HDMI-CEC (High-Definition Multimedia Interface – Consumer Electronics Control) is a protocol designed to control multiple devices connected via HDMI using a single remote control. It is primarily used to control various components connected to a TV, such as soundbars and streaming devices.
Despite its convenience, HDMI-CEC is a relatively simple and outdated technology that supports only a limited set of commands. Many of these commands are obsolete or no longer in use. Among the most commonly used functions is turning on all devices when the main device is turned on—for example, when you turn on the TV, the soundbar and streaming device turn on automatically. While watching, these functions include pausing, adjusting the volume, and fast-forwarding or rewinding video using the TV remote control.
History of HDMI CEC
The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) standard emerged in the 1980s, at a time when VCRs and audio systems were becoming increasingly common. Back then, it was common practice to connect a VCR to a TV and use a speaker system to improve sound quality. The invention of the SCART connector revolutionized this field by combining several ports—previously required to connect televisions, VCRs, and audio equipment—into a single multifunctional interface. This also led to the development of a control protocol that allowed devices to be controlled with a single remote.
With the transition to HDMI ports, the CEC protocol was integrated into this new digital standard, leading to a shift in device control from analog to digital connections. However, since CEC support was not mandatory, its implementation varied among different electronics manufacturers. To put it simply, not all commands were supported; for example, soundbars only supported power on and volume control.
HDMI CEC usage example and commands
HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) enables you to control multiple devices using a single remote. Essentially, one device can broadcast commands to other connected devices. For instance, imagine you have a TV, a streaming device such as Roku or Chromecast connected to the TV’s HDMI port, and a sound receiver or soundbar connected to another port labeled HDMI ARC (eARC). When HDMI CEC is enabled on all these devices, they can operate as a unified system. Turning on one device can automatically power on the others. For example, you can ask Alexa to turn on the TV, and the soundbar and Chromecast will also power up. You can then control the streaming device and soundbar volume using the TV remote.
To use HDMI CEC, certain conditions must be met. The HDMI cable must support CEC and include a dedicated wire for transmitting CEC signals. Some low-cost HDMI cables may omit this wire to reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, every device that participates in the system must support HDMI CEC and have the feature enabled.
Supported Commands
Although the HDMI CEC specification includes a wide range of commands, manufacturers often implement only a limited selection of them. As a result, compatibility between devices from different brands is not always guaranteed.
One Touch Play allows a device to automatically switch the TV to the correct input when playback begins. For example, starting a movie on a Fire TV Stick can automatically change the TV to the corresponding HDMI input.
System Standby manages device power states. Turning on the TV can automatically turn on the soundbar, AV receiver, or streaming device, while turning off the TV can place all connected devices into standby mode.
Preset Transfer was designed to transfer channel settings from one TV to another. This command is now largely obsolete and is rarely implemented in modern devices.
One Touch Record allowed users to record the content currently displayed on the TV screen to a recording device. This feature has become largely obsolete because modern TVs rarely support direct recording due to copyright protection restrictions.
Timer Programming was originally intended for scheduled TV recordings but can also be used to automatically power on devices at specific times.
System Information enables devices to identify one another, exchange configuration data, and determine addresses on the HDMI network.
Deck Control allows one device to control playback functions on another device, including play, pause, stop, fast forward, and rewind operations. This feature is commonly used with Blu-ray players and media playback devices.
Tuner Control enables one device to operate the tuner of another device. For example, a TV remote can be used to change channels on a cable or satellite receiver.
OSD Display allows the menu interface of a connected device to be displayed on the TV screen.
Remote Control Pass Through forwards remote control commands from one device to another within the HDMI CEC system.
OSD Device Name Pass Through transmits the name of a connected device so that it can be displayed by the TV.
Audio Control allows volume adjustment of a soundbar, AV receiver, integrated amplifier, or preamplifier using the remote control of another compatible device in the system.
The actual implementation of HDMI CEC commands varies significantly among manufacturers. In practice, most devices support only the most commonly used features, such as automatic power control, input switching, and audio volume control. Because of these differences, devices from different brands often provide only partial HDMI CEC compatibility.
HDMI CEC and brand names
The introduction of HDMI CEC in 2007 came at a time when television manufacturers had few major new technologies to promote. To make this feature more attractive to consumers, many companies chose to market HDMI CEC under their own proprietary brand names, creating the impression that they offered unique capabilities beyond the standard itself.
Samsung, for example, branded HDMI CEC as Anynet+, while Sony introduced it as BRAVIA Sync. Other manufacturers followed the same approach, giving the technology their own distinctive names despite relying on the same HDMI CEC standard.
Some of the most well-known brand names for HDMI CEC include:
Samsung — Anynet+
Sony — BRAVIA Sync
LG — SimpLink
Panasonic — VIERA Link
Toshiba — Regza Link
Sharp — Aquos Link
Philips — EasyLink
Pioneer — Kuro Link
Hitachi — HDMI CEC
Mitsubishi — NetCommand for HDMI
Onkyo — RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI)
Although these names might have led one to believe that each company had developed its own proprietary technology, this was not the case; the different names were primarily a marketing strategy designed to make the products stand out in the highly competitive television market.
