Apple tvOS 12.1.2 HDMI CEC not working

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Apple tvOS 12.1.2 HDMI CEC not working

Over the last few days I have noticed that HDMI-CEC on my Apple TV 4th gen stopped working.

It has been working flawlessly for two years, turning on both my Panasonic plasma TV (with VIERA Link) and my Onkyo TX-20D receiver, which I use as an HDMI switch. Both devices support HDMI-CEC.

Since I have automatic software updates turned on on my Apple TV, I presume that the latest tvOS 12.1.2 (16K534) must have broken something.

I have also taken time to fully reset Apple TV and reconfigure it from scratch, but no luck.

Of course since there is no downgrade possible, now I am stuck with using 3 remotes control to turn on everything, while before I was simply using the Siri remote.

Am I the only one who is having this issue with the new software on Apple TV 4th gen?

Thanks, Luca

Apple TV (4th generation)

Posted on Jan 29, 2019 5:09 AM

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Answer 1

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lucaberta Author

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May 4, 2019 1:08 PM in response to lucaberta

I am the original poster, and today I have found that HDMI-CEC is working once again, like it did before the 12.1.2 (16K534) update.

Just a couple of hours ago I have noticed that everything is back to normal with HDMI-CEC working fine, and my Apple TV is now on 12.2.1 (16L250). I don't know when the automatic update happened, but one thing is for sure, I once again did nothing to my setup, and after the new update HDMI-CEC works once again.

So much for those who said "The Apple TV update itself wouldn’t have done anything"...

Happy that the Apple TV team found the issue and fixed it quickly in one of the updates.

Bye, Luca

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Answer 2

lucaberta Author

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Feb 26, 2019 3:45 PM in response to mranallo

Thanks @mranallo, this confirms my feelings on the matter.

Moreover, while no release notes nor bug IDs are shared by Apple on tvOS, I found a very interesting comment on this article related to tvOS 12.1.2:

This update fixed my CEC error. 12.1.1 would turn off my LG tv when I selected "sleep"
and then 1 minute later, the tv would turn back on and the **** OLED tv would be on
all night! I just updated to 12.1.2 and it seems to be working correctly again. TG!

Source is this MacRumors article:

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/01/22/apple-releases-tvos-12-1-2/

Could it be that some bug was found on other vendors implementation, and the workaround introduced on tvOS 12.1.2 while it seem to have fixed certain issues on some LG TVs, has broken the compatibility with our Panasonic?

Granted, HDMI-CEC is a mess of a protocol, but I rest my case on the fact that something has changed in HDMI-CEC on tvOS 12.1.2, and it broke the way our Panasonic TV used to work.

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Answer 3

vazandrew

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Feb 26, 2019 1:49 PM in response to mranallo

HDMI CEC is dependent on the TV and if there are issues then it is up to the TV manufacturer to issue a fix.

The Apple TV update itself wouldn’t have done anything, it continues to work just fine on my system and for the majority, and CEC isn’t something Apple has control over.

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Answer 4

mranallo

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Feb 26, 2019 3:32 PM in response to vazandrew

I do not believe your comment is accurate. If I replace the Apple TV with a blu-ray player that also supports HDMI-CEC it works fine. It is just the Apple TV that no longer can detect that it is connected to an HDMI-CEC enabled source. I am sure it works fine for the majority or the bug would have been caught. It is probably specific to Apple TV and Panasonic televisions but it does exist.

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Answer 5

vazandrew

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Feb 26, 2019 4:32 PM in response to mranallo

I am understanding the situation and have clarified things to great extent on my end, including those very points in my last post. This issue isn't isolated to Apple TV and there are other forums with similar reports for other devices. There have been manufacturers who have provided fixes and that has rectified the problem. In some cases users have had to change TV settings while they wait for a fix.

It is easy to make an assumption that the issue is with the update because it occurred after said update was released, but the facts clearly demonstrate that it cannot possibly be caused by that. Evidently you have made up your mind, and it is your right to have your belief and to file a report. However, unless the root cause is fixed, it will be a temporary solution at best.

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Answer 6

mranallo

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Feb 26, 2019 3:57 PM in response to vazandrew

While I appreciate your work on this forum in relation to Apple TV, i just don't think you are understanding the situation:

My TV is not connected to the internet and has not updated.
I have an Apple TV that has worked with my TV over HDMI-CEC since the day I bought it two years ago.
Immediately following installation of the latest Apple TV update 12.1.2 the Apple TV no longer detected my Panasonic television as HDMI-CEC controllable.
If I replace the Apple TV with another HDMI-CEC enabled device my television works with that device over CEC.

I don't think it can be laid out with any more clarity, this was something that worked and now no longer does and the ONLY change introduced was an update to the Apple TV software. I have filed a bug report, so hopefully it gets to the correct developer at Apple.

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Answer 7

lucaberta Author

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Feb 26, 2019 4:28 PM in response to mranallo

Thanks again @mranallo for your additional comments.

I too have filed a bug report with Apple at this time, let's see if any developer will pick it up.

Bye, Luca

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Answer 8

May 4, 2019 10:57 AM in response to lucaberta

A recent update has caused this same problem for me.

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Answer 9

May 4, 2019 4:25 PM in response to lucaberta

Unfortunately, I have that same version yet still experience the problem.

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Answer 10

vazandrew

Level 8

40,840 points

Feb 26, 2019 3:47 PM in response to mranallo

My comment is based on how CEC works as well as a through investigation on this matter. Your Blu-Ray player may be working, but the issue could just as easily occur on that device. As such, I have seen similar reports from users using other CEC compliant devices.

The TV is the one that takes care of the CEC function, the other devices are merely communicating with it, when there is an issue it will come back to the TV and that manufacturers implementation of CEC. Unfortunately, there isn't a standard protocol and that is one of the downsides that in turn causes a lot of frustration for users.

As far as LG, they have acknowledged an issue with their TVs but have yet to issue a fix. In the meantime for those experiencing the issue they have had to change settings on their TVs which rectifies that for the time being.

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Answer 11

Apr 6, 2019 1:55 AM in response to mranallo

exact same issue since i update a few days ago to the lastest TVOS 12 beta... suddenly my LG OLED V6 TV does not turn on when i power on apple TV... all other devices like ps4 pro , xbox one X, switch ect.. still works.. it's not an issue with the Tv or cable cos it works with another devices on the same HDMI out... it's a bug that some of us are experiencing....

hope apple will fix it soon.

thx

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Answer 12

mranallo

Level 1

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Feb 26, 2019 12:53 PM in response to lucaberta

Nope, I have had the exact same issue. Panasonic TV as well, HDMI-CEC is broken since the latest tvOS update 12.1.2 (16K534).

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Apple tvOS 12.1.2 HDMI CEC not working

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