How to Control a Soundbar with a TV Remote

Lawrence Bonk Profile image

Written by:

Updated August 16, 2022

If you are new to the world of enhanced television audio options, you may wonder how to control a soundbar with a TV remote. Many of the best speakers, after all, are top soundbars, and these gadgets need to be controlled somehow. So why use a TV remote to control the soundbar, and how to get this done? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Using a digital camera might seem like it’s just adding extra hardware into the mix, but it’s a great way of improving your video chatting or streaming experience.
  • If you regularly use any sort of video conferencing app, you must invest in a great digital camera to help improve your image quality.
  • Connecting your camera to your computer isn’t necessarily a complicated process, but you will need to invest in some equipment to make it happen.

Why Use a TV Remote to Control a Soundbar?

Increased control is the name of the game here, especially if you recently learned how to connect a subwoofer to a soundbar. A TV remote can be used to change nearly every soundbar setting, even if you have learned how to connect a soundbar to a TV without ARC. This not only means you can change up the volume after learning the definition of HDMI ARC but also make EQ adjustments and output adjustments.

Insider Tip

This is a good way to ensure your soundbar never produces too much volume, thus disturbing neighbors.

The TV remote can’t help you learn how to hide soundbar wires, but it certainly helps in other respects.

How to Control Your Soundbar with a TV Remote Control

This process depends primarily on how the soundbar is connected to your TV. In other words, wireless soundbars, optical soundbars, and HDMI ARC soundbars all offer slightly different procedures to get your TV remote as a control source.

HDMI ARC Connections

This is a pretty easy process, though it will vary depending on your specific TV and soundbar. Plug the soundbar into the HDMI ARC connection port as you normally would and access the TV settings, looking for settings related to the numerical port you are using. Once you find the correct port, look for audio output settings and TV remote control settings and make the necessary changes.

Optical Connections

If you are connecting with an optical cable, start by plugging in the cable from the soundbar to the TV to the optical output connection port. Next, head into the settings menu and look for settings related to the optical port you are using. You should be able to route the audio from the soundbar to the TV here, as well as make any changes associated with the TV remote.

Bluetooth Connections

It is pretty much the same process here. Connect your soundbar to your TV via the appropriate method, head into the settings, and look for settings related to the audio output and TV remote controls. Make the necessary changes.

STAT: A wireless remote control, the “Flashmatic,” was developed in 1955 by Eugene Polley. It worked by shining a beam of light onto one of four photoelectric cells, but the cell did not distinguish between light from the remote and light from other sources. (source)

Control Soundbar With Remote FAQs

Looking for a great soundbar?

There is likely a soundbar out there to fit your needs, no matter if you connect via optical cable, HDMI ARC, or Bluetooth. Modern soundbars also tend to boast a simple setup process, easy device selection for volume settings, and more.

Why is my bar not connecting to the TV?

If your soundbar won’t connect to your Samsung TV or any other make, check the optical cable or optical connection, the HDMI ARC cable, and the remote control.

What about when using when HDMI ARC?

If you are using HDMI ARC instead of an optical connection with your Samsung TV, or any other brand, you can still use the TV remote control by following the above steps. Use this for volume control and settings adjustments.
Lawrence Bonk Profile image