videostorm

Amazon updated their API to add a new type of device with configurable variables (mode controller). It can be used to fix some of the prior limitations. We updated our skill to take advantage of that. So instead of having a bunch of "devices" defined for every source, now we just have a single device for each room / tv. Then you can use the Alexa app to "group" those devices with the Taps/Echos/etc that they are in the same physical room with. Then when to say a command in that room, you never need to say the rooms name. More reliable than command context (no ambiguity). Overall, it just makes it easier to use. Less names for the user to remember and shorter commands. C4 could take advantage of it also if they update their skill. They could use "Alexa, set watch to DVD" and "Alexa, set listen to Pandora" instead of the "turn on ROOM SOURCE" terminology.

Come to think of it, in their skill you probably don't associate/group any devices in the alexa app. You actually have to give the full name of the device in every command anyway, so it wouldn't help.

I don't have 4sight, so I can't experiment with their skill.... I do see it is a smart home device skill (like ours). However, it seems to be using the older API. (assuming you have N sources and M rooms) From the table above, it looks like the skill creates N x M devices with names = "ROOM SOURCE". Then you associated all the devices with a given room name with the Alexa in that room (in the Alexa app). Then you "watch" a source by saying "turn on ROOM SOURCE". Is this correct?

Cool, I was not aware they changed this. Which driver & skill is necessary for it to integrate as a smart home device?

The Video Storm NetPlay Alexa skill has just been updated to treat your video zones as Amazon / Alexa smart home devices. What does this mean? You can now group your NetPlay video zone with the Alexa device in that room (using the Alexa app). Once grouped, you don't have to refer to the zone by name when in that room. You can also include your NetPlay devices in scenes created in the Alexa app. This allows for more natural, intuitive voice control of your AV system. Here are some examples: (Controlling via the Alexa grouped with that room) Alexa, turn on TV Alexa, set source to Dad's cable Alexa, change channel to 320 Alexa, volume up 20 Alexa, set source to DirectTV Alexa, set PIP to Front Door Cam Alexa, set PIP to Off Alexa, turn on Tile Macro Alexa, turn off TV (Controlling via an Alexa in a different room) Commands are all the same as above, just add "on ROOM_NAME" to the end We also have a new demo video on our web site. http://www.video-storm.com/alexa.asp

I'll see if there is anything I can add with the voice profiles. Our skills for SplashTiles and NetPlay already support the grouping in rooms. I am going to add this to our documentation. Grouping is much easier to do in the new Alexa app now. Works great

I feel the same way for Alexa. She should really know what I want to listen to by now..... Can't be a good personal assistant if the AI doesn't remember these things.

Toast notifications => select for pip video is an interesting idea. I'll look into this. See if it can be consistently presented on different devices. Another possibility is we can send a toast notification to your phone, then you could click on that and it gives you options to view directly on your phone or send to a tv.

No, it isn't. The commercial market is large, though. However, it requires more flexibility than most systems can offer.

What's in your Watch menu?? That is what video distribution is about, right? Giving your customers the sources they want to see in their C4 Watch menu. But video content is changing. Most of what we watch is now from streaming sources (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, ESPN, etc). It is still nice to a cable DVR box or two, but it is no longer a must have in many households. Cord cutters and streaming only households are a significant and growing market. How has this industry adapted to these changes? Has it changed at all really? I would love to hear from more dealers about how they have been selling to these customers! What has been working? What business can't you capture? What functionality is bringing in new business? If you have been thinking about how these changes can impact your business, NetPlay might be worth a look. Instead of just selling a matrix, we have near zero cost streaming & OTA systems which can later scale up to include other live sources for only a little more. And with SplashTiles, it does a lot more than just playing video. See our latest white paper for details.

Thank you everyone for your help in beta testing this new service. Our beta test period has now successfully concluded. Stay tuned for the upcoming release.

Correct, our accounts do require a valid credit card. It is authorized for $1 to prove you are real person (not a bot). You won't be charged in the beta period or 14 day trial, and you can cancel it anytime.

Manually verified your account. The verification email server is working properly now. Let us know if anyone is still having issues.

The Cloud service has a lot more options & tiles. It is normally used as a standalone service (without NetPlay), but can also be used with a NetPlay system. You can add the splashtiles cloud URLs as sources in NetPlay Home/Pro.

We just moved the email to an Amazon server, so it will take a day or two to start working again. In the meantime I have manually verified all the new user accounts. You can login to the site now.