Problems with CEC on TV, receiver, and Firestick..

[Ozark01]

STR DN 1070 Receiver
K65XR80 Sony TV
4K Firestick

I have the equipment above and want it to work the way it worked when I had a Samsung TV. The Sony TV is the new piece of equipment.

The Firestick is plugged into the Game HDMI port on the receiver and the HDMI output of the receiver is plugged into HDMI 3 ARC input on the TV.

I want the Firestick remote to control the TV, the receiver, and the Firestick. With the old Samsung TV when I pressed the power button on the Firestick remote the TV came on to the correct input on the receiver and the TV.

With the new Sony TV when I press the power button on the Firestick remote the TV comes on but it defaults to HDMI 1. ( I have the TV setup to come on to the Last Input used but it does not seem to matter). I have the TV button on the Sony TV remote set for HDMI 3 so the TV changes to HDMI 3 when it is pressed. This puts me at the setup screen on the receiver where I have to select the Game input to use the Firestick. The Firestick then appears and can be used as log as the Home button on the Firestick remote is not pressed.

At this point when I press the home button on the Firestick remote the TV switches to HDMI 1 and of course the Firestick does not work any longer.

I have tried every combination of CEC control on the three devices and the best I have gotten is that the Firestick remote will power the TV on/off and control the volume on the receiver. Once again if I press the Home button on the Firestick remote the TV goes to HDMI 1. I have yet to get the TV to default to the HDMI 3 input using the Firestick remote.

Any ideas would be appreciated as to how to setup the CEC controls on these three devices.

 

[TLS Guy]

STR DN 1070 Receiver
K65XR80 Sony TV
4K Firestick

I have the equipment above and want it to work the way it worked when I had a Samsung TV. The Sony TV is the new piece of equipment.

The Firestick is plugged into the Game HDMI port on the receiver and the HDMI output of the receiver is plugged into HDMI 3 ARC input on the TV.

I want the Firestick remote to control the TV, the receiver, and the Firestick. With the old Samsung TV when I pressed the power button on the Firestick remote the TV came on to the correct input on the receiver and the TV.

With the new Sony TV when I press the power button on the Firestick remote the TV comes on but it defaults to HDMI 1. ( I have the TV setup to come on to the Last Input used but it does not seem to matter). I have the TV button on the Sony TV remote set for HDMI 3 so the TV changes to HDMI 3 when it is pressed. This puts me at the setup screen on the receiver where I have to select the Game input to use the Firestick. The Firestick then appears and can be used as log as the Home button on the Firestick remote is not pressed.

At this point when I press the home button on the Firestick remote the TV switches to HDMI 1 and of course the Firestick does not work any longer.

I have tried every combination of CEC control on the three devices and the best I have gotten is that the Firestick remote will power the TV on/off and control the volume on the receiver. Once again if I press the Home button on the Firestick remote the TV goes to HDMI 1. I have yet to get the TV to default to the HDMI 3 input using the Firestick remote.

Any ideas would be appreciated as to how to setup the CEC controls on these three devices.

CEC is a total cluster "you know what." Turn it off and make sure it stays off, and just turn your units on as you need them.

 

[-Jim-]

CEC is a total cluster "you know what." Turn it off and make sure it stays off, and just turn your units on as you need them.

Sadly @TLS Guy is correct. CEC is a mess, and in my opinion worse with Sony gear, as they've taken HDMI Handshaking to a new level of frustration and CEC along with it. I have two Sony receivers, a couple of their Blu-ray Players, and a 4K one as well => all on various HT systems (I have 4 of them. Yes I know I have a problem.) I have found that the sequence devices turn on affect operational success and many times lead to failure.

All you can do is try different configurations like plugging the Firestick into the TV and relying on eArc to get the signal to the receiver. By the way, it wouldn't hurt to check the HDMI Cables all work well and meet the specifications needed for all the devices connected.

But as suggested, you may have to just turn CEC off and live with pushing an extra button or two on a remote.

I know life is Tough!

 

[Eppie]

Bear in mind some devices require CEC for certain features. My Samsung TV requires CEC to be enabled for eARC to send audio back to the AVR (if you, say, want to use the built in apps on the TV). It powers on the TV, cable box and AVR with the cable box remote, but power off only turns off the AVR and I have to manually turn off the TV. This might also be due to the fact that I have HDMI pass-through enabled on the cable box port, so the TV still sees a signal with the AVR off. Many do not use the pass-through feature but my wife likes to just turn on the TV and use the TV speakers for casual viewing. My NVidia Shield does not power on other devices through CEC but I decided long ago it was easier just to grab the extra remote than muck about with crappy CEC features.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Apparently, you don't have Wi-Fi in your home for your new TV to connect to? Otherwise, you can add apps to your new smart tv? Then throw away the Firestick.

