The " HDMI-CEC " technology, which stands for HDMI Consumer Electronics Control, is present in almost all modern televisions even if few people know that it exists, what it is and why it can be useful. The problem is that HDMI-CEC, in addition to being a poorly documented feature, is called in different ways depending on the manufacturer and is disabled by default
Generally speaking it is a feature that allows different devices to work better together.
In particular, it is very useful for those who connect a console like the Playstation or a device like the Chromecast to the TV, which have now become very common and widespread.
HDMI-CEC allows devices connected to the TV on the HDMI ports to control the TV.
For example, it may be possible to control the Blu-ray player via the TV remote control or to make it possible to switch on the TV with the Chromecast without using the remote control.
I have already talked about this practical example in the article on ways to use the Chromecast that nobody knows .
Let's say we have a Chromecast connected to the TV, without using it, while watching TV.
If HDMI-CEC is active, you can take your smartphone or computer to transmit something on TV using the specific application, without any need to change channels.
The TV will automatically go to the Chromecast source and you will then be able to see what is being broadcast.
Indeed, if the TV were turned off, it will turn on by itself on the Chromecast channel, without using the remote control.
In some televisions then the HDMI ports change their name in the choice of the input source taking that of the connected device, in this example, Chromecast.
Another practical application of HDMI-CEC can be obtained with gaming consoles .
For example, if you have a PlayStation 4, you can start playing by simply pressing the button on the controller or console.
The TV will automatically switch to the HDMI input to which the Playstation is connected, without having to change channels with the remote control.
Unfortunately, this is not possible with the Xbox One and not even with the Wii.
More advanced functions, such as controlling connected devices using the TV remote control, may or may not work depending on the device.
To enable the HDMI-CEC function you must first see how this is called by the manufacturer of the TV.
Trade names are unfortunately different from brand to brand and there is no defined standard.
You must therefore identify it and then go to the configuration settings of the TV to activate it.
Here are the names given to HDMI-CEC technology by the most popular brands of TV:
- Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
- LG: SimpLink
- Mitsubishi: NetCommand
- Panasonic: HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync, or VIERA Link
- Philips: EasyLink
- Pioneer: Kuro Link
- Samsung: Anynet +
- Sharp: Aquos Link
- Sony: BRAVIA Sync
- Toshiba: CE-Link or Regza Link
- Vice: CEC
For example, on my LG TV (5 years ago) I was able to activate Simplink from the Main Menu, in the Configuration -> Options section .
In some cases the function may have to be activated in the configuration panel of the device that attaches via HDMI to the TV.
Therefore, if HDMI-CEC is already activated on the Chromecast, on the Playstation 4 it must be activated from the system settings, with the " HDMI Device Link " option.
