Control Center FAQ

Find answers to all your questions about the Control Center home theater hub + universal remote.

COMPATIBILITY

How do I know if Control Center makes sense for me?

Control Center simplifies watching TV for anyone who uses a streaming media player including:

  • Apple TV
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Roku
  • Nvidia Shield

The more devices you have connected to your TV, the more Control Center delivers.

Visit our Works With page for in-depth compatibility details. We want you to buy a Control Center but only if it makes sense for you. We are working everyday to add more apps and services to our menu.

Will Control Center work with my home entertainment system?

Control Center works with nearly all TVs, and everything you plug into your TV with HDMI, including cable or satellite boxes, streaming media players, gaming consoles, DVD/Blu-Ray players, soundbars, and other sound systems. Visit our Works With page for additional compatibility information.  

Will all my apps work with Control Center?

Control Center works with many popular streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and more. Visit our Works With page for a full list of supported apps — we’re always adding more to the list.

When you choose what you want to watch, Control Center automatically switches to the right device, launches the app, and plays it. So, for example, when you choose to watch Star Trek on Hulu, Control Center would automatically switch to Hulu on your Roku and take you directly to the movie.

Will Control Center work with my Smart TV?

Use your Control Center universal remote to control your Samsung Smart TV, Sony Android TV, Roku TV, Vizio Smart TV, and LG Smart TV. With these TVs, you can use the buttons on your Control Center remote to open Netflix or any other connected app on your Smart TV. To take advantage of voice commands for Netflix or any other streaming apps, use an external streaming media player such as Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV or Nvidia Shield (we do not support voice search of Netflix, or any streaming apps, directly through your Smart TV.)

Power & Volume: Control Center pairs with all other Smart TVs for basic control, power & volume. You can use the Control Center remote to access your TV menu, open and navigate apps (left, right, up, down, OK, etc), and control power and volume.

Does Control Center work with YouTube TV?

Control Center works like a universal remote for YouTube TV, but does not deeplink to content or directly launch the YouTube TV app from the Control Center main menu. You can launch the YouTube TV app manually by using your Control Center remote to switch to the streaming media player you use to access YouTube TV. From there you can use the Control Center remote to navigate to what you want to watch.

Will Control Center work with my projector?

Maybe. If your projector has an HDMI input, you will be able to use Control Center to watch TV on it. With the exception of Epson and Sanyo projectors, Control Center is not currently able to power for projectors, so you will need to use the projector's remote to turn it on and off.

Why can’t I automatically launch Vudu or content on Vudu through a search on Apple TV?

You can access Vudu on Apple TV through the Apple TV menu. Right now, Control Center only supports automatic launch and direct content links on Vudu with Roku.

Why can’t I automatically launch YouTube or content on YouTube through a search on Amazon Fire TV?

You can access YouTube on Fire TV through the Fire TV menu. Right now, Control Center supports automatic launch and direct content links on YouTube with Apple TV, Roku, and Nvidia Shield.

Can I link directly to live channels in Hulu Live TV?

Control Center supports automatic launch and direct content links for Hulu on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Nvidia Shield, but doesn’t currently support direct content links for live channels in Hulu Live TV.

Why can’t I automatically launch content on AT&T Now (formerly DirecTV Now) or Sling TV through a search?

Control Center supports automatic launch of AT&T Now (formerly DirectTV Now) and SlingTV, but does not currently link directly to content on these apps.

I have Netflix on my AppleTV and my Roku, how does Control Center decide where to launch it?

Control Center will pick a default device to launch apps. You can change your preferred device in settings >apps & credentials>preferred device.

Will Control Center work with my game console?

Yes. Control Center offers seamless source switching with the following game consoles: PS4™, PS3™, CEC Nintendo Wii, Wii-U, Switch and Xbox One™ and Xbox 360. You’ll need your game controller to play, and in some cases, power your console on/off.

Please Note: When you connect a game console, an additional 20-30 ms of video latency is introduced as video data passes through Control Center to ensure reliable control and easy set up. While this likely will not affect casual gaming, it may not be acceptable for all competitive gamers, particularly if your TV is handling additional processing while you are playing games. If you do plan to connect a game console to your Control Center, we recommend turning off any video processing on your TV for a better experience.

See our Works With page for additional information about compatibility.

RETURNS & REFUNDS

What's your return policy?

We offer free, easy 30-day returns for products purchased on caavo.com! If at any time within 30 days of receiving your purchase you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, you may return your product for a refund in accordance with our Terms of Sale.

Please note, any product damaged due to reasons not covered under the Limited Warranty can't be accepted back for a refund under our return policy. Unfortunately our warranty doesn't cover your dog eating the remote ... or your kid throwing it in the commode ... but you can contact our customer support team and they'll be happy to assist you with a replacement.

If you purchased a product from an authorized retailer, you must request a refund directly from the retailer. Returns, and requests for refunds, to retailers are subject to the retailer’s return/refund policy, which may differ from our caavo.com policy.

How do I make a return?

