Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve tried setting up voice controls in a few homes, and honestly, most people end up sticking with the remote. It’s just easier, especially if your living room has weird acoustics or a lot of background noise. Voice features sound cool, but in practice, they’re more hassle than help for most setups I’ve seen.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience in my place. My hands are usually full—laundry, coffee, whatever—so just yelling at the TV to pause or change the channel has been a lifesaver. Sure, it screws up sometimes if the dishwasher’s running, but is it really that much more hassle than hunting for the remote under the couch cushions? Maybe it’s just a matter of getting used to it, or maybe some rooms just work better for voice stuff than others.
just yelling at the TV to pause or change the channel has been a lifesaver
I get that, and I’ll admit, there are moments when voice commands are handy—like when you’re juggling laundry and coffee. But honestly, I still find myself repeating commands or getting weird looks from guests. Maybe it’s just my old habits, but half the time I’d rather dig for the remote than argue with the TV over background noise. Guess it really does depend on your setup and how much chaos is in the room.
half the time I’d rather dig for the remote than argue with the TV over background noise
That hits home—background noise is a killer for these voice things. I’ve actually built a few media rooms, and honestly, people still ask for a spot to stash remotes. Even with all the smart tech, folks want that backup. The voice controls are cool in theory, but if you’ve got kids or a dog barking, good luck getting the TV to listen.
I’ve noticed the same thing—no matter how advanced the tech gets, people still want a physical remote handy. It’s like a security blanket for your entertainment system. I’ve tried setting up voice controls in open-plan spaces, and honestly, unless you’ve got some serious acoustic treatment or directional mics, it’s just not reliable. Even with those, there’s always that one time someone sneezes or the dishwasher kicks on and suddenly your TV thinks you said “mute” instead of “menu.”
Curious if anyone’s found a good workaround for this? I’ve experimented with wall-mounted control panels as a backup, but they’re not as convenient as just grabbing the remote. Maybe gesture controls will be the next big thing, though waving at your TV might feel even weirder than talking to it...
