Remote IR codes for my soundbar and tv overlap?

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

I have a 32" Toshiba Rezga LCD tv and I just recently purchased an Altec Lansing soundbar. I'm very impressed with the soundbar but it seems that the IR codes for my soundbar and tv overlap. When I hit the volume down button, the tv turns off and when I hit the mute button, the TV changes channels. I thought this was a defect with the remote so I tried it out with a logitech harmony and I get the same results.

Is there anything I could do here?

 

[Modelworks]

What you are describing doesn't happen often but it does happen. There are only so many codes in the common IR protocols, actually only 256 brands can be used in the RC5 and original NEC version. To solve the problem they invented RC6 protocol for remotes to expand devices available. Companies are supposed to register their brand with companies like NEC when they need a device ID for their brand so other companies will know the code is in use and not to use it. It is not enforced though and a lot of companies use whatever they like. RC6 was designed to stop that practice and is why if you try to find specifications for RC6 on the net you will not find it published, instead people have reverse engineered it to decode it.

What can you do , really nothing. Sorry , short of re-programming the device there is nothing you can do. I have a remote for a device that triggers my hitachi tv menu buttons so I have to point the remote away from the tv anytime I use it.

You could try using a small reflector , something like aluminum foil to make it so you have to aim the remote a certain way to control the target device. The signals can bounce off walls and ceilings so maybe make it so the soundbar has to bounce off a wall to be received.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Sigh.. that blows. My logitech harmony is pretty much useless now since I can't use it to control my setup.

 

[Corn]

Do any of the TV controls mess with the soundbar? If not, then just preset the soundbar volume high and use the TV to control the volume level. This, of course, assumes your TV has variable audio output. If not, then just return the soundbar for a different brand.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Do any of the TV controls mess with the soundbar? If not, then just preset the soundbar volume high and use the TV to control the volume level. This, of course, assumes your TV has variable audio output. If not, then just return the soundbar for a different brand.

Yes, my TV remote does interfere with my soundbar if I do point at it. The harmony remote button interferes whether I point it at it or not.

I got the soundbar for a good deal online ($99) and for the price, I guess I can live with the inconvenience

 

[CubanlB]

How is the sound bar connected to the TV? It is very odd that 2 brands would have the same IR codes.
If it is connected HDMI to the TV that the HDMI CEC could be having some kind of issue. You could verify this by disconnecting the sound bar from the tv and see if this issue continues. If this fixes the problem try turning off hdmi control (regza link or something like that in the TV setup menu)
If HDMI isn't even in the picture there isn't a lot you could do for this. You might get lucky programming your harmony with a different Toshiba TV with a different volume command. (sometimes TVs respond to more than one command for power, volume, etc...) This is pretty unlikely though.
Try harmony support? Once you get beyond tier one they are pretty competent. Obviously they can't correct the IR overlap but they may have a work around

Anyway, good luck.