Needed features

Devices & Integrations Device Ideas
1

I’ve found a few shortcomings in SmartThings (henceforward “ST”) that developers should consider.

I just hooked up a Samsung smart tv (QN90C 50) and a Samsung sound bar. I now have FOUR remotes: Samsung “universal remote”, Samsung “soundbar” (evidently “universal” is a bit of a misnomer), a DirecTV streaming remote, and SmartThings. No one remote covers this cosmic array of two devices.

  1. ST needs t be user configurable with plug-ins. That is, I’m running DirecTV directly on my smart tv. My DirecTV remote will turn on the system, but won’t adjust soundbar volume. The Samsung universal remote won’t easily access the tabular channel guide that facilitates selection of programs from broadcast and streaming services. The soundbar control is specific to the sound bar.

  2. What I want is an array of plugins that users can select to add controls for direct and other apps. Maybe add buttons(s) on the remote to pop into the plugins, plugin removal with confirmation.

  3. (I forgot what I was gonna suggest here.)
2

WHY is ST so slow???

Does it converse through a PC-AT server in Lower Slobovia?

3

Does the Samsung soundbar support earc and is it plugged into the hdmi labelled earc? If so any remote that changes the tv volume should in turn change the volume on the soundbar.

I have a Samsung tv and a Sonos soundbar and a freeview dvr box, I can control all 3 with the Samsung tv remote by switching sources . Likewise my tv remote and dvr volume controls also control the soundbar. If this isn’t working look for a setting in tye tv setting called hdmi-cec or more likely any net+ and ensure its enabled

1 Like
4

Interesting. I shall look but I don’t recall a special hdmi port being mentioned in the cabling instructions.

I’m about to publicly torch Samsung for making a great tv but not paying more attention to setup and remote controls. Samsung touts SmartThings without considering potential disastrous public relations by not giving this forum the support needed to make their products shine.

5

Ah… right… yet another “senior moment”: Samsung sez “Use Wireless! It’s easy!” Easy, maybe, but full functionality via WiFi? Maybe not…

I’ll look for the earc port tomorrow. Not being wired may be impacting my apparent lack of rear audio.