Amazon Echo

[B17NNS]

Cotty said:

Is that so you can change your automatic garage opener to Pod Bay Doors.

you're right, probably better to call her Hal.

"Hal, launch Youtube on my FireTV..."

[Nigel_O]

Lightwaverf skill now added to the Echo - highly amusing to say “Alexa - Christmas tree on” and have the tree light up a moment later. Three other table lamps in the lounge also set up and working.

I’ll fit the dimmer switches tomorrow and see how they work, then I’ll set up “scenes” (such as “tv-mode” or “reading”)

All looking promising so far....

[RammyMP]

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

[kingston12]

RammyMP said:

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

Belkin Wemo are 2.4-only as well.

I use the TP Link ones and actually find them very reliable even though I have moved everything else off of 2.4 because of interference issues.

[tenohfive]

kingston12 said:

RammyMP said:

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

Belkin Wemo are 2.4-only as well.

I use the TP Link ones and actually find them very reliable even though I have moved everything else off of 2.4 because of interference issues.

I've added another 3 today, so far no issues.

[Zoon]

B17NNS said:

you're right, probably better to call her Hal.

"Hal, launch Youtube on my FireTV..."

Does Youtube still work on Fire TV?

[PeetBee]

Anyone else got the EnerGenie smart plugs (with bridge)?

I've got some and Alexa seems to have regular issues finding them. I either get "X is not responding" or I'm told 'OK', but nothing happens. If I switch them manually it'll then start working via Alexa, but that does make them a bit pointless.

I was enjoying turning the Christmas tree and other lights off by saying "Cancel Christmas", even if the rest of the family didn't appreciate it!

[RammyMP]

tenohfive said:

kingston12 said:

RammyMP said:

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

Belkin Wemo are 2.4-only as well.

I use the TP Link ones and actually find them very reliable even though I have moved everything else off of 2.4 because of interference issues.

I've added another 3 today, so far no issues.

I've tried splitting the router to 2 channels and then connect the plug, no joy, it doesn't pick up anything. I've given up with it. The plugs from Argos so it will be going back after the Christmas rush.

[ecsrobin]

RammyMP said:

I've tried splitting the router to 2 channels and then connect the plug, no joy, it doesn't pick up anything. I've given up with it. The plugs from Argos so it will be going back after the Christmas rush.

It annoyed me after setting up my router to 5ghz. A quick switch to dual channels and it connected in seconds.

[LeadFarmer]

RammyMP said:

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

If your with BT broadband you can go into the hub settings and split the two channels 2.4 & 5, and give them each their own name. Then you can connect your smart plug to 2.4

[RammyMP]

LeadFarmer said:

RammyMP said:

I've picked up a TP-Link smart plug so I can ask Alexa to turn on the Christmas lights, it doesn't work of 5 MHz wifi, fk bugger tt!

If your with BT broadband you can go into the hub settings and split the two channels 2.4 & 5, and give them each their own name. Then you can connect your smart plug to 2.4

Cheers, I did try that but it didn't seem to work. I might have another crack at it over the next few days.

[tenohfive]

tenohfive said:

I've added another 3 today, so far no issues.

I may have spoken too soon. Fine for most of the afternoon, but TP Link is no longer responding and Alexa is being a cloth eared tt.

[33q]

tenohfive said:

I may have spoken too soon. Fine for most of the afternoon, but TP Link is no longer responding and Alexa is being a cloth eared tt.

Interesting. My Alexa control over tplink has been working perfectly but yesterday and today I have quite a few failures.

Tp link scenes are iffy and Alexa won’t control them

[anonymous-user]

I know it’s not echo news but web browsing now supported on amazon fire tv.

I know these devices usually work better with apps but there might be a benefit for streaming etc direct from the internet via the amazon fire for some.

[tenohfive]

Well my SH2 has just died, so that might be related to my TP Link plug issues. I'm tempted not to bother ringing Virgin for a replacement and instead grabbing a decent router instead. I'm already having issues with the Dot dropping connection to BT speakers that I think is router related, and the idea of plugging in a USB HDD for file storage appeals.

Anyone care to recommend a decent 50 quid router? I'm looking at this right now:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01F4WOFD6/ref=mp...

[dmsims]

tenohfive said:

Well my SH2 has just died, so that might be related to my TP Link plug issues. I'm tempted not to bother ringing Virgin for a replacement and instead grabbing a decent router instead. I'm already having issues with the Dot dropping connection to BT speakers that I think is router related, and the idea of plugging in a USB HDD for file storage appeals.

Anyone care to recommend a decent 50 quid router? I'm looking at this right now:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01F4WOFD6/ref=mp...

You will have to contact Virgin and get a Hub 3 - put that in modem mode and add a decent router

Edited by dmsims on Thursday 21st December 12:20

[tedmus]

The Wifi on a Superhub 3 is pathetic as standard.

[tenohfive]

Ah....you know that little power switch on the back of the SH2? I'd kind of forgotten it was there. Everything is now up and running, including all the smart plugs

I am however still going to have a hunt around for a router. My 2.4ghz band is pretty crowded, I've had to get an ethernet switch due to the number of connected things, a million RAW photo's are lunching space and I'd like to get a 4K TV in the next year (which means another Fire TV device, the old one will be bedroom/spare room fodder) so I'm thinking that it's going to be worth future proofing with a decent all-in-one router that I can plug an external HDD into for photo storage.

Edited by tenohfive on Thursday 21st December 18:21

[V8 Animal]

Can any one tell me how I remove a area such as Living room want to just have lounge too confusing.

Thanks

[AlexC1981]

Zoon said:

Does Youtube still work on Fire TV?

We won't know for sure until 1st January, however if you go to www.youtube.com/tv in either the Silk or Firefox browsers it brings up the same interface you get when you open the youtube app at the moment minus the warning. You can put the above address in on your PC web browser to see the page I mean.

If google blocks the /tv web page from the Fire TV, you can also try the normal youtube web page through the browser, which isn't actually that bad. There is a new free app called Bookmarker which has a range of apps called Bookmarker 1, Bookmarker 2 etc. The bookmaker app shows up like a normal app on your home screen, but it is actually a direct link to a web you have chosen through your choice of browser. It actually works really well, so that is how I will have youtube set up next year if the app fails.