HDMI-CEC is a set of commands that helps CEC-enabled devices work as one. This allows people to control different devices with just one remote, whether a television remote, an HDMI device such as a Blu-ray player, or even game consoles like Xbox One and PS3. Using the right software, you can use your TV remote to control your Blu-ray player or gaming console, lights, air conditioners, and other household electronics. This is where this technology comes in handy, as it allows you to control all your devices with just one remote.
Stereo sound
If you have a standard audio system, you probably have an optical input connection and an audio output connection to your TV. Using HDMI-CEC, you can also use the remote control to switch between your devices without changing anything in your audio system. For example, if you want to listen to music on one device and watch a movie on another mode, press the "stereo" button on your TV's remote control. The TV will switch into the way where it only plays stereo output instead of the left and proper channels, allowing you to listen to stereo music through your TV speakers or via an external device like a pair of headphones.
Easy control of your devices
As well as switching between devices and on/off functionality, you can also control the volume of all your connected devices at the press of a button. For example, you can send media to any CEC-enabled devices, such as Blu-ray players or gaming consoles. It's also possible to control multiple devices with one remote at once (for example, if you want to change the volume of your TV and choose a cable channel simultaneously).
Automation through CEC
Finally, your home theatre system can use something other than an IR blaster. For example, if you have a TV with HDMI-CEC enabled, you can use your TV remote to automatically turn off all the devices connected to your home theatre system. Do note that if you have Windows 10 and Kodi or Plex installed, some of the buttons you might be using in Kodi or Plex (such as PVR or Live TV) will disable the control of HDMI-CEC in your television. However, if you have an intelligent home system such as Sonos and Hue lights, which are also CEC enabled, this should be fine.
These steps should work for most TVs:
Ensure that the TV's remote control can issue commands to the control-enabled HDMI device on your device list. For example, if you're using a Sony television, check that it supports the "Preferred Device" command through HDMI-CEC. Enable this feature in 'System Setup.' To do so, press 'OK' on your remote and select 'System Setup' -> 'Device Control' -> 'CEC Setup.' Press OK on your remote again and select 'Preferred Device.' Then, select 'On' and press OK.
TV does not support HDMI-CEC.
This might be because the TV does not support HDMI-CEC. It's also possible that the remote control or a device connected to the TV is not a CEC-enabled device. If you do not see any devices on your list and are sure all your devices are CEC enabled, check if your TV supports HDMI-CEC (and then confirm that it's allowed). If it doesn't help HDMI-CEC, but you know from experience that the remote control of this TV works with other devices and they have it working correctly, try using another remote control to see if it allows you to use all the features described above. Otherwise, you should contact your TV vendor for support.
Your TV supports HDMI-CEC, but there is no device list.
This could be because setting the correct devices on your TV is impossible. Check the manual with your television or the official website for this feature. If you're using software such as Kodi, Plex, or Windows 10 that controls devices with HDMI-CEC and you're sure that the quality is enabled on your device, try disabling it temporarily (on all CEC-enabled devices) and then allow it again after finishing what you were doing. If all this doesn't work, contact your manufacturer to check if there's a problem with your TV's HDMI port.
Issues with CEC on your device
If you're unable to use HDMI-CEC, you might have a TV with a problem with the USB ports. If this is the case, check the manual with your television or the official website for this feature. If this doesn't work, try re-installing your remote control software (for example, Kodi) and another remote control that works with all devices on your list (for example, another specific remote control). If you still need help getting it to work, contact your manufacturer or get support from their customer service department via chat or phone.
Issues with Kodi, Plex, or other software that controls CEC-enabled devices
If you think your TV is not working correctly because of an issue with Kodi, Plex, or another software that uses CEC, try disabling HDMI-CEC on all devices connected to your television. After finishing what you were doing and ensuring that the TV was in the correct mode again, re-enable it and then check if it's working correctly. If the problem is still there, contact your manufacturer for support.
CEC issues with your receiver or Blu-ray player
If you know that your receiver is working correctly and that you have enabled HDMI-CEC on all devices attached to it and you still can't get them to work, try connecting your HDMI devices to this receiver via component cables instead. If the problem is still there, contact your manufacturer for support. Try connecting the same devices directly to your TV since this is a good option when there are no other CEC-capable devices in your house besides TVs.
Follow Your TVs Manual Properly
Search and find the manual for your television, then check this feature's official website to see if any troubleshooting guides are available. For example, if you're using software such as Kodi, Plex, or Windows 10 that controls devices with HDMI-CEC and you're sure that the feature is enabled on your device, try disabling it temporarily (on all CEC-enabled devices) and then allow it again after finishing what you were doing. If all this doesn't work, contact your manufacturer for support.
Check if there's a problem with your device's USB port.
If you cannot use HDMI-CEC, you might have a TV with a problem with the USB ports. If this is the case, check the manual with your television or the official website for this feature. If this doesn't work, try re-installing your remote control software (for example, Kodi) and another remote control that works with all devices on your list (for example, another specific remote control). If you still need help getting it to work, contact your manufacturer or get support from their customer service department via chat or phone.
Check if your television supports HDMI-CEC.
This might be because the TV does not support HDMI-CEC. It's also possible that the remote control or a device connected to the TV is not a CEC-enabled device. If you do not see any devices on your list and are sure all your devices are CEC enabled, check if your TV supports HDMI-CEC (and then confirm that it's allowed). If it doesn't help HDMI-CEC, but you know from experience that the remote control of this TV works with other devices and they have it working correctly, try using another remote control to see if it allows you to use all the features described above. Otherwise, you should contact your TV vendor for support.
HDMI-CEC is a valuable feature that is becoming increasingly popular with each passing update. It's an excellent way to control all your devices from one remote and a great way to reduce the number of cables you need for your other devices. Following our troubleshooting guide, you should be able to get HDMI-CEC working on your TV correctly in just a few minutes.
WRITE FOR US!