Entertainment automations
Entertainment automations take over the small, repeatable steps around music and screens, so a shower playlist starts on its own and the lights settle into a known scene when the TV comes on. Done well, they support routines you already have without replacing the remote, switch, or app you already reach for.
Why entertainment automation?
Music that matches your routine - A shower, a workout, or a morning start, and the right playlist begins without asking
A lighting scene you can count on - Lights settle into the same tested scene whenever the TV turns on
Physical controls stay quickest - A button or switch is still faster than waking a phone and opening an app
Volume starts safe - A tested startup limit keeps audio from opening louder than expected
One step to stop - Cancelling an automation is immediate, so nothing keeps playing once you want quiet
Normal remotes still work - Every automation here leaves the remote, switch, and app fully usable on their own
Essential automations
Dim lights when TV turns on
Dim selected lights to a tested scene while normal switches remain available.
Physical switch music control
Use a smart button or switch to play or pause your favorite stations without reaching for your phone.
Shower music
Start your morning shower music automatically, so playing it is one less thing to do before you’re even awake.
Speaker volume presets
Keep every speaker at a volume you expect, so nobody is startled by a blast the next time music starts.
Welcome-home music
Start a chosen playlist after a tested arrival transition without interrupting audio that is already playing.
One-tap pool party mode
Start a tested lighting and music scene from one deliberate control. Keep pool safety equipment outside the routine.
Common use cases
Automatic music
- Shower music when bathroom lights on
- Welcome home music on arrival
- Morning routine playlist
- Cooking music in kitchen
Lighting integration
- Dim lights when TV turns on
- Movie mode (lights + sound)
- Party mode (colors + music)
- Restore lights when media stops
Physical controls
- Button to start favorite playlist
- Switch to play/pause current music
- Dimmer for volume control
- Bedtime button (music off, night mode)
Volume management
- Reset to default volumes daily
- Louder during day, quieter at night
- Per-room volume presets
- Party mode overrides
Best practices
Speaker placement
- Kitchen: Above cabinets or on counter
- Bathroom: Away from direct water (IP rating)
- Living room: Multiple speakers for stereo
- Outdoor: Weather-resistant models
Network reliability
- Use 2.4GHz WiFi (better range)
- Wired ethernet when possible
- Keep speakers away from microwave
- Update firmware regularly
Volume strategy
- Morning: Low 20-30%
- Daytime: Medium 40-50%
- Late night: Low 15-25%
- Bedroom always quieter
Daily reset at 4 AM
- Reset volume levels
- Dissolve temporary speaker groups
- Stop any playing music
- Ready for morning routines
Failure modes
Music not starting automatically
- Verify trigger (light, door, presence)
- Check music service is linked
- Ensure speaker is powered on
- Check automation is enabled
Lights not dimming for TV
- Verify TV power monitoring detects on state
- Check threshold is correct (usually 50W+)
- Test lights respond to manual commands
- Ensure automation time conditions are met
Volume too loud or quiet
- Check last manual volume change
- Verify daily reset automation runs
- Adjust preset volume levels
- Check speaker-specific settings
Shower music stops too soon
- Increase timer duration
- Use "door closed" instead of "lights off"
- Add delay before stopping
- Check for conflicting automations