Question:

How can I prevent the Amazon Fire TV Cube from controlling two TVs in the same room when it is only connected to one of them? The TV that is connected to the Fire TV Cube is a Roku Insignia, and the other TV is a Samsung 42″ non-smart TV.

Answer:

How to Stop Your Amazon Fire TV Cube from Controlling Two TVs in the Same Room

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a smart streaming device that lets you control your TV and other compatible devices with your voice. However, some users have reported that their Fire TV Cube also controls another TV in the same room, even if it is not connected to it. This can be annoying and confusing, especially if you want to watch different programs on different TVs. So, how can you prevent this from happening?

The most likely cause of this problem is that the Fire TV Cube is sending infrared (IR) signals to both TVs, and they are responding to the same commands. IR signals are invisible beams of light that are used by many remote controls to communicate with devices. The Fire TV Cube has a built-in IR blaster that can control devices that do not support HDMI-CEC, such as some cable and satellite boxes, soundbars, and A/V receivers.

However, IR signals are not very precise, and they can bounce off walls and other surfaces. This means that the Fire TV Cube might be sending IR signals to the wrong TV, or to both TVs at the same time. This is more likely to happen if the TVs are close to each other, or if they are from the same brand and use the same IR codes .

The Possible Solutions

There are a few ways to try to solve this problem, depending on your situation and preferences. Here are some of them:

– Use HDMI-CEC instead of IR. HDMI-CEC is a feature that allows devices to control each other over HDMI cables. It is more reliable and accurate than IR, and it can also turn on and off your devices automatically when you start or stop streaming. To use HDMI-CEC, you need to make sure that your devices support it, and that it is enabled in their settings. You also need to disable the IR control for those devices in the Fire TV Cube settings. To do this, go to Settings > Equipment Control > Manage Equipment > select the device > Change Device Options > Power Control > HDMI-CEC Only.

– Use the IR extender cable. The Fire TV Cube comes with an IR extender cable that you can plug into the back of the device. This cable has a small IR emitter at the end, which you can place close to the device you want to control. This way, you can direct the IR signals more precisely, and avoid affecting other devices. To use the IR extender cable, you need to disable the IR blaster on the Fire TV Cube. To do this, go to Settings > Equipment Control > Manage Equipment > Fire TV Cube > Change Device Options > IR Emitter > IR Extender Cable Only.

– Change the name of the TVs. Another option is to change the name of the TVs in the Fire TV Cube settings, so that you can distinguish them by voice. For example, you can name one TV as “Roku TV” and the other as “Samsung TV”. Then, you can say commands like “Alexa, turn on Roku TV” or “Alexa, turn on Samsung TV”. To change the name of the TVs, go to Settings > Equipment Control > Manage Equipment > select the TV > Change Device Options > Device Name > enter a new name.

– Move the TVs or the Fire TV Cube. If none of the above solutions work, or if you prefer a simpler approach, you can try to move the TVs or the Fire TV Cube to different locations in the room. This might reduce the interference of the IR signals, and prevent the Fire TV Cube from controlling the wrong TV. You can also try to angle the TVs or the Fire TV Cube away from each other, or place some obstacles between them, such as furniture or curtains.

Conclusion

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a great device that can make your TV experience more convenient and enjoyable. However, it can also cause some problems if it controls two TVs in the same room by mistake. To avoid this, you can use HDMI-CEC, the IR extender cable, change the name of the TVs, or move them to different locations. We hope this article helped you solve this issue, and enjoy your Fire TV Cube to the fullest..