IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.
You can control your cable or satellite box (set-top box) using the TV remote control for your Google TV™ and some Android TV™ models by utilizing the IR control from the TV remote or by connecting the infrared (IR) Blaster cable included with certain models.
Before you start
- This feature is not compatible with all set-top boxes.
- Google TV™ models and some Android TV models (XBR A8H, X800H, X900H, X950H, Z8H, Z9H, AG9, X850G, X950G, Z9G series) allow control without an IR Blaster, utilizing IR control from the TV remote and can control the set-top box without an IR Blaster cable connected. Check your TV
manuals
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for model-specific information. - If your TV has a TV box setup or Cable/Satellite box setup in Settings → Channels & Inputs or Watching TV → External inputs, then it supports set-top box control.
- If your model includes an infrared (IR) Blaster cable, determine if you have a USB or Plug type IR Blaster cable.
- The Initial Setup screen appears when the TV is set up for the first time and after a factory data reset has been completed.
- The TV Settings menu can be used to set up the IR Blaster anytime after initial setup or if a previously working IR Blaster needs to be reset.
Setup IR control
Select the steps based on your IR Blaster system.
TV doesn't require an IR Blaster cable
Setup from the Initial Setup screen if your TV has an IR Blaster cable
The menu may differ depending on your model or the TV operating system.
- Turn on your TV and set-top box.
- If the Initial Setup does not automatically start, follow the steps according to your TV menu options:
- Open the Settings screen.
- If the remote control has a Quick Settings (
or 
) button, press the Quick Settings button and select Settings. - If the remote control does not have a Quick Settings ( or ) button, press the HOME button and select Settings.
- Proceed according to your TV menu options:
- Select Initial Setup.
- Select Device Preferences → Initial Setup.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, selecting the set-top box when applicable. Select SKIP to resume or BACK to exit at any point.
- Review the IR Blaster cable port connections that better apply to your situation. Check the manual for model-specific information.
Manuals are posted on your model support page.
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USB type IR Blaster
- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] USB IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster USB port
Note: Connect the cable to any USB port. When a USB IR Blaster is used, a message appears on the screen to indicate that the device is connected to the USB port.
Plug type IR Blaster
- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] Plug-style IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster jack
Note: Make sure to connect the cable to the IR BLASTER jack. Do not connect it to the REMOTE IR IN jack.
- After the setup completes, you can turn on the set-top box by following these steps depending on your TV type:
- XBR A9F / Z9F series models:
- Select the set-top box (STB) with the INPUT button
- Press the TV button.
- Select Power.
- Other models:
- Select the set-top box (STB) with the INPUT button.
- Press the ACTION MENU button.
- Select Menu.
- Select Power (STB).
Setup from the Settings menu if your TV has an IR Blaster cable
If you previously skipped the Initial Setup process or need to reset the IR Blaster cable connection, follow these steps. The display may differ depending on your model or the TV operating system.
- Turn on your TV and make sure that the STB is connected and on.
- Open the
Settings screen.
How to access Settings
- Using the
Quick Settings button (For models released in 2019 or later)
- Press the (Quick Settings) button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
- Using the HOME button
- Press the HOME button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
- Proceed according to your TV menu options:
- Select Watching TV → External inputs → Cable/Satellite box setup → Set-top box control setup.
- Select External inputs → IR Blaster setup → Set-top box control setup.
- Select External inputs → IR Blaster setup.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Select SKIP to resume or BACK to exit at any point.
- Review the IR Blaster cable port connections as needed. Check the manual for model-specific information.
Manuals are posted on your model support page.
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USB type IR Blaster
- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] USB IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster USB port
Note: Connect the cable to any USB port. When a USB IR Blaster is used, a message appears on the screen to indicate that the device is connected to the USB port.
Plug type IR Blaster
- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster jack
Note: Make sure to connect the cable to the IR BLASTER jack. Do not connect it to the REMOTE IR IN jack.
