Ok so HDCP might be an explanation although I wonder if it has any impact if it's not in use. Don't really know how it works tbh.
As for the rest: Resolution negotiation is optional and wouldn't matter if the device is already outputting at some resolution, also this happens on different pins, so even if the device would first query the EDID of the TV to figure out what mode it prefers, the TV could meanwhile already display whatever the device is outputting. Same with CEC, this is another protocol on different pins than where the picture data is sent. HDMI really is just DVI with some extras, at least for the older versions.
As for the rest: Resolution negotiation is optional and wouldn't matter if the device is already outputting at some resolution, also this happens on different pins, so even if the device would first query the EDID of the TV to figure out what mode it prefers, the TV could meanwhile already display whatever the device is outputting. Same with CEC, this is another protocol on different pins than where the picture data is sent. HDMI really is just DVI with some extras, at least for the older versions.