TV remote for grouped devices issue


Userlevel 2
When I group a Connect AMP and Playbar (which is connected to a TV), I can't control the volume using the TV's remote as a group, it only adjusts the volume of the play bar. This means I have to reset the balance of the speakers within the group everytime someone adjusts the volume using the TV remote. This is a real pain. Is there a way the group volume can be controlled by the TV remote?

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77 replies

Userlevel 7
Badge +17
resurrecting this one again as it really bugs me that I cant control volume of devices grouped with a Playbar with the Playbar remote. An IR remote is so much faster to use that firing up a tablet/phone but no good if it only turns the volume down on one component.

For Sonos' delectation I took the time to find some identical requests since no one bothers merging ideas any more on this site :-(

https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar-group-all-controlled-with-tv-remote
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar_connect_amp_mute_entire_group_using_tv_remote
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar_volume_effect_on_entire_group
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/control-all-grouped-sonos-using-tv-remote-control-via-playbar
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/smart_mute_mute_grouped_play_components_when_playbar_is_playing_t...
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/one_volume_slider_with_playbar_and_connect_amp_grouped
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/bonded_groups_with_playbar
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/how_do_you_control_a_grouped_play_bar_and_amp_unit_by_just_using_...

you get the idea - its quite a popular request

I can see how those with large groups might not want it but just make it an option please !!!!

I sometimes wonder how Sonos employees (who I suppose all have a house full of this stuff) manage to live with these annoyances yet not fix them !
Yes it would seem we have been forgotten about. I made the point at the beginning of the year about 5.1 surround not ideal for me and therefore using the soundboard and rear speakers as ambient. So Sonos are you listening or do I switch as Samsung have got a wireless system out now and there sound quality is which 5 star rating.!! Give us what we want, a master volume for remotes....
I second that.  Some sort of reply from Sonos would be nice.  Maybe an explanation as to the complications and why it has taken so long.  I am quite tired of getting excited when an update comes through, all to be left disappointed.  Even my four year old daughter who is now beginning to control has said "Why can I only control the front speaker."  Must say, my wife and I had a laugh over that one! 

Come on Sonos!  Such an obvious adjustment!
I just purchased a Playbar and have it grouped with a Connect AMP with some KEF speakers. The fact that I cannot turn the volume down with the main TV remote is really very annoying. I get that I may want to have different volumes around the house but a check box option to enable control of the volume via a main remote would be ideal. I doubt if will get changed 😞
Userlevel 1
+1 for this feature. Seems so obvious. I am considering buying a Player... but now I'm sorta considering not buying one.
Userlevel 7
Badge +22
Just have to use the Sonos application which makes sense if your grouping in multiple rooms.

Harmony Ultimate remote has ability to control various Sonos units via remote (wifi)
This may help some people (harmony remote users). I have a play:3 and a connect. The connect is hooked up to my receiver. So two rooms. Living room and kitchen. When I am sitting on my couch, I want to run my activity "listen to sonos" and be able to control the volume in both rooms with one remote. I was hoping there would be a way to control the group volume. That is how I found this forum.

My solution:

I customized the harmony remote buttons. I configured the up down arrows to control the receiver volume. I already had the remote default to control volume with the harmony remote, so the volume buttons control the play 3 volume.

What sonos should do:

When controlling the volume from a harmony remote the group volume should be controlled if there is a group. Or allow us to bond rooms together.
+1 for the IR remote controlling the entire group that has the playbar within it. Maybe an option within the playbar's settings to make this true or not?
Userlevel 2
Badge
request has been 2+ years...

look at all these other threads:
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar-group-all-controlled-with-tv-remote
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar_connect_amp_mute_entire_group_using_tv_remote
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/playbar_volume_effect_on_entire_group
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/control-all-grouped-sonos-using-tv-remote-control-via-playbar
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/smart_mute_mute_grouped_play_components_when_playbar_is_playing_t...
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/one_volume_slider_with_playbar_and_connect_amp_grouped
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/bonded_groups_with_playbar
https://ask.sonos.com/sonos/topics/how_do_you_control_a_grouped_play_bar_and_amp_unit_by_just_using_...

please enable this feature
Userlevel 2
Badge
my speakers are grouped

i went to mute my sound on my TV remote... and only the TV sound is off and the other speakers are still on

what's the point of the IR remote then?

please help us push this issue to urgent
Userlevel 3
Badge +7
I cant believe this has not been sorted, I would also like to control everything linked to my playbar with my tv remote.
Userlevel 2
Badge
email support

the more ppl that email them

the more likely they'll pay attention

2+ years :(

let's go sonos
This is so frustrating.. How can this not be fixed after 2 years. Wouldn't have bought them if I knew how poor the experience would be
Userlevel 2
Badge
come on SONOS!
I am also adding my petition for this feature to be added by Sonos.

