What is HDMI-CEC?

Summary

HDMI allows the transfer of high-quality audio and video and offers a feature called Consumer Electronics Control.
HDMI-CEC technology allows various remote controls to operate multiple connected devices with ease.
CEC simplifies device control but may have drawbacks, like turning on devices unintentionally.

One simple cable has a lot of power and influence when it comes to enjoying your smart TV. An HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) cable provides the transfer of high-quality audio and video formats at fast speeds. HDMI 2.1 offers a high refresh rate and 4K resolution as well, and a new iteration, dubbed Ultra96, of the cable will be coming to consumers later this year.

It’s important to match the right HDMI cable to the right devices in order to get the most out of them; not every HDMI cable is exactly the same. These cables can get a little more complicated too: there is perhaps a lesser-known feature that is included in HDMI technology, that is called Consumer Electronics Control, or CEC. Here’s what you should know about this often useful component.

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What is consumer electronics control?

A simple technology mostly making life easier

Samsung OLED Smart TV remote next to Samsung soundbar remote

CEC is a technology that essentially lets various remote controls operate connected devices. This means that if you have a few devices hooked up to your smart TV, such as a soundbar, gaming console, and/or streaming stick, you could be able to control each of those very different devices with a single remote (or controller) without having to switch between each one.

CEC has been around for about 20 years, but it’s only in the last five to ten years that it has really become versatile and useful, particularly as more consumers utilize a range of devices to enjoy entertainment at home. There’s a chance you may even be using CEC without knowing it, as it’s often turned on by default.

It’s worth noting that every TV manufacturer calls its CEC technology by a different name. For example, LG calls its HDMI-CEC connection by the name Simplink, Samsung refers to it as Anynet+, and Sony calls it BRAVIA Sync. These are just marketing terms for the same technical specification.

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Benefits and drawbacks of HDMI-CEC

Convenient connection with unintended consequences

CEC comes in handy when you’ve a few devices with a bunch of different remotes, but you don’t want to have to jump from each one when you’re looking to operate a device. It would be a huge burden if, when you turned on your smart TV, you also had to turn on your soundbar. And then once you pick something to watch with your TV remote, you have to go to your soundbar remote to change the audio settings or volume. CEC prevents that from happening.

Surely one of the most convenient uses of CEC is the ability to get devices on and off as well as toggle volume. Playback is also made more efficient. You can cast content from your phone to a streaming device, like a Google TV Streamer, and want to pause for a moment. Instead of going to the app on your phone, you can hit a button on the TV remote.

However, there can be some more annoying moments too. CEC can detect when certain inputs are turned on, or it can turn on certain devices when you go to a specific input. For example, if you turn off your gaming console after a play session and leave the TV on that HDMI input, CEC may automatically turn your console on again when you turn on the TV. That’s because your TV may still be on the HDMI input for your console, and CEC thinks you’re looking to play another session so it turns on the console when you’re actually just trying to turn on your TV.

A Sound system of a tv against a red background.

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How to find and enable HDMI-CEC

Check your TV or device settings

Display and sound settings including HDMI-CEC on Google TV Streamer

Most smart TVs offer a setting to toggle CEC on or off. The default setting tends to be switched on, but some users may want to adjust that option depending on what devices they use and how they use them. In some cases, you may be able to specify limitations on specific functions, such as power syncing or automatic input switch. Keep in mind that not every remote will have complete functionality with every device. Typically, power and sound options will be available across devices and remotes, but other buttons may be rendered useless.

If the setting is on, there is nothing more a user needs to do. Compatible remotes and devices can be controlled interchangeably. It allows you not only to use a single remote to operate your entertainment setup, but it also means that more than one user can each have a remote to control what’s going on. At least a lost remote isn’t an issue that needs to be solved right away with CEC!

Consumer electronics control can be a useful feature for some viewers; it may even be one that you didn’t know you were using. As more entertainment enthusiasts wield an increasing number of devices, CEC may come in handy in some situations but also create headaches in others. Be mindful of what it can do so to serve you best.