Skip to main content
Answered

Can Sonos Beam change the TV's HDMI input via Alexa?

  • March 27, 2019
  • 8 replies
  • 3264 views

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
Trying countless permutations of commands, it seams that my default HDMI input in the TV has changed. Its not ideal, but for now I switched the HDMI cables and now when I ask alexa to turn on the TV, its on the correct HDMI input setting. The tv is a vizio. Does anyone know how to switch HDMI inputs within the tv via Alexa?

Best answer by melvimbe

The below link is the list of Alexa commands you can use with Sonos related to music and TV functions.

https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3514?language=en_US

I could have sworn that you can give a command like 'Alexa, switch to HDMI 3' was possible, but I don't see it listed here. I recalling trying it myself when I originally got a Beam, but it did not work because my Samsung TV did not support the command. CEC commands are a little hit and miss because your TV and connected devices (Beam) are not required to support specific commands, or support them in every condition.

I can't say whether Vizio TVs support HDMI switching via CEC commands, but I would not be too surprised if they didn't. It doesn't seem to be a popular command to support. However, devices that use IR commands (like a TV remote) to switch HDMI will work quite well in almost situations. Logitech Harmony and Amazon's FireTV cube are good examples of this.
This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

8 replies

melvimbe
  • Answer
  • March 27, 2019
The below link is the list of Alexa commands you can use with Sonos related to music and TV functions.

https://support.sonos.com/s/article/3514?language=en_US

I could have sworn that you can give a command like 'Alexa, switch to HDMI 3' was possible, but I don't see it listed here. I recalling trying it myself when I originally got a Beam, but it did not work because my Samsung TV did not support the command. CEC commands are a little hit and miss because your TV and connected devices (Beam) are not required to support specific commands, or support them in every condition.

I can't say whether Vizio TVs support HDMI switching via CEC commands, but I would not be too surprised if they didn't. It doesn't seem to be a popular command to support. However, devices that use IR commands (like a TV remote) to switch HDMI will work quite well in almost situations. Logitech Harmony and Amazon's FireTV cube are good examples of this.

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor III
  • April 2, 2019
So it is still an unanswered question

  • Contributor I
  • April 7, 2019
So it is still an unanswered question
Have you figured it out yet? I have the exact same problem. If I use Alexa to turn on my Vizio it defaults to the HDMI ARC and not the HDMI input for my Apple TV. If I turn my TV off and on manually it sticks.

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor III
  • April 8, 2019
Some how over time, the correct HDMI input has become the "default".... it changed on its own. Perhaps turning the TV on /off via Alexa with the correct input selected... who knows?

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor III
  • April 13, 2019
Can Sonos Beam change the TV's HDMI input via Alexa? This still remains an unanswered question. I am not sure who designated this as answered

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor III
  • April 13, 2019
The serendipitous change of HDMI inputs in my system has spontaneously reverted. Instead of HMDI 3 its now on HDMI 2. I thought it may have to do with whether or not the TV is turned off or on via Alexa in the correct HDMI. Not the case. Perhaps if I turn the TV off and on via the remote or source, while the HDMI input is in its correct place... Ill keep people posted.

Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Avid Contributor III
  • June 7, 2019
@Evil Karma, Still not answered. Turning the TV on/off via remote or via Alexa makes no difference. It spontaneously "stuck" on HDMI 2 and there it remained.