Forum Discussion

Bauul's avatar
Bauul
Channel Surfer
25 days ago
Solved

Roku Pro Series TV-compatible remote with IR?

I just bought a new Roku Pro Series TV (55R8C5), but discovered that unlike my previous Roku Ultra box the remote doesn't have an IR output, so can't control my soundbar (which sadly doesn't have an ...
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Roku TV
  • Bauul's avatar
    Bauul
    23 days ago

    I have found a successful solution to my problem. It transpires that a lack of IR is not the issue: the issue is that Roku TVs use their own protocol for controlling volume, so even if I did have a remote that had both WiFi and IR, it still wouldn't work.

    Thankfully, I found a third-party remote that does: the 1-clicktech for Roku Remote 2-in-1 for Roku-TV and Roku Box. It allows you to program separate protocols for the navigation commands and the volume commands. I set the navigation to Roku TV and the volume buttons to the brand of my soundbar, and it works like a treat. Even the IR is good enough that I don't have to directly point it at the TV - pointing it away from the TV works fine too.

Tivoburkee's avatar
Tivoburkee
Community Streaming Expert
22 days ago

I thought your soundbar had a learning feature, so it can be taught the IR commands from whatever brand of tv you have. That's why you needed the IR Roku tv commands. Your rc-al4 remote didn't have soundbar volume commands only tv IR commands. But some Vizio soudbars can be controlled via Vizio tv commands. I have to assume when not all info is given. Your last post was the first time you offered what brand soundbar you have.

  • Bauul's avatar
    Bauul
    Channel Surfer
    22 days ago

    You are absolutely right. When I first made the post I was under the mistaken impression that all TVs and Soundbars used a standard protocol for receiving IR volume commands. That's because since buying my Vizio Soundbar in 2017, I've had a Sharp TV  and LG TV, a Fire Stick, and my Roku Ultra (with the RC-AL4), and all came with IR remotes that could control the volume on it out of the box with no programming or setting changes required.

    So when my new Roku TV came with a remote that didn't have an IR function, I assumed all I needed to get it working again was to get a remote with IR again. It didn't occur to me that the brand of a Soundbar would be relevant, as it hadn't been previously.

    I have since learned that this isn't the case, and I needed a remote that could be programmed to simultaneously interface with the Roku TV for navigation, and the Soundbar for volume.

    The third-party one I found can do this, so seems to address the issue I had. My apologies that I missed important information, and thank you for your patience helping me through this!