Universal remote for elderly parents

[L500]

Hi, some help needed please. My parents are in their 80’s and have been getting a bit bored of FreeSat so I bought them a Firestick for Netflix etc. All is set up and working but their TV is 10 years old and they have to flick between remotes to access normal TV and the new options. They’re finding this a challenge. Does anyone know if I could get a single remote for this? Google hasn’t really helped me. Thanks.

[GuyW]

It may be worth looking at one of the Logitech Harmony offerings, I know they've got a few different models.

Overkill for your parents, but I have 2x Harmony Elites and they're great. Single remote for everything now.

[Radec]

How about One for All brand

https://www.oneforall.co.uk/universal-remotes/urc-...

Used a couple back in the day and they worked fine.
The above seems to fit the bill although Amazon reviews are a bit hit and miss but for the price you could try it and see if it works and if not send it back.

[boyse7en]

Radec said:

How about One for All brand

https://www.oneforall.co.uk/universal-remotes/urc-...

Used a couple back in the day and they worked fine.
The above seems to fit the bill although Amazon reviews are a bit hit and miss but for the price you could try it and see if it works and if not send it back.

That one looks good to replace the TV/Firestick/Receiver remotes cluttering my coffee table. Only concern is that there doesn't seem to be. Button to switch between sources on the TV. My old plasma doesn't detect the source input so has to be manually switched between TV/HDMI

[bristolracer]

I think the firestick uses bluetooth for the remote, the tv and the freesat box will be infra red.
You will need a remote to handle both, Logitech is one choice but requires a little fettling to get right. They be a little off putting for somebody elderly as they have masses of option and menus on them
It may be easier to get a new freesat box with apps built in? I think Manhattan do a fairly versatile box these days

[L500]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m investigating each option you’ve highlighted. Appreciate the input.

[bobthemonkey]

If your TV supports CEC (most do) you shouldn’t need the Fire remote. Need to enable CEC in the settings of both devices.

Fire to should auto power on when the tv switches to that HDMI input. May be a bit of trial and error to see what buttons on the TV remote map to the fire stick.

[Howard-]

bobthemonkey said:

If your TV supports CEC (most do) you shouldn’t need the Fire remote. Need to enable CEC in the settings of both devices.

Fire to should auto power on when the tv switches to that HDMI input. May be a bit of trial and error to see what buttons on the TV remote map to the fire stick.

In my experience CEC isn't always as seamless as it tries to be. For example, I have a Fire TV stick attached to a TV in my office and while the TV will power on when I press the power button on the Fire TV's remote, it sometimes won't switch to the correct input. Might be a quirk of my TV, but it's not the first time I've had issues.

A Logitech Harmony remote is a great option IMO. The Harmony Companion is simple enough to operate, yet advanced enough to be configured exactly how required. One of the top activity buttons can be configured for TV, the other for the Fire stick. The little 'off' button at the top can be pressed when they're finished. As long as they know which button does what, they're sorted.

And if they do get stuck, the OP can use the Harmony app on his phone to remotely "diagnose" issues without having to visit. On more than one occasion I've been out and I've received a "I pressed the wrong button/the dog brushed past the amp and now everything's fked" message from my other half

[megaphone]

Buy them a new TV with all the apps built in. I just bought my old mum a new 43" Panasonic, the remote is very clear with big buttons. She still struggles but at least she only has to worry about 1 remote.