HDMI is an audio/video interface used to transfer data from a source device to a display. HDMI-CEC is an optional feature found on many HDMI-compatible devices that allows you to control multiple HDMI devices from a single remote control, such as a TV remote. The "CEC" in HDMI-CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control.

HDMI is the primary connectivity standard used in the AV environment. Along with HDMI-ARC, HDMI-CEC is an optional feature of HDMI. HDMI-CEC may already be enabled on a device you already own. (Although you may need to manually enable it through the settings menu.)

HDMI-CEC offers several capabilities, which are listed below. However, not all features listed here are accessible on all HDMI-CEC products. Feature compatibility often varies between brands.

One confusing thing about HDMI-CEC is that it’s not always obvious whether a device has it. The feature is often referred to by a brand-specific name. To clear up the confusion, here’s a list of what various TV and home theater manufacturers call HDMI-CEC: