First post on here, I’ve been keen to get started on Home Assistant and now have a valid reason to do so (I hope?!?)
My elderly mother has just had to move after 40 years in the same house so I’ve updated a few appliances and devices in her new place. She loves watching movies, so I’ve signed up to some streaming services that requires her to press a few buttons on her remote to watch, I can talk her through the process but every few days I have to repeat the process. I live 400 kms away (250 miles) and have to go home next week and thought if it would be possible to get a home assistant green and some switches to program them to replicate the remote button commands. Is this ever possible? My ideal goal would be to say press this button and the streaming service loads into the movie category.
What is also required for me to remote access the switch if all else fails?
Its perfectly possible, but will involve bits of hardware that does not need HA. If HA is only being used for the remote control it would be easier to do with whatever hardware you choose and its app.
But, is there not a way to program the remote control for what system she is watching this on to do the job? With my google tv stuff this can easily be done with an app. I am sure there will be a way with other systems as well.
Her Sony Bravia TV runs google tv. I can’t find any easy way to reprogram the tv remote. The streaming service are just apps on the tv. It would be easy if I could just reprogram one of the steaming service buttons on the remote but as far as I know, this can’t be done.
There are several “universal” TV remotes available which have clearly marked buttons for Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and so on. Looking at it from your mother’s point of view (I speak as an elderly person myself) one of these would be far preferable to a HA solution.
Take a glance around this forum. There are plenty of people with years of IT experience who have trouble getting their heads around Home Assistant.
I think its more he wants a button to go straight to the movie page as opposed to the app home page. My guess though is you can probably do that in the app settings.
My 89 y o mother in law is in a similar situation with a new sony brava tv since 2 months ago
After a few tries she is now able to use catch up services etc just with the remote control.
The shop recommended using the ‘minimalist’ remote, but she found the more complex remote easier.
Deciding which remote to use, and putting the others away, helped.
The tv supports voice control, which she tried out but doesnt really use
Some settings on the tv helped: she really wants to set channel 2, and then switch off. Tomorrow she expects to switch on, and for channel 2 to be playing - this is like a physical channel switch rather than a computer. Deep in settings of the Google TV this is possible! She is so much happier with this changed
