Send sony Vol/mute commands to XBR and TV displays vol level. Set speakers to off, output fixed and popup shows "vol is fixed".
With Sonos playbar and no control system, I normally set Xfiniity or Directv remote to random amp and teach playbar. Works great until customer wants to use factory remote to access Amazon from TV.

Just did a room with a Snap mini amp, XBR850 - Xfinity the only source. Same story - set xfinity remote to send amp vol commands. Works great but customer wants to use Sony remote for Smart TV.

Sony tech support didn't have a solution. Anyone know if the vol popup can be disabled?

I am not sure what the issue is. This is what we have been doing for decades now. If your client does not want to be "inconvenienced" by using multiple remote controls, they can drop some coin for a proper universal remote control system.

If they do not want to drop that coin, they have no room to complain about neither the volume popup message nor the fact that they may have to use 2 remotes otherwise.

Great answer. So when other TV manufacturers (Samsung, LG) allow for this very feature, do you think they are actively working against the control system manufacturers to keep their customers from "dropping some coin"? or do you think maybe it's just a feature that make sense? i'm guessing you don't know how to eliminate the volume pop up on a Sony.

I haven't had any issues with this, did an update break this?

In the case of Samdung I'll program the Comcast remote for a different AVR and let the playbar learn the code.

The issue is his client is using the Sony OEM remote to use the TV's smart features. Not sure of any way to eliminate that. That is a small downside compared to the clusterf%^& that is Samsung. Maybe try and talk them into a lower cost univeral remote. Heck, even a Harmony will get it done for him.

I know the Dish TV remotes allow IR learning, but idk about DirecTV or Xfinity. So with Dish, you could teach their remotes the buttons needed for the smart features.

Other wise a cheap learning remote would be the best option.

KOT

This particular job is finished, two remotes and that's how it is. Most of my other systems use Control systems so there is no issue there. I put playbars in lots of bedrooms and auxiliary zones that use only Cable providers remotes. I run into this issue with Sony's regularly, so I'm looking for an answer for these types of situations. If the Sony TV can't disable the pop-up, then That's that.

Does the cable remote allow for a separate AV receiver command? If so just pick a AVR on the code list and have the playbar learn it. Super easy. Comcast and direct tv allow it, the more advanced fios remote allows it too!

Audiophiliac is a bit harsh, so let me say it a bit more gently: this is what you get at this price point. The problem absolutely can be solved, but we can't expect Sony to solve a problem that is not a problem for Sony. It's only a problem when another manufacturer gets clever and works out a way for their remotes to be used. Which, by the way, keeps the overall system price down.

I'd also comment that TVs are not a good way to access streaming devices because of the complication that introduces with remote controls.

It all fits together: be cheap, you look at the popup. Want a more sophisticated control situation? Pay for it.

Thanks. I do that all the time. I only need a solution for when the client wants to use the TV remote for the smart apps.

Doesn't this problem only occur when the client uses the TV remote for the smart apps and hits that remote's volume command for the purpose of adjusting the playbar?

If so, turn it backwards on him. Explain that you have done the miraculous and added a benefit that Sony and Sonos did not think of -- when he's using the TV remote to access the smart functions, he doesn't have to put that remote down, then pick up the other remote, to adjust the volume of the Sonos. There's a slight drawback -- the Sony thinks its volume is being adjusted, even though it's set to FIXED, and a little display comes up. It's totally worth seeing that when he changes volume, to get the benefit of being able to control volume with the TV remote!

Come up with the approximate price of getting rid of that feature with a programmable remote. It'll probably be between $500 and a grand, which should make him a bit less irritated with the display.

Important point: you didn't make him irritated with the popup because you cussed out Sony while setting things up, did you? If so, then you created his idea of this as a problem.

The first rule of improv is "say yes, accept the premise." When we set up systems, no matter how well we know the parts, it sometimes comes down to improv. Don't say NO! when a situation arises that you don't like. Accept it and seek a way around it. That way your client is less likely to think something quirky like this is a big deal.

I asked Ernie what time it is. 2 hours later he's still trying to tell me how to build a clock.

Right, because of all the apple TV's you've installed - one.

Isn't the problem that the customer is doing something they shouldn't / can't be doing in the first place?

I mean, hitting the volume buttons on the Sony OEM remote means they're trying to adjust the volume - but they can't do that, because the volume is fixed, so hitting those buttons does nothing when they're trying to do something. Basically, it's a visual warning that they're making a mistake.

So... seems like the answer is to just stop doing that! If the pop-up is that annoying, they're figure out to stop hitting those buttons soon enough.

Dirty hax solution: if they will never need to control the volume on the TV, pop open the oem remote and scratch off / otherwise disable the contacts on those buttons.

I was going to chime in yesterday the same exact thouhts.

i.e. Really not sure why this is an issue. It more of an alert to the customer to say "Dumbass, you are using the wrong remote". Otherwise, if there was way to disable the msg, you will be getting the call from the customer or family member that the volume isn't working anymore on the TV.

If the customer doesn't want to spring for the additional cost of a custom programmed remote they have has two choices. One is to leave it exactly how you have it. message only pops up when watching built in content and as noted is a reminder that he should switch remotes. Other option is to program the Snap Amp to the Sony commands and get the message constantly, which then would be highly annoying.