Samsung One SolarCell Remote with Sonos Playbar but via ARC Audio Extractor/Converter

[MiniEmma]

Hi all

We just bought a lovely S95D and all was well.  Once I discovered the Universal Remote settings on the TV and just clicked Yes to the Power Off question I even had the One SolarCell remote working the volume on my old Sonos Playbar that was connected to the One Connect box via Optical cable.

BUT we noticed terrible lip sync issues when watching on our Sky Q box but the delay was the wrong way around for any of the delay settings to work. All delay settings just made it worse.  Googling seems to show this is a known issue.

SO we bought an Optical/HDMI converter, plugged the optical from the playbar into it and then it into HDMI 3 eARC and the lipsync is much better but I can no longer find a way to make the ONE SolarCell remote to work the volume.

I've tried all sorts of configurations in the Universal Remote settings but I am unsure whether to choose Optical or HDMI 3? I have tried both.

When I click volume up or down the volume 'logo' appears on the screen and is labelled Audio System (HDMI) and the + and - flash when I click the corresponding button.

From researching, I think I just need to get the remote to use IR.

I've even tried adding it in the Sonos app but it doesn't recognise any button presses.

I'd really like to use this remote, it sits nicely in may hand and I never used the weird remote that came with our last Samsung in 2012, had a touchpad or something, such a waste.

[Obsydian]

Hi, interesting Sky lipsync solution, i gave up and got used to it, but mine is an all Samsung TV/AV setup.

The easiest option is to use the old-style remote (I know I hate it after using the new one).

[patrcia]

It looks like you're on the right track in trying to get the One SolarCell to control your Sonos Playbar. Since the remote sends volume commands over HDMI (as listed under "Audio (HDMI)"), you may need to enable infrared control for the Playbar in your TV's universal remote settings. You can also try resetting your universal remote settings or see if you can manually add IR commands for the Sonos Playbar. If you're still having trouble, another workaround might be to pair the remote directly with your Sonos system via the Sonos app.

[JordanS]

If your adaptor supports it, we recommend using Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC). This allows you to control your external devices via HDMI. You can turn this on under Settings > All Settings > Connection > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC). 

[MiniEmma]

Hi @JordanS 

I've just checked and that's already on.

Can you advise exactly what steps to use in the Universal Remote Setup please?

[JordanS]

This would indicate that your chosen adaptor isn't supporting the feature. For both Anynet+ and Universal Remote controls, we recommend connecting your external devices directly to the TV.

Once connected, you can run through the Universal Remote Settings through Home > Tap left > Connected Devices > Universal Remote Setup. 

[MiniEmma]

Yeah that's how we originally had it set up but there were lipsync issues with the Sky Q box that couldn't be fixed using the audio delay settings. 

I'll look into a different type of adapter maybe.

[MiniEmma]

@JordanS something that is confusing me is that the standard Samsung remote works for the volume on the Playbar with the current setup using the converter so why doesn't the Solar OneCell remote work? 

[MiniEmma]

I'm part of the way there thanks to this Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheFrame/s/HTCIKE0Dqf 

And specially this reply:

"I have the same problem.   

I found a temporary solution to switch the remote to the IR mode.   

1. Put the remote to the pairing mode by holding down the return and pause button   

2. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone (I have tried with iPhone only)   

3. Connect to the "Smart Control 2016" and press "pair"   

The smartphone should remember your remote and switch the remote to the IR mode.   

It could take several attempts for iPhone to find the remote.   

Hope this will help."

Followed by this reply: 

"Thanks! This worked for me after I added a final step of “Forget This Device” after successfully pairing to Smart Control 2016."

At this point I could see the IR working on the Solarcell One Remote by looking at the end with my phone camera but it still wasn't controlling the volume on the TV so I went ahead and used the Sonos app to add the remote and it worked!! BUT noe my other remotes (standard Samsung and Sky Q) don't work the volume any more.

So, nearly there but maybe worse off 😂

[MiniEmma]

I gave up.

Got rid of the converter/extractor and bought a high quality HDMI that helped with the lip sync from the sky q box to the point where our brains can filter it out. 

So the One Remote now works as intended

But, next issue is that the Sky remote and the standard Samsung remote now action twice for the mute or volume presses. i.e. I click mute and then the TV mutes and then unmutes immediately, playbar light flashes twice. Same for volume, up or down, 2 flashes of the playbar light per single click on the remotes.

If I hide the One Remote, like properly under multiple cushions, then the other 2 work correctly! 

I feel like I'm so close to answering the original question here, like the info is all here but I can't put it all together. The One Remote is emitting IR at this point.