The most frustrating experience dealing with Skip 1s and app...

[bitzie]

Like many others I have a Harmony Companion Hub. I was totally bummed that they discontinued it because I can't really change anything with it as the Android app is horrible and simply doesn't work anymore. But then I saw the Skip 1S. Sounds awesome. I was using a flirc usb years ago with an older Harmony and it worked quite well so I figured I would give the Skip 1S a shot.

I'm starting to regret that decision. Using three remotes might just be a more convenient route....

My setup isn't that convoluted. Nvidia Shield 2017 (either used for Kodi/Plex or streaming services) goes into a Denon AVR-X1500H which then outputs to a TCL 55R646. All I want to be able to do is to turn everything on with one button then control the Shield. The tv is basically dumb, I don't use any of the in-built apps or anything it just needs to turn on and off. I have the flirc usb plugged into the Shield with an extension so it's pointing right at where we sit on the sofa. So far, here's what I've been able to do:

1: Turn the tv on or off, but nothing else. If I manually turn on the rest, I can control both the receiver volume and the Shield/Kodi.

2: Turn the receiver on, but nothing else. If I hit the power button again, sometimes the tv will turn on, sometimes the receiver will turn off. Nothing changes with the Shield power-wise, but when it's on I can control it.

Thankfully at least when everything is on, I can fully control the Shield so there's that. But that does mean I still need multiple remotes to get to that point, so it's basically pointless.

Are there any actual guides on how to properly set this up and deal with the rather janky app? I'm really, really close to just tossing the Skip 1S and flirc usb in the trash and setting it all on fire.

[Nathan]

Regarding guides, yes:

https://skip-org.gitbook.io/skip-remote-guide/

It sounds as though not all the power up and power down buttons for your devices have been dragged onto the Skip Remote in the Skip App. If that's the case, see:

https://skip-org.gitbook.io/skip-remote-guide/edit-your-activity-buttons

Also a video on the subject: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx_0KGN0cjdz2_DfUkIz5hIxXPcjCsMwY0

[Fardi273]

7 hours ago, bitzie said:

Like many others I have a Harmony Companion Hub. I was totally bummed that they discontinued it because I can't really change anything with it as the Android app is horrible and simply doesn't work anymore. But then I saw the Skip 1S. Sounds awesome. I was using a flirc usb years ago with an older Harmony and it worked quite well so I figured I would give the Skip 1S a shot.

I'm starting to regret that decision. Using three remotes might just be a more convenient route....

My setup isn't that convoluted. Nvidia Shield 2017 (either used for Kodi/Plex or streaming services) goes into a Denon AVR-X1500H which then outputs to a TCL 55R646. All I want to be able to do is to turn everything on with one button then control the Shield. The tv is basically dumb, I don't use any of the in-built apps or anything it just needs to turn on and off. I have the flirc usb plugged into the Shield with an extension so it's pointing right at where we sit on the sofa. So far, here's what I've been able to do:

1: Turn the tv on or off, but nothing else. If I manually turn on the rest, I can control both the receiver volume and the Shield/Kodi.

2: Turn the receiver on, but nothing else. If I hit the power button again, sometimes the tv will turn on, sometimes the receiver will turn off. Nothing changes with the Shield power-wise, but when it's on I can control it.

Thankfully at least when everything is on, I can fully control the Shield so there's that. But that does mean I still need multiple remotes to get to that point, so it's basically pointless.

Are there any actual guides on how to properly set this up and deal with the rather janky app? I'm really, really close to just tossing the Skip 1S and flirc usb in the trash and setting it all on fire.

 

Your setup is similar with mine and I have been using single remote control for almost a year. Here's my devices:

• Nvidia Shield 2015
• Panasonic 42" Plasma TV (2009)
• Onkyo tx-nr686

Remote control used: NVIDIA SHIELD Remote (link: Amazon). The triangle shape base. It has both Bluetooth and IR.

