Fios One Remote INSISTS on controlling receiver volume via IR

[grabo]

Recently upgraded STBs to Fios One. Then upgraded main TV to a Samsung QN75Q70CD.  I was super happy to see how painless the set-up and integration was; there was no configuration that I needed to do, and the remote controlled the TV volume as expected. I'm not sure if the volume was controlled via HDMI or via IR. The only connection between the STB and the TV is a HDMI cable.

After the expected disappointment of the TV's built-in sound, I installed a Sony STR-DH590 receiver, hooked up to existing speakers. I had already tested this receiver on another TV (which doesn't have a Fios STB) and it worked flawlessly using ARC and CEC to stream audio, adjust the volume, and power on/off with the TV. So this seemed like a perfect solution.

The only connection between the TV and the receiver is a HDMI cable, attached to both devices' HDMI ARC ports. Sound works as expected. However, within a few moments, I saw a "Programming Your Remote For Your TV/AV Devices..." message on the screen.

The net result is that the Fios One remote is now using IR to control the Sony's volume. THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT. The receiver is tucked away inside a cabinet, so it's very difficult for IR signals to get through.

What I want: I want the Fios One remote to not have ANY knowledge that there's a receiver attached to the TV.

I wasn't able to figure out how to achieve this, so I called VZ support. The technician had me "reset" the Fios One remote, with the receiver turned off so it was not detected. This seemed to work, but only for a few minutes, and then the "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again and the IR-to-receiver behavior started again.

So, I called VZ support again, and spoke with a different tech who seemed to clearly understand the problem. His solution was to reset the remote again, but choose "No" when it asks if I wanted to have the remote control my receiver. I did that, and for the rest of the evening, things worked as expected.

That is, until today. The "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again today, and now the remote is back to sending IR to the receiver. The current workaround is to leave the door open to where the receiver is situated, but that's obviously not what we want long-term.

I suppose one workaround could be an IR reflector, but that seems like a hack that shouldn't be necessary.

How can I force the Fios STB/Remote to FORGET and REFUSE to learn about the connected receiver?

I'd call VZ support again (nevermind the nightmare of hassle required just to speak with a human), but this equipment is not in my home, so I won't be able to troubleshoot until the next time I visit.

[clem21 · Accepted solution]

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@grabo wrote:

Recently upgraded STBs to Fios One. Then upgraded main TV to a Samsung QN75Q70CD.  I was super happy to see how painless the set-up and integration was; there was no configuration that I needed to do, and the remote controlled the TV volume as expected. I'm not sure if the volume was controlled via HDMI or via IR. The only connection between the STB and the TV is a HDMI cable.

After the expected disappointment of the TV's built-in sound, I installed a Sony STR-DH590 receiver, hooked up to existing speakers. I had already tested this receiver on another TV (which doesn't have a Fios STB) and it worked flawlessly using ARC and CEC to stream audio, adjust the volume, and power on/off with the TV. So this seemed like a perfect solution.

The only connection between the TV and the receiver is a HDMI cable, attached to both devices' HDMI ARC ports. Sound works as expected. However, within a few moments, I saw a "Programming Your Remote For Your TV/AV Devices..." message on the screen.

The net result is that the Fios One remote is now using IR to control the Sony's volume. THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT. The receiver is tucked away inside a cabinet, so it's very difficult for IR signals to get through.

What I want: I want the Fios One remote to not have ANY knowledge that there's a receiver attached to the TV.

I wasn't able to figure out how to achieve this, so I called VZ support. The technician had me "reset" the Fios One remote, with the receiver turned off so it was not detected. This seemed to work, but only for a few minutes, and then the "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again and the IR-to-receiver behavior started again.

So, I called VZ support again, and spoke with a different tech who seemed to clearly understand the problem. His solution was to reset the remote again, but choose "No" when it asks if I wanted to have the remote control my receiver. I did that, and for the rest of the evening, things worked as expected.

That is, until today. The "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again today, and now the remote is back to sending IR to the receiver. The current workaround is to leave the door open to where the receiver is situated, but that's obviously not what we want long-term.

I suppose one workaround could be an IR reflector, but that seems like a hack that shouldn't be necessary.

How can I force the Fios STB/Remote to FORGET and REFUSE to learn about the connected receiver?

I'd call VZ support again (nevermind the nightmare of hassle required just to speak with a human), but this equipment is not in my home, so I won't be able to troubleshoot until the next time I visit.

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Try reprogramming the remote with the wrong brand and model of receiver, or telling it to use the Fios box or TV as the audio device. Also replace your batteries in the remote since it wanted to reprogram itself. You could also try this and see if it helps:

Main Menu > Settings > Audio & Video > Video Settings > TV Input Control.  Try disabling it.

[grabo]

After a bunch of discussion with VZ techs on the phone, and TWO onsite visits, indeed this seems to be the way to get it working (has been working for a week): Main Menu > Settings > Audio & Video > Video Settings > TV Input Control (OFF)

A verified workaround is an IR repeater.

[clem21]

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@grabo wrote:

Recently upgraded STBs to Fios One. Then upgraded main TV to a Samsung QN75Q70CD.  I was super happy to see how painless the set-up and integration was; there was no configuration that I needed to do, and the remote controlled the TV volume as expected. I'm not sure if the volume was controlled via HDMI or via IR. The only connection between the STB and the TV is a HDMI cable.

After the expected disappointment of the TV's built-in sound, I installed a Sony STR-DH590 receiver, hooked up to existing speakers. I had already tested this receiver on another TV (which doesn't have a Fios STB) and it worked flawlessly using ARC and CEC to stream audio, adjust the volume, and power on/off with the TV. So this seemed like a perfect solution.

The only connection between the TV and the receiver is a HDMI cable, attached to both devices' HDMI ARC ports. Sound works as expected. However, within a few moments, I saw a "Programming Your Remote For Your TV/AV Devices..." message on the screen.

The net result is that the Fios One remote is now using IR to control the Sony's volume. THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT. The receiver is tucked away inside a cabinet, so it's very difficult for IR signals to get through.

What I want: I want the Fios One remote to not have ANY knowledge that there's a receiver attached to the TV.

I wasn't able to figure out how to achieve this, so I called VZ support. The technician had me "reset" the Fios One remote, with the receiver turned off so it was not detected. This seemed to work, but only for a few minutes, and then the "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again and the IR-to-receiver behavior started again.

So, I called VZ support again, and spoke with a different tech who seemed to clearly understand the problem. His solution was to reset the remote again, but choose "No" when it asks if I wanted to have the remote control my receiver. I did that, and for the rest of the evening, things worked as expected.

That is, until today. The "Programming Your Remote..." message appeared again today, and now the remote is back to sending IR to the receiver. The current workaround is to leave the door open to where the receiver is situated, but that's obviously not what we want long-term.

I suppose one workaround could be an IR reflector, but that seems like a hack that shouldn't be necessary.

How can I force the Fios STB/Remote to FORGET and REFUSE to learn about the connected receiver?

I'd call VZ support again (nevermind the nightmare of hassle required just to speak with a human), but this equipment is not in my home, so I won't be able to troubleshoot until the next time I visit.

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Just had another thought, if the remote is using IR to connect, just tape over the IR port on the remote and it will depend on RF to communicate with the box. Not sure if that will work though as it looks like it is using CEC to communicate with the receiver and TV so that connection will need to be broken somehow.