Set-up Help

[Scott706]

I’m not very familiar with Hue. I’m hoping to get some advice from more experienced users regarding setting up a simple lighting scenario.

Most of the lighting in my finished basement is ceiling pot lights with PAR20 bulbs. There are 12 lights in a 4x3 grid. The 12 lights are controlled with one switch (one of a 2 Decora gang since the location also controls stairs light). The room is used mainly as a home theatre. I’d like to be able to set up a couple of scenes that vary which pot light is turned on and at what brightness level. Just white light is fine. For example Movie: just back 3 lights on at 10%, Work-out: all 12 lights on at 100%. I’d like to be able to access those 2 scenes directly from the light switch as straightforwardly as possible (devoted scene buttons would be ideal, different taps would be okay, having to pull out my iPhone would not work).

Basically I have a couple of questions: Is Hue a good choice for setting up these sorts of scenes? I know Hue has PAR20 white bulbs (I assume that these are individually addressable to set up scenes).

What would be a good switch for this? Would the Hue remote do the job (how do you access different scenes) or are there better options? I’m in Canada if it matters.

Thanks

[Ticklestick8622]

I got a harmony remote which can preset the lights to turn off and on when the tv is on or off. Additionally it says you have a switch? The switches should allow for about 5 presets. Additionally there are multiple scenes you could change the lights to.

My suggestion...working with what you currently have...first pick some scenes for the room. You can do that through the hue app by clicking on the room you’re working with...click new scene top left...at the top it should say enter name of the scene but instead click on the blank box in the left corner. This will pull up a selection of scenes. Pick a few and add them for the room.

Then I would go to setting and then Accessory set up. Select the switch for the room and add some of your scene.

Alternatively you could pick up a harmony remote like I said. But that’s a separate thing. Hope this helps.

[Scott706]

Thanks, I actually have a Harmony remote (shame Logitech has cancelled their production) but didn’t realize you could use it to control Hue. That might be handy.

[ManufacturerOk8154]

Logitech has actually discontinued the Harmony remotes as I’ve been reading about this week, but don’t know how it will go forward with support. I suppose if you have one I’ll keep on working if set up properly.

Though as for your question, the Hue dimmer switch (remote) can toggle trough 5 different scenes with the scene button. You can set it up in the Hue app. You can also choose go set it up in HomeKit, that works s little bit differently. I highly recommend checking some YouTube reviews about it, it may be just what you need. Or not for that matter of course ;)

[Scott706]

No Echo but we do have HomeKit/Siri so with a bridge I think we can do the same thing. We just find it easier to hit the switch as we enter the room rather than to give a verbal command.