HDMI-CEC is a fantastic new technology that for some reason has never been the focus of TV marketers, and it's often considered one of the best hidden features of modern TVs. The "CEC" extension stands for Consumer Electronics Control. Appropriately, the HDMI-CEC feature allows other devices you connect to your TV to control the full range of the TV.
Think about how you need to program different remotes to control your TV. HDMI-CEC is like programming the whole device to work with it, except it's a lot less hassle.
Tip: Since setting up an HDMI-CEC compatible device is a different process on every TV, you'll just need to navigate your TV's menus and follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new device. First, it's worth checking to see if your TV has HDMI-CEC, which is conveniently covered below as it's a bit trickier than you might think.
These days, you probably don't just have a TV as the only entertainment item in your living room. You have a DVD or Blu-ray player, a soundbar, a video game console and a few different set-top boxes. Well, if these devices are HDMI-CEC compatible (with your TV) once set up, a single button press on your remote can turn them all on or off.
Likewise, if these devices come with their own remotes like the new Apple TV for example, turning them on will automatically turn on your TV at the same time. You should even be able to adjust the volume universally. Essentially, HDMI-CEC ensures that everything works in sync without having to fumble around for remotes and turn on devices.
It's important to recognize that HDMI-CEC comes in many forms, as different manufacturers brand it in their own way. Unfortunately, this makes HDMI-CEC harder to recognize if you don't know what to look for and is another reason it's so hidden. If you know the manufacturer of your TV or the TV you are considering buying, check out the list of conversions below. It shows you all brand versions of HDMI-CEC.
Tip: Some TV brands may also mark HDMI-CEC by its own name. This list isn't entirely complete, so it's always worth checking your TV's menu to see if you have equivalent HDMI-CEC functionality anyway.
From there go to Menu on your TV and search for the corresponding brand name of HDMI-CEC. It should be able to instantly recognize which connected devices are compatible, then activate them directly from the menu.
It's pretty easy to get lost or confused by the various marketing tactics used by TV manufacturers, but hopefully we were able to clear up this tidbit for you.
