Recommended Universal Remote Remote & Apple TV?

[wdr1]

We're in the processing of setting up AV in our new house. We'll have an Apple TV, combined with Samsung's The Frame & a Yahama RX-V485.

We'd like to get a universal remote to keep everything simple. Has anyone found one that works well with the Apple TV? Someone had recommended the Urc Mx-890, but it doesn't look like you can rewind/ffwd on the Apple TV with it.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

AppleTV can "learn" any remote. Instead of thinking logically about programming the remote to work with AppleTV, you can think the other way with AppleTV. Thus, the TV and/or the Yamaha's remote probably has the relatively simple button set compatible with AppleTV.

Furthermore, if AppleTV is going to be your ONLY source of video, you might be able to use the AppleTV remote itself. I have more than one source so I've never much bothered with it but that could work for you if you have nothing else you want to connect for (other) video sources. If you can make that setup work this way, you'll have the bonus of the virtual remotes in iDevices being able to be used too.

If you DO have other video sources (cable, satt, blu ray, AppleTV competitor boxes, game consoles, CD player, etc), my long-term, "one remote to rule them all" comes from Universal Remote Control. They have a variety of models. What I like about them is they:

• are relatively easy to program (PC only),
• have "learn" capability, meaning add something new and if they don't already have its codes in the database, I can aim their remote at this remote in learning mode and assign all buttons. Then, I can put the new source's remote away and use the URC in that mode to fake being the original.
• have macro functionality assignable to one button. A macro executes multiple commands in a sequence. So I allocate one button for every source to "setup" (macro) and clicking that setup button takes all the steps to put the TV on the right input, put the receiver in the right mode, etc. Among other benefits, this lets me override any dependency on sometimes flaky CEC by shifting what CEC is supposed to do to something within my own control.

URC is not the only game in this town. I'm under the impression that select remotes branded Harmony and Logitech have similar capability... and I'm sure there are others too (I've been on this URC train for over a decade now).

However, again, if AppleTV is going to be your ONLY source, you may be able to get by just fine with one of the remotes that come with the 3 devices. Just get AppleTV to learn the (probably Samsung) remote or try using only the AppleTV remote itself.

And you most certainly CAN rewind and fast forward on the URC MX-890. If it has the dedicated buttons, you can make AppleTV use them (either by learning them on AppleTV or programming them on MX-890)...

 

[arholmes22]

I just recently purchased a Hisense U8h television and although the remote doesn’t look fancy the remote operated my Apple TV flawlessly. I don’t even have to use Apple Remote anymore. It also operates my 4K Blu-ray player where my other remote to my previous tv would not control it at all.

 

[moyjoy]

I have The Frame as well with a Sonos soundbar/subwoofer. Apple TV remote worked flawlessly with everything until Samsung made recent changes with its art store.

Now instead of turning everything off and putting the TV into art mode holding the off button turns off the Apple TV and turns on Samsung Christmas movies 😒.

 

[danlat1415]

Does anyone know if the Fire TV remotes or newest Alexa Voice remote pro will work with the Apple TV (3rd gen)

I like the Apple remote, but the rest of my family prefer a standard style TV remote look.

I like the look of the remote, it's Bluetooth, backlit and has a voice button.
And with Prime Day approaching, may be a good price

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Someone please correct me but I think voice commands are limited exclusively to Apple devices only (AppleTV remote, iDevices, etc). I don't think any third party option with a voice button will work as a voice command device with AppleTV.

Otherwise, if a remote has IR (infrared, which most do), AppleTV can "learn" any remote. Some FireTV remotes do not have IR but at least one does. Get that one if you want your AppleTV to "learn" that type of remote.

Again see my prior post #2. Pretty much any remote will work with AppleTV. See this article for details.

 

[danlat1415]

Thanks
I'm not too bothered about Siri, but a general remote would be good.

The Fire/Alexa remotes are Bluetooth - which that link doesn't make reference to.
It only references network based remotes and IR remotes.

You can pair Bluetooth devices to the ATV, but not sure about remote use.

I've ordered one for tomorrow off Amazon, so I'll report back.
If it doesn't work - I'll be sending back to Amazon (benefits of Prime)



I know it is possible for the ATV to accept at least some Bluetooth remotes, as both Functions101 and Salt do Bluetooth remotes for the ATV:

Universal Remote for Apple TV | Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV Bluetooth Edition - Function101

Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV is a replacement remote for your Universal Remote for Apple TV. The hybrid BLE / IR remote is designed with traditional buttons, so navigating Apple TV is easy. Compatible with most TV sets, soundbars, and receivers to control power, volume, and mute functions.

function101.com

Salt TV remote

Salt TV remote 2.0, User friendly, Apple TV

www.salt.ch

 

[bluespark]

AppleTV can "learn" any remote. Instead of thinking logically about programming the remote to work with AppleTV, you can think the other way with AppleTV. Thus, the TV and/or the Yamaha's remote probably has the relatively simple button set compatible with AppleTV.

Furthermore, if AppleTV is going to be your ONLY source of video, you might be able to use the AppleTV remote itself. I have more than one source so I've never much bothered with it but that could work for you if you have nothing else you want to connect for (other) video sources. If you can make that setup work this way, you'll have the bonus of the virtual remotes in iDevices being able to be used too.

