Using XBox One S as Streaming Device - 2 Issues

Looks like mi Vizio E422VL TV has CEC (no mention of ARC) but my Vizio 3821-C6 sound bar does not have HDMI.

I suspected I would need a new sound bar, which is why looking for recommendations.

I get that the sound issue is best resolved treated as a TV/SB issue.

Yeah my current setup won't support that over optical, and no HDMI on SB. Need a new SB

I look forward to the day when all these devices communicate over wifi so that control can be more precise. No more "IR Blasting" or HDMI piggy back

For the sound bar, take a look at the HDMI ports and see which ports they are connected through. The preferred port is the one labeled on the TV and SB as "HDMI (ARC). Also verify that you are using an ARC compatible HDMI cable. I use an LG TV with a Visio
Sound bar and have never had an issue with the TV turning on the SB. Also make sure that the TV/SB are set to use the "HDMI-CEC" function as this is what allows the devices to control each other over HDMI connections.

For the Alexa control, I am not entirely certain this is an Xbox related issue, however it seems that way. I use the same feature/skill in my setup and have issues on one Xbox One S and no issues on a second One S. I have not worked this issue out, but based
on the behavior of my 2 Xbox's I am leaning to it possible being the fast power-on settings in Xbox. It seems as though the Alexa skill is unable to communicate with the powered off Xbox.

I totally understand the "just want it to work" mentality. The hardest part of being in tech support is not that people are "tech illiterate" it is that technology is very intimidating. It is twice as difficult when it is the significant other who simply
wants one button to make it all work.

I'm not sure about specifics, but wouldn't it be easier to get a soundbar that works with your TV? For example, I have an LG TV with an LG SB+Sub combo and the TV controls the power on/off of the speakers and also the volume through an optical connection.