Being able to control your TV’s settings through your connected devices can make experiencing entertainment on your set-up vastly more convenient and this is especially true of gaming consoles.
Instead of switching from your controller to your remote to change your TV’s volume, if your console could control your TV, you could adjust the volume straight from your controller.
Luckily, with Xbox Series X|S HDMI-CEC support, you can do just that as well as other convenient TV controls. But what is Xbox’s HDMI-CEC support, and how do you use it to change your TV’s volume? Let’s find out.
The Features Available Through Xbox’s HDMI-CEC Support
Xbox’s HDMI-CEC support allows your Xbox to take direct control of your TV for a few common but specific TV controls. These features are available through any Xbox Series X|S console in an October 2022 update as described via Xbox Wire, and can be utilized to manipulate both your TV set-up and your console itself in numerous ways.
So, if you’re wondering what TV controls you can adjust through your Xbox Series X|S as well as volume, the Xbox HDMI-CEC featured controls are as follows:
- Allowing your Xbox to turn other devices and your TV on or off.
- Allowing other devices and your TV to turn your Xbox on or off.
- Allowing your Xbox to send volume commands.
- Being able to switch TV input using your Xbox controller.
By utilizing all or some of these Xbox TV control features, you can cater your Xbox to your own preferences for TV support and controls similarly to how you can customize your Xbox Series X|S power options to ensure your console functions exactly how you want it to.
What You Need to Know Before Setting Up Xbox’s HDMI-CEC Features
While Xbox’s HDMI-CEC features are useful and can allow you to manipulate key features of your TV, there are some things you may need to know before attempting to enable Xbox’s HDMI-CEC controls.
The most important thing about HDMI-CEC is that each device that supports the feature usually has HDMI-CEC disabled by default. That means that if you attempt to turn on Xbox’s TV controls, but your TV actually has CEC features disabled, you still won’t be able to adjust your TV controls through your Xbox.
For this reason, you should always double-check your TV settings to ensure that HDMI-CEC is enabled before looking to adjust your Xbox settings. Unfortunately, because of how vastly different each TV’s settings are, based on the manufacturer, it’s hard to provide a clear guide for how to check your TV’s HDMI-CEC settings.
But by familiarizing yourself with what HDMI-CEC is and what it can do, you may be able to find your TV’s HDMI-CEC settings more intuitively.
How to Turn Your TV Volume Up or Down Using Your Xbox
Now you know what Xbox’s HDMI-CEC features are and what you may need to do before adjusting your Xbox’s TV controls, you’re ready to set up your Xbox to adjust your TV’s volume from the convenience of your controller.
To adjust your TV controls directly from your Xbox Series X|S controller you need to enable the specific HDMI-CEC control. To do so, follow these steps:
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide menu.
- Navigate to the tab for Profile & system and select Settings.
- Highlight General and select TV & display options.
- From here, select Device control.
- Ensure HDMI-CEC is enabled.
- Select Console sends volume commands.
With the option for Console sends volume commands ticked, once you back out of the settings menu, your Xbox will need to restart.
As soon as your Xbox loads back up, you’re ready to start adjusting your TV’s volume straight from your controller and at any time by simply:
- Pressing the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Selecting the bottom right tab for Audio & music.
- Choosing any of the TV volume options as displayed.
By selecting any of the tabs for TV volume you’re able to decrease, increase or mute your TV’s volume at any time from the convenience of your Xbox controller.
Get the Most Out of Your Console and TV With Xbox
By utilizing Xbox’s HDMI-CEC controls you can ensure that your Xbox and TV set-up are as convenient and adjusted to your preferences for entertainment as possible, removing the need to switch between your remote or controller to enjoy your console and TV.
With Xbox, you can also improve your TV set-up further by making the most of your console’s settings and your TV’s functionality by enabling specific display settings that ensure all of your games and entertainment look as good as possible.