What I did:

1. Enable CEC in all 3 devices.
2. In SHIELD's Power control setting, enable/disable features according to your preference. Example: Turn ON TV when SHIELD wakes.
3. Change IR setup for TV & receiver.
4. Done

 

I bought Skip 1s because I thought I can control TV cable's set-top-box with it.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work for now (Link to a topic in another post).

 

[jason]

On 1/15/2023 at 10:04 PM, bitzie said:

Like many others I have a Harmony Companion Hub. I was totally bummed that they discontinued it because I can't really change anything with it as the Android app is horrible and simply doesn't work anymore. But then I saw the Skip 1S. Sounds awesome. I was using a flirc usb years ago with an older Harmony and it worked quite well so I figured I would give the Skip 1S a shot.

I'm starting to regret that decision. Using three remotes might just be a more convenient route....

My setup isn't that convoluted. Nvidia Shield 2017 (either used for Kodi/Plex or streaming services) goes into a Denon AVR-X1500H which then outputs to a TCL 55R646. All I want to be able to do is to turn everything on with one button then control the Shield. The tv is basically dumb, I don't use any of the in-built apps or anything it just needs to turn on and off. I have the flirc usb plugged into the Shield with an extension so it's pointing right at where we sit on the sofa. So far, here's what I've been able to do:

1: Turn the tv on or off, but nothing else. If I manually turn on the rest, I can control both the receiver volume and the Shield/Kodi.

2: Turn the receiver on, but nothing else. If I hit the power button again, sometimes the tv will turn on, sometimes the receiver will turn off. Nothing changes with the Shield power-wise, but when it's on I can control it.

Thankfully at least when everything is on, I can fully control the Shield so there's that. But that does mean I still need multiple remotes to get to that point, so it's basically pointless.

Are there any actual guides on how to properly set this up and deal with the rather janky app? I'm really, really close to just tossing the Skip 1S and flirc usb in the trash and setting it all on fire.

Can you share your configuration with me? I'd like to take a look.

** EDIT ** - I think your setup is extremely manageable and think I could help fix it. In Remote manager, Tools->Export Remote Config, attach here. I'll get this fixed for you.

Does your TV have CEC? If not, don't worry.

[jason]

Update Flirc Profiles in these builds. You'll need to add back the profile. We will add a way to auto detect an update and prompt you in a future build.

Kodi/Plex don't have built in support for flirc yet. Truth is, different keyboard shortcuts on different platforms, so I'll need to probably add one for each. But for now, the flirc profiles are fixed.

Shield should be fixed too, no pairing needed with the flirc USB app. Please let me know.

windows and mac build.

[firedog]

Hi-

I have a Harmony remote and an Android TV box that isn't compatible (no IR) with the Harmony.

2 questions:

1. Will a Skip work with the Android TV box?

2. If answer to first question is yes: Can I use the IR output on the Skip to program the Harmony so I have 2 universal remotes that work my Android TV Box?

 

Thanks

 

[Benjamin1971]

16 hours ago, firedog said:

Hi-

I have a Harmony remote and an Android TV box that isn't compatible (no IR) with the Harmony.

2 questions:

1. Will a Skip work with the Android TV box?

2. If answer to first question is yes: Can I use the IR output on the Skip to program the Harmony so I have 2 universal remotes that work my Android TV Box?

 

Thanks

 

The Skip1s only supports IR, so if your Android TV box doesn't have that, the Skip1s won't work with it.

[jason]

20 hours ago, firedog said:

Hi-

I have a Harmony remote and an Android TV box that isn't compatible (no IR) with the Harmony.

2 questions:

1. Will a Skip work with the Android TV box?

2. If answer to first question is yes: Can I use the IR output on the Skip to program the Harmony so I have 2 universal remotes that work my Android TV Box?

 

Thanks

 

If the android box supports IR, you can use the skip to teach harmony. But you can also get a Flirc USB to add IR to the android box.

Cheers!

[firedog]

The android box doesn’t support IR. So I get a skip and the usb dongle. I put the dongle in the usb box, and the skip will work with it, right?

Then I program the skip to control my other devices that are now controlled with the Harmony via IR. 

