Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 197: "Stop Your TV from Turning On by Itself"

Released on January 5, 2025 by TWiT

Introduction

In Episode 197 of Hands-On Tech, hosted by Leo Laporte from TWiT, the discussion centers around the pervasive issue of technology devices unexpectedly powering on. This episode delves into the reasons behind such behaviors, particularly focusing on smart TVs and interconnected devices, providing listeners with practical solutions to manage and prevent these occurrences.

Richard’s Query: TCL TV Turning On After Power Outages

The episode begins with a listener question from Richard:

Richard: "I have a 65-inch TCL TV that I bought a couple of years ago. I noticed that most of the time if the power goes out, even for a few seconds, when it comes back on, usually the TV will turn itself on. Sometimes the cable box will do this as well. Why?" (00:26)

Understanding Fast TV Start

Leo explains that TCL TVs, like many smart TVs, feature a functionality known as Fast TV Start or similar terms, which keeps the device partially powered. This allows the TV to maintain network connections and stay ready for quick activation. When power is restored after an outage, the TV resumes its operational state rather than remaining off.

Leo: "The TCL TVs actually have a feature [...] keeps the device powered on but has the display turned off." (02:15)

Role of HDMI CEC in Auto Power-On Behavior

A crucial factor contributing to the TV and cable box powering on automatically is HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC). HDMI CEC enables interconnected devices to communicate and control each other over the HDMI connection.

Leo: "HDMI CEC is a tool that lets you do more with your HDMI than just simply provide that signal from one device to the other." (05:00)

For instance, turning on an Apple TV can prompt the TV to power on automatically, and vice versa. This seamless interaction, while convenient, can inadvertently cause devices to turn on after power fluctuations.

Leo: "When I hit the power button on my Apple TV Siri remote, the Apple TV turns on and then over HDMI CEC it tells the television to turn on as well." (06:30)

Scooter X’s Insights and Community Feedback

Listener Scooter X contributes additional perspective, highlighting that HDMI CEC can sometimes behave unpredictably:

Scooter X: "If I wake my Apple TV, the TV will sense it power on and switch to the Apple TV's input. [...] HDMI CEC can be the culprit here where you don't even realize that it's happening." (07:45)

Managing Auto Power-On Features

Leo offers a step-by-step guide to address and potentially disable these auto power-on features:

1. Accessing TV Settings:

   • Press the Home button on the TCL Roku TV remote.
   • Navigate to Settings > System > Power.

2. Disabling Fast TV Start:

   • Locate Fast TV Start or Quick TV Start within the Power settings.
   • Choose to disable this feature to prevent the TV from powering on automatically after outages.

3. Adjusting HDMI CEC Settings:

   • Within Settings, find and adjust HDMI CEC options to limit device interactions that trigger auto power-on behaviors.

4. Checking Cable Box Settings:

   • Inspect the cable box for similar settings such as hibernation mode, sleep mode, or fast start.
   • Disable or adjust these settings to ensure the cable box does not independently power on.

Leo: "Check both of those places for your specific cable box and your specific TV to look into the settings for a hibernation mode, a sleep mode, a fast start mode, a fast restart mode." (08:50)

Broader Implications: Smart Home Devices

The conversation extends beyond TVs to encompass other smart home devices that exhibit auto power-on behaviors, such as smart lighting and robot vacuums. These devices often revert to default settings upon power restoration, leading to unexpected activations.

Leo: "A lot of smart home products, particularly smart lighting, has an auto on feature where they revert to a default state [...] so check always, always, always check your settings." (09:50)

Encouraging Detailed Listener Questions

Leo emphasizes the importance of providing detailed information when posing questions to the show. Including model numbers and specific device information allows for more accurate and helpful responses.

Leo: "Something that's very helpful if you are able to when you send in your questions is give me model numbers, model names, that kind of thing." (10:25)

Follow-Up Segment: Internet Speed Limitations with Apple TV 4K

In a brief follow-up, Leo addresses a previous listener query from Thomas regarding internet speeds on an Apple TV 4K.

Thomas: "The Apple TV 4K I’m using to check the speed will always show about 990Mbps since it supports gigabit Ethernet and that is the max it supports." (15:00)

Leo clarifies that the Ethernet port on the Apple TV 4K is limited to gigabit speeds, which caps the maximum observable speed to approximately 1 Gbps. For users with higher internet packages, utilizing Wi-Fi 6 can yield faster speeds if supported by both the router and the device.

Leo: "If you have a gigabit port on your Apple TV because you've got the Apple TV 4K, you're not going to get speeds that are faster than gigabit Ethernet." (16:30)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, Leo reiterates the significance of understanding device settings to prevent unwanted behaviors, especially in homes laden with interconnected smart devices. He also encourages listeners to participate in the TWIT Audience Survey to provide feedback and improve the listening experience.

Leo: "Always check your settings for these kinds of features to tell these devices what to do whenever they lose power and come back on." (19:00)

Key Takeaways

• Fast TV Start and similar features keep smart TVs partially powered to maintain network connections, leading to auto power-on after outages.

• HDMI CEC facilitates device communication, which can trigger unintended device activations.

• Disabling Fast TV Start and adjusting HDMI CEC settings can mitigate unwanted power-on behaviors.

• Smart home devices often have auto power-on features that require user configuration to prevent unexpected activations.

• Providing detailed device information when seeking technical assistance enhances the quality and accuracy of support.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Leo Laporte (02:15): "The TCL TVs actually have a feature [...] keeps the device powered on but has the display turned off."

• Leo Laporte (05:00): "HDMI CEC is a tool that lets you do more with your HDMI than just simply provide that signal from one device to the other."

• Leo Laporte (06:30): "When I hit the power button on my Apple TV Siri remote, the Apple TV turns on and then over HDMI CEC it tells the television to turn on as well."

• Scooter X (07:45): "If I wake my Apple TV, the TV will sense it power on and switch to the Apple TV's input. [...] HDMI CEC can be the culprit here where you don't even realize that it's happening."

• Leo Laporte (10:25): "Something that's very helpful if you are able to when you send in your questions is give me model numbers, model names, that kind of thing."

• Thomas (15:00): "The Apple TV 4K I’m using to check the speed will always show about 990Mbps since it supports gigabit Ethernet and that is the max it supports."

• Leo Laporte (19:00): "Always check your settings for these kinds of features to tell these devices what to do whenever they lose power and come back on."

This episode of Hands-On Tech provides valuable insights into managing and understanding the auto power-on behaviors of modern smart devices. By tweaking settings like Fast TV Start and HDMI CEC, users can regain control over their devices' power states, ensuring a more predictable and comfortable tech environment.