In our series of articles on how to configure our TV perfectly together with our Android TV-Box or mini PC, today will see the control section with a single remote with the HDMI-CEC option. We will see how the systems have to be adjusted and will also review different technical concepts and communication problems between them. We hope you find it useful and get the most out of your hardware.
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HDMI-CEC CONFIGURATION
With this method we can use our TV remote, TV-Box, AV receiver or other compatible peripheral to control the general management of the devices. Naturally, the specific keys of each command are not controlled, only the general keys such as volume or channel change.
Configure HDMI-CEC mode on your TV
- Unfortunately, each brand configures HDMI-CEC differently and compatibility may vary.
- Sony = Settings> External inputs> Bravia Sync> Activate.
- LG = Settings> General> Simplink> Activate.
- Samsung = Settings> External device management> Anynet +> Activate.
- Restart the TV to apply the changes completely.
Other names of HDMI-CEC, the menus can usually be found in the video settings.
- Himno, Denon, Vizio : Control CEC, CEC or HDMI
- Denon: Control CEC o HDMI
- Funai, Emerson, Magnavox, Sylvania, Philips: Fun-Link
- Pioneer: Kuro Link
- Sharp: Aquos Link
- Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
- Insignia: InLink
- Onkyo: RIHD
- Panasonic: Control HDAVI, EZ-Sync or Viera Link
- Philips: EasyLink
- Toshiba: Regza Link, CE-Link
- Mitsubishi: NetCommand
Configure HDMI-CEC on our connected device
In Android TV-Box we usually have a menu to activate this option and configure different control options, we will have to try different combinations until they fit with our TV.
- Android TV-Box: Settings> HDMI> Enable HDMI-CEC.
- mini PC: Only some graphics cards are ready, there is also specific hardware and usually few options.
- AV receiver: It is necessary to activate HDMI-CEC to control the volume and it is recommended to use HDMI-ARC connection.
Advanced HDMI-CEC options
Other more specific options that we can find in advanced menus HDMI-CEC of our devices.
- One-touch playback: Automatically switches to the entry where content playback starts, for example, putting a DVD.
- One-touch recording: If we have a DVR or PVR device, if we press record, it will send it to that device.
- Routing control: Allows you to change the video or audio input of another connected device, for example on an AV receiver.
- Cover control: Control the playback functions of another device such as DVD or Bluray.
- Timer Programming: Commonly used in electronic programming guide (EPG) for compatible DVR or PVR recorder.
- System audio control: Allows you to control the volume of an AV receiver or HDMI sound bar as a volume system.
- Standby system: Change the standby mode on connected devices.
- Device Menu Control: Navigate through the menus of the connected device.
COMMON PROBLEMS HDMI-CEC
The HDMI-CEC protocol does not have a single implementation, this means that each brand in addition to calling it what it wants can have different control messages that make our device does not understand certain actions. We recommend below some points to keep in mind to adjust the systems well.
- Normally we can only control, change volume, channel, cursors, OK and on/off.
- The shutdown system has different options, you have to try different combinations in the HDMI-CEC menu.
- The volume up or down speed can be adjusted on some TV-Boxes and AV receivers, see manual.
- Sometimes HDMI-ARC will not work if we do not have HDMI-CEC enabled.
- Change HDMI cable, we recommend one type HDMI 2.0 Ethernet.
OTHER MEDIA TUTORIALS
- Get the best picture quality on our TV with an Android TV-Box or mini PC
- Judder in video playback, what is and how to fix it in Android or Windows
- AFRd an app for automatic refresh rate switch in Amlogic SoC TV-Boxes
- Basic concepts and configuration for multichannel audio on Windows and Android
- Playback 4K videos with HEVC and VP9 seamlessly on Android and Windows
- How to install an add-on in KODI in a simple way
HI
How can you make the HDMI-CEC stick when the Android TV Box is rebooted?
What I mean is that when the Android box is restarted, the setting is turned off and I have to switch it on again.
So is there a way to turn this on automatically when the Android box starts?
Thank you.
This worked for me to get the remote controlling my Android stick pc. Only issue is it does not have all the command from the real remote, any way to add commands or teach?