Apple TV CEC Switches to wrong input

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Apple TV CEC Switches to wrong input

Hi, I am a user of an Apple TV 4K.

I have it connected to an LG OLED TV 2017 lineup.

To that TV I have also connected a soundbar using HDMI-ARC.

I wanted to use Apple TV´s CEC functionality, so that I could use just one Apple TV remote for turning on and off TV, Apple TV at the same time.

So I´ve turned on the Control HDMI-CEC in Remotes and Devices settings page. Turning off and on all the CEC devices works fine. If I put Apple TV to sleep, everythings turns off and the same with powering on.

BUT everytime I press MENU button on an Apple TV remote, the Apple TV sends CEC signal that switches the TV to different HDMI input than where the Apple TV is actually connected.

It always switches to the soundbar that is connected through HDMI-ARC in HDMI 2 port. But the Apple TV is in different HDMI input.

I do mention, I am using the HDMI Premium Certified cables, to minimize all the problems of extra HDMI functionality like HDMI-CEC, 4K HDR, YCbr 4:2:2...

Right now I needed to turn off the CEC function on Apple TV, because with every press it changed TV´s input to something else than the Apple TV.

Is there a fix coming for this?
I stumbled upon this discussion thread on Apple forums from 2016 and the problems still persist so I think no one actually noticed this.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7402665

We probably need to be much more vocal about this, so that they can fix this. The same as when they added the Match Frame Rate and Dynamic Range options in tvOS 11.2

Apple TV 4K, tvOS 11.2.1

Posted on Jan 21, 2018 4:56 AM

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Answer 1

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marhycz Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 21, 2018 8:57 AM in response to Gino_Cerullo

I don´t think the solution is to just turn it off and called it a finished thing. I think the saying, that its poorly implemented is for older TV sets, but with new TVs its extremely useful and functional.

I have also a Kodi HTPC and its so convenient to select movie from my local library, or youtube, twitch, or any internet stream I want to watch, and it just turns on TV, soundbar, starts playing, controls volume of the soundbar (ok ATV does the cec volume control fine) from my phone. Or to control the Kodi interface using keys on the TV remote. Its extremely useful to use just one remote for everything. That is 2018.

That is what Apple is about, the convenience. And not just "turn it off and deal with it". And the fact, that my HTPC just sends active switch cec command and it actually works mean, that its bug in an Apple TV itself. Not in the TV.

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Answer 2

Jan 21, 2018 8:48 AM in response to marhycz

The problem is not with the Apple TV it is with the HDMI-CEC protocol. HDMI-CEC is such a poorly thought out and implemented protocol I don't know why anybody bothers with it. Do yourself a favour and turn it off.

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Answer 3

Jan 22, 2018 10:16 PM in response to marhycz

I have the exact same set up and the exact same issue. I spent hours with both LG and Apple and of course both blame each other.

It was quite interesting that the Apple TV worked very well for the first two weeks I had it. Then I decided to replace the sound bar with a newer version (the SH7B). Once I did that is when the problem started. I tried removing the sound bar from the HDMI ARC input so nothing is associated with that input but it still switches there.

It seems like the only compromise I have found at this time is to use the optical cable for the sound bar and connect the Apple TV to the HDMI ARC input. Doing this the cec function works well except the sound bar will always be on (unless you turn it off with the other remote). That’s not such a big deal but I don’t like the fact that I’ve spent all this money and the functions and sound quality are limited.

I spent the last week and a half working with Apple and the guy told me I was the ONLY one to have this problem (although last week he said they had about 50 reports). From my research it seems the common denominator is the LG webOS system. I am contemplating replacing it with a Sony tv but I would hate to go through all that effort just to discover the problem is not fixed. I wish Apple would look into this more instead of passing it on because I truly believe it is a communication error with the Apple TV to the webOS system.

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Answer 4

marhycz Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 23, 2018 1:42 AM in response to thinkpstv

I have very similar soundbar - LG SH5. And just few hours ago I did the same solution as you. Connect it with optical cable. I also don’t mind, that the soundbar will be always on, and it’s only dts capable, so optical is actually enough, but it’s really workaround solution as you say.

It’s really question what is the root of the problem. As I said - my htpc with Kodi and CEC adapter that I’ve used as a player from my NAS works great with CEC. When I use remote app for it and play a movie, it will turn on tv, switch input to itself with no problem.

I will try connect Apple TV to the ARC port if it changes anything, because when I connected soundbar using optical, the Apple TV switched the volume control and devices control from CEC to IR. (The Auto option). Of course I tried to unplug everything from the outlet and tried to handshake it all again. It’s no big bummer, but I’ve kinda liked controlling everything without needing to point to the IR of TV.

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Answer 5

Rudegar

Level 10

173,886 points

Jan 21, 2018 7:54 AM in response to marhycz

I don't experience any such issues

but to let apple know about their existence you should probably use their feedback channel Feedback - Apple TV - Apple

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