Controlling TV playback volume though HomePods

[dwrufus53]

Within the past month we have officially "cut the cable" (or satellite). We dropped DirecTV in favor of the AppleTV boxes and a rotating list of streaming services.

Part of the cleanup included removing the satellite box, and the 8 year old soundbar in favor of a pair of HomePod minis configured as a stereo pair.

The issue that we're struggling with is the two of us (wife and myself) controlling the AppleTV and HomePod audio levels. My wife usually has control of the ATV Siri remote, and I have no issue with that. I have a gen 2 (silver) remote on the end table next to my chair and it works for things like changing apps, selecting a show, pausing/starting playback etc. However, in our experience, only the ATV Siri remote allows us to adjust volume via the HomePods. You can only pair one ATV Siri remote with the AppleTV, and none of the older remotes (white plastic OG remote or the silver gen2 remote) allow volume control.

I have an older SideClick remote with programmable buttons, but I have been unable to program the VOL UP/VOL DOWN ATV buttons onto the SideClick.

I am looking for something that will control the playback volume through the HomePod setup.

Anybody have a solution?

 

[kissfan]

Hey siri, lower volume.

 

[dwrufus53]

Hey siri, lower volume.

Thanks, but no.

 

[Darth.Titan]

Got an iPhone? Apple Watch? The remote app can change volume with HomePods

 

[dwrufus53]

Got an iPhone? Apple Watch? The remote app can change volume with HomePods

I've used my phone a couple of times, but it's a pain when I'm in the middle of something on my phone.

 

[MBAir2010]

best I can do is
I have an tv 2023_4k paired with 2 HomePods mini as the remote volume does the trick.
but sometimes I need to tap the + on the HomePods mini just to raise the volume more.
this is my second full year on not saying "hey Siri"

these are not the best equipment to use in watching movies I have realized.

 

[dwrufus53]

best I can do is
I have an tv 2023_4k paired with 2 HomePods mini as the remote volume does the trick.
but sometimes I need to tap the + on the HomePods mini grass to raise the volume more.
this is my second full year on not saying "hey Siri"

these are not the best equipment to use in watching movies I have realized.

Forgot about tapping the + and - for volume. That would be more convenient.

 

[chadamorrill]

In my experience, with audio passthrough turned on, both the aTV remote AND the TV remote will control the Homepod volume.

 

[dwrufus53]

In my experience, with audio passthrough turned on, both the aTV remote AND the TV remote will control the Homepod volume.

I have to confirm how it’s all wired together. Over time I’ve had a home theatre system, a soundbar, a direcTV box, etc. need to make sure I’m using the eArc plugs, etc. Lots of plug and play, changing equipment etc over the years.

 

[shakopeemn]

I have the same setup with Homepod Minis. When you adjust the volume with the ATV remote the volume bar should include a small Homepod icon.

If so, it may be enabling CEC on the TV that would allow the TV remote to control the Homepod volume.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

I've used my phone a couple of times, but it's a pain when I'm in the middle of something on my phone.

It's a shortcut. Two actions, accessible from anywhere.