control-your-tv-and-soundbar-using-bixby-google-home-or-alexa
Manually scrolling through menu options every time you want to adjust a setting can get tiring. Thankfully, you can ask Bixby, the AI assistant on your TV, to navigate the settings menu, change the volume, or even search for content. QLED TV remotes from 2018 and later have a Voice Wake-Up feature so you can call to Bixby even if you're not near the remote. Plus, you can use third-party voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home with the 2020 QLED TV and later, Premiere projector, or your Soundbar. Just hold down the microphone button on your remote, and your wish is Bixby's command.
Bixby is like having your very own personal assistant right on your TV. Let Bixby take care of everything for you.
Note: The Soundbar can only be controlled by Alexa.
Before you begin using Bixby, take a look at the Bixby guide by pressing the Microphone on your TV Remote. The Bixby guide will help you learn what voice commands you can use and will also offer access to Explore Bixby. Select Explore Now at the bottom of your screen to view your Samsung Account, Bixby settings, user information, and more.
When you learn a few commands, press and hold the Microphone, say the command, and then release. On the 2019 QLED TV, you can simply say "Hi Bixby" to wake Bixby up rather than using the Microphone button. Your Smart TV will recognise your voice command and navigate to the requested page or apply the changes directly - for example, "Navigate to the Settings page," or "Lower the volume." You can even adjust the sensitivity of this feature or turn it off in the Bixby settings menu.
Note:
- Using Voice Wake-Up will shorten the battery life of the remote.
Here are some examples of Bixby voice commands you can use to make life a little easier:
- To open the apps page, say "Open apps".
- Better yet, try "Open Netflix" and start watching some of your favourite shows.
- To set the volume, say "Volume" and any number from 0 - 100. For example, saying "Volume 25" will set the volume to level 25. If you choose a high volume level, you will need to confirm your selection by saying "Yes" or selecting Yes with the remote.
- To change the source, say "HDMI," "USB," or "TV".
- When playing media content, say "Play", "Pause", "Stop", "Rewind", and "Fast Forward". These commands should work in many different apps.
- To search for a setting or show, say "Search..." followed by what you want Bixby to search for.
Don't like the way Bixby's voice sounds or want to turn off voice wake-up? Just change Bixby's settings.
Press the Microphone button once and select Explore Now to go to the Explore Bixby screen. Select Settings, then select the setting you want to change. Voice Wake-Up can have the sensitivity changed from High, Medium, or Low, or it can be turned off.
Note:
- If you change Bixby's language, the language on the TV and other apps will not change.
Just like Bixby, Google Home can control your TV too. While Bixby has more functions available, you can make Google perform basic tasks like turning on the TV or changing channels.
Note:
- Your TV must be connected through SmartThings to use it with Google Assistant.
If you haven't done so already, download and install the Google Home app, then set up your Google Assistant devices.
When you're ready, open the Google Home app on your phone and tap the Account icon on the bottom right. Then, tap Settings, tap the Assistant tab, and tap Home control. Tap Add (the plus icon), then search for and select SmartThings. Enter your Samsung credentials, select the SmartThings location, and tap Authorise.
The SmartThings devices, including your TV, will be discovered automatically. Now, you can control your TV with Google Assistant.
Here are some examples of Google Home voice commands you can use to control your TV:
- To turn the TV on or off, say "Ok/Hey Google, turn on/off the living room TV".
Note:
- The TV must be connected to the network via Wi-Fi for it to be turned on with Google Home. It will not respond if connected to a wired network.
- To change the channel, say "Okay Google, change to channel 200 on living room TV", "Hey Google, next channel on living room TV", or "Okay Google, channel up/down on living room TV".
- To change the volume, say "Okay Google, lower the volume on living room TV" or "Hey Google, volume up 10 on living room TV". You can also set the volume to a specific value by saying "Hey Google, set the volume of living room TV to 50".
- To change the source, say "Hey Google, set the input of living room TV to HDMI 1".
- When playing media content, say "Hey Google, play living room TV". You can do the same for pause, stop, rewind, or fast forward.
- To mute or unmute, say "Hey Google, mute/unmute living room TV".
Step 1. Connect your TV or Soundbar to SmartThings.
Note:
- Make sure to update the SmartThings app to the current version.
Step 2. Change the name of your TV or Soundbar to one that can be recognised by your Amazon Echo device. (Something you can easily say out loud, like Soundbar, Living room TV, Bedroom Soundbar, etc. Make sure it doesn't have special characters, like [AV] Samsung Soundbar.)
To change the name of the TV or Soundbar after it has been added, touch and hold it on the main SmartThings screen, then select Edit.
Step 3. On your phone, open the Amazon Alexa app and navigate to Menu > Skills & Games. Search for and enable SmartThings for a TV or Samsung Wireless Audio for a Soundbar.
Note:
- You may be prompted to enter your Samsung credentials, select a SmartThings location, and authorise the connection to your Samsung account.
Step 4. Once the skill is added, tap DISCOVER DEVICES (or you can say "Alexa, discover devices"). The SmartThings devices, including your TV or Soundbar, will be discovered automatically. Tap DONE.
Here are some examples of Alexa voice commands you can use with your smart TV or Soundbar. In these examples, the TV is named "living room TV" and the Soundbar is named "Soundbar":
- To turn the TV or Soundbar on or off, say "Alexa, turn off the living room TV" or "Alexa, turn on the Soundbar".
Note:
- The TV must be connected to the network via Wi-Fi to be turned on with Alexa. It will not respond if connected to a wired network.
- To change the channel on the TV, say "Alexa, change to channel 200 on living room TV", "Alexa, next channel on living room TV". The commands "channel up" and "channel down" also work.
- To change the volume, say "Alexa, lower the volume on living room TV" or "Alexa, volume up 10 on the Soundbar". You can also set the volume to a specific value. For example: "Alexa, set the volume of the Soundbar to 50".
- To change the source, say "Alexa, set the input of living room TV to HDMI 1" or "Alexa, switch to Bluetooth on my Soundbar". On your TV, you can also change the source to a known name, such as "Alexa, change the input of living room TV to Xbox".
- When playing media content, say "Alexa, play living room TV". You can do the same for pause, stop, rewind, or fast forward. You can also assign music from your Amazon Echo service to your Soundbar: "Alexa, play Classic FM on my Soundbar" or "Alexa, next song on Soundbar".
- To mute or unmute, say "Alexa, mute living room TV" or "Alexa, unmute my Soundbar".
Thank you for your feedback!
Please answer all questions.