Displays without an HDMI ARC port, such as video projectors or monitors, usually do not support HDMI-CEC commands for volume control. This is not a problem, as volume control should still work with the Apple TV remote.  Here we show you how to set up an Apple TV remote control to adjust the volume on your soundbar.

With a Sonos soundbar

Sonos soundbar do not have a remote control, but support third party infrared remote controls. Since the display does not pass volume commands via HDMI-CEC, the Apple TV remote should control the Sonos soundbar directly via infrared.

Setup

1. Pair Sonos with the Apple TV remote

In the Sonos app:

• Open Settings.
• Select System.
• Select the room containing the Sonos soundbar.
• Choose Set Up Remote or TV Remote Setup.
• Follow the instructions and press the volume buttons on the Apple TV remote.

If the Sonos app does not detect the signal, the Apple TV remote must first be programmed with suitable IR codes.

2. Set Apple TV to infrared volume control

On Apple TV:

Settings → Remotes and Devices → Volume Control

First, try one of the following options:

• Auto via IR
• TV via IR
• Receiver via IR

Do not select HDMI, as the projector does not support volume control via CEC.

If none of these settings works:

• Under Volume Control, select Learn New Device.
• Use any infrared remote control, such as the remote for a television or amplifier.
• Teach Apple TV the volume up, volume down, and mute commands from this remote.
• Then teach the Sonos app the commands from the same remote.

The Apple TV remote will then send the same IR commands directly to the Sonos soundbar. The remote must have a clear line of sight to the front of the soundbar. Apple TV navigation continues to use Bluetooth and therefore does not require line of sight. In addition to HDMI-CEC, the Siri Remote also supports direct volume control via infrared.

The projector is completely bypassed for volume control.

With a soundbar that has its own remote control

In this case, Apple TV learns the IR commands from the soundbar’s original remote control. The Siri Remote then sends these commands directly to the soundbar.

Setup

On Apple TV:

Settings → Remotes and Devices → Volume Control → Learn New Device

Then:

• Point the soundbar’s original remote control at the Apple TV.
• Press and hold the Volume Up button until the progress bar is complete.
• Repeat the process with Volume Down.
• If prompted, also teach the Mute command.
• Enter a name for the new control profile, such as “Soundbar.”
• Under Volume Control, select the newly learned soundbar profile.

The system then works as follows:

• Navigation: Siri Remote → Bluetooth → Apple TV
• Volume: Siri Remote → Infrared → Soundbar
• Display / video projector: not involved in volume control

The Siri Remote can learn IR codes from a television, AV receiver, or soundbar remote control.

Important when teaching the commands

During the learning process, the Apple TV itself receives the IR commands from the soundbar remote. Therefore, point the soundbar remote at the front of the Apple TV, not at the soundbar.

During normal operation, however, the Siri Remote sends the IR commands. It therefore needs at least an approximate line of sight to the soundbar. The IR transmitter is located at the front edge of the Siri Remote.

To ensure that volume is controlled via infrared rather than CEC, explicitly select the learned soundbar profile under Volume Control instead of Auto or HDMI.