Features & Configuration: CEC Display Management

Features & Configuration: CEC Display Management

Overview

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) allows the FLEX Matrix to send power and input commands to connected HDMI displays without requiring a separate control system or RS-232 connection to each display. CEC commands travel over the HDMI cable itself — the same connection used for video.

What CEC Enables on the FLEX Matrix

  • Auto power-on: When a source is routed to an output, the FLEX chassis sends a CEC power-on command to the connected display.
  • Auto power-off: When no source is routed to an output (or on scheduled event), the FLEX sends a CEC standby command to the display.
  • Input switching: The FLEX sends a CEC active source command, switching the display to the correct HDMI input automatically.
  • System-wide power control: Power on or off all displays simultaneously via a single command — ideal for morning startup and end-of-day shutdown sequences.

CEC Requirements

  • Display must support HDMI CEC (often marketed under brand names: Samsung Anynet+, LG SimpLink, Sony Bravia Sync, Vizio SmartCast, etc.)
  • CEC must be enabled in the display’s settings menu — it is sometimes disabled by default
  • HDMI cable must support CEC pin 13 — standard HDMI cables are compliant; some low-cost cables omit this pin
  • CEC applies to HDMI outputs (FLEX-HDMI12OUT) only — not CATx outputs (FLEX-CAT12OUT)

Configuration

  1. In the FLEX web GUI, navigate to Output Settings.
  2. Select the HDMI output port.
  3. Enable CEC Control for that port.
  4. Configure the CEC behavior:
    • Power On with Signal: Display powers on when video is routed to this output.
    • Power Off with No Signal: Display enters standby when the output is unrouted.
    • Input Select: Display automatically switches to the HDMI input connected to this output port.
  5. Test by routing and unrouting a source to the output and verifying display response.

CEC Limitations

  • CEC behavior varies by display manufacturer — some displays implement CEC incompletely or non-standardly
  • CEC power-on latency varies (typically 2–10 seconds depending on display)
  • Not all CEC commands are supported by all displays — test with your specific display model before deployment
  • For guaranteed display control, use RS-232 or IP control via a KanexPro control processor alongside CEC

CEC vs. RS-232 Display Control

CECRS-232
CablingUses existing HDMI cableRequires separate RS-232 cable
ReliabilityVaries by display brandConsistent, bidirectional
Command rangePower, input select, volumeFull display command set
FeedbackLimitedFull status feedback
Best forSimple deployments, consumer displaysProfessional installs, control systems

Related Articles

    • Related Articles

    • Network Setup: IP Control & Management

      Overview The FLEX Matrix is managed via a built-in web GUI and supports RS-232, TCP/IP, and UDP control for third-party integration with Crestron, AMX, Savant, Control4, and scheduling systems. This article covers network configuration, the web GUI, ...

    • Features & Configuration: Independent Per-Output Scaling & EDID Management

      Overview Every output port on the FLEX chassis includes an independent scalar — each output can be set to a different resolution, regardless of the source’s native resolution or what other outputs are doing. This allows a single system to drive mixed ...

    • Features & Configuration: Quad View & Multiview

      Overview The FLEX Matrix built-in multiview engine allows multiple sources to be displayed simultaneously on a single screen — without an external multiviewer. Quad View and Multiview modes are available on all FLEX chassis SKUs. Supported Multiview ...

    • Features & Configuration: Built-In Video Wall

      Overview All FLEX Matrix chassis include a built-in video wall processor — no external controller required. A single source can be tiled across multiple displays in configurable grid layouts with bezel correction. Video wall zones can run ...

    • Features & Configuration: HDBaseT & CATx Extension

      Overview The FLEX-CAT12OUT output card and FLEX-CATRX receiver extend 4K60 HDMI signals up to 100m over a single CAT6a cable, with Power over CATx (PoC) eliminating the need for local power at the receiver. This enables centralized matrix switching ...