#No idea how to start, want to get some clues!

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

tepid dock
green void
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Hi, first of all, controlling scenes with voice commands is as simple as creating an automation and use "sentence trigger" as action and select a scene to activate or deactivate.

tepid dock
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This is through the Home Assistant app, yes?

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I'm really sorry for all the questions (in advance), I am a complete noob

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And I say this with 0 modesty, I really have zero knowledge.

green void
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you could use a voicePE or RespeakerLite or use the app

tepid dock
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For context, I've only been using my devices' own apps (Mi Home, Google Home, etc), so I don't know if getting into Home Assistant is a similar experience with setting things up

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But it does seem a bit daunting

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I've mentioned my issues with the apps on their respective forums, as well, and most of the responses I've been getting have directed me to check out Home Assistant. And well, here I am

green void
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Nope, there are a lot of add-ons and integrations available through Home Assistant (HAOS) or the HACS store (Home Assistant Community Store)

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you set up home assistant and install your desired stuff (e.g. Google stuff) and you would have to check the communication standard for your devices. (e.g. there are devices connected with wifi > ready to go, there are devices that connect with Zigbee > buy Zigbee dongle.

tepid dock
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Ultimately my goal is to set schedules for certain devices (mainly lights), have some devices talk to each other (proximity/motion sensors with lights, hygrometers with dehumidifiers), and set up voice commands to activate certain scenes/automations (still mostly lights and speakers). What do I need to get from Home Assistant to assist me with this?

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Will just the hub/main unit suffice?

green void
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Most of it will either be auto-detected by HAOS, or you would have to install the appropriat integration or add-on

green void
tepid dock
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Sorry, haha!

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I checked out the HA website a few months ago and saw that there were devices for sale to get started?

green void
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If you mean a google hub or similar, the goal is to ditch the hubs and do it all locally inside HAOS

tepid dock
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Are those the devices you mean?

green void
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OK, for installing HAOS:

tepid dock
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Like Home assistant green, etc

green void
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i would suggest you look for a sff pc (2nd hand HP, Dell etc) or buy new Beelink S13 or similar. Go for 8GB RAM minimum. For the price of a Green (sorry Home Assistant) you could buy mentioned hardware and would be far more robust, flexible.

tepid dock
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Oh!

green void
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i started with raspberry pi and the upgrade to pc was superb, faster, more responsive etc.

tepid dock
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Gotcha gotcha. I'll look into that.

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I do have unused laptops, but I'm worried they won't be enough to do the job. Might just look for actual sff pcs

green void
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For HAOS itself, 99% sure that you can do all AND more if using HAOS to control stuff instead of app/cloud based services

green void
tepid dock
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Gotcha. That's really the thing I'm looking for. Right now I'm having to make Google Home react to voice commands by setting my devices up in a unique configuration for each scene/automation, and then mi Home's scenes will get triggered if the conditions are met. It's super janky and I hate it.

green void
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Another thing that speaks for HAOS is the fact that (if using apps/cloud) to control lights > no internet, no light control. If you set all up locally in HAOS it will still be controllable.

tepid dock
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Alright, I guess I'll hold off on any questions until I start setting up, then

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Won't be useful to ask anything when I haven't even started anyway, I think

green void
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Just shout out here if help or tips needed.

tepid dock
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I will! Hopefully soon

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Oh one more, before I go

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I was really contemplating on the Green because of the tiny form factor

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Although you did mention that having a dedicated pc run the HAOS is more robust and quicker

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How much of a difference is there compared to the green

green void
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much 😉

tepid dock
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Mmmmm

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I'll take your word for it

green void
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also, for future use and compatibility i would choose sff

tepid dock
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I'm already spending so much on the devices themselves anyway

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Thanks again, for all the answers!

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If I didn't ask, I wouldn't have known that running it on a dedicated unit was an option

green void
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If you have to buy new devices, choose Zigbee protocol instead of WiFi.. more stable, local control without having wifi

tepid dock
green void
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If you want to spent the money on sff pc, you could even install ProxmoxVE and run HAOS as a virtual machine inside, allowing you to run future stuff next to HAOS. E.g. Samba Server etc)

tepid dock
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No clue what any of those words are

green void
tepid dock
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I'm gonna assume that HAOS only needs RAM and CPU to operate properly

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I'll have to sift through my old devices if I have one that can run it

green void
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it's just an option, but go for haos first lol

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Also concider (if budget allows) go for a subscription from NabuCasa, the Home Assistant cloud, this will allow you to connect from everywhere and provide encrypted backups.

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And does a superb voice assist, quick responses.

tepid dock
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What does connecting from everywhere allow me to do

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And what would I be backing up?

green void
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from your phone controlling your home when outside

tepid dock
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Oh

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so HAOS by itself won't allow me to do that?

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Well, I guess I can still control my devices with their own apps even if I run Home Assistant

green void
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yes, there is also Tailscale wich allows external control too but has no backup function, it's free and can be added to HAOS with the Tailscale Add-on

tepid dock
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I guess tailscale or Nabucasa affords me the ability to just keep all my controls within HA right

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without having to bother with my devices' apps anymore

green void
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from outside your wifi network, yes. Say you're on a holiday and forgot to turn off the lights, you can access your HAOS and turn them off

tepid dock
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I'm kinda lost about the backup function though, are all my automations/controls kept as files? Why does HA need backup.

green void
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Backup is standard included in HAOS, it will backup your data to local file. NabuCasa cloud sends the backup to Nabu cloud. It's not needed though

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if the fan drops in the sh*t, you'd be glad that you have a backup.. 🙂

tepid dock
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I guess what's confusing to me is what data am I supposed to be backing up, haha

green void
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HAOS will automatically backup your complete home assistant system including add-ons , integrations, settings etc. , but start with the hardware and install HAOS first, go from there.

tepid dock
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Mmm!

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Okay okay

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I guess I never really thought about home automation backup at all before this

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Thanks a lot for the help

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this is massive insight into my next steps

green void
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say, your SSD dies and give errors in HAOS, the only thing you would have to do is re-install HAOS and putting back your backup

tepid dock
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I'm assuming there's documentation on the website for how to install HAOS right

green void
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i'll provide.. 1 second

tepid dock
green void
tepid dock
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I just connected the dots

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Sorry about that

tepid dock
green void
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np, had the same issues when i started, but this discord server will provide all help that is possible, and you will learn things quickly enough when you start HAOS

tepid dock
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The most exciting thing I've ever done on my computer is (allegedly) installing pirated software

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This is probably gonna beat that no question

tepid dock
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Things will probably get clearer in time

green void
tepid dock
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Alright alright! Gonna go shopping for small PCs

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Thanks a ton

green void
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before install, just check the bios settings and disable secure boot.

tepid dock
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Ok ok! Many many thanks

green void
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np good luck, shout out if help needed.

wintry parrot
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@green void , thanks for your kindness and helping, people like you make this community great 🫂

green void
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wow, thanks! @wintry parrot