Universal Remote Controls • Non-Gaming • Science & Technology • Eurogamer.net

Fourwisemen 30 May 2020 20:27:43 1,107 posts
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The forum search isn’t working so not sure if there’s a thread about these already.

Universal Remotes - I’m sick of having 3 remotes (third world problem I know) and ideally would want one that controls

LG TV
Sky Q
Xbox One

Does anyone have any experience with these and have suggestions of a relatively inexpensive model that does the job. Doesn’t need to be fancy, just get the job done.

Thanks

nudistpete 30 May 2020 20:45:20 1,273 posts
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Logitech Harmony. You can buy cheap ones which are basic IR universal remotes that also do macros (e.g. one-touch "Watch TV" and "Watch Sky" buttons), through to the expensive ones with a hub that let you control Bluetooth devices, and also plug into Alexa/Google Home, let you control stuff with your smartphone etc.

Deleted user 30 May 2020 20:47:20

I have one, it’s shit

nudistpete 30 May 2020 20:57:42 1,273 posts
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I love mine. Had three different ones in the last 14 years. The "One" without all the numeric buttons took a while to get used to. Adding the hub makes a world of difference since it reduces most of the problems you have with activities not turning on one of the devices (the remote communicates with the hub over RF, and IR is fired from the hub), having your activities work with Alexa is pretty nice and is well used when you have lost the remote down the side of the sofa.

Deleted user 30 May 2020 21:00:05

Yeah, just pissing around with its setup is shit.

My tv remote controls almost everything via HDMI-CEC so I don't use the harmony much

BigOrkWaaagh 30 May 2020 21:06:41 10,554 posts
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This is absolutely no help whatsoever but the remote that came with my TV also controls my Virgin box, sound bar and to my astonishment, Xbox. I love it.

Deleted user 30 May 2020 21:34:37

That will be HDMI-CEC.

If anyone wants a harmony ultimate I have one I'd trade for some interesting gaming stuffs

freddymercurystwin 30 May 2020 22:26:47 2,825 posts
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https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/accessories/best-remote-controls

Dougs 31 May 2020 07:28:25 100,414 posts
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEH8KQHMlnU&t=0m59s

elstoof 31 May 2020 07:52:23 28,125 posts
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THE MEGATRON

You-can-call-me-kal 31 May 2020 08:25:14 23,013 posts
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Harmonys are the best but the set up is a little clunky. The LG Magic thing isn’t too bad is you have an LG.

Fourwisemen 31 May 2020 12:50:48 1,107 posts
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Those Harmony’s are deffo out of budget..

I tend to distrust stuff which is overly inexpensive, but come across this -

One For All Evolve 4 Universal remote control -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0787C4NX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FM50Eb8JPK257

Can anyone vouch for these for my needs?

freddymercurystwin 31 May 2020 12:56:22 2,825 posts
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@Fourwisemen looks very similar to the what hi-fi winner I linked to, buying from Amazon you can easily try it send back if no good.

You-can-call-me-kal 31 May 2020 12:56:48 23,013 posts
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My mum has one of those. Stopped getting used for some but seemed to work fine when I set it up.

One of the things you need to check is how all your devices connect to remotes. Not everything is inferred these days. You have Bluetooth and WiFi. Some things even have their own proprietary connection mechanic.

The reason Harmony is expensive is because it does everything you need to do the job properly. Every type of connection is covered and they constantly update them with every single new device on the market, even obscure ones. So it really works as a genuine universal remote and will continue to do so for years.

freddymercurystwin 31 May 2020 13:08:27 2,825 posts
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I've had a few over the years, I used to have one of these

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTB1tzXw-K_aZpaQajG2pfjTImm5Q_IZTojoi7-t8qbBZceeDay&usqp=CAU

You couldn't hold it one hand, it was ridiculous.

If I was buying one again I would make sure it had a learning ability and the ability for every single button to be a learning one. The ones with presets often seem to map their buttons slightly disimilar to how you want it mapped, assuming you can actually find your specific item of equipment of which their must be millions.

Deleted user 31 May 2020 13:29:01

@Fourwisemen What LG TV have you got. The newish ones use bluetooth/Rf not infra red so the one for all ones wouldn't work.

Fourwisemen 31 May 2020 17:58:37 1,107 posts
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@freddymercurystwin

I thought it looked similar, thanks for the heads up.

Fourwisemen 31 May 2020 18:00:56 1,107 posts
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@You-can-call-me-kal

All infrared at the mo, and I assume that Series X will have an IR receiver but can’t recall seeing anything on that yet.

These might do the job and for 25 notes could be worth a punt.

Fourwisemen 31 May 2020 18:02:56 1,107 posts
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freddymercurystwin wrote:
I've had a few over the years, I used to have one of these

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTB1tzXw-K_aZpaQajG2pfjTImm5Q_IZTojoi7-t8qbBZceeDay&usqp=CAU

You couldn't hold it one hand, it was ridiculous.

If I was buying one again I would make sure it had a learning ability and the ability for every single button to be a learning one. The ones with presets often seem to map their buttons slightly disimilar to how you want it mapped, assuming you can actually find your specific item of equipment of which their must be millions.

@freddymercurystwin

That reminds me of a VHS remote we had when I was a kid that talked to you and seemed to have been made by Sony just to help people set the timer right. It was a right brick of a thing.

Fourwisemen 31 May 2020 18:04:59 1,107 posts
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@Blackmarsh63

It’s a 5 year old 4K LCD, WebOS. It is IR though because I can turn it on and off with the Sky Q IR remote.

Deleted user 31 May 2020 18:10:03

@Fourwisemen My soundbar covers the ir sensor on my C9 and wont turn on and off with the remote. Every other function must be bluetooth as it works fine once its on.

Fourwisemen 13 Jun 2020 11:39:02 1,107 posts
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@Blackmarsh63

So after not wanting to spend much on a universal remote I had a fuc£ it moment and bought an LG C9 and well impressed the remote controls everything.

The picture isn’t have bad either..

Deleted user 13 June 2020 11:59:00

@Fourwisemen Its not called a magic remote for nothing

Stunning TV all round really.