This is a how to tutorial guide in typical Paul Hibbert fashion to show you how you can control your Xbox one with Alexa using either a Broadlink RM pro or a Broadlink blackbean
Amazon:
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy a full blown Echo speaker here: goo.gl/hXMxuf
Buy an Android set top box here (for people who don’t own an Android device): amzn.to/2rhOciS
US Product links:
This is my top 10 things to do with Alexa in 2018. A look back on the coolest things we managed to get her to do this year.
If you’re new to my channel this is a handy list, if you’ve been following me for a while then maybe you missed a couple of these. Either way, enjoy ny countdown of the top 10 things to do with Alexa this year!
This is a review and unboxing of the Eufy Robovac 11 which is a perfect cheap alternative to Roomba, and because it is Infrared it can be controlled using Alexa by following the below guide created by yours truly:
This how to video tutorial will show you how to stream from any android mobile/cell phone or tablet to any Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, or Raspberry Pi based device using Kodi and Yatse.
If your TV is not Android based then Android set top boxes are super cheap and start from around £30
If you’re interested in any of the other paintings just drop a comment on this video and I’ll get in touch 🙂
By buying through any of the below links you will help support my channel (Paul Hibbert) as I will earn commission at no extra cost to you:
Model Batman Cowl: amzn.to/2BxfljG
An exlanation of Home automation for beginners. This is a video full of cheap alternatives to mainstream home automation products, an explanation of the different devices involved in home automation and some recommendations by yours truly: Paul Hibbert
Why you probably don’t need an Nvidia shield.
This is a review of the Matricom Gbox Q3 Android set top box, an Nvidia Shield alternative Android box that works well as a NES, SNES, Megadrive and N64 emulator using Matsu player, a game PC game streamer using Moonlight, and also makes for an awesome Kodi box.I have also succesfully used this box for home automation tasks using the RM plugin thanks to it having the full Play store and Android 7.1 preloaded.
This is a fairly complete guide to connecting the RM pro to Alexa and Google Home.
To understand this complicated mess you’ll need some History:
Broadlink took so long to create an official skill that a 3rd party developer created their own trick to make it work by using an Android device to advertise the devices to Alexa. The software that makes this work is called the RM plugin and it still works today if you have an older version of the RM pro (RM2+ and backwards). In my opinion this is still the most versatile way to control the RM pro as it opens up other opportunities for automation.
Later on Broadlink decided to have their own go at Alexa control and created an official skill, but they only released it in America. They also made it so it could only control Infrared devices such as TV’s and set top boxes, it can’t control RF.
I was told of a way of tricking Amazon into thinking I was in America so I could use the official skill, and from there I came up with a way of tricking the Broadlink into controlling RF devices (Light switches, plug sockets etc)
There is now even more confusion because Broadlink recently came up with a way to stop my trick and as of today the official skill can only control Infrared again. Their block only works on the more recent RM pros though so now everyone is trying to find an old one and everyone is super confused about what works and what doesn’t.
Thanks Broadlink!
To make it even MORE confusing the latest RM pros do not work with the original Android method either because the RM plugin software can’t detect the new devices.
If you’re in the UK and your RM pro is a recent model then your only real option is to wait for them to release the official skill in your country (February 2018 they reckon) and hope that they’ve included RF support (no date specified yet)
How to tell what version of the RM pro you have
The RM plugin is the only reliable way of knowing what version of the RM pro you have, if it can’t detect it at all then you probably have the RM pro+ and you’re stuck waiting for Broadlink. If it can detect it then it will tell you what model you have and you may have a way forward with the original method at least, though it may require a firmware change on the RM pro to enable the RM plugin to control it. A simple procedure, but choose the wrong firmware and you will brick the device! Check the FAQ section of the RM plugin and it will advise what firmware to install and how to install it.
What about Google Home?
