TV Volume Control With Fosi BT20a & Aiyima A01 Pro

by Tom Lembong 51 views
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Hey guys, let's dive into a common question: Can you control the volume of your Fosi BT20a or Aiyima A01 Pro amplifier using your TV's remote, especially if your TV has Google TV pre-installed? It's a valid concern, and the answer, as with many tech questions, isn't a simple yes or no. It depends on a few factors. We will break down everything you need to know about setting up your audio system.

Understanding the Basics: How TV Volume Control Works

First, let's grasp the underlying mechanism of TV volume control. Most TVs, including those running Google TV (formerly Android TV), manage volume through the HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) or sometimes ARC/eARC (Audio Return Channel/enhanced Audio Return Channel) protocols. These protocols allow devices connected via HDMI to communicate with each other. When you press the volume up or down button on your TV remote, the TV sends a signal over the HDMI cable to the connected device, telling it to adjust its volume.

However, the crucial point is that this control only works if the connected device understands and responds to these CEC commands. In the case of amplifiers like the Fosi BT20a and Aiyima A01 Pro, things get a bit more complex. These amps are designed to amplify an audio signal, and their primary function is to deliver sound. They aren't inherently built to process CEC commands the same way a soundbar or AV receiver is. Soundbars and AV receivers are specifically designed to be the central audio hub, taking in audio signals from various sources (TV, Blu-ray player, etc.) and outputting them to speakers. They're built with CEC and ARC/eARC compatibility as a core feature. So, the question then becomes, can you overcome the built-in design limitations of a standard amplifier to control its volume via the TV?

This is where things get interesting. Let’s break down the details.

HDMI-CEC Explained

HDMI-CEC is a standardized protocol that allows HDMI-connected devices to communicate and control each other. It enables features like:

  • One-touch play: Turning on one device (e.g., your Blu-ray player) can automatically switch the TV to the correct input and turn on the TV. Basically, you can connect your devices and control them through your TV. Super simple!
  • System Audio Control: Your TV can control the volume of an external audio device (like a soundbar or AV receiver) connected via HDMI. This is the feature we're most interested in.
  • Device discovery: The TV can identify and list connected devices.

CEC is great for simplifying your setup and reducing the number of remotes you need. However, it requires all connected devices to support and be properly configured for CEC. If one device in the chain doesn't support CEC, or if the settings are incorrect, the system won't work as expected.

ARC/eARC

ARC (Audio Return Channel) and its enhanced version, eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), are features built upon HDMI-CEC. They allow audio signals to be sent from the TV to an external audio device over the same HDMI cable that carries the video signal to the TV.

  • ARC: Supports lossy audio formats like Dolby Digital and DTS.
  • eARC: Supports higher bandwidth and lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X. This is what you want if you are a real audiophile.

ARC/eARC also enables volume control, allowing the TV remote to adjust the volume of the connected audio device. However, as with CEC, the audio device must be ARC/eARC compatible to take advantage of these features. In other words, you need both sides to agree to play nice.

Fosi BT20a and Aiyima A01 Pro Compatibility

Now, let's focus on the stars of our show: the Fosi BT20a and Aiyima A01 Pro amplifiers. These are fantastic little amps known for their affordability and great sound quality, perfect for desktop setups or small living rooms. However, the catch is that they typically do not include HDMI-CEC or ARC/eARC support. They are designed as straightforward audio amplifiers, taking an analog or digital audio input and amplifying it to drive your speakers. They are not designed to be the central audio control unit like a soundbar or AV receiver. Usually, they have simple volume knobs that are for manual adjustments.

This means that, out of the box, you generally cannot control the volume of a Fosi BT20a or Aiyima A01 Pro directly using your TV's remote via HDMI. When connecting these amps to your TV, you are essentially establishing an audio output connection (typically via RCA or a 3.5mm jack). The TV sends the audio signal to the amp, and the amp amplifies it. The TV sends the signal, but it has no direct control over the amp's volume unless you make some changes.

The Direct Connection Scenario

If you connect your TV to the Fosi BT20a or Aiyima A01 Pro using an RCA cable (the red and white ones) or a 3.5mm to RCA cable, the audio signal is sent directly to the amplifier. Your TV has no way to communicate with the amp and tell it to change the volume. You will need to manually adjust the volume knob on the amplifier itself.

Workarounds and Alternative Solutions

Okay, so the bad news is you can't directly use your TV's remote to control the volume of these amps. However, don't throw in the towel just yet, because we have some workarounds!

Using a Preamp with Volume Control

One of the most effective solutions is to introduce a preamp with volume control into your setup. A preamp, or preamplifier, sits between your audio source (your TV in this case) and the power amplifier (the Fosi BT20a or Aiyima A01 Pro). It takes the audio signal, pre-amplifies it, and most importantly, provides volume control.

  • How it Works: You connect your TV's audio output (RCA or 3.5mm) to the preamp's input. The preamp then outputs to your Fosi or Aiyima amp. The preamp has its own volume knob or, ideally, a remote control. This remote gives you the ability to control the volume using your TV.
  • Benefits: You get remote volume control, and many preamps also offer additional features like multiple inputs, tone controls (bass and treble adjustments), and even Bluetooth connectivity. It improves your overall setup experience.
  • Things to Consider: You will need to purchase a separate preamp, adding to the cost. Make sure the preamp has the necessary inputs and outputs to match your existing equipment.

Using Your TV's Volume Limiter

Some TVs have a setting that limits the maximum output volume through their audio outputs. While this doesn't offer remote volume control in the truest sense, it does allow you to set a safe upper limit for the volume. This can be helpful to prevent accidental blasting, especially if you have kids or live in an apartment. To find this setting, navigate to your TV's audio settings menu.

Bluetooth Considerations

Some TVs and amplifiers offer Bluetooth connectivity. However, relying on Bluetooth for volume control can be tricky. Even if your TV and amp both have Bluetooth, the volume control behavior might not be consistent. The volume levels might not be perfectly synchronized between the TV and the amp, and there could be latency issues. If you choose this route, make sure that both devices support proper volume control via Bluetooth.

Optical Cable and Amplifier with DAC

If you have an optical output on your TV and you are still determined to use a BT20A or Aiyima, you might consider using an external DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) that has a volume knob. You connect the optical cable from your TV to the DAC. Then, the DAC converts the digital signal to analog and you can connect your amplifier to the DAC. You can then use the volume knob on the DAC. Keep in mind that this is not ideal since the BT20A or Aiyima A01 doesn't have a volume control. So you are still going to be doing it manually.

Setting Up Your System: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s run through how to set up these workarounds for the best results.

Setting Up a Preamp

  1. Connect the TV to the Preamp: Use an RCA cable (red and white) or a 3.5mm to RCA cable to connect your TV's audio output to the preamp's input. Refer to your preamp's manual for the correct input.
  2. Connect the Preamp to the Amplifier: Use another set of RCA cables to connect the preamp's output to the Fosi BT20a or Aiyima A01 Pro's input.
  3. Power On and Test: Power on all devices. Start with your TV's volume at a low level. Use the remote control of the preamp to adjust the volume. If everything is connected correctly, you should be able to control the volume using the preamp's remote.

Setting Up the TV's Volume Limiter

  1. Navigate to TV Settings: Go to your TV's settings menu (usually by pressing the