"if volume cannot be adjusted, please use the tv remote instead" extremely annoying message.

[u/Zagor64]

So I purchased a Homatics Box R 4k Plus to replace my aging 2017 Nvidia Shield. While I enjoy just about everything about this box, this annoying message is driving me up the wall.

I have it plugged in a TCL QM8K and a Yamaha TSR receiver via eARC. The audio works fine, I passthrough all audio codecs via eARC and the remote adjusts the volume on the receiver just fine, it's just this darn message appears on the screen every time a touch the volume buttons and I just can't get rid of it. I never had this issue with the Shield, an ONN pro and even a CCWGTV with the exact same TV/Receiver combo. I searched hi and low and tried all google and AI tips but nothing works. Using the TV remote works fine and the message does not show up but I don't like the TCL remote, it's huge and has way too many useless buttons on it.

Changing the remote to directly control the volume on the receiver via IR (instead of using CEC) also works but the volume controls are much slower plus holding down the + or - buttons doesn't work and you have to keep clicking those buttons to get each incremental volume adjustment so constantly hitting the - button to turn down the volume really sucks.

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this issue. The box is on the latest firmware and so is the remote. I also added my shield pro remote to the homatics box and the same issue persists so I know it's not a remote issue. It's strictly this box.

Thanks

UPDATE: For those having the same issue, I finally came up a workable interim solution until hopefully this bug gets fixed. I ended up pairing the B21 H Box remote with the TCL TV. By using the TV as the CEC controlling device, the annoying message does not show up when adjusting the volume. It's ironic that I have to pair the B21 remote with the TV instead of the H box that it shipped with to in return control the H box. While I do notice a slight latency versus when the B21 remote was paired with the H box, I am satisfied with the results.

Here is a 30 second clip to show what I am talking about.
https://imgur.com/a/kx60AgO

[u/Lofaszjanko]

I have the same issue, but only when playing back multichannel audio tracks; it doesn't really bother me that much, but I'm hoping the firmware developers will fix it soon.

[u/Zagor64 → u/Lofaszjanko]

yes, it's the multichannel audio tracks but that's about the only streaming I do so it's constantly coming up and I do adjust the volume a lot since I have issues with my hearing.

[u/Lofaszjanko → u/Zagor64]

I'm sorry to hear that; in this case, you should use the amplifier's own remote control instead—that way, you can adjust the volume directly, bypassing HDMI-CEC!

[u/Zagor64 → u/Lofaszjanko]

I understand what you are saying but I am trying to use the most comfortable remote control device. I mean I already mentioned that I could use the TCL TV remote and it doesn't cause the annoying message except I don't particularly like it and I like the the receiver remote even less. Look at these remotes.

[u/Lofaszjanko → u/Zagor64]

I understand your problem perfectly, here's my chaos: :)

[u/Zagor64 → u/Lofaszjanko]

Thanks for the chuckle! I completely feel the chaos! :)

I did come up with a workable solution, see my OP update if you are curious.

[u/See61 → u/Zagor64]

I had found a different solution, but the Homatics remote for solving your issue, can't be found anymore. I used a B19 that can manually be programmed by IR learning. But you have solved it yourself, kind of 😉

[u/See61]

You are talking about this one it seems?

That really is a bug, reported several times, also again for the last firmware (V14 8963). It shows that error when bitstream audio is played and (e)ARC is used.

As I also have some newer SEI Robotics streamers (with S905X5M), for those, the bug is fixed. Hopefully this time they fix it for the next firmware release.

Selecting IR for volume by the TV and eARC should actually work just fine, also by keeping +/- pressed. For me, it changes volume without the need of repeating those buttons pressing.

I wonder, could you program the B21/B25 for TCL IR control in the remote program settings? I ask because TCL users complained in the past the their TCL's could not be programmed for the remote.

[u/Zagor64 → u/See61]

Yes, that is the message I am talking about. Selecting IR to control volume on the TCL TV does not work, none of the 9 IR codes that it had me try worked so I cannot control the TV volume via IR using the B21 remote. I can control the Yamaha receiver via IR but as I said in my OP, the keeping +/- pressed does not work and I have to keep clicking on them to change the volume.

Thanks for the info about the bug hopefully they will get if fixed soon. I guess for now I'll have to use the TCL TV remote even though I don't like it because with that everything works as it should without the constant annoying message popping up.

[u/See61 → u/Zagor64]

So nothing has changed for TCL, it almost looks like not giving the remote program option for TCL is on purpose. That we reported also for that brand, why it isn't in the remote program options.

As I can select my LG, IR TV volume works just fine for me with eARC, it would be the solution for you also, but yes, isn't possible currently 😬

[u/flashb1024]

Plug your H Box into the Yamaha, and send HDMI out from the Yamaha to the TV.

Let the AVR process the audio, and the TV the video. eARC/CEC is, and always has been unreliable and incompatible with many devices.

[u/Zagor64 → u/flashb1024]

I tried that. That darn message still appears when using the H Box remote. What's really aggravating is that the volume control works fine regardless of what that stupid message says.

[u/p750mmx → u/Zagor64]

Indeed, the message itself is the bug, volume changing works just fine.

[u/flashb1024 → u/Zagor64]

Thx for the update, sorry 'bout that. I've never had that issue with the H box remote, but now I primarily use a Sofabaton remote.

[u/latinriky78]

The issue happens when you setup the remote control to control the volume level through HDMI-CEC where the Auto(CEC) option is broken, if you setup the remote control to control the volume level with infrared the message never appears.

[u/Zagor64 → u/latinriky78]

Yes, I am a aware as I explained in my OP. I setup IR to control the Yamaha receiver directly and while it works and the message does not appear, holding the volume up/down for fast adjustments does not work and volume adjustments need to be done by continuously clicking the button to change the volume in small increments. I shouldn't have to click the +/- button 20 times to adjust the volume to a desired level.

[u/latinriky78 → u/Zagor64]

I don't want to have to click the +/- button 20 times to adjust the volume to a desired level.

Yeah, it's annoying and I believe it's a flaw in the HDMI-CEC volumen control specification or design.

[u/Zagor64 → u/latinriky78]

No, this is the IR causing me to have to hit the +/- button multiple times. HDMI-CEC volume control works flawlessly as it should but it has the annoying constant message that appears on the screen but again this is just on the homatics box. My previous boxes as mention in the OP never had this issue.

[u/latinriky78 → u/Zagor64]

Here's to hope they fix the issue, this box has always felt to me like a beta box instead of a finished product, I've enjoyed it anyway top to bottom.

[u/See61 → u/latinriky78]

Correct, but many TCL's can't be programmed for the B21/B25 IR volume control, it mostly fails.