Forum Discussion

Mel2's avatar
Mel2
Newbie
5 years ago
Solved

Sound bar connected via optical be able to be controlled by Roku smart tv remote

I connected a sound bar to my Westinghouse Roku smart TV via an optical cable. I have to use two separate remotes for volume and everything else. Is there a way to control everything from just the Roku remote? I know you can do it using an hdmi cable but my sound bar doesn’t have that option, if I use an optical to HDMI converter cord will it still allow me to use just one remote?

I have a Westinghouse Roku smart TV and a Sony sound bar.

  • Tivoburkee's avatar
    Tivoburkee
    5 years ago

    With optical only you will not be able to control the volume with roku tv remote, sorry. You should turn off the speakers on the tv, just use the volume of the soundbar, and if you don't want to use two remotes get universal that will control a roku tv and soundbar like the One-For-All urc-7935 streamer remote. Set it up for your roku tv, turn off the roku tv speakers and then program the universal remote with code for your soundbar. photo of it next to roku tv remote:

     

  • Mystikalrush's avatar
    Mystikalrush
    Newbie
    5 years ago

    I need solution too. My Sharp roku controlled sound bar, but this newer westinghouse does not it only wants roku sound products not 3rd party..

    Very upset!

    • Tivoburkee's avatar
      Tivoburkee
      Community Streaming Expert
      5 years ago

      With optical only you will not be able to control the volume with roku tv remote, sorry. You should turn off the speakers on the tv, just use the volume of the soundbar, and if you don't want to use two remotes get universal that will control a roku tv and soundbar like the One-For-All urc-7935 streamer remote. Set it up for your roku tv, turn off the roku tv speakers and then program the universal remote with code for your soundbar. photo of it next to roku tv remote:

       

      • Mystikalrush's avatar
        Mystikalrush
        Newbie
        5 years ago

        This is inaccurate. I have many Roku TVs and external Rokus stick+'s the remotes have the power and volume button on them and the front has glossy plastic that means it has an IR transmitter. Anyways, they all can control sound bars, if I go into the same menu options for some very dumb reason westinghouse (I literally bought and received it via FedEx today) does not let you control other devices BUT roku branded sound bar, sub woofer and remotes only now. Its very frustrating they did this to what I assume are new models here on forth, no support....

        Very upset!

  • zakress's avatar
    zakress
    Newbie
    5 years ago

    While all of the other responders are not incorrect that the sound cannot be controlled from the remote natively, my soundbar (Yamaha ATS-1520) does have a learning function to learn the tv remote signals.  I followed Yamaha's procedures for learning (after a quick search of the inter webs) and now have control over mute, volume up, volume down and power from single Roku remote.

    While I cannot guarantee that your particular device will have this feature, most manufacturers build similar capabilities and hopefully you can find a solution like I was able to.

    Cheers!

    • Winterjay's avatar
      Winterjay
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      All of the "reasons" laid out here by Roku support are lame and missing the point:  There is no reason other than lazy, incomplete product design that it's remote should not be able to control ANY external IR-controlled device.  Case in point: The Amazon FireTV stick's remote can bet set to control a range of external devices.  

       

       

       

       

      • JRU0131's avatar
        JRU0131
        Reel Rookie
        4 years ago

        It’s ridiculous that Roku has done this. Dumb that I have to use two remotes. It’s crazy cuz the original tv remote would randomly control my LG soundbar. The up volume button on the remote would lower the soundbar haha. I have led lights behind the tv and the LED remote for the lights can control the soundbar. Yellow turns down the volume, blue raises it. So an LED remote can control the volume, but not a Roku remote. I have a Hisense Roku tv. 

  • watsonk1's avatar
    watsonk1
    Reel Rookie
    4 years ago

    I have a Samsung TV and it is connected to a Vizio soundbar using optical cable.  I configured the Roku remote to control volume directly to the Vizio soundbar.  By doing this, I will not be able control TV Power using Roku remote.  It is a small sacrifice to take.

    • watsonk1's avatar
      watsonk1
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      The best configuration with my Samsung TV and Vizio soundbar is as follows:

      1) Configure Roko Remote for Samsung TV.  Hence, Ruko ON/OFF power button will work for Samsung TV.

      2) Using Vizio Remote's LEARN function, program Roku's Volume Up, Volume Down, and Mute buttons into it.  Thus, Vizio soundbar responds to Roku's three buttons.  

      3) Program Vizio soundbar to power off (eco mode) by itself after 5-min of TV signal loss.

      Roku Remote - Power On 

      a) Samsung TV power on.

      b) Vizio soundbar remains Off.  However, by pressing the Volume Up button on Roku Remote, it will power up VIZIO soundbar.

      c) Vizio soundbar responds to Roku's Volume Up, Volume Down, and Mute buttons.

      Roku Remote - Power Off

      a) Samsung TV power off.

      b) Vizio soundbar power off after 5-min (econ mode configuration in Vizio soundbar).

      With Comcast Xfinity Remote, I have no problem programming it to control both Samsung TV and Vizio soundbar at the same time; as long as the soundbar is from a major brand such as Samsung, LG, and Vizio.  Power and volume work seamlessly using Xfinity Remote to control X1 box.

  • RJ98's avatar
    RJ98
    Newbie
    4 years ago

    Yes I was able to connect my Yamaha Soundbar to my Roku TV. My soundbar is connected via optical cable. The TV has an IR sensor. Rather than looking at Roku`s compatability to your sound bar, search for your sound bars ability to connect to an IR device. Don't rely on the Roku instructions. Search for your soundbar's instructions.

  • Timkaz's avatar
    Timkaz
    Reel Rookie
    4 years ago

    It’s not just a yes or no answer.  I had a Boston Acoustics sub and satellite speakers that were made to function like a sound bar.  It had the capability to learn the TCL Roku TV remote.  So check if your sound bar has “Learning” capabilities.

    • sirsimon77's avatar
      sirsimon77
      Reel Rookie
      4 years ago

      This is a bug with the roku tv, when it pairs with a roku remote, it breaks the ability to control a soundbar. I have a roku remote that didn't come with the roku tv, and it could control the soundbar that is connected via optical to my roku tv. But when I paired it to the roku tv, I was no longer able to control the sound bar.

       

      Per the other responses, I'm sure certain sound bars can learn to handle it, but others will just not work until roku fixes it.

      • Tivoburkee's avatar
        Tivoburkee
        Community Streaming Expert
        4 years ago

        Its not a bug if it was purposely made that way. Roku remotes only control tv's volume, its upto the tv itself to control the audio device volume by hdmi-cec. If you're not using hdmi, you will have to get an aftermaket universal that controls roku's, tv's, and soundbar's.

  • BrilliantD's avatar
    BrilliantD
    Newbie
    3 years ago

    I just purchased a Vizio Soundbar 2.0.

    The instructions include the soundbar "learning" the IR commands from the Roku remote. 

    It took a few tries but I did get it to work.  Now just one remote  (Roku) to control the TV and Soundbar.

    • wsonner's avatar
      wsonner
      Newbie
      3 years ago

      I found out that if you have an LG tv and an LG soundbar, you can turn on LG Sync in advanced audio settings and the Roku remote will control the audio.