New siri remote will arrive tomorrow - a fast service from Apple support!

I have just been doing some searching about Siri remote Firmware versions.  I neglected to say previously that the remote that doesn't control my B&O TV is the 'newer' version with the white circle around the MENU button.  The older (working) remote does not have this circle.  I had previously thought that the remotes were identical inside, but have just found the following links that would indicate, not only are they different inside, but they are running different firmware:

Original (first generation) siri remote FW versions: link

Newer (white circle, second generation) remote FW versions: 

Well the new Gen 2 (white circle) Apple TV siri remote arrived with UPS this morning.  In preparation for experimentation I had connected my ATV direct to the BV6-26's DVI socket (taking my audio extractor out of the circuit).  I used a 'known' hdmi to DVI lead - the one that I used to use when my other ATV remote started working to control the TV with IR.

Firstly I tested whether the new remote would control B&O volume with IR 'fresh out of the box' - it didn't.

I then paired it with my ATV, and checked the firmware status - 0x0116.  According to my earlier findings, this is one of the Gen 2 remote's earlier firmware levels that was replaced with 0x0118 on 6 Aug 2019.

I left the remote at firmware 0x0116 and tried all the permutations of IR control as discussed before - nothing worked to control B&O volume. 

I then successfully updated the firmware in the new remote using the following procedure:

• Set the Apple TV to go to sleep mode after 15 mins (Settings>> General>> Sleep After)

• Go to Settings>> Remotes and Devices>> Remote (battery picture)>> click that and see what firmware version you have...

• If you see something lower than firmware version 0x0257 (old gen 1 remote) or 0x0118 (new 'white circle' remote)  - hit menu to go back, then tap the play/pause button 4 times... and it will update when your AppleTV is in sleep mode (i.e at least 15 minutes later) - may take up to half an hour... later - check the firmware version and see what you got...

I left my ATV for 45 minutes total (15 mins to go to sleep, then 30 mins to update the remote), and when I checked the remote firmware it had indeed updated from 0x0116 to 0x0118.

I again tried all the previously explored permutations, but am unable to get the remote to control the B&O volume.

I am now on eBay searching for a generation 1 (no white circle) Apple TV remote, for further experimentation!  

When I was discussing with Apple support he did try to find a first generation remote to send me, but they don't make them anymore.  I did find an article that said the Siri remote price dropped from $80 to $60 when they brought out the Gen2, so perhaps this reflects the reduction in capability (lack of 455kHz IR).  Also I suppose Apple realised that most of their customers had hdmi-cec capable TVs.

I have put an eBay offer in on a 'new in box' Gen 1 remote, so as soon as I can get hold of one I'll do some more tests and update the thread.

So the 'new to me', first generation (no white circle) Siri remote arrived this morning.  I bought it on eBay for £27.

I again connected the ATV4 directly to the BV6 with my good hdmi to DVI lead.

I used the ATV remote app on my phone to turn on the ATV4 and unpair the (white circle) remote that was previously connected.

I connected the first generation remote to the ATV and it immediately worked to control B&O volume - success!!!  🙂

I checked the remote's firmware - currently at 0x0245, so I am now updating to 0x0257 using the procedure that I previously described.

By the way, under 'Home Cinema Control', the ATV was set to 'Control TVs and Receivers' ON (but also works if set to OFF), and the Volume Control Option was set to 'TV via IR'.

So I think we can safely summarise that (in my usage case), only the first generation Siri remote can be used to control B&O TV volume directly by IR, and that it works at both firmware levels 0X0245 and 0x0257. 

If I had a more modern B&O TV, with hdmi sockets, I would experiment more with the second generation (white circle) Siri remote to see if some sort of hdmi 'handshake' triggers B&O IR volume control, but I strongly suspect that this functionality has been removed.

madskp wrote:

This post was made to sum up on findings from other forum threads to keep the information in one place.

Hi and thanks for this great summary!

So... how does this beauty work through SCART? ;))

I have Beovision 7-32 type 9311 raider with ATV through a SCART-HDMI scaler converter. 

It would be great to have all the functionalities available, but the only thing I really, really want is to control my TV volume through my Apple TV remote.

Is this even possible with this model and configuration? I have been researching it for months, and even this post was the most informative I have still no luck with pairing Apple with B&O successfully. 

soundboy wrote:

It would be great to have all the functionalities available, but the only thing I really, really want is to control my TV volume through my Apple TV remote.

Is this even possible with this model and configuration?

Does your siri remote have the white circle around it (newer version)?  If so, I don't think that you will get it working to control the B&O volume directly.

If it does not, then you may be able to make it work.  What firmware version is the remote?  And does your TV have a DVI socket?

Jaffrey2230 wrote:

Program your remote for volume

1. On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, go to Settings > Remotesand Devices > Volume Control.
2. Select Learn New Device.
3. Follow the onscreen steps to program your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote to control volume for your television or receiver.

It can't learn a new device because the ATV cannot receive the B&O IR frequency (455kHz), so unfortunately this will not work.

soundboy wrote:

Hi and thanks for this great summary!

So... how does this beauty work through SCART? ;))

I have Beovision 7-32 type 9311 raider with ATV through a SCART-HDMI scaler converter.

It would be great to have all the functionalities available, but the only thing I really, really want is to control my TV volume through my Apple TV remote.

Is this even possible with this model and configuration? I have been researching it for months, and even this post was the most informative I have still no luck with pairing Apple with B&O successfully.