Smart Home Media Remote Guide

action.devices.types.REMOTECONTROL - Media remotes are used to control media devices. Examples of this device type include hubs, universal remotes, and media controllers.

This type indicates that the device gets the Media Remote icon and some related synonyms and aliases.

Device capabilities

Refer to the corresponding trait documentation for implementation details, such as attributes and states that your service should support, and how to build EXECUTE and QUERY responses.

Required traits

These traits and commands are required, if applicable to your device. If your device does not support these traits, enter the error code of functionNotSupported in a QUERY or EXECUTE response. See Errors and exceptions for more info.

Trait Commands
action.devices.traits.AppSelector
  • action.devices.commands.appSelect
action.devices.traits.InputSelector
  • action.devices.commands.setInput
action.devices.traits.MediaState
  • N/A
action.devices.traits.OnOff
  • action.devices.commands.OnOff
action.devices.traits.TransportControl
  • action.devices.commands.mediaClosedCaptioningOff
  • action.devices.commands.mediaClosedCaptioningOn
  • action.devices.commands.mediaNext
  • action.devices.commands.mediaPause
  • action.devices.commands.mediaPrevious
  • action.devices.commands.mediaResume
  • action.devices.commands.mediaStop
action.devices.traits.Volume
  • action.devices.commands.mute
  • action.devices.commands.setVolume

These traits are recommended, if applicable to your device. However, you are free to mix and match from all available traits to best match your existing product functionality.

Quality requirements

  • Latency: must be less than or equal to 3000ms.
  • Reliability: must be more than or equal to 97%.

Example device: Simple media remote

This section contains example intent payloads representing a common "Media Remote" based on the device type and traits above. If you add or remove traits in your implementation, modify your responses accordingly to reflect those changes.

Sample SYNC response

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654512",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.SYNC"
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654512",
  "payload": {
    "agentUserId": "user123",
    "devices": [
      {
        "id": "123",
        "type": "action.devices.types.REMOTECONTROL",
        "traits": [
          "action.devices.traits.Channel",
          "action.devices.traits.AppSelector",
          "action.devices.traits.InputSelector",
          "action.devices.traits.MediaState",
          "action.devices.traits.OnOff",
          "action.devices.traits.TransportControl",
          "action.devices.traits.Volume"
        ],
        "name": {
          "name": "Simple media remote"
        },
        "willReportState": true,
        "attributes": {
          "transportControlSupportedCommands": [
            "NEXT",
            "PREVIOUS",
            "PAUSE",
            "STOP",
            "RESUME",
            "CAPTION_CONTROL"
          ],
          "availableApplications": [
            {
              "key": "youtube",
              "names": [
                {
                  "name_synonym": [
                    "Youtube",
                    "Youtube_en"
                  ],
                  "lang": "en"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "availableChannels": [
            {
              "key": "ktvu2",
              "names": [
                "Fox",
                "KTVU"
              ],
              "number": "2"
            },
            {
              "key": "abc1",
              "names": [
                "ABC",
                "ABC East"
              ],
              "number": "702.4-11"
            }
          ],
          "availableInputs": [
            {
              "key": "hdmi_1",
              "names": [
                {
                  "name_synonym": [
                    "HDMI 1",
                    "DVD Player"
                  ],
                  "lang": "en"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "key": "hdmi_2",
              "names": [
                {
                  "name_synonym": [
                    "HDMI 2",
                    "TV"
                  ],
                  "lang": "en"
                }
              ]
            }
          ],
          "orderedInputs": false,
          "volumeMaxLevel": 11,
          "volumeCanMuteAndUnmute": true,
          "volumeDefaultPercentage": 6,
          "levelStepSize": 2,
          "commandOnlyVolume": false,
          "supportActivityState": true,
          "supportPlaybackState": true
        },
        "deviceInfo": {
          "manufacturer": "smart-home-inc",
          "model": "hs1234",
          "hwVersion": "3.2",
          "swVersion": "11.4"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Sample QUERY response

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654514",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.QUERY",
      "payload": {
        "devices": [
          {
            "id": "123"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654514",
  "payload": {
    "devices": {
      "123": {
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "online": true,
        "on": true,
        "currentApplication": "youtube",
        "currentInput": "hdmi_1",
        "currentVolume": 10,
        "isMuted": false,
        "activityState": "ACTIVE",
        "playbackState": "PAUSED"
      }
    }
  }
}

Sample EXECUTE commands

appInstall

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.AppSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654522",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.appInstall",
                "params": {
                  "newApplication": "youtube"
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654522",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentApplication": "youtube"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

appSearch

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.AppSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654524",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.appSearch",
                "params": {
                  "newApplication": "youtube"
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654524",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentApplication": "youtube"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

appSelect

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.AppSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654526",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.appSelect",
                "params": {
                  "newApplication": "youtube"
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654526",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentApplication": "youtube"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

SetInput

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.InputSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654528",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.SetInput",
                "params": {
                  "newInput": "hdmi_2"
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654528",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentInput": "hdmi_2"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

PreviousInput

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.InputSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654532",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.PreviousInput"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654532",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentInput": "hdmi_2"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

NextInput

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.InputSelector reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654530",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.NextInput"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654530",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentInput": "hdmi_2"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

OnOff

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.OnOff reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654534",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.OnOff",
                "params": {
                  "on": true
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654534",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "on": true
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaClosedCaptioningOff

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654536",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaClosedCaptioningOff"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654536",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "PLAYING"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaClosedCaptioningOn

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654538",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaClosedCaptioningOn",
                "params": {
                  "closedCaptioningLanguage": "en"
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654538",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "PLAYING"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaNext

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654540",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaNext"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654540",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "FAST_FORWARDING"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaPause

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654542",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaPause"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654542",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "PAUSED"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaPrevious

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654544",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaPrevious"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654544",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "REWINDING"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaResume

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654546",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaResume"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654546",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "PLAYING"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mediaStop

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.TransportControl reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654548",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mediaStop"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654548",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "playbackState": "STOPPED"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

mute

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.Volume reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654552",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.mute",
                "params": {
                  "mute": true
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654552",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentVolume": 10,
          "isMuted": true
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

setVolume

For additional details on the command parameters, see the action.devices.traits.Volume reference.

Request
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654550",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "intent": "action.devices.EXECUTE",
      "payload": {
        "commands": [
          {
            "devices": [
              {
                "id": "123"
              }
            ],
            "execution": [
              {
                "command": "action.devices.commands.setVolume",
                "params": {
                  "volumeLevel": 11
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}
Response
{
  "requestId": "6894439706274654550",
  "payload": {
    "commands": [
      {
        "ids": [
          "123"
        ],
        "status": "SUCCESS",
        "states": {
          "online": true,
          "currentVolume": 11,
          "isMuted": false
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Device ERRORS

See the full list of errors and exceptions.