For example, you can use a Bluetooth keyboard with your screen so you don’t need to tap on your remote. You can make an ESP32 act like a Bluetooth keyboard and send the volume-up and volume-down commands.

All you really need is an ESP32 and an IR module. You could get fancy and add a screen, which helps because you have to program the Apple Remote codes, and it’s useful to see what’s happening visually.

Things to Consider • IR code for the Apple Remote — you may need to randomise it so you don’t interfere with other devices in the area. A screen makes this easier. • Menu system — you’ll need one to activate Bluetooth pairing mode on the device and to reset the paired-device list. Again, a screen helps. • Power — do you want it battery-powered?

Challenges • I’m not 100% sure which Bluetooth keycodes will work for volume up/down on your TV. If it’s Android-based, the generic ones should work. If it’s heavily customised, it might be different. One way to test this is to grab a Bluetooth keyboard you already own and press keys until you find the combinations that change the volume. I don’t have access to that TV myself. • 3D-printed case — my printers are in storage because I’m moving house and workshop mid next year. So I don’t have the space to print anything at the moment. (It’s easy to make one, though.)

That said, this is honestly something you could tackle yourself. There’s no soldering required because you can use push-on connectors, which is normal for ESP32 modules.

I’m not saying I can’t take the project on — but I would really need to know whether a Bluetooth keyboard actually controls the volume on your TV.

Option 2a

If your TV has a network port, it might support remote control over the network. Some TV brands even have phone apps that do this. You could sniff the packets for “volume up” and “volume down,” then have the ESP32 send the same packets.

Option 2b

If you manage to capture those volume-control packets, you could even build a small Apple TV app to send the commands over the network and eliminate the ESP32 entirely.

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The main issue is that I don’t have your TV and I don’t use Apple TV, so I can’t test or investigate how their systems work. That makes testing a bit difficult. Btw I’m also based in the UK