ARC or CEC devices and set top boxes

[mbknubi]

Have two relatively new SMART TVs, Vizio and Samsung. Both have some version of CEC / ARC. My service provider is Verizon FIOS. In both cases the set top box (cable box) appears to be problematic in terms of maximizing the functionality of CEC devices.

The Vizio has no soundbar and no audio/video amp; I do have the ability to integrate a Yamaha HTR 6090 and a Sony SA-CT370 soundbar to integrate with the Samsung TV.

I am looking for advice on the setup in both instances. Thanks!

 

[razel]

ARC Helps remove one cable (TV to receiver) from the usual connection of source to receiver to TV setup. That cable is usually the optical cable containing over the antenna digital TV channels, which most people with cable boxes don't even switch to. Pic here

CEC is a way for devices to control one another over HDMI, usually to automate when turning on devices or even to pass remote control commands to devices. One good example is say you had a Chromecast connected to a receiver connected to a TV. From your phone you initiate a YouTube video to output to ChromeCAst and your receiver and TV turn on and correct inputs are set.

The bad news. If your receiver/TV isn't fairly modern, say it doesn't get firmware updates, then full CEC support is a MESS! Luckily even with my 2010 era TV, 2006 era receiver, it supports the basic on/off, correct input and even volume control (TV).

From your setup, I'm not sure how you'll integrate the receiver and soundbar unless the soundbar has direct inputs to it's speakers. Essentially, your soundbar gets reduced to a speaker.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Turn it all off, get a Logitech Harmony and program it properly instead.

CEC is perfect for grandma that has a TV and a DVD player and thats it.

 

[Aikouka]

CEC's biggest problem is that it's too darn wishy-washy in the implementation. To my knowledge, there are no rules on which features have to be implemented. For example, my LG TV upstairs will not turn on my receiver, but it will turn it off. My Vizio TV downstairs will turn on and turn off my receiver. Also, there are sometimes when CEC will end up doing more than you want. A friend of mine has to mess with his stuff whenever he turns his Fire TV on, but the benefit of switching inputs and turning stuff on outweighs the inconvenience.