 

I can then control all of them from the skip, correct?

[jason]

1 hour ago, firedog said:

The android box doesn’t support IR. So I get a skip and the usb dongle. I put the dongle in the usb box, and the skip will work with it, right?

Then I program the skip to control my other devices that are now controlled with the Harmony via IR. 

 

I can then control all of them from the skip, correct?

Yes, that's correct. But you can also use a harmony and a flirc-usb as well, I have built in support for that.

[firedog]

Well, I got my Flirc Skip and my Flirc USB.

Have to say it's a very bad experience.

I have 3 devices I want to add to it for remote conrol - a TV, a Kii audio console (both were listed as part of Harmony) and an  Android TV Box (brand SEI Shenzhen) - none are listed.

I got partial success designing a remote. But limited.

1. The flirc USB? I want to use it with an android TV box. How? I can't even design a remote for that, as it isn't an IR device.

2. Where is the "built in support" for a Harmony Remote? 

3. Is there a way to set up a "power toggle" button - that alternates between on and off? I can't find a way to do that.

I'm not a computer geek. There are no instructions with the USB.  I added the driver to my Windows PC - but that driver seems irrelevant to what I need. 

Do you expect all consumers to somehow play around with command line code to get the devices to work? 

So far these two devices are a failure and just doorstops for me. 

I'm usually competent to work with electronics, phones, and computers. I can never remember getting any device where I totally couldn't get anything to work - and the available instructions seem irrelevant.

Edited January 4 by firedog

[firedog]

On 1/2/2025 at 8:30 PM, firedog said:

Well, I got my Flirc Skip and my Flirc USB.

Have to say it's a very bad experience.

I have 3 devices I want to add to it for remote conrol - a TV, a Kii audio console (both were listed as part of Harmony) and an  Android TV Box (brand SEI Shenzhen) - none are listed.

I got partial success designing a remote. But limited.

1. The flirc USB? I want to use it with an android TV box. How? I can't even design a remote for that, as it isn't an IR device.

2. Where is the "built in support" for a Harmony Remote? 

3. Is there a way to set up a "power toggle" button - that alternates between on and off? I can't find a way to do that.

4. Can someone tell me what the command is for channel up and Channel down for an Android TV box? I'm missing that - it doesn't work right in the config that I have.

 

Okay, I figured most of it out. But it was much harder than it should have been.

1. I found a config file for a Kodi Tv box that mostly works for my android TV box. There are a few functions that I don't have and a couple I'd like to add, but the main ones are there.

2. Finally also found an explanation for how to use the Harmony remote with the Flirc USB and the Skip. But it wasn't totally obvious. You should have a page that explains it step by step in simple terms.

3. Again, is there a way to set up buttons that toggle on the Flirc Skip? I have one that toggles power on/off and another that toggles mute/ unmute. I tried to set it up, but I can't get anything that works consistently. 

 

Edited January 7 by firedog

[jason]

On 1/7/2025 at 8:06 AM, firedog said:

1. I found a config file for a Kodi Tv box that mostly works for my android TV box. There are a few functions that I don't have and a couple I'd like to add, but the main ones are there.

Which? I would love to know so I can get these fixed and if you want to post your flirc config I'll get something added to make this easier and automated.

Really sorry for all the trouble you had.

On 1/7/2025 at 8:06 AM, firedog said:

2. Finally also found an explanation for how to use the Harmony remote with the Flirc USB and the Skip. But it wasn't totally obvious. You should have a page that explains it step by step in simple terms.

I am out of the loop with this one, can you point me to that so I can get some documentation going?
 

On 1/7/2025 at 8:06 AM, firedog said:

3. Again, is there a way to set up buttons that toggle on the Flirc Skip? I have one that toggles power on/off and another that toggles mute/ unmute. I tried to set it up, but I can't get anything that works consistently. 

Yes, recently published and only available to a few buttons.

By default, it's enabled on the 'power' button always.

It will be automatically enabled if toggle buttons are available for either the play/pause or mute button.

You can however enable them if it doesn't automatically do so. See the following: