HDMI-CEC for PC

[therock003]

Is there ant adapter i can get for PC that can open the TV when it gets an hdmi signal from PC. At least something thar can be attained easily. I ser some obscure products here and there like this one

https://www.pulse-eight.com/p/104/usb-hdmi-cec-adapter

[usually_quiet]

The only means that I have heard of which allows HDMI CEC to be added to a PC is a Pulse-Eight HDMI adapter + KODI. CEC is implemented differently by different TV makers so it is necessary to run software which can be set up to emulate the CEC signals used by various TV brands.

There is little demand for CEC with a PC. HTPCs are far less popular than game systems, Blu-ray players, and audio receivers, all of which often have CEC built in. The Raspberry Pi 3 is supposed to have CEC available when using OSMC as its OS, but that is the only computer that has CEC built-in, as far as I know.

[therock003]

I understand that there is little demand for this but i have a game pc and it would bw convenient if i had that function

[lingyi]

The reason CEC isn't common for PCs is two-fold.

First, as discussed in this article: https://www.anandtech.com/show/5463/pulseeight-usb-cec-adapter-review, to work at the hardware level, it would have to be integrated into the video card.

Second, as discussed in this thread: https://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/2947560-adding-cec-turn-displ...idia-card.html, it's prone to communication errors between the numerous hardware manufacturers. So most, if not all video card manufacturers don't include CEC in their cards.

There was a recent thread where the OP was having an issue with his Blu-Ray Player turning off when switched off his TV. Turns out it was his Sony TV sending the wrong signal to his Panasonic player. He turned off CEC (Bravia Sync) on this TV and the issue was solved.

[usually_quiet]

I understand that there is little demand for this but i have a game pc and it would bw convenient if i had that function

My point was that if there was a high demand for this feature on a PC, there would be more add-on PC devices and more software for CEC, perhaps even graphics cards with it and drivers to configure it.

[Cornucopia]

In those cases where a PC needs to turn a TV on, the professional method has historically been to use a 9pin serial RS232 signal, or possibly an IR emulator+transmitter. This is true with both systems that are controlled by the core PC and those that are controlled by an AV controlling system (Crestron, Extron, AMX, etc).
CEC is improving, but it's still a joke.

<edit>More likely, IP or USB will become common control avenues for TVs.</edit>

Scott

[therock003]

Guys now that you mention it, i would like to close the TV when a device switches of as well. Like when my PS4 switches off, close the TV. But not close the PS4 wheen i switcxh off the TV

In those cases where a PC needs to turn a TV on, the professional method has historically been to use a 9pin serial RS232 signal, or possibly an IR emulator+transmitter. This is true with both systems that are controlled by the core PC and those that are controlled by an AV controlling system (Crestron, Extron, AMX, etc).
CEC is improving, but it's still a joke.

<edit>More likely, IP or USB will become common control avenues for TVs.</edit>

Scott

Not sure what that is and how to accomplish it

[usually_quiet]

Guys now that you mention it, i would like to close the TV when a device switches of as well. Like when my PS4 switches off, close the TV. But not close the PS4 wheen i switcxh off the TV

In those cases where a PC needs to turn a TV on, the professional method has historically been to use a 9pin serial RS232 signal, or possibly an IR emulator+transmitter. This is true with both systems that are controlled by the core PC and those that are controlled by an AV controlling system (Crestron, Extron, AMX, etc).
CEC is improving, but it's still a joke.

<edit>More likely, IP or USB will become common control avenues for TVs.</edit>

Scott

Not sure what that is and how to accomplish it

Some of the technology mentioned in this 2010 article is outdated (firewire ports on TVs are long gone, and I don't think that RS232 ports are common anymore) but it explains some of what Scott is writing about.

I have seen Sony smart TVs which allow using an IR blaster attached to the TV's IR port or USB-port, but these are one-way (out) and allows the TV some control over a single device, like a cable box or audio receiver, with the TV's remote or keypad.

I don't recall seeing any TVs with an IR-in port, which would allow a PC to control the TV using a special cable with a connection resembling an audio jack on each end. You would have to use a USB IR receiver/IR blaster and IR blaster cable with a stick-on IR emitter to control a TV, which is less reliable than an IR-in port. (When I tried stick-on emitters to control a cable box, those sometimes came off.) ...and you would need software to control the IR blaster glued to the TV's IR sensor. Maybe Eventghost would work. However, I think that you might be disappointed with the results using IR to control the TV.

I don't know much about IP control and can't tell you if that is a possibility with any smart TVs other than some Sony models.

[therock003]

I do have a sony TV (55xe7096) could it support this ip control

[usually_quiet]

I do have a sony TV (55xe7096) could it support this ip control

I don't know and I don't have access to a Sony TV to try any software. Plus, there don't seem to be many PC apps for IP control of TVs at the moment. As far as testing your TV, I found some apps by typing "Sony Remote Control" in the search area at the Windows store, but I can't give you any tips on how to set up and use any of them.

[JVRaines]

Is there ant adapter i can get for PC that can open the TV when it gets an hdmi signal from PC. At least something thar can be attained easily. I ser some obscure products here and there like this one

https://www.pulse-eight.com/p/104/usb-hdmi-cec-adapter

It might work if it gets along with the Bravia Sync on your particular TV. Buy one from a place with a generous return policy and see if it works.

[Cornucopia]

Serial/rs232 is still on many current MOBOs. Just don't expect it on Macs or laptops.
Many TVs from Sony, Sharp, Samsung, LG have had serial control ins. Some new models still do.

Never said anything about Firewire.

ALWAYS read the manual about what control the TV supports. Usually, the mftr will also have links to utility apps.

Even if it's IR only, you can have a serial to IR converter box to stick an emitter right by where the TV's IR receiver is and control ANY tv that way. Heck, there's a whole industry involved in that, and every modern tv responds to IR.

Scott

[usually_quiet]

Never said anything about Firewire.

I only brought up Firewire because that was mentioned in the article I linked to. I wanted to make sure that option was eliminated from consideration since it is no longer viable.

Even if it's IR only, you can have a serial to IR converter box to stick an emitter right by where the TV's IR receiver is and control ANY tv that way. Heck, there's a whole industry involved in that, and every modern tv responds to IR.

There is also at least one USB IR receiver/IR blaster, the USB-UIRT, that enthusiasts use with EventGhost or Girder to control various devices. It isn't cheap, but it is very versatile.