Podcast #946: HDMI-CEC

HDMI CEC

On the last podcast we talked about using HDMI CEC to replace a universal remote for certain applications. Mainly for those who may have one or two set top boxes connected to their TV with the audio running through ARC to a sound bar. In this case we said that your TV’s remote could control everything. We received a few emails asking us to explain the concept a bit further.

What is HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

Theoretically speaking HDMI-CEC provides a framework that allows control functions of a Home Theater System to be pass through to other devices in your system.  There are numerous controls specified by the HDMI organization. Not all manufacturers implement them so although it should make these functions automatic they may in fact not work.  The HDMI-CEC landscape has gotten much better from when the fucnationality was intrioduced  but it's not bulletproof. 

What we have found is that if you have gear from one manufacturer HDMI-CEC works very well. If you have a complex home theater setup with gear manufactured by different companies HDMI-CEC does not work that well. But for many setups it works quite well.

How do you Activate HDMI-CEC 

Each device in your system must support CEC for it to work. You will have to go to your device’s settings and activate this feature on each device. You should be aware that some manufacturers have a fancy name for this functionality. Sony calls it “Bravia Sync”.  Some devices will limit the functionality over CEC, so if you want another device to control the volume you may have to select that as well. Here is a list of some names CEC is being referred by:

Anthem: CEC Control Denon: CEC or HDMI Control Funai, Emerson, Magnavox, Sylvania, and some Philips: Fun-Link Hitachi: HDMI-CEC Insignia: InLink LG: SimpLink Mitsubishi: NetCommand Onkyo: RIHD Panasonic: Viera Link, HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync Philips: EasyLink Pioneer: Kuro Link Samsung: Anynet, Anynet+ Sharp: Aquos Link Sony: Bravia Sync, Bravia Link Toshiba: Regza Link, CE-Link Vizio: CEC Real World Use Case 1

Devices - Optoma CinemaX P1 UST Projector, Marantz Receiver, Emotiva Amplifier, AppleTV

Control Device - AppleTV Remote

In this example the receiver does not switch inputs and was set to automatically detect and decode the audio format. All devices were set up and calibrated originally with their respective remote controls. HDMI CEC control was activated on each device. The amplifier is turned on by a 12v trigger connection between the receiver and the amp. So when the receiver turns on the amp turns on. 

Since all viewing is done via the AppleTV, the AppleTV remote was chosen to be the interface into the system. Pressing the menu button on the remote wakes up the AppleTV which in turn wakes up the receiver. Once an HDMI signal is detected by the projector it too wakes up. Since everything goes through the receiver, the projector never has to change inputs. All it ever has to do is turn on and off. 

Using the AppleTV remote TV, Movies, apps, or games are selected and used. The volume control is done through the receiver but controlled via the volume buttons on the AppleTV Remote. Once everything is done the AppleTV is put to sleep. This turns off all the electronics in the system. 

Real World Use Case 2

Devices - LG UHD TV, AppleTV, Sonos Sound Bar

Control Device - AppleTV Remote

In this example the Apple TV is connected to HDMI 4 and the Soundbar is connected to the HDMI with ARC support. 

Like the previous case, all viewing done via the AppleTV thus the AppleTV remote was chosen to be the interface into the system. Pressing the menu button on the remote wakes up the AppleTV which then turns on the TV and soundbar. Pressing the volume control on the AppleTV sends the volume command to the Sonos. But be sure to tell the system that you want the volume to come from the Sonos.

 

Using the AppleTV remote TV, Movies, apps, or games are selected and used. Once everything is done the AppleTV is put to sleep. This turns off all the electronics in the system. 

Conclusion

There are many scenarios that no longer require a universal remote control. In the above use cases you can easily switch out the AppleTV for a Roku or the Sonos for another brand. You may have to play around with it but with just a little fiddling you can have a simple setup with one remote that doesn’t cost you any more money.