Discussions

[Tivoburkee]

Being connected via the optical shouldn't matter with your setup. The Roku tv remote only knows one code set, the one the roku tv responds to, it can't be programmed for anything else. But in your case the Lg soundbar should react to the hisense Roku tv commands, see if there's something in the lg soundbar menu where you can make it respond to lg tv commands instead of its own? 

[Timkaz]

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]

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]

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.

[sirsimon77]

Roku remotes do support sound bars though. If you pair your roku tv remote with a roku streaming stick, then it supports sound bars. It just doesn't work when paired with a roku tv. 

I'm guessing the remote uses a different protocol when communicating with roku tvs vs streaming sticks. I'm hoping it gets fixed in a future update (via allowing optional dual protocol broadcasting from the remote)

[watsonk1]

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.

[TVtime]

My Roku TV remote one day, maybe a month ago, started working the volume on my Yamaha sound bar. Then yesterday, it no longer controls the volume on the sound bar. We changed nothing both times. Bummer that is stopped working. Is there a way to get it back to work?  Was there some update? 

[Tivoburkee]

@TVtime 

Try refreshing the cec devices in the setting of the tv?

[Timkaz]

Since it happened randomly both times, maybe try to set it up/pair remotes on purpose.

[watsonk1]

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.