Remotes

[Stevo06]

I've had a Roku Stick for years, but decided to buy the 2024 Ultra for an upgrade.  I also have a Vizio Sound bar.  Normal practice is that everything goes through the TV (Samsung in my case) using the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control).  I have it set to that way on both the TV and the new ROKU Ultra as I did with my previous Roku Stick, but the Ultra will not allow that system to function as intended.  I even took one of my old Remotes (that used to control volume) and paired it with my new Ultra and it now won't control the sound bar.  I'm relegated to using the sound bar remote for volume control.  They will both turn the TV on and off and navigate the ROKU with ease, but not the sound bar.  It all points to the Ultra, it is the only common denominator.  Anyone else have this issue?  Anyone else been able to solve it?  It may be that my sound bar is too old and outdated? 

[Tivoburkee]

@Stevo06 

When programming the Roku remote for you tv are you choosing IR setup or CEC setup? If it's CEC, it maybe little too much for CEC to travel from the Roku Ultra to the TV and finally Soundbar. I would control the TV be IR, and then let it control the soundbar by CEC. 

[Stevo06]

Thanks for the response.  I've tried both CEC and IR setup, but haven't had any luck getting it to control the sound bar.  The sound bar is currently using an optic cable from the TV to the Sound Bar (that's what I've always used with the Roku Stick).  I did try to use a USB cable instead, but it didn't help.  It seems that when I change the TV to USB for sound, it changes it a few seconds later back to TV Speaker.  It won't even show the USB as an option unless I turn off the sound bar while looking for options.  My Samsung 75" TV is about three years old with two USB ports (sadly), so I hate to use that, but I was willing.  When setting up the stick Roku, it was simple, so thinking the only thing that is different is the new ROKU Ultra.  Maybe the TV?    

[Tivoburkee · Accepted solution]

CEC is strictly over a HDMI cable, never an optical cable. If the soundbar only has optical input and then the only way to control it is by IR. But Roku remotes don't know soundbar IR commands. Some soundbars are able to learn any IR commands, so it could be taught the Samsung IR volume commands. Other soundbar models respond to same brand of tv commands. If nothing changed between the Samsung tv and vizio soundbar I have no idea why just changing Roku stick to Roku Ultra would mess that up? 

[Stevo06]

Fingers Crossed...problem solved.  I went back to the USB again and my sound bar has two USB ports.  One says IN and the other Says OUT (eARC).  I was thinking it should be IN since the sound was coming IN from the TV.  I moved it to the OUT (eARC) and made sure the TV sound was also on AUTO allowing eARC and the remote now controls the sound bar.  I have the TV and ROKU now on CEC as well.  It solved the problem and hopefully it will stay that way!  Thanks for the input.   

[RokuTakashi · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Stevo06 

Thanks for posting here in the Roku Community.

I appreciate you for confirming that your concern has been resolved.

Also, thanks for the help, @Tivoburkee!

If you need further assistance, feel free to post a new thread. We're here to help.

Happy Streaming!

The Roku Community Team.