home technology, having multiple remotes to control all of your different devices can get confusing and frustrating. From TVs to sound systems to lights and more, juggling several remotes just to perform simple tasks isn't ideal. The good news is that universal remotes allow you to command multiple devices from one convenient control. Here's how I use one remote to rule all the gadgets in my home.
It comes smart universal remote in my home
The first step is deciding on a universal remote that covers all of your devices. I opted for the Sofabaton which is compatible with over 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands. It's a perfect replacement for retired Logitech Harmony remotes. That means I can use it to control my TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, lights, fans - you name it. The remote came with a hub that connects directly to my WiFi and allows me to control devices without having a direct line of sight.
After getting the remote, I needed to set it up. The Harmony app made the process simple by guiding me through which devices I have. I just had to search for each gadget by brand and model and the app automatically downloaded the right control codes. The app also let me customize which buttons control what so I could arrange the functions in a layout that made sense to me.
If you don't have high budget, I have another solution
If you don't have high budget to buy an advanced smart universal remote, you can opt low budget GE universal remote from ByJasco. It only took less than $15 dollars, and that's why I used GE remote with my Vizio smart TV, and programmed with a specific device code (Get the complete code list from).
Additionally, if you are using satellite TVs like DirecTV, the DirecTV remote can acts as universal remote. Just program GE universal remote with your any model TV using a 4-digit code. Here is an example, where I successfully paired my Vizio TV with DirecTV white remote conrol and used with my TV as well.
Managed Multiple devices with one universal remote
Now I can turn on the TV, dim the lights and start a movie with just three button presses. The activity buttons allow me to perform several actions at once so I don't have to hit multiple buttons to get things started. For example, I created a “Movie Night” activity that turns on the TV, cable box and Blu-ray player, sets the proper inputs, dims the lights, and selects my preferred audio settings at the same time. With one click, the whole home theater comes alive.
The remote has come in handy for controlling smart home devices too. I connected the hub to services like SmartThings and now I can say “Goodnight” to shut off lights and lock doors without going room to room. It even works with my Nest thermostat so I can adjust the temperature from the couch.
One of my favorite aspects of the Harmony remote is the ability to use my voice to control devices. After linking my Alexa account, I can simply say Alexa commands like “Watch Netflix” and the remote will switch on the TV and launch the app. I can also ask Google Assistant questions to look up movie times hands-free. It's like having a smart assistant built right into the remote.
Easy fixes when there is an error
Troubleshooting connectivity issues is straightforward with the app's help feature. It walks you through various fixes if one of your devices loses connection. I had an issue with my Blu-ray player not powering on and the app quickly resolved it by updating the control codes.
Overall, having one centralized remote to rule my entire home theater and smart devices has made my life so much easier. No more fumbling for the right remote or having to perform a sequence of steps just to start a movie. With programmable activities and voice control built-in, I can sit back and enjoy the entertainment experience without any hassle. The ability to consolidate all of my media controls into one intuitive device is well worth the investment. Gone are the days of remote control clutter with a universal solution.
