Remote code for JBL SB120 soundbar on XR15 Ignite remote (Optical connection)

[james039]

Hi all, looking for someone who has gotten their rogers remote to control this soundbar. I connected via optical cable to avoid using an additional HDMI, so the HDMI-CEC control is unavailable.

I looked up the JBL codes on the Xfinity website https://www.xfinity.com/support/remotes and none of them were successful to control my soundbar. If anyone has a code they know has worked, or another way to get their rogers remote to control the volume up/down on with this particular soundbar connected via optical cable your advice would be appreciated.

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[57]

I found the same codes on the following website.  Make sure you're following the instructions carefully for audio, etc.:

https://www.urcsupport.com/urc_product/rogers-xr11-2/?product-provider=365

(It may take a few minutes for the image to be approved by the forum mods.  If none of those codes work, did you try "Try without a code?"

https://www.xfinity.com/support/remotes

Or the Rogers instructions

https://www.rogers.com/support/iptv/how-to-use-your-ignite-voice-remote-program-and-pair

If none of the above work, do a web search for your sound bar to see if it may be manufactured by someone else.

[57]

I see from the spec sheet:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1OBkX3v8aL.pdf

That it is manufactured by Harman. Try the following codes.

[james039]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and look up those codes, I went through and tried each one, but unfortunately none of them were successful. Additionally, I tried the pairing process built in to the box for both JBL and Harmon Kardon brands but no dice.

I found in the manual online for this sound bar that it is capable of learning to respond to certain remotes buttons through a pairing procedure, but I wasn't able to get that working yet, but currently seems my best chance. If I get it working I will post again.

[57]

Did you try using the "on screen" instructions instead of entering codes?

https://www.rogers.com/support/iptv/how-to-use-your-ignite-voice-remote-program-and-pair

[james039]

Yes, this is the process I referred to earlier as "built into the box", the on-screen guided remote setup. None of it's automatic settings could control the soundbar either. I repeated it twice for JBL and again for Harmon

[57]

Good luck with your "learning" option. Lastly, you can try HDMI-ARC - I believe the bar came with an HDMI cable.  One other option is to see if the TV has the option under the audio settings to send a "variable" volume signal via the Optical connection. That way you could control the TV volume. Most TV send a "fixed" (Maximum) audio signal though...

[sosly]

I Figured it out... the SB120 soundbar is smart, so it will learn your Rogers remote commands. The instructions are in the manual for the soundbar. Basically, you hold down the power and + on the sound bar to put it into learnind mode then press the button on the soundbar you want it to learn ( so volume up + and then press volume up 3 times on the remote). 

Here is the link to the manual - page 10 - TV Remote learning:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ca.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwfdb31e32/pdfs/JBL_SB_...

[james039]

Hi, thanks for answering. I tried the first step of holding power and + at the same time, but my bar does not ever start flashing amber. It just turns on as usual, and then the remaining steps don't do anything.

[57]

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@james039 wrote:

...I tried the first step of holding power and + at the same time, but my bar does not ever start flashing amber. It just turns on as usual, and then the remaining steps don't do anything.

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Per the instructions, page 10, is the Soundbar in Standby? Are you then pressing/holding power and + on the soundbar?   Not the remote...  Try pressing/holding the + slightly before the power button.

1. Check that you have switched the soundbar to standby mode. 2. On the soundbar, press and hold (power) and + until the status indicator flashes amber. → You enter the TV remote control

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If you still can't get it, have someone else give it a try. A lot of times muscle memory takes over and people make the same error over and over.  Someone else may hold the trick, even someone non-technical.

[james039 · Accepted solution]

Success! Thank you to everyone who offered advice.

The soundbar does *not* respond the way the manual says it should. Here are some better instructions (for anyone else in the future who looks this topic up with the same sound bar and need to program it to respond to your remote)

1. Start by making sure your XR-15 remote's volume buttons are programmed to control some device you don't currently have in your setup to avoid button presses affecting multiple items. (A good choice is one of the JBL soundbars)

2. Press and hold + and power (putting one finger on + first, or else it just won't work), and hold them both down for up to 10 seconds. This is the part I wasn't being patient enough for, I gave up after about 5 seconds and figured it wasn't accepting the combo)

3. The bar will go into learning mode, and it will STAY in learning mode

4. While in learning mode, the process to learn a button is as follows:

 a. press and hold *ONE* button on the sound bar until the light turns to red

 b. press the button on your remote you want to cause to push that button and do it TWICE.

 c. The soundbar will return to learning mode.

5. Repeat step 4 for all the buttons you want to learn.

6. When finished, once again hold down power and + for about 10 seconds until the blinking amber goes back to solid red.

These instructions were tested on the JBL CINEMA SB120 and may only apply to this device.