A CEC enabled Switch will simply pass the CEC commands (from the connected devices) through the Switch.


I won't suggest a Harmony - though it is an obvious solution


An iOS or Android based solution using the likes of iRule is another option.


Have a look at our HD41-ARC - it is CEC compatible though for you I would only enable CEC on the TV/AVR if you use ARC.


Our Smart Scan function will set the Switch to the 'newest' Active (not in Standby) Source so the AVR will only ever see that Input - the system is not foolproof as some Source devices have 'active' HDMI ports even when in Standby, that can usually be worked around by reordering which Sources go to which Input on the Switch.


http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI switch 4x1 ARC port_pro.html


Joe

 

Octava HD41 ARC w/ Fios STB & Apple TV 4



Hi Joe,

I originally purchased the Octava to get 5.1 DD to my Sonos Playbar - which it does very well - but I haven't been able to get the Smart Scan function to work correctly. After coming across your post I'm starting to wonder if i'ts just something I'm doing wrong with the set up.

I currently only have two devices plugged into the Octava - my Fios VMS1100 STB and the new Apple TV 4. I've figured out that the STB has an active HDMI port so I just assumed that was stopping the Smart Scan function from working properly - but you mention that you can get around this with the order of the inputs? I know ATV4 actually shuts off and stops sending its HDMI signal, so is there a way to configure the Octave switch to switch to ATV4 when it's turned on and then back to the STB when it's shut off? I've tried playing around with this a few times but I can't seem to get it to work.

This is a complete shot in the dark, but I'd appreciate any help you could provide - Thanks

 

Thanks for the reply Joe. The potential solution you linked to is far more expensive than I want to spend to get around this issue. The problem I have is an inconvenience that it seems I will have to live with.

 

Then go with a Harmony remote. I have an old 880 that works very well with all of my devices.

 

WOOT!! I made a change and everything works absolutely perfectly!! I have the FiOS DVR HDMI plugged into the TV instead of the Sony AVR. Turn the TV on, Sony is on the "TV" input which is now fine since the TV sends the audio output out the ARC port to the receiver. Hit the Netflix button on the TV remote, still good since it also is from the ARC port. Press the Tools button, switch to BD/DVD, the BD player turns on, the Sony switches to the proper input and the remote works the BD/DVD just fine. Volume control, navigation of TV, FiOS, Smart apps, BD/DVD player, everything is simple via the TV remote. Turn off the TV and everything turns off with it. On is on and off is off. Its not a "toggle" that can get out of sequence like when using a Harmony.

As you can tell, I couldn't be happier. I had the one fly in the ointment which is now gone. This is by far the best integration setup I've ever had. This is how things are supposed to work.

Only thing left to do is take the TV off the wall so I can run the extra HMDI through it.

 

Hi, did You connected FiOS DVR which is not cec compatible device to Yours TV hdmi input directly or using LINDY HDMI CEC Less Adapter? Did You use only TV's remote to control all units?
Thanks

 

That's great! Hopefully if you do any firmware updates in the future it won't mess it up.

 

So the Fios sends audio to the TV through HDMI, then the TV sends the audio to the AV receiver via HDMI-ARC? I would think that the TV would downconvert any 5.1 audio streams to stereo. Have you noticed this to be the case? (Your AV receiver display should report what audio signal it is receiving.)

Tivo users have the same problem as you. Here is the Tivo thread I started.
Receiver Switches to TV Input After a Few Seconds - HDMI-CEC

I have a Denon receiver. Someone with a Yamaha receiver found that he had an option to reassign his sources so that whatever input he was using could be the "TV" input. So when the stupid Samsung TV changed the receiver's source, it kept it on the correct one with only a momentary refresh black screen. I don't have this option on mine.

I just found this cheaper device to trick your TV into thinking that your receiver supports ARC. This thing might respond to Samsung's querries and solve your issue. But I haven't tried it yet. Will you be my guinea pig?
Panlong HDMI ARC Adapter with CEC and Optical TOSLINK Audio Output

Finally, I think a solution could be strung together with a Raspberry Pi and Pulse-Eight's USB-CEC adapter. But the cost is starting to get up there and i'm not sure how much programming would be needed. All that the thing needs to do is respond to Samsung's polling message. We could purpose build something cheaper with enough units. Here is an article from someone playing with CEC.

In case you were wondering, what the Samsung TV does is completely idiotic. If it is going to tell your receiver to switch its input to "TV", then the Samsung TV also needs to switch to "TV". Otherwise you get a black screen and no audio from a technology that is supposed to make everything easier. I have heard that LG TVs do this also. I'm thinking of going with a Japanese TV next time...

 

The problem is the ARC/CEC protocols. They are not standardized so you may encounter incompatibilities. This is not unique to Samsung. All devices may have this problem. There are no firmware updates that will correct this. Those of us who have experienced ARC/CEC problems have just disabled those HDMI functions and use an optical cable from the tv to the receiver for audio from the tv's smartapps or OTA tuner and use a programmable remote such as a Harmony for single remote control of the HTS. The only advantage of ARC is the elimination of an optical cable. ARC is still limited to 5.1 audio just like optical.

 

OK, I just posted the HDMI-CEC question to the Amazon sellers with the HDMI ARC extractors. Its cheaper than buying and trying.

I see more threads in this forum with Samsung TVs doing the same stupid thing when they don't get an HDMI-CEC response...

 

Whatever. If it is an ARC/CEC incompatibility there really isn't much you can to because it's part of the HDMI chipset protocol. Good luck.

 

Why the replies to a thread of an issue that was solved 8 mo ago??

Everything works perfectly. CEC works with the TV, AVR, BD player, Chromecast, and even the FireTV. The cable box does not support CEC but the Samsung TVs IR blaster and universal remote control it seemlessly. The cable box audio is set to pass through and I get DD 5.1 to my AVR. The whole setup works great. Very happy with it.

 

Hi, did You connected FiOS DVR which is not cec compatible device to Yours TV hdmi input directly or using LINDY HDMI CEC Less Adapter? Did You use only TV's remote to control all units?
Thanks

 

Different poster, same type of question.

 

Ok, I was concerned your audio stream was getting downconverted to stereo with your solution. And google didn't show the other active thread. I'm glad you got your setup working. There still is a need for an in-line CEC adder, as your title stated. I'll post back here if I ever find a solution.