Automation - remember current channel

Configuration
1

Hi guys. I have a dumb tv controlled by broadlink rm mini. Is there a way to make home assistant remember which HDMI input it is in? some kind of a tracker

2

If the boardlink doesn’t report a state, then your only option is to attempt to sync the two up. But that won’t work if you use the physical remote to change the input.

3

Hi. I am interested in knowing how to sync it.

4

how are you currently changing the input?

5

Im using the broadlink platform in HA with smart ir addon

6

are they separately called services for each input?

7

Hi. Its the same service. I call it multiple times to change source

8

So, lets say you have 5 inputs, each having a different service. You would then create an input_select that has 5 different names that match your inputs. You then create 5 different scripts. Each script calls 2 services. The first service being input_select.select_option, and you’d select the appropriate input. The second service would be sending the RF command to change the source/input.

Then when you want to know what input is being used, just look at the input_select.

The problem with this method is that if you change the input outside the home assistant app, you’ll be out of sync with the input_select.

9

If you post the services, I can help you tailor this whole setup.

10

Hi. thanks you for your help.

This is the relevant configuration.yaml

switch:
  - platform: broadlink
    host: 192.168.1.101
    mac: '24:df:a7:de:f8:fc'
    type: rm_mini3_redbean
media_player:
  - platform: smartir
    name: Living room TV
    unique_id: living_room_tv
    device_code: 1020
    controller_data: 192.168.1.101
    power_sensor: switch.sonoff_100090867f

This is the service called to change the input:-

data:
  source: Input
entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
service: media_player.select_source

My inputs are

  1. TV
  2. HDMI 1
  3. HDMI 2
  4. HDMI 3
  5. PC

I looked at the input_select integration.

can it remember the value after a restart?

the documentation says i need a initial value. Does it mean i have to sync everytime I restart HA?

11

So the service call just Cycles the input?

12

yes. This is the script i currently use to change between 2 of the HDMI inputs.

'1592989684785':
  alias: Kodi to Chromecast
  sequence:
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
  - delay: 00:00:01
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
  - delay: 00:00:01
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
  - delay: 00:00:01
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
  - delay: 00:00:01
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
'1592990100766':
  alias: Chromecast to kodi
  sequence:
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
  - delay: 00:00:01
  - data:
      source: Input
    entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
    service: media_player.select_source
13

Hi @petro,

With your guidance, i managed to solve it with a few scripts and automation. Input select was the key.

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