To initiate a return, contact our Customer Support team within 30 days of receiving your product. Please include details regarding when and where you purchased and your reason for return. Our customer support team will provide you with a free shipping label. Just send everything back, including all accessories, within 30 days. We'll process the refund as soon as possible, usually within 30 days from the date we receive the returned product.

AVAILABILITY

Is Control Center available internationally?

No. Control Center is currently only available in the United States.

Where can I purchase Control Center?

Control Center is available on caavo.com and Amazon.com.

SERVICE PLAN

Why do I need a Service Plan?

The Caavo Service Plan enables you to get more value from your Control Center by helping you get straight to what you want to watch. All the shows and movies you love are organized in one place, so it’s easy to find what you want to watch— just ask. You can use voice control to change channels, play YouTube videos, switch devices, play a movie and more using the included universal remote or watch hands-free with your Google Home or Amazon Alexa device. In the mood for something new to watch tonight? Explore hand-picked recommendations from editors and tastemakers or discover favorites shared by the Caavo community.  

Our most popular features included in the Caavo Service Plan are:

  • Voice Control to tune to channels, search for content and play videos
  • Simple Universal Search across your services, apps, and subscriptions
  • Voice Search to Watch YouTube Videos
  • Family Care parental monitoring to check in, monitor, and notify family members of TV use in the home
  • Universal Control of your TV - anywhere with the Caavo mobile app
  • Sonos Controls on your TV
  • Create and Share lists of what to watch combining content from your linked apps and services
  • Keep track, Find Shortcuts or Erase content from your viewing history using Caavo Cache
  • Access to Content Guides and Suggestions from tastemakers, editors and the Caavo community

I don’t like subscriptions. Is there a way I can pay once and be done?

Yes, you have the option to purchase a Lifetime Service Plan your Control Center universal remote. If you'd rather wait, you can purchase a Lifetime Service Plan through your Caavo account when you are setting up your Control Center. Either way, the Lifetime Service plan is good for the lifetime of your Control Center - no additional fees, ever. (Please note, Lifetime Service Plans are NOT transferable to another customer, and our usual warranty terms still apply.)

Why not sell every Control Center this way, charge more up front and be done with it?

We need to continuously invest in upgrading our software and maintaining content libraries as a new entry into a product category that is not yet widely known. Our intent in offering the service plan is to make it more affordable for people to purchase Control Center initially and then spread the cost of the product service offering out over a monthly, yearly, or product lifetime period.

I already have a monthly or yearly Service Plan, can I upgrade?

If you are still within your 45-day free trial window or have paid for a monthly plan, simply cancel your existing service plan and select the Lifetime Service Plan in your Caavo account.

If you’ve paid for yearly Service Plan please contact our friendly customer support team and they will help you upgrade. For yearly service plans, you will receive a prorated credit for the amount you’ve paid, which will be applied to the cost of the Lifetime Service Plan. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to customer support for assistance if you need it.

For monthly plans:

Cancel your monthly plan in your Caavo account and then select the Lifetime Plan. The Lifetime Plan will go into effect (and your credit card will be charged) at the next billing cycle (when your monthly plan ends). No credit will be issued.

For yearly plans:
If your credit card has been charged for a yearly plan, please contact our customer support team so we can end your yearly plan and setup a Lifetime Plan. You will receive a prorated credit for the amount you’ve paid, which will be applied to the cost of the Lifetime Service Plan.

Can I transfer my Lifetime Service Plan to someone else?

No. Your Lifetime Service Plan is not transferable to another customer.

If I purchase Lifetime Service, does that mean my Control Center has a lifetime warranty?

No, Control Center’s usual warranty terms still apply.

What about support and returns?

Same goes for support and returns - the standard terms apply. View our Terms of Sale for additional details.

If I have 2 Control Centers, do I need two Lifetime Service Plans?

Yes, each Control Center requires its own service plan.

INSTALLATION & SETUP

How do I setup Control Center?

We recommend you start by watching our How to Set Up Control Center video (we also have a version for soundbar/sound system users). Visit caavo.com/go for additional step-by-step instructions. You can also explore our video tutorial library for additional help setting up your devices.

HARDWARE FEATURES

How does the Control Center smart remote work?

The Control Center smart remote only sends commands directly to Control Center via Bluetooth. Control Center then relays those commands to connected devices through a combination of IR, IP, and HDMI CEC commands. Since Control Center connects to and controls many different devices and applications, the functionality of the buttons can change depending on what you are controlling. Want to know what a button does? Lightly rest a finger on any button (except the Caavo button) and a hint about its function will appear on the lower right-hand side of your TV screen. There you'll see the name of the button, the short press function on top and the long press button on bottom.

Will I ever need to use my original remote?

In most cases, no. You will need your original remote to setup Control Center but once it’s set up you can put your old remotes away in a drawer.

OK, then what are the cases when I will need to use my original remote control?

