Discussion
pmanson said:
Ok i've done what you want to do (albeit with coloured bulbs). You'll need:
1x Amazon Echo Dot (£49)
1x Philips Hue Starter Kit - hub + 3 bulbs (£149) - If needed you can get converters from IKEA to convert bulbs from B22 to E27
This will allow you to switch the lights on/off via Alexa (and set lights levels) eg. Set light to 50.
You'll need to add the Hue 'skill' to Alexa within the Alexa app and that's about it.
If you want to control the TV you'll need to add a Harmony Hub (I got one for £115 including the Dot from Amazon) and configure this to work with your TV/DVD etc. You then set activities (eg. watch TV - Turn on TV, Set AMP to sky, Turn on Sky box etc).
Where it can get really clever is if you add a cloud based piece of software called Yonomi. Like Harmony you build scenes but in this case you can join multiple systems together under 'skills'. These skills can then be seen by Alexa and actioned by your voice.
For example we have:
Finally there is a catch all of 'Everything off' which turns off all devices
You do have to set these scenes up in Yonomi and then search for the skill in Alexa but it's all fairly easy
Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?
This is what I've been trying to work out.1x Amazon Echo Dot (£49)
1x Philips Hue Starter Kit - hub + 3 bulbs (£149) - If needed you can get converters from IKEA to convert bulbs from B22 to E27
This will allow you to switch the lights on/off via Alexa (and set lights levels) eg. Set light to 50.
You'll need to add the Hue 'skill' to Alexa within the Alexa app and that's about it.
If you want to control the TV you'll need to add a Harmony Hub (I got one for £115 including the Dot from Amazon) and configure this to work with your TV/DVD etc. You then set activities (eg. watch TV - Turn on TV, Set AMP to sky, Turn on Sky box etc).
Where it can get really clever is if you add a cloud based piece of software called Yonomi. Like Harmony you build scenes but in this case you can join multiple systems together under 'skills'. These skills can then be seen by Alexa and actioned by your voice.
For example we have:
- Turn on White - turns on the three hue lights in the lounge to 'white' at a preset colour temp
- Turn on Funk - turns on the three hue lights to a different colour each
- Turn on TV - sets the hue lights to green, turns on the TV, turns on the AMP, sets the input to Sky and turns on the Sky Box
- Turn on Sonos - sets the amp to Sonos, switches on the Sonos Connect, lights to white
- Turn on Film - sets the hue lights to purple, turns on the TV, turns on the AMP, sets the input to BluRay and turns on the Blu Ray player
- Turn on Drive - turns on the hue bulb in the storm porch light
Finally there is a catch all of 'Everything off' which turns off all devices
You do have to set these scenes up in Yonomi and then search for the skill in Alexa but it's all fairly easy
Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?
Like you I have a Dot, Hue and Harmony.
I read that you don't need Yonomi now that there's a Harmony skill?
I've been wanting to set up a command such as 'Watch a Movie' that turns on the TV, sets the right input and turns on/sets the lights (and pauses Sonos if it's on).
I'd ideally like to do this without daisy-chaining loads of different apps.
I'm also struggling with the Harmony activities as it seems to add default (and non-editable) end states, so currently if I'm running a 'Watch TV' activity and switch to 'Watch Movie', it'll turn the lights off as part of ending 'Watch TV'
Edited by option click on Wednesday 18th January 14:59
Cotty said:
Philips Hue Bridge and four bulbs for $89.97. From Argos only place they had any in stock
Right now to start naming my rooms after areas in Star Trek ships, bridge, engine room, shuttle bay, holodeck etc. Once we get the "computer" wake word I can just say "Computer bridge on" "computer shuttle bay on" or maybe I'll wuss out and revert to lounge, hall, bedroom, library, west wing , orangery etc
I think computer as a key word is now an option!Right now to start naming my rooms after areas in Star Trek ships, bridge, engine room, shuttle bay, holodeck etc. Once we get the "computer" wake word I can just say "Computer bridge on" "computer shuttle bay on" or maybe I'll wuss out and revert to lounge, hall, bedroom, library, west wing , orangery etc
option click said:
This is what I've been trying to work out.
Like you I have a Dot, Hue and Harmony.
I read that you don't need Yonomi now that there's a Harmony skill?
I've been wanting to set up a command such as 'Watch a Movie' that turns on the TV, sets the right input and turns on/sets the lights (and pauses Sonos if it's on).
I'd ideally like to do this without daisy-chaining loads of different apps.
I'm also struggling with the Harmony activities as it seems to add default (and non-editable) end states, so currently if I'm running a 'Watch TV' activity and switch to 'Watch Movie', it'll turn the lights off as part of ending 'Watch TV'
I'm not sure if it is possible without Yonomi (i'm sure it is but i've not tried). Like you I have a Dot, Hue and Harmony.
I read that you don't need Yonomi now that there's a Harmony skill?
I've been wanting to set up a command such as 'Watch a Movie' that turns on the TV, sets the right input and turns on/sets the lights (and pauses Sonos if it's on).
I'd ideally like to do this without daisy-chaining loads of different apps.
I'm also struggling with the Harmony activities as it seems to add default (and non-editable) end states, so currently if I'm running a 'Watch TV' activity and switch to 'Watch Movie', it'll turn the lights off as part of ending 'Watch TV'
Edited by option click on Wednesday 18th January 14:59
For my setup:
TV (or watch a film) triggers the following actions:
Harmony Hub - 'Start Watch TV'
Floor, Lamp, Side Lights - Set to colour
But only if after 3pm.
If I then say 'Watch Film' it changes the lights to a different colour without turning them off.
I also have a TV off function within Yonomi which ends the Harmony activity (but I don't include the lights within this so the lights stay on).
The only thing I struggle with is with the lights getting stuck in certain modes but if you simply re-say the command it tends to sort things out.
king screenshot from my iPad. 
Has anyone's been getting a bit tetchy lately?
I have one in the kitchen and has started picking up the odd rustling of aluminium foil and the clattering of cutlery as some seemingly offensive words ad it (she?) has started up "well, that's one way to ask..." responses without a cue.
It's also happened a couple of times when podcasts are playing through it over bluetooth...
I have one in the kitchen and has started picking up the odd rustling of aluminium foil and the clattering of cutlery as some seemingly offensive words ad it (she?) has started up "well, that's one way to ask..." responses without a cue.
It's also happened a couple of times when podcasts are playing through it over bluetooth...
dxg said:
Has anyone's been getting a bit tetchy lately?
I have one in the kitchen and has started picking up the odd rustling of aluminium foil and the clattering of cutlery as some seemingly offensive words ad it (she?) has started up "well, that's one way to ask..." responses without a cue.
It's also happened a couple of times when podcasts are playing through it over bluetooth...
Time of the month....I have one in the kitchen and has started picking up the odd rustling of aluminium foil and the clattering of cutlery as some seemingly offensive words ad it (she?) has started up "well, that's one way to ask..." responses without a cue.
It's also happened a couple of times when podcasts are playing through it over bluetooth...
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