Thanks for the info. I am using an app called Simple Control that does many (if not all) of the same features, but requires "ask Simple Control" in every command. I think I may put the Harmony Companion on my Christmas list. I have a Harmony 880 in two rooms now and like the physical buttons when I want to use the DVR.Yeah, "Alexa, turn on TV." works. Then some other activities I have set up like "Alexa, turn on smart TV." that turns on all the same gear but sets the TV to the Smart Apps home rather than the HDMI input. Still have to select the smart app itself, like Netflix, with the remote because the TV does not have a direct command/hotkey for Netflix.
Also, with favorite channels set up in Harmony, can say "Alexa, turn on National Geographic" or "...turn on SyFy", etc. and it will change the cable box to those channels.
Edit: It seems to struggle recognizing channels having abbreviated names; ABC, CBS, CW23, etc. I have not yet been able to voice command those sort of channels through Alexa/Dot.
I came up with a new solution for my Office setup. As I mentioned, I was using Bluetooth to my receiver, but it was a bit too limited. I couldn't use my headphone setup with it and it only allowed me to use the Echo Dot speaker when I would connect it with my iPhone via Bluetooth. I have a Tivoli Pal radio (I have two of them, the other is my bathroom) that I keep in the living room for listening to the occasional local basketball game that isn't being televised. It is portable, so I like it for carrying out to the pool for local radio, too. Anyway, since it wasn't getting much use, I moved it to my office. I then used a headphone splitter that I had laying around and sent one Echo output to the Tivoli (it has aux in) for listening to podcasts or just for better sound quality for regular functions. I then ran the other output to a preamp that feeds my headphone setup..which feeds my receiver.
This gives me the option to listen to the Tivoli Pal or the Onkyo receiver (or both if I want to be crazy). I am listening to the Onkyo playing a playlist that Alexa put together for me and I think it sounds pretty darn good. I like the sound of it with Bluetooth, to be honest, so maybe I am not as picky as I used to be.
I mentioned in another thread that Burson Audio is supposed to be sending me a Cable + adapter. I initially wasn't interested, but they claimed that it could help with the sound quality coming out of the Echo, so I asked them to send me one to review.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/cable-plus-a2r/
I am interested to try it, but I am definitely skeptical. I will also test it with my Phone, where it might make a bigger difference.
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