 

[Ozark01]

Thanks for the replies. I ended up with the new 65" Sony TV because my 60" Samsung did not support A2DP which my wife needed for her hearing aid streaming. It seems nobody makes a 60" OLED tv so I had to go to a 55" or 65" We tried a 55" and the screen was too small for our room. The only 65" OLED we could fine that was less than 34" tall was the Sony. The Samsung CEC worked great so I am disappointed (ands surprised) that the Sony CEC sucks especially since the AVR and TV are both Sony products. I guess I'll keep messing with the settings and see what happens. Thanks again!

 

[Trebdp83]

Samsung TVs, or at least mine, were better at controlling devices connected through an AVR than other brands. Many new TVs have Universal Remote Control functionality as well but that functionality may work only for devices connected directly to the TV while Samsung TVs, at least mine, could control them through an AVR. My LG C1 is very finicky about HDMI-CEC and Universal Remote Control. As mentioned by @-Jim- , a direct connection to the TV may be necessary here. But, the Sony receiver here supports ARC, not eARC and lossless multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio will not be supported over ARC from any devices connected directly to the TV.

I have also noticed multiple Android, Apple or even a single Roku device mixed with the others will make for a mess in a system using HDMI-CEC. The setup assist on my Amazon Fire Cube Gen 3 is fantastic. I'm not sure if it is featured in the Firestick. The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro has the best HDMI-CEC feature set when using Developer settings. It can power everything ON and OFF and will go to sleep without interfering with anything if I switch to another input source device using the other device's remote controller. Changing out any devices makes my system go mad and I've reset EVERYTHING more times than I can count. Currently, my receiver connected devices using HDMI-CEC include an Apple TV 4K, NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro, Sony UBP-X800M2 and TiVo Roamio. All will power the TV and receiver ON when using any of their remote controllers and all but the Sony can power everything OFF.

If just one more HDMI-CEC enabled device is connected to either my TV or receiver, everything goes to s#%t. While the HDMI-CEC spec supports something like fifteen devices, different TVs and AVRs have their own limits concerning the number of a particular kind of device and the total number of all devices. There is not one standard to rule them all and it can be very difficult to get a combination of HDMI-CEC capable devices to work well together in a system.

Many Smart TVs feature the apps many want to use but aren't as fully featured or as powerful as external streamers. But, as @Teetertotter? mentioned, it might be worth trying to use the TVs apps to see if it features the apps needed here. You might also try unplugging all devices for a bit and see if that helps at all. Good luck.

 

[Ozark01]

Apparently, you don't have Wi-Fi in your home for your new TV to connect to? Otherwise, you can add apps to your new smart tv? Then throw away the Firestick.

The Firestick has some features my old Samsung TV did not have. I'll play with the new TV and see what has changed in the TV app world. BTW....my Firestick is plugged into my AVR which allows me to send the signal to two TV's. Not sure if the new main TV can feed a second TV. (My main TV is in the living room and second TV is in the kitchen around a corner where you can not see the picture but can hear the sound). Thanks for the reply.

 

[Ozark01]

Samsung TVs, or at least mine, were better at controlling devices connected through an AVR than other brands. Many new TVs have Universal Remote Control functionality as well but that functionality may work only for devices connected directly to the TV while Samsung TVs, at least mine, could control them through an AVR. My LG C1 is very finicky about HDMI-CEC and Universal Remote Control. As mentioned by @-Jim- , a direct connection to the TV may be necessary here. But, the Sony receiver here supports ARC, not eARC and lossless multichannel PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio will not be supported over ARC from any devices connected directly to the TV.

I have also noticed multiple Android, Apple or even a single Roku device mixed with the others will make for a mess in a system using HDMI-CEC. The setup assist on my Amazon Fire Cube Gen 3 is fantastic. I'm not sure if it is featured in the Firestick. The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro has the best HDMI-CEC feature set when using Developer settings. It can power everything ON and OFF and will go to sleep without interfering with anything if I switch to another input source device using the other device's remote controller. Changing out any devices makes my system go mad and I've reset EVERYTHING more times than I can count. Currently, my receiver connected devices using HDMI-CEC include an Apple TV 4K, NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro, Sony UBP-X800M2 and TiVo Roamio. All will power the TV and receiver ON when using any of their remote controllers and all but the Sony can power everything OFF.

