What is HDMI CEC?
HDMI CEC is one of the oldest ways to connect all your devices via HDMI. Introduced in HDMI 1.0 and updated in HDMI 1.3, HDMI CEC allows up to 15 devices to communicate with each other and exchange settings to create a flawless home theater experience.
CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control. HDMI CEC allows you to combine the settings of all compatible devices into one remote control. Although you may still need to use the remote control for the unique functions of the device, most of the basic functions of compatible devices are supported by CEC. Playback, audio, and menu selection controls can be synchronized across all your devices using HDMI CEC.
HDMI CEC can greatly simplify your home theater system. While it can be tedious to set up, switching between devices becomes a breeze
How does HDMI CEC work?
HDMI CEC uses remotes from any of your devices to control your entire system. If you are using a TV remote to control a DVD player, for example, your remote communicates with the TV to send a CEC signal via an HDMI cable to the DVD player.
Right. Whichever remote you use, the corresponding device effectively controls the other devices to which it is connected. They can operate the device even in sleep mode when the HDMI circuit is disabled or when the device is completely turned off. This is because although CEC is integrated into the HDMI cable, it is a separate electrical signal from the other HDMI controls.
HDMI CEC supports many features.
Deck control: play, stop, rewind, etc.
The deck control allows you to execute standard playback commands (play, stop, rewind, etc.) for your playback devices, be they Blu-ray players, camcorders, etc.
System Sound Control
One of the more annoying parts of setting up a home theater system was having to calibrate the volume of all your playback devices so that it was about the same across all devices. HDMI CEC addresses this problem by introducing audio control for your entire system. That’s right, one volume control for your entire system. (You may like Object Tracking Sound on Samsung TVs)
One touch game
Okay, you’ve just finished watching the last episode of your favorite show and want to watch your favorite movie. You know, the one that for some reason was not picked up by any of the streaming services. So you need to insert it into your DVD player, then change the source and press the play button, right?
Not with HDMI CEC. With One-Touch Play, HDMI CEC playback devices automatically switch TV sources during playback. You no longer need to navigate the input source menu.
Turning the power on and off
When it comes to home theater systems, you can use three devices at the same time! Previously, you had to turn on each device individually when you wanted to use them and turn them off individually when you were done.
With HDMI CEC, that’s a thing of the past. The system standby function allows you to switch all devices to standby using the standby or power button.
One touch recording
Another cool feature is One Touch Record, which allows you to record whatever is playing on your display device to the recording device of your choice. You no longer need to route your sources through a recorder to a display device. With HDMI CEC, everything is connected.
How to enable CEC on popular TVs
Enabling HDMI ARC and CEC differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they are usually performed in the same step. You go into your device settings, enable HDMI ARC, and then you may or may not need to detect other devices.
How to set up on TVs from five popular brands.
LG. On LG TVs, press the Home button and go to Settings. Select Sound and then Sound Settings. From here, set ARC mode to ON and turn off the TV speaker. (You may like LG TV OLED Evo Display what is the explanation)
Vizio – Select System from the menu. Then select CEC. Where it says CEC is Enabled, and where it says System Sound Control is Enabled. From here, select the Discovery Devices option and wait while your TV detects other connected devices.
Sony – From the main menu, select Settings, then System Preferences. From here select “Setup” then “AV Setup”. Make sure Speakers is set to Audio Out. Click Back to return to the Setup menu, then click BRAVIA Sync. From here select BRAVIA Sync Device List (You May like Sony TV model numbers decryption explained by year)
TCL with Roku – From the main menu, select Settings, then System. Select Control Other Devices (CEC) and enable HDMI ARC and System Audio Control.
Samsung – Select System from the menu and turn Anynet + to ON.
(You may like One Connect Box TV Samsung, The brain of your TV)
You will also need to enable HDMI ARC on your AV receiver or sound bar. To do this, you will need to switch your TV to the input setting to which your audio device is connected.
From here, you have to go to the audio device settings menu to enable HDMI ARC and CEC, which again may have different names.
In some cases, especially with some soundbars (especially with Sonos), you will need to download an app to set up your device for HDMI ARC. Just download the app to your phone and follow the instructions.
