Too Many Remotes!

[Rzepecki]

I recently purchased a Vizio TV and added an older Samsung sound bar to it. I want to control the volume of the sound bar with the TV remote. I’ve searched online and tried what was suggested without success. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished? FYI-we don’t have a cable remote because we stream TV through Roku/YouTube TV.

[davem4616]

Been down that route, but I gave up trying to configure and maintain a 'universal' remote every time I bought a new component once my 12 year old grandson moved to CA...

so now we keep all 6 remotes in a basket, which we refer to as 'our remote location'

life was a lot simpler when all we had to do was to get up off the couch to change the channel, move the 'rabbit ears' to get a better picture or turn the television on/off....and we only needed 4 or 5 channels (not 350 stations) to enjoy the television

[roob1]

Not sure if it will work but look into the Harmony remotes.

Harmony Remotes, Universal Remote Controls | Logitech (https://www.logitech.com/en-us/harmony-universal-remotes)


I recently purchased a Vizio TV and added an older Samsung sound bar to it. I want to control the volume of the sound bar with the TV remote. I’ve searched online and tried what was suggested without success. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished? FYI-we don’t have a cable remote because we stream TV through Roku/YouTube TV.

[Stu from NYC]

I would find a 10 year old, much better at electronics than us old folks.

Have a 9 year old grandson and he helps us regularly via zoom.

[Pinball wizard]

Not sure if it will work but look into the Harmony remotes.

Harmony Remotes, Universal Remote Controls | Logitech (https://www.logitech.com/en-us/harmony-universal-remotes)

I second harmony remotes!

[retiredguy123]

I recently purchased a Vizio TV and added an older Samsung sound bar to it. I want to control the volume of the sound bar with the TV remote. I’ve searched online and tried what was suggested without success. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished? FYI-we don’t have a cable remote because we stream TV through Roku/YouTube TV.
It may be complicated, but here is how to do it, if you have the correct connections. Check the Visio TV for an optical audio output or two RCA output connections (left and right). The RCA stereo connections may be a single 3.5 mm plugin instead. Check your soundbar for an opitcal input or two RCA input connections, or a 3.5 mm plugin. Then, buy either an optical cable or a stereo RCA cable. Connect one end to the TV and the other end to the soundbar. Go into the TV setup menu and select "external speakers". Note that I have found that some TVs will not output sound through an optical cable, so you would need to use the RCA stereo connections. If this works, the TV volume controls will control the soundbar, but you may need to leave the soundbar on all the time or turn it on and off with the soundbar remote. I would just leave it on all the time.

Another possibility is that the TV remote is a universal remote and it can be synchronized to the soundbar. Need to read the manual for that. Good luck.

[jdulej]

If you have a TV where the headphone jack volume can be controlled via the TV remote (Sony TVs allow this and last I looked Samsung did not which is why I switched to Sony) then all you need to do is add a small cheap amp to boost the headphone feed high enough to drive speakers. On Amazon, Fosi Audio has them for about $70. So you end up with one wire from headphone jack into the amp, and the left and right channels out to speakers or a sound bar via RCA plugged wires. The amp is always on (mine has been on for 2 years - never gets warm and uses next to no power). We only stream via Roku so we only have one remote - the Roku remote - which turns the TV on/off, selects channels, adjusts volume. You do need to get a higher grade Roku than the basic one to get a remote with on/off and volume controls.

[Rzepecki]

It may be complicated, but here is how to do it, if you have the correct connections. Check the Visio TV for an optical audio output or two RCA output connections (left and right). The RCA stereo connections may be a single 3.5 mm plugin instead. Check your soundbar for an opitcal input or two RCA input connections, or a 3.5 mm plugin. Then, buy either an optical cable or a stereo RCA cable. Connect one end to the TV and the other end to the soundbar. Go into the TV setup menu and select "external speakers". Note that I have found that some TVs will not output sound through an optical cable, so you would need to use the RCA stereo connections. If this works, the TV volume controls will control the soundbar, but you may need to leave the soundbar on all the time or turn it on and off with the soundbar remote. I would just leave it on all the time.

Another possibility is that the TV remote is a universal remote and it can be synchronized to the soundbar. Need to read the manual for that. Good luck.

I have them connected via optical cable and the TV speakers are off I’ll double check to see if I turned on the external speakers. Thx for your help.

[retiredguy123]

I have them connected via optical cable and the TV speakers are off I’ll double check to see if I turned on the external speakers. Thx for your help.
Yes, you need to select the "external speaker" setting on the TV menu. That will disable the TV speakers and output all sound to the soundbar. If that doesn't work, see if there is a stereo output connection on the TV and an input to the soundbar. On some TVs, the optical connection does not function. Also, make sure that the input setting on the soundbar matches the input that you have the cable plugged in to.

[DannoMac]

Harmony remote works great. Check Facebook marketplace.
Logitech Harmony Remote - Internet & Media Streamers - The Villages, Florida | Facebook Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/934010897043698/)

[birdawg]

Try using a HDMI cable between the tv and sound bar, Plug the cable in the HDMI ARC port on tv and sound bar.

[Rzepecki]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all your suggestions.

[Uphillputt330]

I have had good results with my harmony remote. Works good with the sound bar but sometimes screws up switching the Television input between blue ray player and Roku inputs.

[PoolBrews]

The Harmony remote is the answer. I've been using one for over 5 years now. If you get the Harmony Pro with the Hub, it can even control your Roku and/or Firestick. It lets you set up activities - i.e. if you want to watch Amazon Prime, it turns on your sound system and sets it to the right output, turns on your TV, sets it to the right input, turns on your Roku and sets it to the Amazon app. All with one button push. If you have Alexa or Google Home, you can even say "Google, turn on Amazon" and it will do it for you.

