If you have a modern smart TV and maybe a soundbar as well as a game console, you probably don’t need a universal remote. The remote that came with your TV will help you access all of your TV’s built-in apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and all the major streaming services. This remote may even have a microphone for voice commands, making it easy to complete tasks.
But then again, your setup might be more complex, with Dolby Atmos, an A/V receiver, an Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray player, multiple game consoles, and even a streaming device or two… Hey, we Who’s the judge? If that sounds like you, a powerful universal remote that can control a bunch of different devices is what you need to be Captain Kirk (Picard? Pike?) on the home theater starship Enterprise.
Why you should buy it: It’s affordable, easy to program, supports Bluetooth and infrared, and supports up to 15 devices.
SofaBaton U1 is unique in that it can control both IR and Bluetooth devices (up to 15) but only costs $50. Even with the Logitech Harmony leading the way in the all-in-one remote category, that flexibility is worth hundreds of dollars.
You can program it wirelessly with the companion SofaBaton U1 app for iOS or Android, much more convenient than using a PC and a USB cable.
You can search the SofaBaton database for your specific appliance model and, if it is listed, add it with one touch. If it is not listed, you can use the U1′s learning function to teach it the necessary commands from the factory remote control.
Don’t like how buttons work? You can assign (or reassign) them from the full list of every available command to any added device. For example, if you want to control your Apple TV, you can assign volume keys to control your soundbar or AV receiver instead of using the Apple TV volume controls.
To select a device to control, use the convenient scroll wheel to navigate the OLED display at the top of the remote control. We really like how quickly you can make changes with the SofaBaton app – they happen instantly, without any sync steps.
SofaBaton U1 is perfect? Will not be. The buttons are not backlit, so they are hard to see in a dark room. Unlike older Harmony remotes, it doesn’t have buttons for actions like “Watch Apple TV” that use Logitech’s wizard-based utility programming.
But there’s a workaround: SofaBaton U1 has four color-coded macro buttons above the number pad that can be easily programmed with the app to execute any sequence of commands from any device you add. What’s more, you can install these four macro buttons on the device, which will give you up to 60 macros. There is no way to label buttons, so you just have to remember what each button does.
The GE 48843 remote provides an easy way to control up to four devices with a variety of pre-programmed codes, and features a traditional design with a basic navigation pad and all the most important TV/media commands you’ll ever need.
If touchscreen and programming via a PC or mobile app seem too complicated for you, the GE 48843 is the perfect choice: it’s cheap, but it’s not cheap to manufacture, and it has all the features you need to control infrared devices.
Why you should buy it: It’s closer to Harmony’s action-based shortcuts than any other universal remote.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a powerful universal remote control and doesn’t need Bluetooth compatibility.
One of Logitech Harmony’s best features is the ability to group device commands into actions – macros that can be executed with a single button. Although the URC7880 is not as easy to program as the Harmony series, it gives you one-touch action-based macro access, which is very convenient.
These actions can combine commands from up to eight devices, which should be flexible enough to turn on the TV, Blu-ray player, and AV receiver, and then set them to their desired input and output. The only caveat is that you can’t control these devices unless they’re infrared compatible – the URC7880 uses Bluetooth to communicate with the One for All app on the smartphone, but for some reason it can’t communicate with any other paired Bluetooth – a device such as a game console or streaming device.
In addition to the five available actions, three shortcut buttons can be programmed to access your favorite streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+. If the IR codes for any of your devices are not stored in the One for All online database, you can use the URC7880′s learning function to get them from the original remote control.
The companion app even acts as a remote finder if you can’t find your URC7880. Our only real complaint is that the device doesn’t have backlit buttons for easier navigation in dark rooms.
Why you should buy it: You can use your voice to control most devices, making it a very attractive alternative to standard universal remotes.
Who it’s for: Anyone who likes a streaming device that also doubles as a universal voice remote control for infrared devices.
