Which clients support numeric channel entry?

[BerMM]

I read that I can use a Harmony with a Fire Stick. Are there any other options that have numerical entry?

[Fofer]

I use numeric channel entry on my AppleTV's. There's been a few threads about this:

Does Channels app support numeric keypad entry?

Does the Channels app for Apple TV or Android (Nvidia Shield TV?) support numeric keypad entry? For example, can I navigate directly to channel 510? Obviously the Apple TV remote doesn't have numeric keypad, but you can use an iPhone to enter text/numbers and my Control4 system communicates using IP control so it can also send characters, etc.

Lost numerical entry w/Harmony

With the latest TestFlight (11.8.426) I can confirm that manual channel entry in the guide (to jump to that channel's row) is working for me, on the living room AppleTV 4K with a Harmony Companion remote (set up as a Bluetooth keyboard.) It's not however working on the bedroom AppleTV with a Harmony 650 remote. I'm not sure if it's supposed to, as this remote only uses Infrared. But manual channel entry still works when watching live TV and it works when I use these "favorite channel shortcuts…

[BerMM]

Thanks. What is the cheapest combo of client and numeric remote? (Preferably that isn't discontinued. Seems like a good time to wean the family off of Harmony.)

[fashioncents]

Probably an Android TV box and a Sofabaton.

[racameron]

@BerMM

cheapest combo of client and numeric remote

TiVo Stream 4K

[Morris_Altman]

When using the Sofabaton remote, can the volume control be set to always control my audio equipment no matter what device is selected?

[racameron]

Yes. It is set up by "activity", and each activity can consist of different buttons being configured to send to commands to different devices.

It is something you configure.

[Morris_Altman]

Thank you

[racameron]

@Morris_Altman

When using the Sofabaton remote

Just beware, in my personal experience the Sofabaton is overly aggressive with activating its display and has poor battery life. I also found its IR performance quite poor, requiring a more direct line-of-sight than other remotes.

Unfortunately, the only other real IR/BT remote option is a Harmony Hub-based solution. (The old IR Harmony remotes were great, but the wifi Hub ones suck.)

If your TV/home audio setup has good CEC support, that may be the best route.

[Morris_Altman]

Thank you,

CEC is great when all devices are compatible. I use a Chrome Cast with GTV and the remote is nice though lacks numeric keys. I don't seem to get used to the idea that I can talk to it.

[B0bHalter]

Currently using a Sofabaton UI remote with both AppleTV and Firesticks, and the number keypad works perfectly with Channels. Just make sure that you set up AppleTV or Firestick as bluetooth on the remote.

[BerMM]

It looks like FLIRC works with Fire sticks. I may give that a try because I have the sticks and we already use Alexa.

[fashioncents]

@racameron

Just beware, in my personal experience the Sofabaton is overly aggressive with activating its display and has poor battery life.

This can be disabled in the settings.

Left three dots -> Setting -> Turn off “Light Up Remote Screen When Holding Up”