Simple Local TTS Solution for Notifications in Automations?

Configuration
1

Per the title, all I’m trying to do is have a notification from an automation be read over a paired (to home assistant), HomePod. I installed Piper & Chime TTS but cannot get any audio out. Looking for a local (non cloud) solution only.

What am I missing / what is the best way to get this to work ?

Thanks so much

2

Do you also have the Apple TV integration installed (to have Homepods shown as media players for TTS)?

3

Yes I have that integration too. Just need assistance in how I do something as simple as have an automation announce a standard text message to the HomePods that are attached.

For reference I have Music Assistant installed too and can play music etc to the HomePods without isssue. It’s just the TTS part I’m struggling with and wanting to keep local

4
  • Create a new empty automation, and skip down to the ACTIONS section.
  • Click on ADD ACTION. Scroll down to the bottom of the list of action types, and choose OTHER ACTIONS.
  • In the OTHER ACTIONS list, scroll down to TEXT-TO-SPEECH
  • Select SPEAK
  • In the Automation, choose an entity TARGET (cloud or Piper), and then select your MEDIA PLAYER entity.

I hope that’s what you were seeking.

5

This worked well, thank you. The only issue I’m finding is that it seems to work for a while (using Run Action to test) and then just stops working. The Action says it completed successfully but the speaker (HomePod) is quiet and never mentioned the phrase. Again was working fine to start but now this. Any ideas on where to start with resolving the issue ? Thanks again

6

There are several online services which will convert a text sentence into an mp3 file for you to download. If there aren’t too many variations you could do that and play them with a media player, rather than using TTS.