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bigpoppamac31

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 16, 2007
2,459
445
Canada
Okay so my dad bought the new ATV remote. He has the Apple TV HD (not 4k). He just has a TV, ATV and Fluance AB40 sound bar. Is it possible to use only the ATV remote to turn on the whole setup, control the volume/mute on the sound bar and of course use the ATV??
 
It probably depends on the Screen/TV settings, if the sound bar is connected to the Screen and works with the screen remote then there is probably a way - might help to tell us what kind of TV / Screen ?

Maybe someone here has a similar TV and can advise - I have a Samsung TV/Screen and everything works off the Apple remote
 
You can probably use the new remote to turn on the Apple TV and TV (depending on the age of the t.v.). I have a Samsung soundbar and can't seem to get the new remote to control it (mute purposes).
 
It probably depends on the Screen/TV settings, if the sound bar is connected to the Screen and works with the screen remote then there is probably a way - might help to tell us what kind of TV / Screen ?

Maybe someone here has a similar TV and can advise - I have a Samsung TV/Screen and everything works off the Apple remote

It's an LG HDTV 55" (can't recall the model number) and the sound bar is the Fluance AB40. Sound from the TV is via optical as there is no HDMI on the Fluance AB40. I think part of the problem is that he still has the old ATV remote paired with the ATV. So now it's as if he has two ATV remotes connected.
 
I am pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with the 2 remotes - easy enough to unpair one of them in the apple TV settings to remove one of the remotes.

My guess is you will have to mess with the LG HDTV 55" settings - HDMI-CEC settings - try google for your TV settings?

On my Samsung it is called "Anynet+ HDMI CEC" - also - some older HDMI cables may not be great for the connection and communication - might try a New good quality HDMI cable?

My old Apple TV had a separate optical port (my newer ATV does not) - but I think the LG HDTV 55" HDMI settings should do the trick?
 
I am pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with the 2 remotes - easy enough to unpair one of them in the apple TV settings to remove one of the remotes.

My guess is you will have to mess with the LG HDTV 55" settings - HDMI-CEC settings - try google for your TV settings?

On my Samsung it is called "Anynet+ HDMI CEC" - also - some older HDMI cables may not be great for the connection and communication - might try a New good quality HDMI cable?

My old Apple TV had a separate optical port (my newer ATV does not) - but I think the LG HDTV 55" HDMI settings should do the trick?

But what does HDMI have to do with it? The sound bar is connected to the TV via optical. There is no HDMI on the sound bar.
 
have you tried this?

LG Sound Sync - TV and Sound Bar

There are plenty of Youtube videos as well

Seems like this option is for sending the audio wirelessly from the TV to the sound bar. it's a nice idea but I don't want to complicate things any further for my dad. I can just see it now. One day the wireless connection will cut out and he won't know how to get it back. He'll be instantly frustrated. My dad and technology are not good friends. LOL I have to explain to him how to send a photo from his iPhone to his Mac every time.
 
HDMI has the ability to send a 'wake up signal' to connected devices. You can turn on, say a DVD player, and it can turn on the TV and audio receiver. It's supposed to turn them off too, but your mileage may vary on that part of it. And like all 'standards', there are various implementations (I've heard) that don't adhere to the published way it's supposed to work.
 
HDMI has the ability to send a 'wake up signal' to connected devices. You can turn on, say a DVD player, and it can turn on the TV and audio receiver. It's supposed to turn them off too, but your mileage may vary on that part of it. And like all 'standards', there are various implementations (I've heard) that don't adhere to the published way it's supposed to work.

Well for my setup when I turn on my blu-ray player it will also turn on my TV. Granted both are Sony so that may be a built in compatibility between Sony devices. How how would it send the signal if it's not HDMI? So with my dads setup it's HDMI from the ATV to the LG TV and optical digital from the TV to the Fluance AB40 sound base.
 
Well for my setup when I turn on my blu-ray player it will also turn on my TV. Granted both are Sony so that may be a built in compatibility between Sony devices. How how would it send the signal if it's not HDMI? So with my dads setup it's HDMI from the ATV to the LG TV and optical digital from the TV to the Fluance AB40 sound base.
That's one thing that I fought with: Who turns what on, and more importantly: What needed to be turned on, and couldn't be through 'supported' ways (HDMI, etc).

I solved the issue by turning off the HDMI erotica, and using a multi-function remote.

I hit a 'programmed button', and those things ONLY turn on. Their system is nearly perfect as it uses a wireless signal to talk to the 'hub', and the hub has infrared built into the top, and has two jacks in the back for satellite infrared messaging 'mini-Blaster' IR repeater pods (one is included).

It works through walls even.

Some devices (AT&T U-Verse DVR's) occasionally trip out on their own thing, but hitting the button again usually brings it back into the fold.

(Apparently something tweaked the firmware of my Samsung TV because it pops up a message that I need to hook my (can't remember the exact verbiage) 'audio device' to an 'ARC Port'. Apparently it's some new 'bring them all together' type of technology to 'make things easier', thus more glitchy and challenging.)

Multi-function remotes seem to be the best way to go IMO. The New New Apple Remote is not a multi-function remote AFAIK, meaning your father has to depend on 'auto-magic' things to happen consistently, which depending on his mana points can lead to disappointment.

I'd recommend the multi-function remote route. I have several of the Logitech Harmony Companion zappers. They also have an 'Elite' model, with a screen that changes for each function, which might be confusing for him.

Good luck...
 
it should work, go into the remote section of the aTV settings, and teach the remote the IR codes of the sound bar remote.

you can't have 2 remotes paired at the same time.
the aTV probably just didn't send the IR codes to the new remote.
 
You can probably use the new remote to turn on the Apple TV and TV (depending on the age of the t.v.). I have a Samsung soundbar and can't seem to get the new remote to control it (mute purposes).
Don't have the Sound bar but the remote 'mute' works with my Samsung (2020 Q80t model).
 
I am pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with the 2 remotes - easy enough to unpair one of them in the apple TV settings to remove one of the remotes.

My guess is you will have to mess with the LG HDTV 55" settings - HDMI-CEC settings - try google for your TV settings?

On my Samsung it is called "Anynet+ HDMI CEC" - also - some older HDMI cables may not be great for the connection and communication - might try a New good quality HDMI cable?

My old Apple TV had a separate optical port (my newer ATV does not) - but I think the LG HDTV 55" HDMI settings should do the trick?
Off-topic (?): is it possible to get the remote to turn off the TV (which it does) AND a DTV Cable box?
 
Off-topic (?): is it possible to get the remote to turn off the TV (which it does) AND a DTV Cable box?

I guess it would depend on if the cable provider modem has a separate TV box and if the software has HDMI-CEC ? It seems like every cable provider has a different system
 
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