How to control your TV volume with the new Apple TV Siri Remote
The vastly improved Siri Remote that ships with the fourth-generation Apple TV includes dedicated volume buttons, which can be programmed to control volume levels on TVs and receivers, even via legacy infrared line-of-sight.
Some more modern HDTVs and receivers allow connected devices to control power and volume via the HDMI cable. Right out of the box, the new Apple TV is configured to support devices compatible with what is known as HDMI-CEC.
For older devices that don't support HDMI-CEC, users can program the Siri Remote to mimic their legacy remote and allow for volume control.
This can be set up by opening the tvOS Settings app, choosing Remotes and Devices and selecting Volume Control. From here, select Learn New Device...
Users can then grab their traditional TV or receiver remote control and point it at the Apple TV, and are instructed to hold the volume up and then volume down buttons. The infrared receiver built into the fourth-generation Apple TV will learn the remote commands for volume up and volume down.
After sending the proper commands, the Apple TV will ask the user to name their new remote for easy identification later.
Once the volume controls are programmed, the plus and minus buttons on the bottom right of the Siri Remote will now successfully adjust sound on a legacy TV or receiver, thanks to the infrared transmitter positioned on the front of the Apple TV remote.
For those with HDMI-CEC compatible TVs and receivers, control settings can also be customized through the "Remotes and Devices" menu under "Home Theater Control." There, users can enable or disable volume control and turning on and off of the TV when the Apple TV is put to sleep. If the connected accessory is not HDMI-CEC compatible, "Turn On Your TV with Your Remote" will be greyed out.
Some more modern HDTVs and receivers allow connected devices to control power and volume via the HDMI cable. Right out of the box, the new Apple TV is configured to support devices compatible with what is known as HDMI-CEC.
For older devices that don't support HDMI-CEC, users can program the Siri Remote to mimic their legacy remote and allow for volume control.
This can be set up by opening the tvOS Settings app, choosing Remotes and Devices and selecting Volume Control. From here, select Learn New Device...
Users can then grab their traditional TV or receiver remote control and point it at the Apple TV, and are instructed to hold the volume up and then volume down buttons. The infrared receiver built into the fourth-generation Apple TV will learn the remote commands for volume up and volume down.
After sending the proper commands, the Apple TV will ask the user to name their new remote for easy identification later.
Once the volume controls are programmed, the plus and minus buttons on the bottom right of the Siri Remote will now successfully adjust sound on a legacy TV or receiver, thanks to the infrared transmitter positioned on the front of the Apple TV remote.
For those with HDMI-CEC compatible TVs and receivers, control settings can also be customized through the "Remotes and Devices" menu under "Home Theater Control." There, users can enable or disable volume control and turning on and off of the TV when the Apple TV is put to sleep. If the connected accessory is not HDMI-CEC compatible, "Turn On Your TV with Your Remote" will be greyed out.
Comments
Will it only control the volume of legacy IR TV? Or will it also control power, channel and source selection too?
You can also control the volume of an AirPlay receiver using the remotes +/- button without having to stop the video and make the adjustment. So much easier than the ATV-3 remote!
My DirecTV remote controls my Onkyo receiver. I setup the remote by using my DirecTV remote and while it paired successfully, the volume buttons wasn't working. I ended up having to get out my actual Onkyo remote and set it up that way for it work, but it's going great now.
If anyone is having trouble, consider sending the signal with the manufacturer's remote versus a universal remote that's been coded properly.
Apple TV4 has an IR transmitter, so there's nothing that prevents it to use the ON/OFF IR signal for the receiver and/or TV other than an artificial software limitation.
Since Apple claimed it is the only remote you'll ever need, surely there's a fix coming for this? ;-)
I don't believe the current OS supports IR volume control for Pioneer receivers. I hope they fix this with an update. Also, I have found the HDMI switching on my Pioneer receiver doesn't play well with Apple TV 4, since I regularly experience flickering picture and sound when I first fire everything up. The only remedy is to switch through my Pioneer receiver's HDMI inputs to reset the switch to the Apple TV. So far, I am pretty underwhelmed.
Also works fine with a Bluetooth paired Bose SoundTouch 20 (gen III) although it no longer supports "real" AirPlay. Automatically connects with the Apple TV 4 and I can use either remote (Bose or Siri Remote) to adjust the volume of the Bose speakers - and see a visual volume bar on the TV corresponding to the Bose volume.
BUT, today suddenly I couldn't control volume on the Samsung TV with the Siri Remote. I tried all kinds of stuff (recharging repairing reboot etc) but no luck at first. Turned on the Bose speakers and then I could suddenly control volume of the Bose speakers with the Siri Remote...
Finally went in to Apple TV settings (again) and toggled the TV remote settings on and off a couple of times. Left it at "automatic" and then it worked again- I could control Samsung TV volume. Seems like maybe I shut down the system with sound running though Bose/Bluetooth and then the volume on tv couldn't be controlled when starting without BT and it stayed that way (bug?).