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brew / rank 5043

Install libcec with Homebrew, apk, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, apt, zypper

Control devices with TV remote control and HDMI cabling. Version 8.1.3 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with debian: sudo apt install cec-utils.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install libcec

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install libcec

MacPorts ports tree · multimedia/libcec/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add libcec

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · libcec · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install libcec

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · libcec · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#libcec

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/li/libcec/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S libcec

Arch Linux sync databases · libcec · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install cec-utils

Debian stable package indexes · cec-utils · source: deb.debian.org

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install cec-client

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · cec-client · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Control devices with TV remote control and HDMI cabling

Commands and aliases

  • cec-client
  • cec-client-8.1.3
  • cecc-client
  • cecc-client-8.1.3

history

Project history and usage

libcec is Pulse-Eight's open source HDMI-CEC communication library. It lets computers and media-center applications send and receive Consumer Electronics Control messages over HDMI, usually through Pulse-Eight USB or NUC CEC adapters or through hardware such as the Raspberry Pi.

Project history

Pulse-Eight presents libCEC as an abstraction layer for the HDMI CEC bus: developers can interact with TVs, receivers, and other HDMI devices without implementing vendor-specific handshaking and message quirks themselves. The GitHub README says the library supports Pulse-Eight USB-CEC hardware and other CEC-capable hardware including Raspberry Pi, Exynos SoCs, NXP TDA995x, and Odroid C2.

The support documentation describes libcec as the open source library powering all Pulse-Eight CEC adapters, including cec-client, CEC-Tray, Standby Monitor, EventGhost integration, and third-party media-center applications.

Adoption history

libcec's most visible adoption is in media centers. Pulse-Eight says the library is used by popular media-center platforms, and the Kodi wiki documents Kodi's use of libCEC to receive TV-remote commands and send CEC messages over HDMI. That made libcec a common dependency on HTPC, Raspberry Pi, LibreELEC, OSMC, and Kodi-style systems.

Distributions package libcec because it is both a hardware enablement library and a useful command-line tool provider. The cec-client utility gives shell scripts and diagnostics direct access to HDMI-CEC traffic, while GUI media centers use the same library for remote-control integration.

How it is used

Users commonly run cec-client to scan the HDMI-CEC bus, send power/input commands, or debug remote-control traffic. Applications link libcec when they need CEC support without handling USB adapter protocols, Raspberry Pi CEC interfaces, or vendor differences directly.

Why package nerds care

libcec is a neat package because it turns a messy living-room hardware protocol into a Unix dependency and CLI. It is also one of the rare Homebrew/Linux packages whose value depends on a physical HDMI topology: the same binary can be boring on a laptop and essential on an HTPC behind a TV.

Timeline

  • 2010s: Pulse-Eight developed libCEC around USB and internal HDMI-CEC adapters for HTPC use.
  • 2018: Kodi wiki page for CEC was updated for Kodi v18 and documented libCEC as Kodi's CEC layer.
  • 2025-06: Pulse-Eight support documentation listed libcec 7.1.1 as released in June 2025.
  • 2025-06-23: GitHub release listing shows libcec-7.1.1.

Related projects

  • Related projects include Kodi, Plex-style media centers, LibreELEC/OSMC systems, Raspberry Pi firmware and CEC support, Pulse-Eight USB-CEC and NUC adapters, EventGhost, and HDMI-CEC vendor implementations such as Anynet+, Bravia Sync, SimpLink, and VIERA Link.

security posture

Risk level: blue

broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.

Risk classifier

blue risk · medium confidence · tool

Why

  • broad file, network, media, or database tool signal

Signals

  • text:client

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew bottle metadata was recorded.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
cec-clientexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
cec-client-8.1.3executableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
cecc-clientexecutableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.
cecc-client-8.1.3executableindexed executableDiscovered from the local executable index.

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-08-03
manager version8.1.3
manager updated
local dataunknown
upstreamnot available
latest detectednot detected
  • okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:libcec
Version8.1.3
Package managerHomebrew
Homepagehttps://libcec.pulse-eight.com/
Repositoryhttps://github.com/Pulse-Eight/libcec
Bottlenot recorded
Servicenone declared

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

cec-utils 7.0.0-1+b1

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (utility programs)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install cec-utils
  • Section: utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 7 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: cec-utils from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libcec-dev 7.0.0-1+b1

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (development files)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install libcec-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libcec-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libcec7 7.0.0-1+b1

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (shared library)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install libcec7
  • Section: libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 5 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libcec7 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

libcec

nix profile install nixpkgs#libcec
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/li/libcec/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt95%

cec-utils 6.0.2-1ubuntu6

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (utility programs)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install cec-utils
  • Section: universe/utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 7 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: cec-utils from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libcec-dev 6.0.2-1ubuntu6

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (development files)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install libcec-dev
  • Section: universe/libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libcec-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libcec6 6.0.2-1ubuntu6

USB CEC Adaptor communication Library (shared library)

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install libcec6
  • Section: universe/libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 7 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libcec6 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

python3-cec 6.0.2-1ubuntu6

Python 3 bindings for USB CEC Adaptor

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo apt install python3-cec
  • Section: universe/python
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 7 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python3-cec from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

libcec 7.1.1-r1

libcec for the Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter

https://github.com/Pulse-Eight/libcec

sudo apk add libcec
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: libcec from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

libcec-dev 7.1.1-r1

libcec for the Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter (development files)

https://github.com/Pulse-Eight/libcec

sudo apk add libcec-dev
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: libcec-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

libcec-tools 7.1.1-r1

libcec for the Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter (tools)

https://github.com/Pulse-Eight/libcec

sudo apk add libcec-tools
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: libcec-tools from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

py3-libcec 7.1.1-r1

libcec for the Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter

https://github.com/Pulse-Eight/libcec

sudo apk add py3-libcec
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: py3-libcec from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
dnf95%

libcec 8.1.3-1.fc45

Library and utilities for HDMI-CEC device control

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo dnf install libcec
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 10 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: libcec from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/07190dc5ae9f35ae73866675fed6d95fe6e8d9fe22c9d7cdf85862cb2ed24a4c-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

libcec-devel 8.1.3-1.fc45

Development files for libcec

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo dnf install libcec-devel
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 5 dependencies
  • 3 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: libcec-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/07190dc5ae9f35ae73866675fed6d95fe6e8d9fe22c9d7cdf85862cb2ed24a4c-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-libcec 8.1.3-1.fc45

Python3 bindings for libcec

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo dnf install python3-libcec
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: libcec
  • 9 dependencies
  • 6 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-libcec from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/07190dc5ae9f35ae73866675fed6d95fe6e8d9fe22c9d7cdf85862cb2ed24a4c-primary.xml.zst
pacman95%

libcec 7.1.1-2

Pulse-Eight's libcec for the Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter

http://libcec.pulse-eight.com/

sudo pacman -S libcec
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • 3 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Libcec
Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: libcec from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz

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Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

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Generated from repository data

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Used sources

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