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Are you asked to integrate Amazon Echo and other pieces like it?
This thread has 36 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 18:54
highfigh
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Along with the original question, what are your clients asking you to do with these?
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 2 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 18:59
Hasbeen
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Based on the traffic that I see with my web design clients and managing their pages, two of the biggest things you should be seeing.

1.  Amazon integration.
2.  WAPs.

Not very sexy, but there is a clear want/need that you guys should be able to capitalize on.
Post 3 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 19:05
cshepard
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Since we are a C4 shop, Alexa integration is a no-brainer. Seems like we have a fairly even mix of clients who already use Alexa, and clients we introduce to voice assistants along with their new C4 systems.
Chris
OP | Post 4 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 20:07
highfigh
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Can you be more specific in how you mean ‘integration’? Is it for Alexa to be a souce of info/music or as a voice operated controller? How often do the comands/requests need to be repeated, how do you phrase the requests and how complex are the requests?
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 5 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 20:45
iimig
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My clients aren't asking, but we are integrating. The obvious ones; that being TV and music control
The less I say, the smarter I will appear
Post 6 made on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 23:06
cshepard
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On February 17, 2018 at 20:07, highfigh said...
Can you be more specific in how you mean ‘integration’? Is it for Alexa to be a souce of info/music or as a voice operated controller? How often do the comands/requests need to be repeated, how do you phrase the requests and how complex are the requests?

Both—Alexa (Dot) as an audio source and as voice control. The downside to using an Alexa device as a source is that you have to issue one command to have her turn on the audio system & switch to the correct inputs, then issue a second command to begin streaming the desired audio. Then, if you have her change to different source (cable box for example), when you say something else to her, the system will no longer be on the input connected to her audio output & you can’t hear her.

The big thing is that with the new Alexa feature, Routines, the client can create & modify what amount to their own macros, with the trigger phrases being more natural (“Alexa, goodnight” vs. “Alexa, turn off living room” etc).

Usually we start out with simple A/V source switching, and basic lighting. We set up about half a dozen favorite DirecTV channel commands for every video zone on the C4 system for a particular client. We have Alexa controlling a crazy sunroom with motorized sliding glass door, two garage doors with MyQ motors & Somfy roll-up screens & some lighting. In another home, we set up a voice trigger for “bar party mode” where Alexa has C4 turn on 4 TVs to their appropriate sources, activate a C4 lighting scene, and turn on 4 neon bar lights with Belkin WeMo outlet switches.

Last edited by cshepard on February 18, 2018 08:25.
Chris
Post 7 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 03:39
tca
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How do you charge the client for this? We are putting together a pricing structure and it’s so new we would love to see what everyone else is doing.
Post 8 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 05:51
King of typos
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Perhaps one of you should create an YT video showing off the Alexa and C4 intergration. A little bit on how it’s done and what it can do.

Just a thought.

KOT
Post 9 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 08:10
Don Heany
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.

Last edited by Don Heany on February 23, 2018 14:03.
Post 10 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 08:14
Don Heany
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OP- very few clients ask for it, we tend to try to push it. Some clients want absolutely nothing to do with it. As for charging, it gets rolled into the standard programming labor amount.
Post 11 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 10:33
3PedalMINI
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Ive done a few jobs. Most notable for a disabled client that no longer has use of his hands or feet. Alexa with C4 is pretty bulletproof. Client gave me a list of ~20 channels he watches and I integrated them.

I also have a roku in the system but its not as straight forward for him. I have it go directly to netflix or amazon etc. But he has to say "Alexa move to the right" every time he needs to go to the "right-left" you get the idea. I did program "alexa skip to the right 3x" and programmed "three button presses" to help speed things up but it does take a while.

I wish you could say "Alexa" right- right - right but there is no way to issue multiple commands.

Its a start but VC is far from perfected. Josh.AI seems to have the best system but not many guys are integrating it or using it.
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 12 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 10:37
TonyCove
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I was actually just asked this on a current project. I usually use Vantage lighting Controls with RTI, they both have control drivers for Alexa, so I’m pretty hopeful having never used one myself. I hope the voice recognition and accuracy is as good as Ive been reading reading.
Going to be automating lighting and AV with it, so I guess we’ll have to see. Kind of excited to try it out honestly.
Post 13 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 10:46
Don Heany
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On February 18, 2018 at 10:33, 3PedalMINI said...
Ive done a few jobs. Most notable for a disabled client that no longer has use of his hands or feet. Alexa with C4 is pretty bulletproof. Client gave me a list of ~20 channels he watches and I integrated them.

I also have a roku in the system but its not as straight forward for him. I have it go directly to netflix or amazon etc. But he has to say "Alexa move to the right" every time he needs to go to the "right-left" you get the idea. I did program "alexa skip to the right 3x" and programmed "three button presses" to help speed things up but it does take a while.

I wish you could say "Alexa" right- right - right but there is no way to issue multiple commands.

Its a start but VC is far from perfected. Josh.AI seems to have the best system but not many guys are integrating it or using it.

Occurred to me this morning that the JoshAI camp has been pretty quiet for a while now. Hope they’re doing alright! They have an awesome offering but when dots were blowing out at $30 a pop this past holiday season- well... Ouch!
Post 14 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 10:51
3PedalMINI
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On February 18, 2018 at 10:46, Don Heany said...
Occurred to me this morning that the JoshAI camp has been pretty quiet for a while now. Hope they’re doing alright! They have an awesome offering but when dots were blowing out at $30 a pop this past holiday season- well... Ouch!

Josh.Ai is doing just fine. They got a sizable blind investment from someone or some corporation.

I have no proof of who it is but you could knock me over with a feather if the investment came from a Seattle based company or Mountain View, Ca. Company. If I had to wager it would be a Seattle based company ;)
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 15 made on Sunday February 18, 2018 at 11:11
Mac Burks (39)
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So far only Lutron integration with Alexa. Setup is super easy. Installation is even easier and voila you have magical voice commands.
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