Best universal remote for Apple tv

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Stu1

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Topic # 225786 5-Dec-2017 17:22

Hi guys looking for recommendations for a universal remote for apple TV 4k and apple TV4, also needs to control belkin HDMI switcher. I went to NL they said my only option was the Harmony elite which was around 400 NZ. Any suggestions on other options? Cheers

Dingbatt

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Reply # 1913468 5-Dec-2017 17:45

Harmony elite doesn't control ATV4, only 2 and 3.
I use the ATV4 remote control to control volume on my Onkyo amp and via CEC it turns everything on and off. It does have an IR flasher on it but not sure how programmable it is. Probably not to the extent of an HDMI switcher.
Apple really don't want you to use anything not made by them to control their device.

Areas of Geek interest: Home Theatre, HTPC, Android Tablets & Phones, iProducts.

wazzageek

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Reply # 1913473 5-Dec-2017 18:03

The supplied AppleTV4 remote is a bluetooth remote - we have a Harmony Ultimate One - it's all only IR, no bluetooth - the the AppleTV4 responds to the original apple IR commands though.

I've found more and more that I tend to use the Apple remote and a bluetooth keyboard when I'm using the AppleTV - it comes down to getting used to the touch control on the remote, along with the top left / top right click areas to skip back/forwards.

You can definitely use the Harmony Ultimate One (about half the price of the Elite) with the AppleTV (No experience with the ATV4K - so cannot comment on that one). If your HDMI switcher responds to IR, then it's possibly in the database already, or you can "train" the remote to emulate the required pulses.

If you want to go IR only, then you can go the Harmony 650 - which uses AA batteries.

The advantage to the Elite is that it appears to have bluetooth included - the harmony website didn't fill me in with whether the elite remotes could do the same swiping work.

Stu1

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Reply # 1913539 5-Dec-2017 20:31

I’m ok with the Apple remote, the wife gets a bit grumpy with all the remotes. I have optic from the panosonic tv to a Yamaha amp without hdmi so have to use amp remote for volume. A panonsonic blue ray recorder, tv remote( I have this working on the blueray remote, a Belkin hdmi switcher remote and the Apple TV remote. I would ideally like to have just one, the Apple remote just needs for my wife to be able to chose apps and tv shows to watch , Netflix lightbox abc ect. The harmony 650 doesn’t look too bad but I do want to get another Apple TV but will get the 4K version

Stu1

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Reply # 1913541 5-Dec-2017 20:34

Dingbatt: Harmony elite doesn't control ATV4, only 2 and 3.
I use the ATV4 remote control to control volume on my Onkyo amp and via CEC it turns everything on and off. It does have an IR flasher on it but not sure how programmable it is. Probably not to the extent of an HDMI switcher.
Apple really don't want you to use anything not made by them to control their device.

Dumb question do you need to have hdmi on the amp to control your Onkyo?, I only have a Yamaha amp but no hdmi, still works great not ready to upgrade it yet

Dingbatt

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Reply # 1913661 6-Dec-2017 07:20

Stu1:
Dingbatt: Harmony elite doesn't control ATV4, only 2 and 3.
I use the ATV4 remote control to control volume on my Onkyo amp and via CEC it turns everything on and off. It does have an IR flasher on it but not sure how programmable it is. Probably not to the extent of an HDMI switcher.
Apple really don't want you to use anything not made by them to control their device.

Dumb question do you need to have hdmi on the amp to control your Onkyo?, I only have a Yamaha amp but no hdmi, still works great not ready to upgrade it yet

CEC via HDMI for on and off and volume control of the amp. I was expecting the volume control to be IR but I just tried the ATV4 remote and it didn't use IR so must be using CEC.

Areas of Geek interest: Home Theatre, HTPC, Android Tablets & Phones, iProducts.

trig42

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Reply # 1913694 6-Dec-2017 08:52

I have a Harmony Ultimate One Touch, and it controls the AppleTV4 just fine (via IR, not Bluetooth).

A cheaper Harmony will as well (like the 650).

Get a Harmony, you will not regret it. Start with the 650 (for about $79 I think), upgrade later if you like what it does. Batteries seem to last quite a while in the 650 - we have one for our bedroom TV and I have only replaced the batteries in it once in the last 2 years.

geekiegeek

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Reply # 1913695 6-Dec-2017 08:56

If you have a Harmony hub I believe it can be controlled via Wi-Fi. https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/harmony-experience-with-apple-tv

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Stu1

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Reply # 1914106 6-Dec-2017 20:21

Thanks guys will give the 650 a try will wait for the next sale :)