Voice assistants from different manufacturers are becoming smarter every year and learning to perform a wide range of commands. Nowadays it’s no longer surprising to turn on a light bulb or lamp using a voice command.
Unfortunately, aside from banal scenarios for managing a smart home, out-of-the-box assistants are not capable of anything. However, there is a way to add your own automation scripts and run them using convenient voice commands.
Now we’ll tell you how to set up custom actions to control equipment in your home.
What you need to quickly manage accessories
► Yandex IR remote control, an inexpensive compatible analogue or a similar customizable remote control from third-party manufacturers.
► Almost any set-top box on Android or Smart-TV with an IR remote control.
► Any gadget with voice assistant Alice . This could be a Yandex.Station from mini to Max, a compatible speaker, a smartphone with a proprietary application, or a Yandex browser on a computer.
► 15 minutes to set up.
In this way, you can configure not only your TV or set-top box. Any gadgets that support IR control can be configured using these instructions.
Disabling procedure
For Samsung TVs
Let's figure out how to turn off unnecessary voice guidance, and try to put our knowledge into practice, first on a Samsung TV.
We go into the settings of our TV this way: Settings → General → Accessibility → Voice guidance settings. If the switch there is green, it means the option is enabled. We switch it to the “gray” position and the annoying comments will disappear.
As Samsung technical support kindly tells us, by default the option is enabled if you hold down the volume button on the remote control. “Holding down” is a very subjective concept (and some people are accustomed to adjusting the volume this way from an early age), so there are no special surprises in the fact that the audio is turned on from time to time against your will. But why it still works like this, bringing inconvenience to users from year to year - of course, that’s another question.
The path for English versions of the menu will look like this: Settings → General → Accessibility → Voice Guide Settings → Voice Guide.
In general, these instructions will be more useful to those who use new models (from 2021 inclusive) of televisions. Older TV series may have a settings menu that looks slightly different - in any case, look for the "Accessibility" or "Accessibility" categories. They can be located within their own categories - usually "System", "General" or "Advanced Settings".
The model and serial number of the TV can be found either on the nameplate on the back of the device, or from the menu: Support → Contact Samsung. At the time of publication of the article, the serial number in the menu is indicated only for models of the H, J, K, M, N, Q, LS, R, T series. Knowing the model and serial number, you can download a manual with descriptions of all menus from the Samsung Download Center resource for your device.
For LG TVs
Let's see how to remove sound on LG Smart TV. Go to the menu: Settings → Accessibility → Audio descriptions. The switch may be in the "On" positions. and “Off”, choose to your taste.
On LG TVs, the command is noticeable because it disables free cursor movement through the menu - if you see that some functions that require free cursor movement have become unavailable, check your audio description settings. When you enable the feature, a tooltip usually appears warning you that cursor movement will be limited.
The setting may not be available in some regions, and in some regions it may also offer an additional toggle for audio description volume and speed.
Path for the menu in English: Settings → Accessibility → Audio Guidance.
An assistant is also available here to enable or disable the possible display of subtitles for videos in which they are available; enable or disable high contrast mode; adjust the “transparency” of the settings menu.
How to set up voice control
1. Launch the Yandex application and go to the Devices section.
2. Press “+” , select Other device and connect the gadget to the smart home system (if you haven’t done this before).
When using a third-party IR remote control, you can connect it as an original remote control from Yandex or “pass it” through a plugin of the brand you are using, for example, Tuya or Xiaomi.
In this case, the delay between the command and its execution may increase, because the signal, in addition to the Yandex cloud, will pass through Chinese servers and clouds of third-party companies. If the gadget is recognized as an original Yandex accessory, it is better to connect it that way.
3. When the remote control is added to the application, open its page and click Add device.
4. We select the appropriate type of device (TV, set-top box, air conditioner or receiver) and find the model by manufacturer.
You can use automatic gadget selection, in which case you will need to point the device’s original IR remote control at the receiver and press several buttons. The system identifies the accessory and selects the most suitable control profile.
