Any way to get universal remote to change channels?

Channels Apple TV
#1

I am trying to get my parents who are seniors to switch over to apple TV’s and the channels app and turn in the boxes the cable rents out. All together they could save about $30 a month in rental fees and finally get HD on all their TV’s.

My farther took to it all pretty easily, but Mom wants a single traditional remote like she is used to.

I can get a programable universal remote to take care of all the TV stuff, but still need a way for the remote to switch channels up and down withy the arrow keys while the channel app is running.

Is there anyway to recreate this with a universal remote?

#2

Yes, Google programming the AT4 for Universal remote options. It’s a feature in Settings.

#3

On the Apple TV we support some media keys like pause/play/skip, but channel up/down and numeric entry are not possible due to tvOS limitations.

#4

Thanks for the reply.

I think the channels app is great.

But for an older person, that is probably the limiting thing that would prevent an older person from using it as a replacement for a cable box. I need a single remote that controls the TV and the ATV , and then the ability to go up and down the channels with buttons on a remote.

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#5

Just to be thorough, if you add their favorite channels, they'll be available by swiping down while watching something. Then they can see what's currently on the other channels faster than flipping through each one. Though I'm sure this is more just a behavioral thing, we know change is hard.

#6

Thanks; that might help a little, but it makes sense IOS and the ATV remote is what limits what is possible.

Its sad that a $120 TV I bought them costs ~$120/year just to watch it in HD. I had hoped an ATV4 and Channels would help a bit, but the remote interface is much different than she is used to and not sure switching between multiple remotes is practical. Probably just too annoying and she would just go back to the old box with one remote.

Thanks for the Replies

#7

You can definitely use a cheap traditional universal remote bought from best buy or something. Then it would at least feel more familiar. It just wouldn’t have the functionality of Channel Up/Down.

#8

A universal remote will work, just in a slightly different way.

The “down” arrow on the navigation arrows on a universal remote achieves the same purpose as a swipe down on the Apple TV Remote, presenting the channel switcher view. Then, just arrow left/right on the univsal remote and hit OK to switch to that channel.

I know how resistant to change some people are, but surely teaching them to hit “down -> right -> OK” isn’t too bad?

#9

I have a cheap bare bone logitech remote, I bought and never used. I am going to program it and give it a shot.

Ill leave the ATV there and maybe I can get her to try it out if I can make it as easy as possible. I did show her yesterday how much the better the TV looks when its actually using an HD source, and thats with me setting the ATV to 720p.

#10

Since ATV game controllers have extra buttons and functionality, is there any way to tap into that to provide extra ‘buttons’ in Channels with a universal remote? I’m assuming no since they would likely be supported over Bluetooth only and not IR.

Have to say though I’m quite jealous that other Channels platforms are able to support channel up/down and direct number entry.

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