Home Theater Automation

[cwmcobra]

Any recommendations on system automation? I plan to use a Harmony remote to control the AV electronics in my Home Theater and would like to be able to control lighting as well. This won't be a really large, fancy theater, but I'd like to turn the lights on from a wall switch when I enter the room and then control dimming when a movie starts. Or, go super whizzy and use motion detection to automatically turn the lights on when entering the room. I'm looking at a few recommendations online such as GE C-Start Smart Switch Motion Sensing Dimmer, Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer (2nd gen), and Lutron Caseta. I don't currently have or use a smart hub like Alexa or Google Assistant, but would consider this as well, if desired.

I know that Harmony has exited the marketplace, so maybe it's time for a completely new approach. I can use the Harmony 900 with another TV/AVR that might be easier for my 91 year old mother-in-law to use....

Any experience to share? I'm computer savvy, but a total rookie with system automation.

[jbrunwa]

Sept 20, 2021 11:06:12 GMT -5 cwmcobra said:

Any recommendations on system automation? I plan to use a Harmony remote to control the AV electronics in my Home Theater and would like to be able to control lighting as well. This won't be a really large, fancy theater, but I'd like to turn the lights on from a wall switch when I enter the room and then control dimming when a movie starts. Or, go super whizzy and use motion detection to automatically turn the lights on when entering the room. I'm looking at a few recommendations online such as GE C-Start Smart Switch Motion Sensing Dimmer, Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer (2nd gen), and Lutron Caseta. I don't currently have or use a smart hub like Alexa or Google Assistant, but would consider this as well, if desired.

I know that Harmony has exited the marketplace, so maybe it's time for a completely new approach. I can use the Harmony 900 with another TV/AVR that might be easier for my 91 year old mother-in-law to use....

Any experience to share? I'm computer savvy, but a total rookie with system automation.

I have started using Philips Hue lights with the Hue hub. Lights can be grouped and dimmed together. Depending on the bulbs you buy you can also change color. The Harmony hub can be connected to control them but I don’t know about the standalone IR remotes.

[cwmcobra]

Thanks. I've purchased a Harmony Elite hub and remote and will couple it with Lutron Caseta controllable switches for the lights. I think it will do everything that I want.