Connecting Devices
HDMI-CEC
HDMI-CEC lets devices talk to each other over the HDMI cable. The Aero supports HDMI-CEC two ways, so:
- Power: the Aero can turn your TV on and off
- Input switching: when the Aero wakes up, your TV switches to the right HDMI input automatically
- Quick sleep and wake: if you change your TV to a different HDMI input, the Aero goes to sleep. Switch back and it wakes up instantly
- Two-way control: your TV remote can also navigate the Aero through the directional pad and OK button
You can turn HDMI-CEC on or off here: Settings → Inputs → HDMI-CEC
You can also have the Aero remote control the volume on your TV, soundbar or AV receiver with the optional CEC Volume Control setting, added in software update 19.1021.153 – see HDMI-CEC Volume Control on Aero.
HDMI-CEC is a standard, but each manufacturer implements it slightly differently. We test thoroughly with mainstream TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers before launch, though we can’t test every combination, especially with less common brands. If something isn’t working as expected, see HDMI-CEC isn’t working for the most common fixes.
HDMI-CEC Volume Control on Aero
CEC Volume Control is a new setting introduced in software update 19.1021.153. When enabled, your Aero’s remote controls the volume on your TV, soundbar, or AV receiver over HDMI-CEC, instead of adjusting the Aero’s own internal volume.
It is switched off by default because compatibility varies. Some TVs and audio devices support CEC volume commands well, while others do not support them at all.
You can find the setting here: Settings → Inputs → CEC Volume Control
Before You Turn It On
Set Aero’s own volume to maximum before enabling CEC Volume Control.
This gives your TV, soundbar or AV receiver the strongest audio signal to work with. Once CEC Volume Control is enabled, the Aero remote will try to control the connected device’s volume instead of Aero’s own internal volume.
If Aero’s volume is set low before enabling CEC Volume Control, the sound may stay quieter than expected.
Compatibility
CEC Volume Control depends on the device connected to Aero and how that device supports HDMI-CEC.
Many TVs, soundbars and AV receivers do work. In testing, CEC Volume Control has worked with many Sony, Philips, Hisense, Fire TV and Android TV models, as well as several soundbars and AV receivers.
That said, we cannot guarantee compatibility from the brand name alone – it can vary within the same brand and between model years. With Samsung, for example, models we’ve tested from 2024 onwards work, but earlier ones didn’t.
HDMI-CEC normally treats the TV as the hub for connected devices. This means that if your TV does not support this volume control mode, a soundbar or AV receiver connected through that TV may not work with Aero’s CEC Volume Control either.
LG TVs do not support this CEC volume mode. If your soundbar or AV receiver is connected to an LG TV, CEC Volume Control is unlikely to work, even if the soundbar or receiver supports HDMI-CEC.
The best way to check is to make sure HDMI-CEC is enabled on your TV, soundbar or AV receiver, then turn on CEC Volume Control on Aero and try the volume buttons. If it does not work with HDMI-CEC enabled on your other device(s), it is unlikely to work with that setup.
Future Possibilities
We’re looking into an alternative infrared (IR) volume control mode for a future Aero software update. This would let the Aero’s remote control your TV or AVR using infrared signals (the same way most universal remotes do), rather than HDMI-CEC. That would mean your Aero could control volume on devices that don’t support CEC, including LG TVs.
There’s no firm date for this. We’ll share more as it gets closer.
HDMI Adapters
The Aero works with standard HDMI adapters, including HDMI to DisplayPort and HDMI to DVI, so you can connect it to monitors and other displays without an HDMI socket. HDCP isn’t an issue with these adapters.
Most modern monitors already have an HDMI input, so an adapter usually isn’t necessary.
Using Your TV Remote with the Aero
With HDMI-CEC, you can use your TV remote’s directional pad and OK button to navigate the Aero – useful if the Aero remote isn’t to hand.
A few buttons on TV remotes aren’t yet passed through to the Aero over HDMI-CEC – including channel up/down, the TV Guide button, number keys, colour buttons, and playback controls. When you press these on your TV remote, the TV usually acts on them itself (for example, switching back to its own tuner for channel up/down). This is a TiVo-side limitation that’s been raised with TiVo. In the meantime, use the directional pad to navigate the Aero’s TV Guide, scroll to the channel you want, and press OK – or use the Aero remote for full control.
The Home Button
On most smart TVs, pressing the Home button on the TV remote opens the TV’s own home menu rather than the Aero’s Home screen – the TV handles that button itself. If this happens, select the Aero’s HDMI input again to return. The Home button on the Aero remote always takes you to the Aero’s Home screen.
Volume Control via CEC
The Aero remote can control the volume on your TV, soundbar or AV receiver with the optional CEC Volume Control setting – see HDMI-CEC Volume Control on Aero.
Google Cast
The Aero supports Google Cast, so you can cast content from your phone directly to the Aero. This is especially useful for apps that don’t have a dedicated TiVo OS app – for example, you can play Spotify on your phone and cast the audio to your TV or soundbar through the Aero.
Wi-Fi and Ethernet
The Aero supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
The Ethernet port runs at 100Mbps, which is more than sufficient for 4K streaming (which typically uses around 25Mbps at most). Any standard Ethernet cable (Cat5e, Cat6, or similar) will work. An Ethernet cable is not included in the box.
If you’re using Ethernet and want to disable Wi-Fi, go to Settings → Network → Wireless Network → Turn Off.
The benefit of Ethernet isn’t just raw speed – it eliminates concerns about Wi-Fi signal strength and avoids competition for wireless bandwidth from other devices on your network.
Public Wi-Fi with a login page (captive portals)
The Aero can’t connect to public Wi-Fi networks that need a browser-based login, which is common in hotels, campsites, and other public venues. The Aero doesn’t have a built-in browser to fill in the login page.
If you need internet access on the Aero somewhere like this, the easiest workaround is a mobile broadband router (one that takes a SIM card). It creates its own Wi-Fi network that the Aero can connect to directly. For more on this, see Why won’t the Aero connect to hotel or public Wi-Fi?.
Bluetooth Accessories
The Aero supports Bluetooth headphones, speakers, gamepads, and keyboards through Devices → Bluetooth Accessories. For full details on what works and how to pair each kind of accessory, see Bluetooth Accessories.