Support for IR codes for a PHEANOO D6 soundbar on the Contour 2 and XR11 controller

Thanks for the reply.

I'll give the 991 code search a try, but from what I recall that will try to pair TVs instead of Audio Devices (i.e. soundbars).  The only issue with this, if in case I do find the pairing code for the soundbar, now I won't be able to turn off the TV, since none of the codes I tried from the 992 code search turned off my TV.

Could you send the above info to your techs, they should know more about this, and since I gathered up the hex codes for the remote control, I am hoping it will be easier for them to convert, in the hopes they add them to the next Contour update and send it out to all the boxes so they now have the ability to support this new brand/model.

Unless there is another method on how to send this info to your techs...

Hi Bruce, thanks for your reply...

I'm sure there must be some kind of process to add a new brand to the list of supported devices when it comes to IRs.

I'm hoping that with the provided info (see my first post) would be enough for a COX tech to look into it, since I think I've supplied the HEX codes for them.  -- That's if they are in charge of updating the Contour through the cable system like they do when they add a new supported APP and etc.

Right now the XR11 doesn't do anything with the soundbar (i.e. VOLUME, MUTE, POWER).

The TV and soundbar communicate with an optical cable. 

My other issue is that my HDTV doesn't support HDMI-ARC (only HDMI-CEC), but even trying it with a HDMI connection, it would not transfer the sound to the soundbar, even though the TV did connect with it, because AnyNET+ was able to display the model number of the soundbar each time it tried to send the volume to it via HDMI.

I'm also trying to see if the soundbar brand can also provide an update to it's firmware to see if they can also fix that (optical signal transfer) to the TV.

You'd just need to find a device with both IR and RF blasters.

Good news, I was able to find a learning universal remote control that will work with the Contour 2 and my soundbar, as well as all my other video/audio devices that use a remote control.  The new URC can be programmed to control up to 15 devices.

Up to this point I thought that the XR11's RF was the only way to control the Contour 2 box, but I was mistaken.  The Contour 2 box will also except IR for all it's functions (except the Voice control -- of course).

So now I can just use this new URC, and just keep the XR11 nearby whenever I need to do a voice command -- which is very rare for me, since I tend to watch almost everything with the DVR feature -- hardly anything playing live, unless it's sports and I am around to watch it.

But aside from the voice control, I can do just about anything I want with the URC to control all the features on the Contour box and etc.

I know the new URC is not sending any RF signals, because if the remote is not pointing to the direction of the cable box, it won't work, unlike the XR11 remote that I can face it away from the box and it will still operate it.

The URC is:

Brand: Sofabaton
Model: U1

I hope this helps someone out there that is in the same predicament as I was for a while ...

And I am still hoping that someday Cox or Xfinity provide support for the Pheanoo soundbars.

P.S. the new URC already supports the Pheanoo D5 soundbar from it's list of device codes -- which mostly all it's IR codes are the same for the D6 model -- which I have.  I guess someone already done the chore of adding it to their database.  I hope others follow up on that, I'm sure the D5 codes may be available (somewhere?).

Once again Bruce, you've been great! 

Have you disconnected the optical and analog cables to test HDMI?

Yes, still nothing.

I'd turn off AnyNET to test HDMI.  Sometimes CEC creates more problems than it's worth.

Done that, no dice.

However, as a complete stab in the dark with AnyNET, is your SB listed in the AnyNET Device List?  If so, any audio options?

Yes, and it identifies the SB as a "Receiver". -- but no options under AnyNET as far as a device with additional options -- like my BluRay or Game Console and etc. -- which both display additional options under AnyNET.

Ensure the version of your HDMI cable matches at least the HDMI version of the TV. 

Yes, I did try that, assuming an older HDMI cable may do the trick -- which I have on an old HDMI VHS-DVD combo player that I have.  But still no dice.

FYI: the SB did come with it's own HDMI cable, so I tested that one also...

Plus I also tested an old model optical cable, plus a brand new one when getting this soundbar.

Disable Anynet?

I tried that also, still no cigar.

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Yes, I've tried almost everything, except crack open the SB and hot-wire it myself. lol 

Of course, my other alternatives are to either upgrade to a newer TV that supports HDMI-ARC or replace the SB with a compatible / supported brand. -- But there is the issue with the latter, I prefer the SB to have a wired subwoofer -- in the past, I've gone through issues with wireless subwoofer setups.  And it's difficult to find a new model SB (by a popular brand) with wired subwoofer option -- they are rare.

I'll later see if I can contact the devs of the contour box.  I'm pretty sure if I give the above codes to someone that knows what to do with them, this issue should be solved and they start providing support for this SB on the Contour box -- or I keep firing away with my double-shooters.