Yes, we know the Amazon Fire TV Cube is not a universal remote. But listen as we tell the story. What you may not know about the Fire TV Cube is that, unlike all other Fire TV devices, and frankly, unlike all other streaming devices, it can control many other devices in your home theater. You can use voice commands for this.
The Fire TV Cube’s small box-like body houses an array of infrared emitters. Like any other universal remote, they can be programmed to issue infrared commands to a variety of devices, including TVs, soundbars, and A/V receivers.
From the Fire TV interface, you can set up these devices, which can then be controlled using the remote control that comes with the Fire TV Cube, or for a true Starship Enterprise experience, you can use your voice instead. Saying “Alexa, turn on Netflix” triggers the same sequence of commands as a Harmony or One for All remote—your TV turns on, your AV receiver turns on, your Fire TV Cube opens the Netflix app. You can go now.
There is one limitation: all your devices must be controlled via infrared. The Fire TV Cube has Bluetooth, but only for pairing devices like headphones and game controllers. However, if the device you want to control can connect to your TV via HDMI, chances are the Cube will be able to control it via HDMI-CEC.
Since we’re talking about Alexa, the Cube can also control any smart home device you might want to use while watching a movie, such as dimming smart bulbs or lowering smart power blinds.
As you might expect, Best Buy is in the midst of a Fourth of July sale. This means big discounts on almost everything you can think of. Whether you’re looking for a cheap washer dryer, a new TV, Apple-related products, or just a pair of headphones, there’s a great deal here. Because there are so many items in stock, we highly recommend that you click the sell button below to see what’s available. If you need guidance, read on as we walk you through some of the highlights.
What to Buy in Best Buy’s July 4th Sale Best Buy’s July 4th Sale has a plethora of deals on washer and dryer sets, so you should click above to see the details. However, we must mention one deal from Samsung. You can buy a top-loading Samsung 4.5 cubic foot high efficiency washing machine and a 7.2 cubic foot electric dryer,
OLED TVs are still popular because their display technology delivers unparalleled depth, color and clarity. If you put an OLED TV and an LED TV side by side, there is no comparison at all. The trade-off, however, is that OLED TVs are more expensive, with most models priced in the four-figure range. They are worth the money, but you can also look for deals on OLED TVs to save hundreds of dollars. To help you in your search, we’ve rounded up some of the best OLED TV deals right now, but you’ll need to decide quickly which model to buy as the best OLED TVs don’t last long in stock. LG B2 OLED 4K 55-inch TV – $1,000, was $1,100
The 55-inch LG B2 is powered by an AI-powered LG a7 Gen5 processor that delivers superior scaling and great images every time, while special modes such as Filmmaking Mode and Game Optimization adapt to what you watch. The TV has two HDMI 2.1 ports for the latest gaming consoles, as well as AI Picture Pro 4K, which automatically boosts contrast and resolution based on what you’re watching. Even the remote control is easy to use and more intuitive than most, and the extensive smart assistant support is handy too.
If you regularly check out the best TV deals, you will notice that LG shows up a lot. LG is also a popular name on our list of the best TVs and should always be watched, but its TVs can be pricey. That’s why we’ve specifically checked out the best LG TV deals so you can save on some great high-end TVs. Below we have selected the best available at the moment. See which one you would like to add to your home. LG 50UQ7070 4K 50-inch TV – $300, was $358.
The LG 50UQ7070 4K 50-inch TV simplifies your work by providing everything you need. It is equipped with LG a5 Gen AI processor, which allows you to enjoy enhanced picture and sound quality while browsing. It also has a game optimization mode to give you the best gaming experience. Active HDR (HDR10 Pro) offers frame-by-frame picture adjustment that automatically adjusts the quality of the content you view. Elsewhere, you get eARC connectivity for better sound quality, as well as some nice touches like sports alerts, live updates of your favorite teams.
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Post time: Jul-26-2023