Harmony Replacement? The Unfolded Circle Remote Two + Home Assistant 

Thanks! I saw on the discord yesterday that they hope to be emailing an update by early next week.

Glad I could help! I already need to put together an update as I’ve got it working for my entire theater, and answer some other questions I’ve received.

It does take some work, but once things click, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. I wanted to get this video up as an overview but I do have a more carefully planned step by step planned, but that would also involve starting over on the remote itself and not sure I want to do that just yet. I wish I had another remote to start from scratch with.

You're so welcome!

It can be discouraging. It could be more intuitive. It should have had better documentation from day 1. Stick with it and hopefully it will pay off for you.

I view the Remote Two as a really, REALLY nice front-end for Home Assistant.

Same hear. I've been using HA for 6 years, it's WAY easier to set up now then back then. I would just need to create the activities and map buttons. It's not without it's headaches but it's essentially Matter without Matter/Thread but more powerful. The fact that it's the second largest open source project in the world, with MS visual studio being number one. The possibilities are endless with this remote but it's a bit pricey and I understand why, took them over 2 years to get the first units shipped so software issues were to be expected. As long as they fix them in a reasonable time. I read that some people use Ethernet with an Ethernet to COM adapter to control Lumagen devices. Kind of a headache but it works but using COM in 2024 is just odd on such a high end device. I have no idea why they make their IR codes like they did in the early 2000's, things changed, they never did. I think I read that it can learn from the Harmony remote as Lumagen did give Logitech the codes that work and can be learned so try adding it to your harmony and learn from there. Worth a shot. Outside that, the COM port is the only other option I have heard of outside Logitech. I don't understand why Lumagen won't give them out freely, you need a very expensive device to use it and Logitech got it to work. Right now HA forums are going to be your best friend. Lots of useful smart people there. Like controlling your Lumagen over.the COM port using an adapter via Home Assistant. There is some way to send COM. Commands directly to the Lumagen via HA with an adapter.

Thanks! Marantz does not have an integration in Remote Two yet, but I imagine the IR codes are in the database, and there may be a Home Assistant integration as well. What I really want for the Lumagen is On/Off, and the d-pad controls would also be nice for quick status check or DynPad adjustment. Yes, it’s all in the same room.

If I was considering spending AVA money I’d spend it on Control4, for the same reason that Harmony is still a simpler and easier solution than the “replacements” - time. They’ve been building their databases and experience for years and as such it’s more polished. The Sofabaton is the new Harmony, the Remote Two + Home Assistant is the new Control4. The AVA seems somewhere in between? It’s slick looking but I don’t think I’m a fan of the click wheel design.

Not until they begin offering additional docks available for purchase. I believe there was a Kickstarter config with an extra dock, but not available since. The dock works like a Harmony Hub, connects to the system with WiFi or Ethernet and relays IR from the dock. There are jacks for external IR repeaters as well, but you’d need to find a way to get that signal to your other location.

@@av_nirvana the cradle is just the wrong location for all those connections in my finished room. My rack is off in an equipment closet - not even the same room. Maybe I could use an IP IR blaster using Home Assistant, but I think I’ll stick with Harmony as long as I can, rather than create unnecessary problems.

Yes.

I’ve been trying to plan a follow-up video now that I’m using it full-time, but have had some other things taking my time. I love this remote. It’s essentially a front-end for my HA configuration, and then I’ve accentuated a few of the HA integrations with some additional IR codes learned by the UCR2. My remote has no issues staying connected to WiFi, it’s only locked up once since I’ve had it, which was in the first few weeks. My partner never even attempts to use it so I can’t speak to that, but I have no doubt she could use it if she tried. The ability to completely customize the buttons and screen layout mean I’m able to make it very simple with only what you need. If you are confident with Home Assistant I have no doubt you’ll love this remote. The HA integration is in great shape, the other integrations, not so much. For someone who only knows Harmony, it’s a struggle and not really ready for them yet. All my automations are done in HA, and I’m only using the UCR2 configurator for creating activities, and customizing the remote layouts. The firmware updates are slow, but I’ve not had any need for a new update because it’s been solid for me.

@@av_nirvana Perfect. Now to find a few to purchase and tinker with... I see some people sell them after learning the curve so I'll see. If you know of one let me know i'll buy it.