If you DO have other video sources (cable, satt, blu ray, AppleTV competitor boxes, game consoles, CD player, etc), my long-term, "one remote to rule them all" comes from Universal Remote Control. They have a variety of models. What I like about them is they:

• are relatively easy to program (PC only),
• have "learn" capability, meaning add something new and if they don't already have its codes in the database, I can aim their remote at this remote in learning mode and assign all buttons. Then, I can put the new source's remote away and use the URC in that mode to fake being the original.
• have macro functionality assignable to one button. A macro executes multiple commands in a sequence. So I allocate one button for every source to "setup" (macro) and clicking that setup button takes all the steps to put the TV on the right input, put the receiver in the right mode, etc. Among other benefits, this lets me override any dependency on sometimes flaky CEC by shifting what CEC is supposed to do to something within my own control.

URC is not the only game in this town. I'm under the impression that select remotes branded Harmony and Logitech have similar capability... and I'm sure there are others too (I've been on this URC train for over a decade now).

However, again, if AppleTV is going to be your ONLY source, you may be able to get by just fine with one of the remotes that come with the 3 devices. Just get AppleTV to learn the (probably Samsung) remote or try using only the AppleTV remote itself.

And you most certainly CAN rewind and fast forward on the URC MX-890. If it has the dedicated buttons, you can make AppleTV use them (either by learning them on AppleTV or programming them on MX-890)...

View attachment 2173554

Is it still true, though, that URC only supports programming by professional installers? That was so annoying for me when I had one of these years ago because I like to tweak my system from time to time (which always meant a call to the installer for a very simple reprogramming) and because the installers never got everything exactly right -- which I easily could have done on my own had the programming software been included. Maybe that has changed, but in my experience, URC's failure to embrace customers who wanted to program their own remotes killed the value proposition and also meant that some of us were left with poorly programmed remotes.

 

[bluespark]

We're in the processing of setting up AV in our new house. We'll have an Apple TV, combined with Samsung's The Frame & a Yahama RX-V485.

We'd like to get a universal remote to keep everything simple. Has anyone found one that works well with the Apple TV? Someone had recommended the Urc Mx-890, but it doesn't look like you can rewind/ffwd on the Apple TV with it.

Apart from the Apple TV's ability to learn other infrared remotes, you may want to consider using the ATV's own remote for your entire system. You can easily set the ATV to turn on your receiver and TV via the HDMI connection, and that remote can do everything that is needed as long as the ATV is the input. If you also have other inputs, you could keep the receiver remote around for just those times.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Is it still true, though, that URC only supports programming by professional installers? That was so annoying for me when I had one of these years ago because I like to tweak my system from time to time (which always meant a call to the installer for a very simple reprogramming) and because the installers never got everything exactly right -- which I easily could have done on my own had the programming software been included. Maybe that has changed, but in my experience, URC's failure to embrace customers who wanted to program their own remotes killed the value proposition and also meant that some of us were left with poorly programmed remotes.

I do have the software and program my own. I’d use something else if it was installer only. I think it was simply a matter of asking for the software or perhaps I still have it from when individuals could get it.

 

[AZhappyjack]

We're in the processing of setting up AV in our new house. We'll have an Apple TV, combined with Samsung's The Frame & a Yahama RX-V485.

We'd like to get a universal remote to keep everything simple. Has anyone found one that works well with the Apple TV? Someone had recommended the Urc Mx-890, but it doesn't look like you can rewind/ffwd on the Apple TV with it.

When Logitech stopped making the Harmony remotes, I purchased 5 additional remotes (model 665)... and have them available, as necessary. They are the same model, and are completely interchangeable... not sure what I'll do when they all die... but if you can find one still new in the package, good on ya.

 

[danlat1415]

Just an update**

I received an Alexa Voice Remote Pro today from Amazon.

I managed to pair it with the Apple TV (3rd gen) using the Bluetooth option.
It showed up in the list as 'AR', but then after it was paired, the device name changed to Amazon Remote.
It said 'keyboard connected'.

The direction buttons work, the centre buttons works on most apps to select something, but I found that when using a search box and trying to select letters from the on screen alphabet, the select button wouldn't select any letters.

The Home button works, including double press.
The back button does not work
The option button (3 lines) works when long pressing, it takes you to the switch user/power off section in the top right of Apple home screen.

The power button and volume buttons work **BUT YOU NEED TO PAIR THE REMOTE WITH A FIRE TV FIRST, THEN GO THROUGH ON SCREEN OPTIONS TO CONFIGURE THE IR TV BUTTON FUNCTIONS. Once you've paired it to your TV and the volume buttons work, you then reset the remote and pair it with the Apple TV, and it remember the IR function buttons.

None of the other buttons work.
Alexa Voice button just flashes when pressed, it doesn't bring any SIRI up.
None of the preset app buttons work.
There is also no option to reprogram any of the buttons (you can on android devices by downloading a button remapping app from play store. There isn't any similar app on Apple).


So to sum up - it does work, barely, and is a lot of hassle to pair with a Fire TV stick first in order to set up the IR volume and power buttons before pairing with the Apple TV.


I'm going to try either the Sofabaton U1, U2 or X1 next

 

[HDFan]

When Logitech stopped making the Harmony remotes, I purchased 5 additional remotes (model 665)... and have them available, as necessary. They are the same model, and are completely interchangeable... not sure what I'll do when they all die.

Logitech was the gold standard. Crossing my fingers that my remotes and 1 backup don't die. At some point they will turn off the configuration servers ....