IR + Sub-GHz Combo: Universal Home Theater Remote

Why Combine Both Protocols

Most home theater gear (TVs, soundbars, AV receivers, streaming boxes) uses IR, while some smart home/RF accessories (RF-controlled outlets for accent lighting, some older RF-based universal remote extenders) use Sub-GHz — Flipper genuinely covers both, letting you consolidate a coffee table's worth of separate remotes into one device.

Capturing IR Devices

Infrared > Learn New Remote, point your existing remote at Flipper's IR receiver (top of the device), and press each button you want to capture. Flipper auto-detects the protocol (NEC, Sony SIRC, RC5, and others are all supported) for most consumer electronics remotes without any manual configuration.

Flipper's Built-In IR Database

Before manually learning every button, check Infrared > Universal Remotes — Flipper ships with a substantial pre-loaded database organized by device type (TVs, AC units, projectors) that often works directly without needing your original remote present at all, since many manufacturers reuse the same IR command sets across product lines.

Building a Combined "Activity" Workflow

Flipper doesn't have a true macro/scene system built into stock firmware (unlike dedicated universal remotes with "Watch Movie" one-button activities), but you can approximate this by saving your commands with a clear naming/folder scheme and executing them in sequence manually — TV on, then receiver on, then input select — it's a few extra button presses on Flipper rather than one macro button, which is the main practical limitation compared to a purpose-built universal remote.

Custom Firmware Extends This

Some custom firmware builds (Momentum, Unleashed) add genuine macro/scripting capability for exactly this use case — check current firmware options if true one-button activities matter to you, since stock firmware capability here does evolve with updates.

Where Sub-GHz Fits In

If any part of your setup uses RF rather than IR — a Sub-GHz-controlled smart plug for accent lighting synced to movie time, for instance — that's where the Sub-GHz capture techniques from the other guides in this series come in, captured and saved alongside your IR commands in the same organizational scheme.

Practical Setup Tip

Flipper's IR blaster has genuinely good range and a wide transmission angle compared to most phone-based universal remote apps (which rely on a phone's small, directional IR blaster if the phone even has one at all) — mount or angle Flipper toward your equipment rack rather than needing precise aim, within reason.

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