Is there some type of blockage sensor in the front? My Apple TV 4K (2nd) Samsung TV Remote RF to CEC commands (not IR) stops working if object inFront

[JazJon]

I plugged my Apple TV 4K (second generation) into my Samsung 2020 8K TV HDMI 2 port. The TV automatically detected it and added an "Apple" icon device for HDMI 2.

My Samsung TV remote immediately allowed full control the Apple TV. Samsung must be sending CEC commands via HDMI because I confirmed the Samsung remote will still allow full control the Apple TV even if I put the Samsung TV remote under a pillow or walk into the next room and close the door.

Here's the mystery, the Apple TV will ONLY respond to the Samsung TV remote, if the Apple TV is sitting out in the open with nothing blocking the front of it in the slightest. If I close the cabinet door and even just partially block the front of the Apple TV with my hand (still 4 -8 inches away) the Apple TV stops responding to Samsung TV remote commands. As soon as I lift my hand things work again. You would think this behavior is tied to IR but the testing I mentioned earlier seems to confirm it's all RF to CEC commands and not IR. As another test, I even added an IR blaster repeater extender as a test but that didn't help either!

Does the Apple TV 4K have some type of sensor in the front that shuts down receiving CEC commands if it detects being blocked? I'm so confused on what's going on here.

Does anyone have any ideas or maybe can confirm even anything above?

 

[JazJon]

I figured it out!

Samsung isn't passing CEC commands at all. The Samsung TV has it's own IR transmitter on the bottom right corner. When you use your Samsung RF remote, Samsung sends the IR commands automatically out that spot. If I move my generic 3rd party IR blaster repeater extender closer to the bottom right corner of the TV, it then works! (even with the cabinet door shut) Mystery Solved, hope this helps others