AV use cases: before and after CEC

Proof of the advantages of the proper implementation of HDMI-CEC are fairly evident from the simplest use case to the most complex. Regardless of the use case, the end result is mostly the same: only the TV remote needs to be used, and the user has a far simpler use of all it’s AV devices.

TV connected to a cable STB or gaming console

• Before CEC:
  1. Turn ON the TV – TV remote;
  2. Turn ON the STB – STB remote;
  3. On the TV, select the correct HDMI input – TV remote;
  4. Watch TV through the STB (or play with the console controller) – STB remote;
  5. Turn OFF the STB – STB remote;
  6. Turn OFF the TV – TV remote.
• After CEC (option A – The most optimal):
  1. Turn on the TV and select the STB input (usually named STB or some other name the cable company choose). Automatically the STB turns itself on and starts outputting content – TV remote;
  2. Watch TV using the STB, but controlling channel selection and volume level using the TV remote;
  3. When done, turn the TV OFF, which automatically turns the STB OFF as well.
• After CEC (option B – Common with gaming consoles):
  1. Turn ON the console through the console controller. This automatically turns ON the TV and selects the right HDMI input;
  2. Any volume control needs to be performed by the TV remote;
  3. When done, turn OFF the TV which also turns the console OFF.

TV connected to an AV receiver and a cable STB or gaming console

• Before CEC:
  1. Turn ON the TV – TV remote;
  2. Turn ON the AV receiver – AV receiver remote;
  3. Select the correct HDMI input – AV receiver remote;
  4. Turn ON the STB – STB remote;
  5. On the TV, select the correct HDMI input – TV remote;
  6. Watch TV through the STB (or play with the console controller) – STB remote;
  7. Control the audio volume – Mandatory to be performed on the AV receiver remote if the audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital;
  8. Turn OFF the AV receiver – AV receiver remote;
  9. Turn OFF the STB – STB remote;
  10. Turn OFF the TV – TV remote.
• After CEC (option A – The most optimal):
  1. Turn on the TV and select the STB input (usually named STB or some other name the cable company choose). Automatically the STB turns itself on and starts outputting content. Note that source CEC devices are presented as an independent HDMI input on the sink. Also, the proper AV Receiver input is selected and the TV speakers are muted – TV remote;
  2. Watch TV using the STB, but controlling channel selection and volume level using the TV remote, which applies audio volume control function in the AV receiver;
  3. When done, turn the TV OFF, which automatically turns the STB and AV receiver OFF a as well.
• After CEC (option B – Common with gaming consoles):
  1. Turn ON the console through the console controller. This automatically turns ON the TV and AV receiver and selects the right HDMI input at each device;
  2. Any volume control needs to be performed by the TV remote;
  3. When done, turn OFF the TV which also turns the console and the AV receiver OFF.