Just got my Vera lite a month ago and am loving it. Still need many more switches but I am getting there. My question today is…has anyone had any experience or comments using the web browser integrated into a “Smart TV” like an LG or Samsung with the Vera? I was thinking that MAY be a good way to control scenes and lights using the TV, which would be very useful, and cool. The LG also comes with what they call a magic remote that allows you to control the browser by waving the remote, ala the Wii.
Alternatively are there any other easy/quick ways to interface the TV display to a Vera? I’ve searched the forums but the only real references I saw were for going the other way, controlling the TV from the Vera, not vice versa.
Just point the LGTV browser to Vera local IP or maybe the mobile URL (https://findvera.com/mobile) would be not enouch? I did not tried yet…
To me, best thing will be when LGTV start to show notifications (alerts such email, twitter, facebook, vera door open, presence or temperature alarm and so).
Anyway, what do you want can be done by creating a LG APP (http://developer.lgappstv.com/devel/main/main.lge). You would create a client to Vera running on LGTV…
Wish to have time to help in such interesting project! Let me know if you go any further!
At one point there was a product called TrickTV that I think was heading in that direction. Rumor was Samsung but don’t know where that landed. It was based on Vera (MIOS engine). Googling my find some more info.
Good to know that other people have had luck with this! I haven’t purchased the TV yet so I can’t give it a live test but when I do I will be sure to update everyone. I am hoping it will be as simple as programming my harmony remote to go the browser and the correct page with one click and not have it be frustratingly slow. Generally things never go as hoped so I am assuming there will be at least one hiccup in there.
During my search, after posting yesterday, I also found the mention of TrickTV which looks to be by the MIOS people and must already have an app for Samsung TV, as they mention that specifically on their list of features. TrickTV has a yearly fee I recall but I certainly don’t mind paying a fee for good reliable and useful service in return (which is an unknown at this point and I’d like to hear other peoples experience when there is some).
I also poked around the LG site looking at their LG apps, nothing for Vera yet, but I’ll review the developer docs and see how time consuming that might be and how well documented and easy to use the API is. Would be a fun adventure! I promise I’ll keep everyone updated as things progress. Integrating Vera control into the TV certainly rings of cool but may fall apart in execution, we shall see!
Although they say they have an app for Samsung I have not seen it nor is it listed on the Samsung site for their apps… I have a 2011 Samsung Plasma and will double check tonight.
Great that would be useful, while I doubt I would change my purchase decision based upon that I am curious, as I am sure others out there are. Seamless integration into a TV would be really useful for something like the Vera. We spent a week in a new hotel in Vegas that had all their lights and HVAC for the room integrated into the TV. It was pretty cool to adjust the temperature and lighting from bed.
I emailed them a while ago regarding their TrickTV app and they informed me that it would be ONLY available on their 2012 products. This is their reply:
"Thanks for the email. We are in the final stages of the approval process for the production version of our application on the Samsung platform, though it is (unfortunately, in your case) not compatible for use on that Model Group (10AV-5Group) of 2010 products.
As to Mi Casa Verde, while they are also a MiOS partner, their product solution (Vera) does differ from our implementation and is not natively compatible with our application base.
That said please refer to our brand page for future updates surrounding compatibility and ecosystem partners. "
At one point there was a product called TrickTV that I think was heading in that direction. Rumor was Samsung but don’t know where that landed. It was based on Vera (MIOS engine). Googling my find some more info.[/quote]
Forgot to mention that the only way to make it to work is using the Sony internet browser.
I guess Samsung would the safer bet! Despite the claims that TrickTV might not work, I did have the beta app working a while back with a Samsung BD player, and MCV always used to demo their Vera’s at shows I think with a regular Vera and the the TrickTV app running on a Samsung, so theirs hope!
I ran it for a little while, but despite @garrets great app, I had to part company with my gTV as it caused a bunch of HDMI sync issues between my distributed HDMI solution (there are already about 2 or 3 HDMI switches between my DirecTV and the TV, and it did not like the extra one!
Interestingly somebody sent me the following link:
[quote=“oTi@, post:15, topic:171570”]Now I have a case of HDMI Infrastructure envy. ;D I’ll confess I have precisely one device that is hooked up through HDMI, directly to the tv.[/quote] http://code.mios.com/trac/mios_monoprice-hdmi-switch
I have 2 TV’s, a projector and PC monitor that uses the four outputs of the above, along with an AppleTV, BD player, PC and DirecTV DVR as inputs.
It took some wiring effort to at least 3 of the locations the HMDI cables run to, but it was well worth the effort. I have a couple of other outputs wired and provisioned for a spare room and my daughters room (if HDMI doesn’t go away by the time she’s old enough for a TV), and as soon as either a 6X6 or 8x8 HDMI matrix comes out then (at reasonable price), then I will upgrade my 4x4. I’m not too worried about the extra outputs because I’d planned to double some of them up with HDMI splitters , but I desperately want some extra inputs now!
+1 to @strangely for the monprice hdmi switch suggestion, it was a great addition to my setup
I was able to test the Vera UI’s on my LG SmartTV, the UI5, the smartphone, and the WAP. Pressing the Home button (appropriate for accessing my ome control) on my LG Magic Remote and then select the web browser which takes about 12 sec to load, then select in favorites myMios UI5 shortcut, then UI5 takes a long time to load about 1 min 12 sec. Once fully loaded, each button press in UI5 takes about 3sec to register (not a delay to Vera, but just a slow browser). Using the smartphone interface is quiet a bit faster, but the WAP interface is much faster still (almost instant) and certainly is the best choice even if it isn’t pretty.
Looking at my security camera in UI5 worked well, but going fullscreen on the image gave the error symbol. The smartphone interface camera controls are better with a larger image and controls, and the WAP interface camera is large enough, quick with no PTZ controls. UI5 seems to scale well and everything looks good in the browser, and even though it is slow at least you can use it for configuration or adding devices.
All in all it is probably snappier than the graphically heavy TrickTV interface.
edit: sorry for the inverted photos, tablets don’t know which way is up
XBMC have just announced the start of full Android distro specifically on the Pivos xios ds Android box at the moment, but one of these with XBMC and garretwp’s app would be a very nice combo. Could afford to have one on each TV. Automation and the best media centre available all in one box (If you’ve got mythTv you’d never have to change sources on your TV)!!!
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Let me know if you go any further!