IR function on AppleTV 4K remote poorly implemented?

I have recently purchased an AppleTV 4K having owned the previous HD version for several years. The new style of remote at first glance was appealing but once in the hand and under closer scrutiny it is clear that it terms of materials used and construction finesse - it is a downgrade on the original. A cheaper build. Unfortunately this seems to be reflected by the very poor IR performance when using it to try to control TV volume and Mute functions. Before you ask I have carried out the learning process exactly as per Apple’s instructions - on more than one occasion. My TV does not have HDMI-CEC capability so that option is out. I have also made sure the remote is fully charged and have unpaired/re-paired it with the AppleTV also.

When I press the volume up or down button is always takes several presses before the TV responds. When the onscreen volume bar does appear on the TV screen the response to further button pushing is tediously slow. If I want to increase or decrease the volume quickly this cannot be achieved as holding down the button or rapidly clicking it will not generate a similarly fast response from the TV. The mute function is a joke - I have to click the mute button multiple times before the function is carried out - likewise to unmute.

The Siri Remote from the previous generation never presented me with these issues. I am using the same TV I had used with the previous device.

Ideas?