I have a Playbar bonded with two Play:3s (5.0 surround), which are then grouped with two rear Play:1s (5.0 surround + 2.0). My wife gets very frustrated when the infrared remote control adjusts the Playbar volume, but not the volume for the two rear Play:1s - and wants me to return the Play:1s.

I would be very grateful if Sonos could roll this out in the next update!
Userlevel 2
Badge
how many years do we have to wait?
Userlevel 2
support replied with this "I do think there is some validity to what you are saying which is why it will be forwarded to the necessary parties."

see here https://en.community.sonos.com/wireless-speakers-228992/control-all-grouped-sonos-using-tv-remote-control-via-playbar-6703084?postid=16035212

🙂
Userlevel 7
Badge +22
support replied with this "I do think there is some validity to what you are saying which is why it will be forwarded to the necessary parties."

see here https://en.community.sonos.com/wireless-speakers-228992/control-all-grouped-sonos-using-tv-remote-control-via-playbar-6703084?postid=16035212

:)


You'll forgive me for providing a little context won't you?

On another thread a poster described a scenario in which they were in their Living Room with Playbar grouped with other nearby speakers not in the Living Room set-up. Their phone rings and they want to mute ALL speakers using the TV remote.

Support suggested that this merited forwarding to the relevant team.

Here's my take:- Sonos support and unwavering in their politeness but it should be noted that it took several years for them to make that statement and all the threads posting similar requests are dominated by those suggesting that the idea is a non-starter.

My advice would be not to hang your hat on this ever happening.
Userlevel 2
it'll happen - i'm optimistic!
Keeping the hope alive.....

I have a Playbar and 2 Play 1's grouped for 5.1 surround. Sounds great, just as Sonos intended. Since I have a perfectly good powered sub woofer (Velodyne 12"), I did not purchase the Sonos sub. To add more bass to my 5.1 experience, I use a CONNECT connected to my subwoofer. Not a true .1 solution in a 5.1surround system (I am getting another non-Sonos component to make that part work), but the bass added using this method is still very good for an overall good 5.1 surround sound experience.

The CONNECT w/3rd party sub is grouped with the Playbar/Play 1's, as others have done in similar configurations. The only way to control the volume level of both simultaneously is with the Sonos app on my iPhone. My TV remote only controls the Playbar/Play 1's (which are grouped for 5.1 surround). So as many others have requested, it would be great to have a user configurable "option" to allow the TV remote that is paired with the Playbar to control the volume of all Sonos speakers (in other rooms, etc) that are grouped with the Playbar.

Keep beating that horse, it ain't quite dead yet....
Very annoying that this isn't an option. I have 2 x play 5 and 2 x play 1 as well as a Sonos Playbar/sub 5.1 setup. Theyre all in the same room but I cant control them all together using my IR remote.
+1...new user here. Frustrated by the same problem. Playbar bonded with two Play1s. Grouped with one Play3. Would love my TV remote to volume up/down all of them at once.

Is the issue drawing a difference between: A) grouping the "source" of sound for a variety of speakers vs. 😎 grouping the volume control for a variety of speakers? i.e. some people want A, some want A & B?

Would love to see this fixed Sonos! Thank you!
Issue is still not solved??? Come on Sonos.... This should be a basic feature! If I have a playbar and rear speakers on my living room, if I press the mute button on my tv remote why only the playbar goes to mute??? To me it makes no sense for this option not being available...
Hi all,

Trying to help here.

Here's a strawman for what I think we'd like...

A new checkbox option under: "Room Settings" > [Room containing Playbar] > "TV Setup and Control"...perhaps called "IR Group Control". When checked, if the Playbar receives IR input to change the volume, it would apply this to all speakers grouped with it. Pictured below.



Does this sound right to folks?

Not hopeful Sonos is listening on this one. But this option makes a lot of sense to me!

Jesse
Hi all,

Trying to help here.

Here's a strawman for what I think we'd like...

A new checkbox option under: "Room Settings" > [Room containing Playbar] > "TV Setup and Control"...perhaps called "IR Group Control". When checked, if the Playbar receives IR input to change the volume, it would apply this to all speakers grouped with it. Pictured below.



Does this sound right to folks?

Not hopeful Sonos is listening on this one. But this option makes a lot of sense to me!

Jesse