What is HDMI CEC?
One remote for all your equipment — what is HDMI CEC, and how do you connect it?
Finding the right remote can be tricky if you have media gear like a TV and players at home. Fixing this issue is easy, and you probably won’t need to buy anything new. It’s all thanks to your TV’s HDMI CEC technology.
More Details About the Technology
Many are already familiar with the acronym HDMI, an interface that transmits data between various devices. HDMI connects monitors to computers, gaming consoles to TVs, and DVD players to TVs. However, few people know that the standard offers additional features, including CEC.
The HDMI-CEC feature on your television allows seamless control of your audio-visual devices with just one remote. When you turn on the TV, the set-top box turns on automatically, and vice versa. When you turn off the TV power, it also shuts down the set-top box. You must connect the devices via an HDMI cable to enable this technology.
The acronym stands for Consumer Electronics Control. It’s a method for devices to communicate via the AV Link protocol for remote management.
An HDMI cable lets you transmit video, audio, and specific control commands to your TV, which we’ll discuss later.
A standard 19-pin cable already contains everything you need for implementation. Studying the pinout, you notice that the design has a pin (13) for CEC commands and all current connectors A, C, and D.
CEC technology allows devices connected via HDMI to communicate with each other. This is why, in most cases, one remote control can operate multiple multimedia devices.
How It Works
How it works: All system components are assigned addresses. So, display devices like TVs usually start with a default base address of 0.0.0.0 and a logical address of 0.
Then, the TV sends a signal through all the HDMI interfaces and waits for a response. Depending on the port number, the system assigns a physical address to found devices, such as 1.0.0.0 or 2.0.0.0. The system assigns the logical address based on the type of gadget (DVD, STB, AV, etc.).
The technology supports a multi-layer hierarchy so that a second-level tech will get 1.1.0.0, 1.2.0.0, and so on. If a device lacks CEC support, the system will not assign it a logical address and will not count.
After completing the poll, the TV lists all available HDMI-CEC-enabled devices. The standard assigns 15 addresses this way, but not all connect to devices.
| Logical address | Type |
|---|---|
| 0 | TV |
| 1 | Recording device 1 |
| 2 | Recording device 2 |
| 3 | Tuner 1 |
| 4 | Playback device 1 |
| 5 | Audio system (AV receiver or soundbar) |
| 6 | Tuner 2 |
| 7 | Tuner 3 |
| 8 | Playback device 2 |
| 9 | Recording device 3 |
| 10 | Tuner 4 |
| 11 | Reproducing device 3 |
| 12 | Reserved |
| 13 | Reserved |
| 14 | Free use |
| 15 | Broadcast mode |
You cannot control three playback devices with CEC or connect more than four gadgets with the tuner function.
There are other limitations as well. The system turns off recording features if it detects a device as a playback device, regardless of hardware capabilities. Accordingly, the available functionality depends on which identifier (logical address) the system assigns to the gadget.
How to Use CEC — Requirements and Functionality
To use HDMI CEC on your TV, you must first check the connector specifications on your devices.
The CEC feature works with all HDMI versions from 1.0 to 2.1. But starting from version 1.3a, it can handle more commands. For example, it is now possible to control the sound level for AV receivers.
That is why it always makes sense to use as new an interface as possible.
Since the TV is the controlling device, the system must declare it as having HDMI CEC support.
The main challenge is that clever marketers use specific technology names to make their products seem unique. To make it easier for you to navigate, you can study this table:
- Vizio: CEC
- Sony: BRAVIA Link, BRAVIA Sync, Control for HDMI
- LG: SimpLink
- Samsung: Anynet+
- Panasonic: VIERA Link, HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync
- Sharp: Aquos Link
- Toshiba: CE-Link, Regza Link
- Philips: EasyLink
- Insignia: INlink
- Pioneer: Kuro Link
- Mitsubishi: NetCommand, Realink
- Thomson: T-Link
- Roku: 1-Touch Play
- AOC: E-link
- Funai, Sylvania, Emerson, Magnavox, Philips: Fun-Link
- Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
If your TV, media player, or other gadget has the above name in its specifications, it supports HDMI CEC. The Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One X consoles are also listed.
Both devices (controlling and controlled) must support the technology used in CEC commands. Despite the expected standard, sometimes not all declared commands work if the equipment is from different brands.
The HDMI-CEC specification specifies more than 50 different commands, including:
- Turning appliances on and off together, going to sleep.
- One remote control can manage individual devices, including playback, sound, file switching, and mode activation. It also allows for audio/video output selection and automatic switching between the remote and the controller.
- You can select your audio or video output, which switches automatically when changing from remote to controller. Pretty convenient!
- Selection of menu items and the like.
Your remote control will limit you, even if the technology can handle all CEC commands.
How to Enable on your TV
You need to take two basic steps to operate a single remote-compatible device.
The first step is to activate the HDMI CEC on your TV. Look in General Settings under “Connections”, “Synchronization”, or “HDMI Settings”.
Now, you can control a whole set of equipment connected via HDMI CEC with a single remote control. You can use any remote control from a TV set or a set-top box. The only problem is that not all commands work due to different brands.
The HDMI 2.1 standard solves this problem. The developers say all commands should work fine with any brand if you hook up the gear using version 2.1.
Resolving Connection Problems
What should I do if HDMI CEC isn’t working, even though the documentation confirms that all devices support it? There are several steps you can try:
- Make sure you have the latest version of the software. Developers often fix compatibility bugs in new updates.
- Make sure that the connector you are using supports CEC. Some HDMI connectors are not capable of CEC on a software level.
- Try connecting your device directly to the TV. This rule applies to players who can connect through a receiver.
- Make sure you have a certified cable. A fake HDMI cable might have fewer wires inside, which can mess with pin 13 and cause problems with CEC working properly.
HDMI CEC on your TV lets you control all your home media devices with one remote. Setup is a couple of clicks, and most brands of TVs, media players, and receivers support the technology.
You can use the TV remote to turn the extras on or off, adjust the volume, and navigate the interface. The TV’s HDMI-CEC has replaced our device’s power-on/off function.
FAQ
What is the difference between HDMI ARC and CEC?
HDMI CEC controls systems that are connected via HDMI. HDMI ARC is a special port on the main unit. You can connect a soundbar or speaker here and send sound to it from the main unit in good quality.
Does HDMI CEC increase input lag?
Does HDMI CEC Cause Input Lag? Contrary to popular misconception, HDMI CEC does not cause input lag while gaming because it has a separate channel to transmit electrical signals.
Are all HDMI cables CEC?
Although the CEC standard has existed since the introduction of HDMI, it was not immediately installed in all devices.