The most interesting option in this section is Configure manually . It allows you to create custom remote controls for further voice control. You will not get a convenient remote control interface in the application, but you will be able to use many more features of the controlled device. We'll talk about this below.
5. On the page of the added device, you will see a control panel and a tab with the most common voice commands that can be used for control. The command can be sent through the Yandex application on a smartphone, a proprietary browser on a computer, or a column with assistant Alice.
After this, the original IR remote control for the TV or set-top box will no longer be needed.
TOP 6 models
Having considered the features of TVs that are controlled by voice, we selected the best Smart TV models with voice control at the beginning of 2019. Their list includes 6 options with the most popular diagonals - from 40 to 60 inches.
Samsung UE40MU6450U
The UE40MU6450U model from a well-known Korean manufacturer received a 40-inch LCD panel that supports 4K resolution and HDR extended dynamic range.
To connect external devices, the TV has 2 USB ports and 3 HDMI connectors, and a special input for the antenna. The design of the television receiver includes a wireless module and a DVB-T2 tuner.
The advantages of the model include:
- high speed of channel switching;
- thin screen;
- connection to a wireless network;
- convenient menu.
The main disadvantages are considered:
- relatively high cost;
- simple control panel;
- backlight that is visible on a dark screen.
Sony KD-55XE8096
The features of this smart TV with voice control are a 55-inch diagonal and 4K resolution - 3840x2160 pixels.
The model is equipped with two 20 W speakers and supports several digital television standards, including satellite and terrestrial.
On the back and side of the model there are 3 USB connectors, 4 HDMI inputs and an Ethernet port for a wired connection to the Network. Although you can connect to the Internet using a wireless network.
Among the advantages of the model it is worth noting:
- good color rendering and stylish design;
- convenient remote control and voice search function;
- 4K resolution and HDR support;
- many ports and connectors.
The disadvantages include:
- The sound quality is not very high, which is why it is recommended to connect external speakers to the TV;
- minor problems with the operating system, due to which the TV receiver may freeze a little;
- inconvenient drive menu.
LG47LB652V
The TV received a classic LG design - a silver front and black rear body, a frame around the screen and a rectangular stand.
The model supports 3D images and is equipped with 2 10 W speakers.
The resolution of the 47-inch TFT IPS matrix is 1920x1080 pixels. To connect additional devices, the 47LB652V has 3 USB and HDMI connectors.
The list of advantages of the model includes:
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- attractive design;
- high-quality matrix;
- high functionality.
The disadvantages of the device include:
- inability to quickly view the channel list;
- inconvenient menu;
- slight darkening of the image at the corners of the screen.
Panasonic TX-55FXR600
The 55-inch model with 4K resolution received 3 HDMI, one USB 2.0 and 3.0 input, as well as all the necessary modules for connecting to the network and other devices - Ethernet Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The sound is provided by two 10-watt speakers, although their quality is still noticeably lower compared to home theaters.
The advantages of the model include:
- 4K format and HDR10+ support;
- support for the Freeview Play video service;
- low latency of information output (input lag).
The list of shortcomings includes:
- not too high brightness;
- decent cost of TV;
- lack of support for the DivX codec.
Samsung UE55KS9000U
The UE55KS9000U XRU TV features a large number of connectors (4 HDMI and 3 USB), high contrast and brightness, built-in Wi-Fi and a 55-inch curved screen.
The operating system on the device is based on the Tizen platform.
Advantages of the technique:
- good design;
- rich shades;
- convenient control of Smart TV;
- good remote control.
TV cons:
- not very durable body;
- sometimes there is an oversaturation of flowers;
- high price.
LG 60UJ634V
The 60" diagonal model can display images in 4K format.
Due to HDR backlighting, the image on the screen is contrasty and clear.
To connect external devices, 2 USB inputs and 2 HDMI ports are used.
Advantages of the technique:
- large diagonal;
- high-quality picture;
- no freezes during operation.
List of disadvantages:
- outdated control panel;
- problems with the operation of the Tricolor satellite map;
- reboot when using Wi-Fi to surf the Internet.
