The $30 million question: why HDMI Device Link matters

PlayStation 5 owners are discovering the HDMI Device Link feature, which synchronizes console power states with the connected TV. But many are unaware of how to disable it, leading to issues such as the TV unexpectedly turning on or off with console actions.

According to the PlayStation 5's settings menu, users can disable Power Off Link and One-Touch Play sepraately. However, some owners are finding that disabling it on the TV will affect all connected HDMI-CEC devices,not just the PS5.

The issue is not unique to the PlayStation 5, as other manufacturers such as Sony and Samsung also use HDMI-CEC. The feature goes by different names on various television brands, including Bravia Sync or Bravia Link, and Anynet+.

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The PlayStation 5's HDMI Device Link feature is based on the HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC) standard, which enables two primary behaviors: Power Off Link and One-Touch Play.. Power Off Link automatically places the PS5 into Rest Mode when the connected TV is turned off, while One-Touch Play powerrs on the TV and switches it to the PS5's input as soon as the console is turned on.

However, some users are finding that these features are causing issues, such as the TV unexpectedly turning on or off with console actions. To disable these features, users can navigate to Settings > System > HDMI and toggle off Power Off Link and One-Touch Play separately.

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The PlayStation 5's settings menu also notes that disabling HDMI Device Link might be necessary if users encounter issues such as interference with multiple HDMI-CEC devices. It's also worth noting that disabling it on the TV will affect all connected HDMI-CEC devices, not just the PS5.

For example, Sony Bravia TVs refer to it as Bravia Sync or Bravia Link, while Samsung calls it Anynet+. Other manufacturers may use terms like EasyLink or VIERA Link. The setting can typically be found under the TV's HDMI or system control options in the settings menu.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

The issue with HDMI Device Link is not unique to the PlayStation 5, as other manufacturers have also faced similar issues in the past. In 2019, some users reported issues with the Xbox One's HDMI-CEC feature, which caused the TV to turn on or off unexpectedly.

However, the PlayStation 5's HDMI Device Link feature is still a relatively new issue, and many users are unaware of how to disable it. To turn off HDMI Device Link on the PS5, navigate to Settings > System > HDMI and toggle off Power Off Link and One-Touch Play separately.