Controlling Optical Audio out volume through TV?

[R_P_H_]

Hi, I have a 2016 Samsung JU6600 Smart TV and an older Sony dav-dz850kw home theater system. I want to connect the two systems together so that I can control the audio and turn on/off the home theater system.

The home theater doesn't have ARC so I used an optical cable from the TV to the HT for audio and HDMI for video. I can only get the audio to output from the HT when it is in SAT/CABLE function but then I cannot control the HT through the TV.

I have tried everything but I cannot control the audio on the HT using the TV. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[americanaudiophile]

The optical output of the TV is fixed level so the TV remote cannot control it. You have to use the HTS remote for volume. A universal remote such as a Logitech Harmony would allow you to use one remote to control both the TV and HTS.

 

[jsmithepa]

Sooner of later, universal remote beckons.

 

[R_P_H_]

The Samsung TV has a built in universal remote function which I setup for controlling the HT. However I can only control the HT using the Samsung remote when I am on the HT HDMI input, not when I am watching TV from my STB on another HDMI input.

 

[jsmithepa]

However I can only control the HT using the Samsung remote when I am on the HT HDMI input

That kind of limitation makes this a bad universal.

A good universal remote is task-oriented, not device-oriented. For example, to WATH TV, on that same "page" it should let you program the volume buttons to control whatever your audio controller is. Need to dim the lights while watching TV? should let you assign 2 buttons for DIM- and DIM+ home automation controllers having nothing to do with your TV or receiver. I like to say a good universal remote, every button is a macro, it will let you program a sequence of send codes from any remote, if it can learn it, you can program it into any button's sequence.