If you’re new to the world of compact media centres such as the Raspberry Pi, it’s easy to get caught up in all the bits and bobs you need to get it set up. Of course, having the required cables — power, HDMI, USB, etc — is mandatory, but before you splurge on a custom remote and infrared receiver, make sure your TV doesn’t provide this functionality already.
Earlier this year I picked up a Raspberry Pi 2 and have it currently configured to run Raspbian and OpenELEC. Until a few days ago, I was using a mouse and keyboard to control the latter, but selecting movies and TV shows this way isn’t as convenient as just picking up the remote.
More control, sure, but sometimes simpler is better… especially when it comes to relaxing in front of the box. To this end, I download a remote control app — Sybu for iOS. It’s perfectly serviceable, but again, I have a TV remote that could be doing so much more.
It’s then I discovered CEC. Essentially, it’s a protocol that runs over HDMI that allows enabled devices to communicate with one another. Any recent TV set should support it, and it’s built into the Raspberry Pi. This mean you can send commands from your basic TV remote to the Pi and support is already there if you’re running OpenELEC (or any media centre distro worth its salt).
The only problem is configuring more keys. At the moment, I can only navigate menus and select items — there’s no back or home button. I haven’t had much success with the Kodi Keymap Editor, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I figure it out.
So, if you just need basic control over your Raspberry Pi media centre, you don’t have to buy a new remote and IR module — you probably have everything you need right now!
Comments
6 responses to “Raspberry Pi Owners, Check Your TV Supports CEC Before You Spend”
and it would have been helpful if you included HOW to check is the TV supports CEC. Look at the Labels on the back, open it up, read the manual, what??
If you TV has got any of these features then u got cec on your TV.
AOC: E-link
Hitachi: HDMI-CEC (Thank you, Hitachi!)
LG: SimpLink
Mitsubishi: NetCommand for HDMI
Onkyo: RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI)
Panasonic: HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync, or VIERA Link
Philips: EasyLink
Pioneer: Kuro Link
Runco International: RuncoLink
Samsung: Anynet+
Sharp: Aquos Link
Sony: BRAVIA Sync
Toshiba: CE-Link or Regza Link
Vizio: CEC
For anyone using plex in their network setup. buy a pi and put RasPlex (http://www.rasplex.com/) on an microSD card. using Win32 disk imager (http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/) connect it to your network either via onboard ethernet or buy a cheap $6 nano Wireless N dongle. i use this one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-150Mbps-USB-Wireless-N-WiFi-Lan-Adapter-Dongle-High-Signal-Gain-802-11n-g-b-/261495370521?hash=item3ce256b319&_uhb=1) You control everything with your TV’s remote (CEC compatible of course). So you essentially have a streamer for
pi – $40 (from element14)
8gb micro SD $8 (from ebay)
150m wireless N nano dongle $6 (from ebay, you can get the 300m for about $10)
So for $54 it’s a great little streamer! better than a chromecast IMO and without the hassles of jailbraking your ATV2 (what i used to use) plays anything even 1080p older models used to chug a bit but the B+’s and 2’s work great! hope other people find this useful.
Thanks Ompster, I’ve been running Plex on an old Mac Mini but looking to retire it.
You forgot to quote the price of a CEC compatible TV.
Doesn’t have to be CEC compatible, you can use just about any mobile device iOS or Android to control it 🙂 that said my 50inch plasma with CEC cost me 600 a few years ago
i just use my PC and PS4 since Plex and CEC support on PS4
try “Green Button” and fast after it ok/select. Works as Back here on LG TV
If your TV is a Panasonic VIERA, you will notice you can’t use play, pause,rewind forward and stop button etc
from the group 27 buttons hold down the power button and while you are holding that down , press 7, 3, Stop. after letting go of the power button and the other buttons then all the button in group 27 will work
https://coderz-home.de/index.php?page=Attachment&attachmentID=279