I can strongly confirm this is the case. I just spent two days wondering why I could control these TV's in my shop with a test cable (TRS with T and S connected only) and then I couldn't in the field with TS mono connectors. What a fn stupid thing Sony has done here. BTW ring and sleeve also work so the tip and the ring are both + and the sleeve -. This is why half in with a mono cable also will work. Thanks Sony!