If you have Google home then the official Broadlink service for Google home can control RF but not IR, so it has the opposite problem to Alexa! There is a way to trick it to control IR however, so Google home is actually the best way to control the RM pro at present!
See the links below for guides on each aspect of this sordid mess:
How to control the RM pro using an Android device (RM pro 2+ and ealier only): youtu.be/DJIhEyMQ0TI
How to trick Amazon into thinking you live in the US (Not suitable if you use Amazon music or Kindle as it breaks them, but is reversible and causes no lasting damage): youtu.be/dO5rExW-7I8
How to use the official skill to control RF if you’re in the US (or at least pretending) (RM pro 2+ and earlier only): youtu.be/Lg4HQhN5KXo
Which models are affected and how are they affected?:
MODELS ARE AFFECTED AS FOLLOWS:
RM2 : Unaffected
RM2+ : Does not work with the ‘official skill work around’ but does work with RM plugin method (requires firmware change)
RM03 : does not work with either method
RM PRO+ : does not work with either method
Drawbacks of each method:
Official skill
If you convince Alexa you live in the states then Amazon music and the Kindle book store won’t work. They are the only two drawbacks and can easily be reversed by simply undoing the trick.
The official skill will allow you to control TV’s and that’s about it. In order to control RF devices like plug sockets and light switches you can trick the Broadlink skill by using this video: youtu.be/Lg4HQhN5KXo
Android method
It requires an always on Android device
Benefits of each method:
Official skill
Doesn’t require an Android device
Android method
Less of a hack, Amazon music and Kindle still work
Allows you to do more with the android device as a remote for people who don’t want to use Alexa: youtu.be/GxpG8G21was
Allows for more automation such as tasker and IFTTT control
Once you’ve chosen and implemented a method, and started having some fun with it you will want to look at creating custom commands so you can say more than just “on” and “off”, i.e. “Alexa, it’s time to go to sleep” might trigger all the lights off at once. This video will show you how to do that: youtu.be/yaxIaPPRXt
Current bugs and the fixes! :
When trying to enable the Philips Hue skill in the Alexa app you may be asked to press the button on the bridge before it will enable! If you don’t have a bridge you can’t, but never fear just login with my details below instead and the skill will skip the button press 😉
You can’t 🙁 You can never be certain that the seller won’t assume you want the latest model. The safest thing you can do is wait for all this to blow over. If you want to try anyway then I suggest you ask the seller directly and explain your motivations. Ask if he has any old stock he’s looking to get rid of.
My video has caused some confusion and people are looking for a red base RM pro. My red base is simply because my RM pro is ancient and came from a very brief time frame before they changed the design to black and repurposed the red base for the RM home which can’t do RF! You will not find a red based RM pro! If you find a red based design it will more likely be the old RM Home, and YOU DO NOT WANT THAT!!! Do not buy a red base RM pro, you will be disappointed.
Amazon has released an update which means we can finally create custom phrases for Alexa by using Routines. This gave me a couple of good ideas and has solved a big problem with the Broadlink skill. Most importantly I can go back to feeling like I live in the hit 90’s movie Demolition Man.
This video tutorial will show you how to use routines
You will need a Hue hub as well as lamps if you want the Philips setup, you can get them here:
The Philip Hue lamp in the video is here: amzn.to/2zxgfPu
The Philips Hue hub is here: amzn.to/2iYpdho
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…
I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.
This is an easy tutorial to turn any Android tablet (no root required) into a posh DIY home automation touch panel. This is a cheap alternative to the expensive touch panels in swanky smart homes, and will control pretty much anything including the Broadlink RM Pro and the Broadlink blackbean. This is a simple setup using IFTTT, the RM plugin, Nova launcher and basic android widgets.
You will need a Hue hub as well as lamps if you want the Philips setup, you can get them here:
The Philip Hue lamp in the video is here: amzn.to/2zxgfPu
The Philips Hue hub is here: amzn.to/2iYpdho
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…
I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.