If just one more HDMI-CEC enabled device is connected to either my TV or receiver, everything goes to s#%t. While the HDMI-CEC spec supports something like fifteen devices, different TVs and AVRs have their own limits concerning the number of a particular kind of device and the total number of all devices. There is not one standard to rule them all and it can be very difficult to get a combination of HDMI-CEC capable devices to work well together in a system.

Many Smart TVs feature the apps many want to use but aren't as fully featured or as powerful as external streamers. But, as @Teetertotter? mentioned, it might be worth trying to use the TVs apps to see if it features the apps needed here. You might also try unplugging all devices for a bit and see if that helps at all. Good luck.

I think you said in your outstanding reply that my DN 1070 receiver may not support the eARC on my tv. Could this be part of my problem ?

 

[Trebdp83]

It should not be an issue concerning HDMI-CEC but stranger things have happened. Try adjusting the eARC setting in the TV from Auto to OFF and see if audio is still output over ARC with Bravia Sync(HDMI-CEC) still ON using one of the TVs apps or tuner if applicable. The receiver should switch inputs to the TV if ARC is functional with the new settings.

 

[-Jim-]

I have a Sony STRDN-1050 in the Family Room, and STRDN-1080 at the Cabin. The former is only ARC capable, whereas the latter can handle eARC. eARC was a new feature of HDMI Specification 2.1. Hence the need to check cables for cables that meet this spec. The difference is that eARC can handle more data faster.

"The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time. You can picture it as a water pipe that can only transport a limited amount of water at a time, depending on the diameter of the pipe.

Higher bandwidth translates into a higher amount of data that can be transferred (a larger pipe). Higher bandwidth also means that digital audio signal doesn’t have to be compressed and is much more detailed, rich and vibrant. As a result, with an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie-theatre-quality surround sound via formats such as DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC can currently process these formats."

You will still be able to listen to audio through your Sound system when only one device is eARC. However, due to bandwidth limitations, you will not be able to experience the maximum high-bitrate audio from the source.

CEC is about HDMI "Handshaking" which Sony typically doesn't do very well. This is from the Sony STRDN-1070 On Line Manual

The Control for HDMI function does not work properly.

• Check the HDMI connection with the receiver (refer to the supplied Startup Guide).
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the TV. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the TV.
• Wait for a while, and then try again. If you unplug the receiver, it will take a while before the operation is completed. Wait for 15 seconds or longer, and then try again.
• If you unplug the HDMI cable or change the connection, repeat the procedures of “Preparing to use “BRAVIA” Sync function.”
• Make sure your TV is connected to the HDMI OUT A (TV) jack of the receiver.
• Make sure the HDMI OUT setting is set to [HDMI A] or [HDMI A + B].
• Set [Control for HDMI] to [On] in the [HDMI Settings] menu.
• When [Control for HDMI] is set to [Off], “BRAVIA” Sync does not work properly, even if the device is connected to the HDMI IN jack.
• Make sure the connected device supports the Control for HDMI function.
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the connected device. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the connected device.
• The types and number of devices that can be controlled by the “BRAVIA” Sync feature are restricted by the HDMI CEC standard as follows:
  • Recording devices (Blu-ray Disc recorders, DVD recorders, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Playback devices (Blu-ray Disc players, DVD players, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Tuner-related devices: up to 4 devices
  • Audio system (receiver/headphones): up to 1 device (used by this receiver)

Notice the last point on limitations on devices. I don't know if you mix and match the various types to more than 3 devices, if the receiver would fail to have CEC function at all.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a Sony STRDN-1050 in the Family Room, and STRDN-1080 at the Cabin. The former is only ARC capable, whereas the latter can handle eARC. eARC was a new feature of HDMI Specification 2.1. Hence the need to check cables for cables that meet this spec. The difference is that eARC can handle more data faster.

"The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time. You can picture it as a water pipe that can only transport a limited amount of water at a time, depending on the diameter of the pipe.

Higher bandwidth translates into a higher amount of data that can be transferred (a larger pipe). Higher bandwidth also means that digital audio signal doesn’t have to be compressed and is much more detailed, rich and vibrant. As a result, with an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie-theatre-quality surround sound via formats such as DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC can currently process these formats."

