Sonos Arc, Apple TV 4k, Arcana - is volume control possible?

T
Badge +2

Hello Sonos community!

 

I have a Sonos arc and I’m using an arcana to get audio to it from my Apple TV 4K. As I currently have it set up I am unable to control the volume from the Apple TV remote, either the physical version or the iOS widget. Before I start tinkering around I would really appreciate it if somebody could confirm whether or not they have volume control working with a similar set up?

 

If you do then it will either be my Sony projector or my HDMI switch that is to blame. Could these be the problem?

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10 replies

ratty

The Arc volume control arrives by HDMI-CEC from the TV (or projector) over HDMI-eARC. It can’t come from the source device. 

If all else fails you could always use an IR-capable remote and train the Arc to recognise that.

T
Badge +2

Thank you.
 

I nearly pointed out I’d never used CEC but I don’t think my projector supports it. Is that the problem then? So if I connected a TV that supported CEC to my setup…

ATV → Arcana → Arc

                      |_> TV

…the volume buttons on my ATV remote would work? Do others have this working?


Given that Arcana exists to “spoof” eARC functionality I wondered if it might be able to add this functionality too. 
 

I currently use a Harmony Hub but I’m trying to get rid of it as I find it clunky. Easy volume control is the missing piece. The Sonos app itself is the other option but it’s not really practical for a mid-movie volume tweak in the way the ATV remote is. 

ratty

Apart from via the network there are 2 ways to get volume commands into the Arc: HDMI-CEC or IR. The CEC is received over the HDMI-eARC connection. 

If your ATV remote was able to talk to a TV then I guess that should work, since the TV would then instruct the Arc as designed.

I don’t see how Arcana could help, as it has no means of receiving instructions from a remote. 

As noted, I think your best bet is to simply enable the infra-red remote option on the Arc. I’m not familiar with the ATV remote, but if it can’t issue IR codes itself the simplest solution may be to purchase a cheap universal IR remote. It could be a lot easier to use than the Sonos app for those mid-movie adjustments.  

T
Badge +2

Thank you. I will look into that. I also might see whether there are any iOS apps that can make the volume controls a little quicker to access. 
 

If anyone else has this working with a TV/display trust supports CEC, I’d appreciate confirmation so I can get that minor irritation out of my head, though. Or bear it in mind for my next projector upgrade!

O
Userlevel 4
Badge +4

It works fine with my Apple TV and Nvidia Shield but of course you will have to use CEC. The other option would indeed be IR and I think the Apple TV remote can be used for it but I have never used it myself. 

T
Badge +2

Oh wow. I never knew the Apple TV remote could learn other commands! Thank you. I will try that. 

G
Userlevel 7

@tomwhitaker I have the Arc, Apple TV 4K, and Arcana and both the Apple TV remote and Harmony hub/remote can control the volume on the Arc. But I am using a TV with HDMI ARC with CEC enabled. I am also using an HDMI switch with the Arcana.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi
T
Badge +2

Brilliant, thanks for confirming. 

T
Badge +2

I’ve just noticed this on the HDFury Arcana product description. 

[new] CEC volume control from source to eARC/ARC sound system

Has a recent update enabled the volume buttons on my ATV remote, and hopefully the iOS app remote, to send volume up/down commands to the Sonos Arc?

Airgetlam

Might be a great question to ask HD Fury’s support.

Bruce
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