You will definitely need your original remote control for gaming. You can use Control Center to switch from watching TV to playing a game, but once you’re within the gaming system you’ll want to use your original remote. Control Center also has Original Device Remote Synergy so if you accidentally pick up an old remote an use it—don’t worry, nothing will break. In most cases, Control Center will recognize the remote you are using and switch to the corresponding input. At any point, you can go back to using the Control Center remote without issues—you can seamlessly switch between any original device remote and Control Center perfectly, any time. We also get that some people love their original remote and would prefer to use it when operating a specific device, go for it!  

Why can’t I use the USB port on the back of my Control Center?

We included a USB port in our initial design as a convenience charging port for connected devices like streaming sticks and voice assistants. However, the wide range of USB power requirements from these devices exceeds our ability to support them all reliably. Therefore we decided to remove this functionality and the USB port no longer supplies power.

What is an IR Blaster and how do I know if I need one?

An IR (infrared) Blaster helps control devices that don’t have line-of-sight to your Control Center. Control Center uses infrared to control some devices. You may or may not need to use the included IR blaster as part of your Control Center set up. It depends on what you are connecting to your entertainment system, whether it uses IR, and where your system is located. For example, if your Control Center isn’t near your devices, or if they are are stored in a closed cabinet you might need an IR Blaster. The on-screen instructions will guide you if the IR blasters are required for your specific setup.

CONTROL CENTER EXPERIENCE

Where can I find my watch history?

Unlike other systems which capture all of your viewing history automatically, Control Center has built-in privacy features through the Caavo Cache to control how your watch history is stored. You can use Control Center to keep track of what you’re watching, or you can open apps directly so no watch history is stored.

Can you explain more about how Caavo Cache works?

Yes. For example, if you say “Open Netflix” and then select “Stranger Things” nothing will be recorded in the Caavo Cache. However, if you say “Watch Stranger Things" to find your show, the episode you watched will be stored in the Caavo Cache. Your watch history is also recorded in the Cache when you use a content guide (e.g. For Your Consideration). Control Center will learn shortcuts and display new episodes of shows you’re watching in the “For Your Consideration” menu so we encourage you to try it out!

Can I delete content from Caavo Cache?

Yes. From your Caavo Cache, press the Menu button on your Control Center remote, find the item you want to delete, select Remove from list, then Remove.

The link to the show or movie I want to watch doesn't work. Why?

Our content catalog is always evolving based on content availability. If you notice something is missing or needs to be updated, double-press the Sources button on your Control Center remote to let us know. If you can't find a show or movie that you know is available, we also offer a backup search method.

How do I create my own list?

First find a show or movie you want to add to your new list. You can do this by searching for it using Control Center’s Universal Search, or through one of Control Center’s content guides (e.g. Crowd Surfing).

Select the item you want to add, press the Sources button on your Control Center remote, and select Create a New List. Give your list a name and add a brief description. (Pro tip: Use the Mic button to say your list name and description). Select No to keep your list private or Yes to make it available to the Caavo community on Control Center, the Caavo TV & Movie Guides app and caavo.com.

Can I edit a list after it’s published?

Yes. You can edit your list details and sharing preferences by navigating to My Lists in the "Watch" menu, selecting the list you’d like to edit, and pressing the nine-dot button on your Control Center remote.

What is “For Your Consideration”?

For your Consideration is designed to make it easy to discover interesting content. These integrated content guides are found in the "Watch" menu and feature recommendations and lists hand-picked by editors and tastemakers. These dynamic content suggestions also include trending shows and movies and recently-added content. Recommendations are updated frequently, so check back often to see what’s new.  

What is “Crowd Surfing”?

Control Center is introducing a new platform we’re calling Crowd Surfing, found in the "Watch" menu. Our mission is to create a platform that empowers entertainment fans to create and share content recommendations around differing interests, themes or moods. Have a great list you want to share? We invite you to publish it and share it with the Caavo community (just select Yes when asked if you would like to make your list public). As our community grows, we hope to add features to allow viewers to vote on favorite lists, add commentary and more.

What are “My Lists”?

With My Lists you can create your own universal what-to-watchlists that combine TV shows and movies across live TV and streaming. Add any show, series or movie to My Lists, name your list and share it with the Caavo community (or keep it private if you prefer).

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why do I want a Control Center smart remote?

We are in a golden age of entertainment. Great TV shows, fantastic films from all over the world, incredible sports and streaming media options. Watching TV is supposed to be time to unwind, but getting to what you want to watch can often be a struggle.  

With Control Center, you can control everything that’s connected to your TV with one voice-controlled smart remote. Plus Control Center is designed to be family friendly, so everyone can use the TV.

All of your content will be centralized in one place, so it’s easy to get straight to the show.

Control Center is a great solution for anyone who wants to add something new to their home entertainment system, like Sonos, a Roku or Apple TV, but doesn’t want to create a complicated setup. With Control Center, you will eliminate remotes and make your home entertainment system a simple, streamlined, easy-to-use experience.

What does Caavo mean?

Caavo is loosely derived from the Italian word for "cable". In Italian, "un cavo" is a cable.

NEED HELP?