You will still be able to listen to audio through your Sound system when only one device is eARC. However, due to bandwidth limitations, you will not be able to experience the maximum high-bitrate audio from the source.

CEC is about HDMI "Handshaking" which Sony typically doesn't do very well. This is from the Sony STRDN-1070 On Line Manual

The Control for HDMI function does not work properly.

• Check the HDMI connection with the receiver (refer to the supplied Startup Guide).
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the TV. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the TV.
• Wait for a while, and then try again. If you unplug the receiver, it will take a while before the operation is completed. Wait for 15 seconds or longer, and then try again.
• If you unplug the HDMI cable or change the connection, repeat the procedures of “Preparing to use “BRAVIA” Sync function.”
• Make sure your TV is connected to the HDMI OUT A (TV) jack of the receiver.
• Make sure the HDMI OUT setting is set to [HDMI A] or [HDMI A + B].
• Set [Control for HDMI] to [On] in the [HDMI Settings] menu.
• When [Control for HDMI] is set to [Off], “BRAVIA” Sync does not work properly, even if the device is connected to the HDMI IN jack.
• Make sure the connected device supports the Control for HDMI function.
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the connected device. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the connected device.
• The types and number of devices that can be controlled by the “BRAVIA” Sync feature are restricted by the HDMI CEC standard as follows:
  • Recording devices (Blu-ray Disc recorders, DVD recorders, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Playback devices (Blu-ray Disc players, DVD players, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Tuner-related devices: up to 4 devices
  • Audio system (receiver/headphones): up to 1 device (used by this receiver)

Notice the last point on limitations on devices. I don't know if you mix and match the various types to more than 3 devices, if the receiver would fail to have CEC function at all.

I hope this is helpful.

in my experience ARC is glitchy and temperamental. That was my experience. eARC works like it says on the can for me.

 

[highfigh]

CEC is a total cluster "you know what." Turn it off and make sure it stays off, and just turn your units on as you need them.

Cluster Flop? Yup, unless one source device is connected to a TV and nothing else is involved. I have one TV with a Roku and it works great, but that's as far as I'll go with HDMI and CEC.

 

[Trebdp83]

I have a Sony STRDN-1050 in the Family Room, and STRDN-1080 at the Cabin. The former is only ARC capable, whereas the latter can handle eARC. eARC was a new feature of HDMI Specification 2.1. Hence the need to check cables for cables that meet this spec. The difference is that eARC can handle more data faster.

"The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time. You can picture it as a water pipe that can only transport a limited amount of water at a time, depending on the diameter of the pipe.

Higher bandwidth translates into a higher amount of data that can be transferred (a larger pipe). Higher bandwidth also means that digital audio signal doesn’t have to be compressed and is much more detailed, rich and vibrant. As a result, with an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie-theatre-quality surround sound via formats such as DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC can currently process these formats."

You will still be able to listen to audio through your Sound system when only one device is eARC. However, due to bandwidth limitations, you will not be able to experience the maximum high-bitrate audio from the source.

CEC is about HDMI "Handshaking" which Sony typically doesn't do very well. This is from the Sony STRDN-1070 On Line Manual

The Control for HDMI function does not work properly.

• Check the HDMI connection with the receiver (refer to the supplied Startup Guide).
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the TV. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the TV.
• Wait for a while, and then try again. If you unplug the receiver, it will take a while before the operation is completed. Wait for 15 seconds or longer, and then try again.
• If you unplug the HDMI cable or change the connection, repeat the procedures of “Preparing to use “BRAVIA” Sync function.”
• Make sure your TV is connected to the HDMI OUT A (TV) jack of the receiver.
• Make sure the HDMI OUT setting is set to [HDMI A] or [HDMI A + B].
• Set [Control for HDMI] to [On] in the [HDMI Settings] menu.
• When [Control for HDMI] is set to [Off], “BRAVIA” Sync does not work properly, even if the device is connected to the HDMI IN jack.
• Make sure the connected device supports the Control for HDMI function.
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the connected device. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the connected device.
• The types and number of devices that can be controlled by the “BRAVIA” Sync feature are restricted by the HDMI CEC standard as follows:
  • Recording devices (Blu-ray Disc recorders, DVD recorders, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Playback devices (Blu-ray Disc players, DVD players, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Tuner-related devices: up to 4 devices
  • Audio system (receiver/headphones): up to 1 device (used by this receiver)

Notice the last point on limitations on devices. I don't know if you mix and match the various types to more than 3 devices, if the receiver would fail to have CEC function at all.