If you look at our more recent videos there is a livestream with Marton from Unfolded Circle. He explains that the two remotes will run the exact same software, so your remote will continue to receive updates for quite some time, and will in fact receive some new features before the Remote 3 launches.

I had to test this one, and the way I have it set up it does not control anything without an activity running or a specific device selected and active. That’s not to say it couldn’t be configured to work but I have no use for that. I have each activity set up with a custom remote layout for the needed devices and I don’t ever need to do anything not inside of an activity. Not sure what the need would be.

@@av_nirvana thanks for replying. The use case would be a remote that when picked up reliably controls a predefined favorite set of things, where other activities would be a sometimes use case. I suppose having it by default be in a specific Activity would be a solution.

The IR hub is built into the charging dock, and it does have two jacks for IR extenders. Not ideal if you have your rack in another room. They have said that once preorders are filled they will likely sell extra hubs. Or if you’re able to use Home assistant to control you don’t need IR, which is my end game.

⁠Good to know, thanks. But yeah totally sub optimal for dedicated HT with equipment room/closet like mine. One of the guys on the LRP owners thread me posted your vid today so I thought I'd check it out.

(That was me. 😎)

@@av_nirvana Ahh I see. Didn't realise. I'm Ozhdht on AVS.

I’m thrillcat

It can learn IR codes, though not all older code sets. Had no problem learning Kaleidescape and Anthem but Lumagen codes could not be learned. All physical buttons can be reassigned and the touchscreen is completely customizable including uploading custom icons.

Personally I am not at all a fan of the RS90x form factor, but have not had hands on with it. Being Android-based is also not a selling point for me, considering all the background processes using up resources that don’t benefit remote performance. Again, though, I have not used it. Because it’s my money being put towards a product I want to use (not a freebie for review), the form factor alone makes me personally not want to invest.

Probably should’ve still bought it when you came up, they are VERY hard to get right now. 😃

@@av_nirvana yes, the thought did occur to me, though the opportunity to buy also came at the worst possible time thanks to some other large outlays at the time. Anyway, I've just installed the Pronto configuration tool again as it needs some updates, and I'm reminded just how long I've had it and how much I've forgotten about how to configure it... I've got some serious relearning ahead.

Definitely harder to configure than a Harmony but it’s also exponentially more powerful and the hardware is much better built - not cheap plastic.

It’s a waiting game now. There is supposed to be an announcement soon regarding more hardware availability but nothing yet. I got on the list the day the kickstarter closed and got mine in December.

There’s a waiting list at the unfolded circle website, but also no definitive timeline for when more will be available.

You can't unless there's a used one for sale on the forum. STAY AWAY FOR NOW. ITS NOWHERR NEAR CONSUMER READY.

The hardware blows the Sofabaton out of the water. Completely different class. Software has received several updates since posting this video and it’s now completely replaced my Harmony (with the help of Home Assistant). If I had to choose between Sofabaton and Harmony I’d be buying backup Harmony remotes. As it stands, even with the lack of documentation for the Remote Two, it’s the far superior remote to either Harmony or Sofabaton, it just has a steep learning curve. Paired with Home Assistant it’s a $500 Control4.

@@av_nirvana May be superior to Sofabaton X1S, but it is not available. The Sofabaton is available now.

I keep my smart home stuff, including that remote, on the 2.4Ghz band, and everything else on 5Ghz. Same network though. BUT it’s a HomeKit router that locks everything down from remote access except through the HomeHub, which is an Apple TV.

I’m good thanks. This isn’t upload quality it’s recorded on my webcam for simplicity.

LOL your good..... isn't film creator your side job@@av_nirvana

Ha! I’ve got a bunch of side jobs, but yes, one of them is filmmaker and video producer.

If you’re not willing to use Home Assistant and spend a little bit of time to merge them, probably not.

I felt the same way until a few weeks ago. The IR blaster is narrow but working towards complete IP/integration control makes it a non-issue. Software is better than people think, but the lack of documentation means you need to understand how the R2 and HA communicate, and create your setups accordingly. It’s not for the casual user at this point, but I know zero code, I know enough about the process and logistics of how code operates to get this working for my theater.

@@av_nirvana exactly why it doesn't even qualify as Beta yet.