asbril

So, how do I create the $Variable for ISY to know that it is 5 minutes ?

As I have commented before, I have a mental block with the concept of Variables. Intuitively I understand that the concept may be easy but I just don't get it ?. Somehow I believe (probably mistakenly) that anything a Variable can do, can also be done with a Program. Could someone give me an easy example of how (from A to Z) I can use a Variable ? If useful, I use the following Nodeservers : AVRemote, Harmony Hub, Holidays, Holidays Google, Dark Sky, Time-Date. I have wake-up programs that use AVRemote and Harmony Hub, and that depend on conditions in Holidays Google. I have also other programs that control lights based on motion sensors or on time of the day, etc. I also actively use Google Home and Alexa.

Thanks firstone, as always.... I know how to create routines (*) in Alexa (and Google Home) and I also know how to instruct Alexa to play music. However, being the novice that I am, I thought that if there is a nodeserver (AVRemote) that allows to program a stream to play on Google Home, it would be easy to do the same with Alexa. But apparently this is not (yet) possible. (*) ISY programs can be more complex than either Alexa or GH routines. In my case, I use a Google calendar condition (with Holidays Google nodeserver) to determine whether or not to enable our wake-up program. In Alexa or GH, the radio station would play every morning, even if it would be a holiday or otherwise day off.

No. As an example I have a wake-up program that starts with a light ON, then after a few minutes the curtains open, followed for 5 minutes by a favorite radio station playing on one of my Google Home devices. Then a bit later, the TV switches On on my favorite station. Finally after set time, lights go OFF and TV goes OFF. In this program I use both AVRemote and Harmony Hub nodeservers. My wish is to include (or replace the Google Home) Alexa when playing my favorite radio station.

I can control my devices with voice commands, using both Google Home and Alexa, but I love the AVRemote nodeserver for streaming to my 3 Chromecast and 4 Google Home devices. I also would like to do the same, streaming music to Alexa. This can not be in the scope of AVRemote (or another nodeserver) ? BTW, thanks for your kind attention to this.

Michel's and your today's post go way above my level of understanding, but does this mean that (theoretically) we should be able to stream music to Alexa (using ISY) ?

I am interested in where this stands. I use the AVRemote nodeserver to stream music to several Chromecast devices as well as to Google Home, but I would also want to include an Echo Dot in my wake-up programs.

"Spokens successfully sent to Google Home."

Just for your info. For a very long time I had the same error message when sending the spokens from ISY Portal, and to my surprise no error message when I did it just now. The synch my devices also works on GH. In fact I get the response that it is synching devices for 6 providers. I did not even know that I have 6 providers........ Maybe the Chinese or the Russians implanted something

I use the Harmony Hub nodeserver in conjunction with the AVRemote nodeserver. Together they have greatly facilitated my audio-video automation.

I grew with C, now live with F........ and my Parents always wanted me to have A's. Now if that is not confusing, then I can try to make it more confusing. This being said, my GH Hub shows the temperature and time all day.

I have not used my Echo long enough to really be able to compare. However, the fun part of the Echo Dot 3rd generation is that it shows the clock. Also, when I ask Alexa for the weather (50F this morning in Miami, but 73F later today....), not only will Alexa tell me but the 50 will actually show where it normally displays the time.

Let me clarify that I use neither Google Home or Echo Dot to stream music (except for a couple of minutes as a morning wake-up routine). In fact I use AVRemote nodeserver to stream my preferred radio stations to the three Chromecast devices (each connected to their own amplifier) in different parts of my home.

Easily. I already make excellent use of ISY Portal-Polisy-Nodeservers and I am excited about all that is (hopefully) coming. I take my hat off for the nodeserver community and as we are talking about $$, I'd find it normal if there would be a charge for well working nodeservers.

The echo dot 3's sound is ok

Yes he ignores everything I like. It must be because from up north he looks down at me down south.? As I am, by habit & not by conviction, mostly Google, I take full advantage of the Google Holidays and the AVRemote nodeservers, which work great with Google. Now that I also have a Echot Dot, I did notice that there seems to no equivalent for AVRemote to stream music to the Echo Dot.

No I use a hotmail account for the ISY Portal

it must be something specific to your setup. I just tried and for me it just seems to synch properly. This being said, for me the same with the synch button in ISY Portal.... that has not been working for me for a long time.

My limit will be when GH asks for my belt size.... This being said, generally GH (4 devices) works very well at my home, except that it has trouble understanding my wife's Latino accent, though I must admit sometimes I don't understand her either ?. As of today I also have a Echo dot 3 and as far as ISY interaction, I dont see much difference between Alexa and GH.

Thanks TexMike. For one reason or another I have a blockage on understanding variables. If, as an example, I wish Alexa to make an announcement when motion sensor X is detected, what variable would I create, what program and how would I design the Alexa routine ? Thanks so much.

That could be helpful......

Believe it or not, I actually ordered an Alexa dot 3rd generation in exchange for some United miles that I had left.. I read somewhere that Alexa and GH can have interesting conversations with each other?. This being said, I basically did not understand much of what you said on Alexa notices. In my home I am considered a geek, but in this forum I am a novice.

Thanks larryllix, but this sounds way too complicated for my simple mind

Thanks Chris, this new build did indeed resolve the issue of my disappearing nodes. Thanks !!!!!

Will Alexa broadcast "dryer stopped" on the event occurring, or do you have to ask Alexa a question ?