I hope this is helpful.

I will add that while Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are lossless, they are still compressed. Multichannel PCM is uncompressed and is usually the thing that gives folks problems when using eARC connected to a soundbar as some support eARC but only up to 96Hz. Some devices can output multichannel PCM 8CH 24/192.

While eARC works without HDMI-CEC turned ON in an AVP/AVR, it is still required to be ON in many new TVs. Those folks who do not want to use HDMI-CEC in any devices can still make use of eARC if it is supported at both ends.

Dolby Atmos from streaming services is lossy Dolby Digital Plus based and will work over ARC. If a device needs to be connected directly to the TV for any reason, it must be able to bitstream Atmos/DD+ to work over ARC bandwidth limitations. Some new TVs can re encode signals in real time to fit over ARC but this can and usually does lead to audio sync issues. It is all still a mess out there. Good luck to everybody.

 

[Ozark01]

I have a Sony STRDN-1050 in the Family Room, and STRDN-1080 at the Cabin. The former is only ARC capable, whereas the latter can handle eARC. eARC was a new feature of HDMI Specification 2.1. Hence the need to check cables for cables that meet this spec. The difference is that eARC can handle more data faster.

"The main differences between ARC and eARC lie in bandwidth and speed. The enhanced version of the Audio Return Channel has a much higher bandwidth than its predecessor. Bandwidth represents the range of frequencies or amount of data that is being transferred at a time. You can picture it as a water pipe that can only transport a limited amount of water at a time, depending on the diameter of the pipe.

Higher bandwidth translates into a higher amount of data that can be transferred (a larger pipe). Higher bandwidth also means that digital audio signal doesn’t have to be compressed and is much more detailed, rich and vibrant. As a result, with an eARC channel, you can enjoy the depth of movie-theatre-quality surround sound via formats such as DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS. Due to the limitations of regular ARC, only eARC can currently process these formats."

You will still be able to listen to audio through your Sound system when only one device is eARC. However, due to bandwidth limitations, you will not be able to experience the maximum high-bitrate audio from the source.

CEC is about HDMI "Handshaking" which Sony typically doesn't do very well. This is from the Sony STRDN-1070 On Line Manual

The Control for HDMI function does not work properly.

• Check the HDMI connection with the receiver (refer to the supplied Startup Guide).
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the TV. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the TV.
• Wait for a while, and then try again. If you unplug the receiver, it will take a while before the operation is completed. Wait for 15 seconds or longer, and then try again.
• If you unplug the HDMI cable or change the connection, repeat the procedures of “Preparing to use “BRAVIA” Sync function.”
• Make sure your TV is connected to the HDMI OUT A (TV) jack of the receiver.
• Make sure the HDMI OUT setting is set to [HDMI A] or [HDMI A + B].
• Set [Control for HDMI] to [On] in the [HDMI Settings] menu.
• When [Control for HDMI] is set to [Off], “BRAVIA” Sync does not work properly, even if the device is connected to the HDMI IN jack.
• Make sure the connected device supports the Control for HDMI function.
• Enable the Control for HDMI function on the connected device. For details, refer to the operating instructions of the connected device.
• The types and number of devices that can be controlled by the “BRAVIA” Sync feature are restricted by the HDMI CEC standard as follows:
  • Recording devices (Blu-ray Disc recorders, DVD recorders, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Playback devices (Blu-ray Disc players, DVD players, etc.): up to 3 devices
  • Tuner-related devices: up to 4 devices
  • Audio system (receiver/headphones): up to 1 device (used by this receiver)

Notice the last point on limitations on devices. I don't know if you mix and match the various types to more than 3 devices, if the receiver would fail to have CEC function at all.

I hope this is helpful.

This was very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Ozark01]

For anybody who is still interested in this I thought I would post an update.

What I was trying to do was simple-

Get my Firestick remote to control the TV on/off and default HDMI input
Get my Firestick remote to control the AVR volume and default input.

I found that on my old Samsung TV the HDMI input for ARC was HDMI one. On the new Sony TV the input for ARC is HDMI three. The Firestick remote was set to default to HDMI one so when the remote was used the TV went to HDMI one.

The solution was to go to setting->equipment control->manage equipment->Fire TV and change the default from HDMI one to Input 3. Have never had to change this parameter before.

May not be a big deal but it made me happy!

 

[Trebdp83]

Joy! See how easy it is to work with HDMI-CEC?