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User162979_1
Contributor I
July 5, 2015

Control all grouped Sonos using TV remote control (via Playbar)

I already own a Playbar and recently purchased a Play 1. One thing I find invaluable is being able to control the Playbar using the TV remote, even if playing music. It is very intuitive and easy to use. 

What I've noticed however is that now when grouped with the play 1 the TV remote volume control only manages the Playbar vs. the whole group volume. 

Is there a way to add an option to have the TV remote control either only the Playbar or the whole group volume once grouped? 

Would help to extend the handy and intuitive control the bring the volume up and down across the rooms. 
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    137 replies

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    Mike N
    Lyricist I
    February 3, 2018
    I have the same issue and this is very frustrating! If speakers are grouped they should all adjust volume using the TV remote. Please provide a solution!!
      Airgetlam
      Airgetlam
      February 3, 2018
      If I may, I'd like to add an opposing view. I do not want my system to reduce the volume on grouped rooms. That would drive me crazy!
      Bruce
        jprsha
        Lyricist II
        March 8, 2018
        Just tried looking for the same capability. Sad that it's not possible yet.
        Ken_Griffiths
        Ken_Griffiths
        March 8, 2018
        Airgetlam,

        I’m with you on this matter... if you group two sets of speakers, such as the 'dining room' and 'hallway' and press the hardware volume controls on the actual speakers, they have only ever adjusted the volume for the one chosen room only... it has always been that way. It therefore should work the same for the TV remote operating on the Sonos PlayBar and PlayBase. It would be odd to make an exception for those particular products.

        The group volume control is available in the Sonos App and that’s really where it needs to stay.

        I should add that even the voice integration with Alexa, only controls the volume in a single Sonos room too even when that room is grouped with others.

        There would probably have to be an extraordinary public demand to now get Sonos to change things over to always operate volume controls on an entire group ... then I’m sure there would then be a backlash from those who prefer to control each individual room in a group.

        Leave things exactly as they are, would be my preference.
          ComeOnSonos
          Contributor I
          May 25, 2018
          Appreciate that the feature set needs to be limited for ease of use and to reflect those that are most popular with the Sonos userbase, but... It’s completely misleading to sell a system that claims to be 5:1 surround sound when the TV volume control only works on three of the five speakers. A simple on-off toggle for a ‘control group volume’ option would keep all happy, would not confuse even low-tech users and would make Sonos a viable 5:1 system. Poor form from a company that otherwise seems to be focused on delivering great products.
            jgatie
            jgatie
            May 26, 2018
            I'm afraid you have your terms mixed up. The volume works fine for 5.1 when the system is configured as 5.1. Grouping is something completely different from 5.1.
            jmw_sono
            Chromatic Producer I
            May 26, 2018
            As mentioned above there is a difference between grouping actually joining the speakers in a 5.1 setup or even the stereo setup of two Ones or Threes together. I have often wanted to "permanently" join two or three speakers together in a similar fashion. Basically making them one room. When I use these speakers 99% of the time there are all included in the group, so combining them would be very convenient. Most of my listening is with my Playbar/Sub, Kitchen Play3 , and 3 Connect Amps for outside. If i could combine the 3 Connect Amps into "Outdoor" it would be very helpful. My Maser Bath has two Ones, but they are joined in stereo so i have only one room for them, it would be a pain if I didn't have then in stereo and I has to pick both L and R for music there.
            I guess if we could join speakers to rooms, it would help implement the volume feature for people wanting for example to "join" their PlayBar/Base and a Play 5.
            With close to 20 speakers, the ability join a few into rooms would be a nice feature. I guess a join room function instead of the normal group function. I have little hope Sonos ever implements, but I guy can dream right? LOL
            Playbar(2) Sub(1) Play:5(2) Play:3(6) Play:1(5) Connect:AMP(3) Sonos:AMP(5) Move(1)
              User499820
              Lyricist I
              July 31, 2018
              It would be great to control the volume for the total group with the TV remote. I have installed a Sonos Beam and I group this with two PLAY:5's + Subwoofer. Indeed only the volume of the Beam can be controlled which is not what I expected to happen. Normally there is always one group volume which you can control by the app or Sonos CR200. You have to do additional steps to control a singe speaker. I do not see why the interface is different when using the TV-remote. Also in this case I would expect that it controls the group volume. So, SONOS, please provide a solution.
                Jan Schreiber
                Trending Lyricist I
                September 1, 2018
                Yes - please implenent this feature!
                  LarsJensen
                  Lyricist III
                  September 3, 2018
                  Just added a Beam to my system. Disapointed that remote does not control group - only beam. Not useful at all. I was so certain that it would work like that so i didn't ask. very unfortunate.
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