#How to run Denon AVR commands?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

gusty bane
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I’m just getting started setting up Home Assistant (in a docker container). Looking to switch from Homebridge to HA due to how annoying Apple HomeKit automations are.

To test, I’ve loaded the Denon AVR Network Receivers integration to see how it works. But the docs refer to a bunch of commands that look like CLI commands or maybe to be used in a python script or something?

https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/denonavr/

but they don’t mention how you are supposed to run these commands. Any help?

Home Assistant
Denon AVR Network Receivers

Instructions on how to integrate Denon AVR Network Receivers into Home Assistant.

spiral relic
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I don't see any CLI commands there, just HA service calls

gusty bane
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How do I use those? Been poking around in HA for a while, and I can’t figure out how to get much of the same options as I do with Homebridge. I’m a complete newb to HA, so I’m probably missing something obvious at the moment.

spiral relic
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Perhaps give an example of something you want to call. From what I can tell, they're just all actions that you can use in an automaton or script

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Like any other action that you're probably already using

gusty bane
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This is my first attempt at doing anything in HA. With Homebridge, I’m used to installing “plugin” (integration) and then you configure it however you want (sound mode buttons, sensors, etc), and then they just show up in HomeKit.

So it sounds like with HA, I need to add an integration, and then somehow build out those same things elsewhere?

Like, since I use a bunch of different buttons, etc, for my Denon, I’m thinking it needs its own dashboard and then somehow build all those things into HA? (Ugh, sorry, I hate being a newb at this)

spiral relic
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Yes, integrations are how HA communicates with and controls things

gusty bane
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Yeah, it seems like I can’t do anything other than change sound mode and source. But there are a ton of other settings I use and not sure how to get those added which would basically make this useless for me. 🤔

spiral relic
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As to how to use actions, read the earlier link

gusty bane
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Thanks for the links. I have read the first one a few times, will be going over it again as I learn what it all means in correlation to what I see in HA, for sure.

I’m just not entirely sure how to use the denonavr.get_command since I don’t see anything in automations that allow me to send that or how I’d even get a list back.

quartz sleet
gusty bane
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For example, when I add the Denon AVR device to an automation, it only allows me to choose triggers from a very limited list. There’s no way that I can see to send a custom command.

quartz sleet
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It doesn't sound like the best integration to start you HA journey with 🙂

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Also for the automation bit, you likely will want to create a helper as a trigger(such as a toggle or button), then run the action on the Denon device

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But I would still start with an Integration that's easier to setup/configure if you have something

gusty bane
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I don’t mind configuring this, there just doesn’t seem to be an information on how to do that. Been searching for a while.

They mention you can send these commands, but don’t tell you how to. That’s all I need to know. Or even what to expect. If this was on the command line, for example, I’d just run whatever and see the stdout.

quartz sleet
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Use the Dev tools and run the action denonavr.get_command

spiral relic
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This integration isn't as straightforward as others that provide HA actions for most functionality. But it is quite flexible

gusty bane
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Ok, I’m getting closer. I found the dev tools area and how it can call the denonavr.get_command action, seeing if I can figure this out further.

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Man, the docs on this are missing so much information. Apparently you have to use entity_id somehow, but it doesn’t explain how. And their example of the command to send doesn’t show any sort of entity_id… so no idea what I’m supposed to do.

I wish people would explain stuff all the way, not just mention random things that are specific to whatever this is, alluding to them being mandatory, but then not explain what you’re supposed to do. I have no problem configuring things as long as some sort of explanation exists. How would I know otherwise?

quartz sleet
spiral relic
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I really suggest starting with the HA doc link that I pinned to a while back. It seems like you're missing the basics

gusty bane
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I read it a few times. Doesn’t mention anything about this unfortunately.

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Not that I can tell anyways.

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For example, the code they use in their command example doesn’t even exist on that list of Denon commands, so I have nothing to cross-reference it with to even try to figure out what I’m supposed to put in its place. (VSMONI2)

spiral relic
gusty bane
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Ah, they just typo’d their example apparently. I don’t know of a Denon receiver that supports 12 monitors. 😅

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I think I have the rest figured out. They just over/under-explained what entity_id is. When you’re on the Dev > Actions page, you select the device and then the entity there. You don’t need to include it in a command here that is suggested but not shown.

gusty bane
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Ok so I’ve been able to test a command in the dev tools… but how do you add that command to actually be something you can use in HA?

spiral relic
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Go back to the getting started docs that I pointed to

gusty bane
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Yeah, I’ve read it. I understand what those are. I just don’t understand how to use them. But I think I’m figuring it out now after messing around for a while.

gusty bane
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Ok, thanks, folks. With your help I think I figured this out. Now just gotta figure out which commands actually work and which don’t since my AVR is not listed on that command list they link to (of course 😅, my kind of luck)