Lifx Bulbs Integration

Feature Suggestions
1

The Lifx bulbs are going to be the biggest competitor to the Philips Hue only Lifx is more open source.

It would be cool to add an option to plex to activate a script on the start and stop of a movie ore tv show so the lights lower ore color automatically 

Maybe some movies have a preferred light color.  Ore even cooler for advanced users light changes during the movie depending on the color and light in the screen.

With music it would also be cool to color them on the beet of the music. (life already has this feature with an Itunes integration) 

 

It would be cool to have more home automation integration in plex ore the ability to add ore link commands and scripts to plex control functions.  

 

2

Hi,

I'm also trying to fully include Plex client into my home automation system, so I completely agree Plex should have some way in which it actively sends out some signals to be processed externally.

Currently I poll the Plex client API every second with my own application to see Plex' current state, then act on the response - it's somewhat complicated and produces some unnecessary network traffic.

But especially the light control will be interesting for more & more people, as I can say it is VERY nice when you simply pause a movie and the light turns on just the tiniest bit to find the way to the kitchen  B)

See my older post here.

I personally would love a way over ip sockets, then your own remote application can be anywhere in the house, but some scripts would do too, I guess, as I can forward them with my own app.

But I understood that a replacement for the good old API calls will be included in the upcoming Plex Home Theater client, didn't try it yet, though...

They talk about it here, but I didn't have time to look into it yet.

Can anyone tell us if there is a way Plex Home Theater can actively send information about its state? Is that possibly the mentioned "Eventserver"?

Thank you

3

Nothing to add, just a curiosity question while I'm overlooking something. Why would you use such a method when there are devices like a Harmony remote available?

4

Valid question,

can't speak for others, but for me its about minimalism, most simple usage & undisturbed cinema experience

I don't like some remote control or smartphone app that lights up even a small screen in the dark & I have to look where I press a button.

Plus, even with a Harmony, can you manage not to press two buttons but just one when you pause/start a movie and set the light by some script at the same time?

That is of course without messing up playing and paused light situations? If there is the slightest change for example I press play and it will trigger some script for my lights but the movie is not playing, I don't like it.

Meaning: does the Harmony "know" in which state Plex is? If it does, then well, I'd like to know too  ^_^

Cheers

5

first, the Lifx bulbs are not even buyable in germany... so maybe it's not a so big competitor? easybulbs.com are also selling in germany.

and we should ask for something more flexible ... like the boblight project , which works for many different lights http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/86797-ambient-light-boblight-on-pms/

6

Regarding the light bulbs,

I assume there will be tons of different manufacturers available over the next years.

While those will probably be the way of choice for most people (as they won't be able to set up a real home automation system),

I don't think it makes sense for the developers of Plex to include any support for specific manufacturer in their clients - as you said, some are only available in some countries.

What would be a solution for all, is to simply include some way to send out events as they happen,

then people can code plugins or standalone apps to fill the bridge to those different light bulb systems or

for people like me, to my home automation system.

I repeat my question again to the community & developers:

Is there already a way to get notified about things like "Playing", "Paused", "Stopped" etc. in PHT? Maybe the "Eventserver" already does what we search for?

Thanks.

7

Aha, I suddenly see what you mean especially with the remote and the screen lighting up. Thanks for explaining :)

Did you see this topic: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/71506-api-for-get-what-currently-is-playing-on-the-server/?p=413389?

8

Thanks A.J.,

didn't see that before, will check it out.

Looks like that method is server based compared to my client based method, not a necessity for me, but if it has other advantages, might be useful.

Cheers.

9

The reason I wanted to request this feature is for getting a more integrated smooth intuitive experience. One button action, and everything happens that you want to happen.

No multiple remotes. Just the question, what would you want to happen if you pause a movie? ore start one. 

10

Shame it’s 2020 now and Lifx bulbs are still not an inbuilt option in Plex yet. We have to go use Tautulli and other weird methods to get this to work, it would be so much nicer if it was naturally built in.