Once everything is running, the remote can change volume on the soundbar (or TV, depends on how you set it up), change apps on the Roku or channels on the TV, and perform things like pause, FF, and rewind.

It really is an amazing device.

Note that without the Harmony Hub, the remote cannot run the newer Roku's and Firesticks. The remote is IR only, and the Roku is WIFI - you need the Hub to communicate over your home network to the Roku (or Firestick).

[Beyond The Wall]

I’ve used the Logitech Harmony remote product for years and have great success using. 1 remote controls up to 6 comports. Buy on Black Friday for best $$$. They take a little time to set up but superior in every way to other universal remotes.

[Bill1701]

Not sure if it will work but look into the Harmony remotes.

Harmony Remotes, Universal Remote Controls | Logitech (https://www.logitech.com/en-us/harmony-universal-remotes)

Yes, I have used these before and they work great!

[jedalton]

works great for me. have firestick, stereo amp, tv, cd player, sound bar all connected.

[pjwenz]

I run a 7.1 home theater system (with separate components) in my home. When I switched from Directv to streaming, I was able to program my Harmony remote to work with my Roku. I have used Harmony remotes for years and it is the easiest option to having one remote control all of your electronics.

[MandoMan]

I recently purchased a Vizio TV and added an older Samsung sound bar to it. I want to control the volume of the sound bar with the TV remote. I’ve searched online and tried what was suggested without success. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished? FYI-we don’t have a cable remote because we stream TV through Roku/YouTube TV.

While this doesn’t help you, it may help others. I buy only models with high reviews from Consumer Reports. All of the top ten flat screen televisions they have reviewed are either Sony or LG. All ten. Six of those are LG. Twenty-two of televisions are rated above the top-rated Vizio. There are lots of Samsungs in the top twenty, but none in the top ten. I pay no attention to advertising for televisions, as its purpose is selling things, not being honest.

I have two LG Smart TVs I bought at Sam’s Club. I’m writing to praise LG’s Smart TV Magic Remote Control. It’s the only remote control I use. Eight years, ago, when I bought my first LG, the Magic Remote was included. When I added another one three years ago, the Magic Remote was not included, but I was able to buy one on Amazon. I LOVE it. It’s like a mouse for a TV. Instead of using the mouse on a hard surface, though, you wave it in the air and the cursor appears on the tv screen. This is so much easier than having to move left or right by clicking, like some computer before the Macintosh came out in 1984. The Magic Remote has voice activation if you want it. You can just tell it what you want to find. It has fewer buttons than most remote controls because it doesn’t need them. It has everything it needs, though.

I should mention that I only have Netflix and Amazon Prime, so I haven’t used it with a hundred channels. I know it will work with YouTube, too, and lots of other high-end channels through Netflix, and local tv stations with an antenna of some sort. Anything found on a Smart TV. However, if you have one, there’s a good chance that you can put away all your other remote controls. (You will still need a different one for your DVD player, if you use one.)

https://www.amazon.com/LG-MR19BA-Smart-Remote-Control/dp/B07QH3KFJJ/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=LG+Freespace&qid=1596459834&sr=8-6

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’m very impressed with all this electronics hi tech talk and also feeling like I’m missing out on quite a lot, but my low tech brain is saying be happy with just changing the stations with the direct tv remote and keep on enjoying PBS, TCM and NFL ticket and save yourself a headache

[DonnaNi4os]

I have a Sony tv and Bose sound bar plus a cable box and a Roku. I have been able to get all of them on my cable remote except the Roku. I just followed the directions I found online. I can use the tv’s remote for cable too but not the sound bar.

[Maybelle]

I recently purchased a Vizio TV and added an older Samsung sound bar to it. I want to control the volume of the sound bar with the TV remote. I’ve searched online and tried what was suggested without success. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished? FYI-we don’t have a cable remote because we stream TV through Roku/YouTube TV.

We have the exact equipment as you. Visio, sound bar, Roku. Had a professional set it up. We still ended up controlling Roku with it's remote and sound with the Visio remote. I recommend hiring a pro. I have no idea how he did it.

[sk450]

RCA universal remote . Have used this remote for about ten years on two different TV's LG and TCL from Walmart. Controls Samsung sound bar and will also control SAT-CBL-STREAMING

[sk450]

Think I paid Twelve dollars for it . You can get it at Home Depot, Low's, Walmart

[mabreyjk]

I would find a 10 year old, much better at electronics than us old folks.

Have a 9 year old grandson and he helps us regularly via zoom.
That is great advice. When our Granddaughter was 6 she wanted mom to help her setup some new A/V equipment. Mom was on the phone, told GD she would be there in a few. After a few GD told Mom, "Never mind, I hooked it up and synced the remotes. 10 years later it is still hooked up.

[Hancie2]

Yes for Harmony and Best Buy geeks will come and set the whole thing up (for a fee I’m sure, we had it done when they installed the tv). We run tv, sound bar, dvd all from one remote.

[djbabler]

I second harmony remotes!
I third Harmony Remotes

[Stu from NYC]

That is great advice. When our Granddaughter was 6 she wanted mom to help her setup some new A/V equipment. Mom was on the phone, told GD she would be there in a few. After a few GD told Mom, "Never mind, I hooked it up and synced the remotes. 10 years later it is still hooked up.

Amazing how these little ones have such aptitudes for electronics.

Few months ago he directed us to zoom and even sent us a tutorial.

[joeharing]

As a stockholder in Energizer Holdings I would suggest you keep the status quo.

[Dana1963]

We totally stream with Amazon Firetv stick it controls volume mute on and off with sound bar Also side loaded steaming tv/movie apps are easy by jail breaking that can not be done on Roku. Streaming TV costs $20 monthly with Orlando channels, entertainment, sports, News. Only issue is no recording capability.