GreybeardYou already suggested that; I pointed out that I shouldn't need to buy something additional to turn off a feature that appears to be adding no value. Why are you saying the same thing again?
I guess I need to draw a picture: Use the CEC disabled HDMI cable INSTEAD OF the normal one. Next time you need a normal HDMI cable, you'll already have one.
Problem->solution->yeah, but..but...I don't like that solution. [As your initial post indicates, you'd rather disable the CEC in your other devices.] Do what you want. The fact that so many CEC disabling products exist makes me believe it's not just a problem with the 9865HDC.