Help- Elderly Parent eye loss, need voice control of changing channels!

redman

Hi All

My father (93) can no longer use a normal remote as his eyesight has deteriorated so much. I now have a new LG OLED 42C fitted beside him in the bed, it has alexa built in an lets him change volume amongt other things, but I am struggling to get it to change to channels he wants. It allows him to say turn on RTE which will then look to open the RTE app not switch to RTE1 or switch to RTE2 etc....

I put in this forum as primarily I am looking to see if there is an IP or broadband service that supports Alexa or other voice commands. Currently he has IPTV, Terrestrial Aerial and satellite but he can no longer switch HDMIs easily (even though I can voice control that).

So what im looking for is a single service with terrestrial and other channels which can be accessed /controlled via voice e.g. "turn on RTE1"

ideally the service would have english channels and sport channels also, hence my expectation it would need to be a paid IPTV

Welcome your thoughts and advice!

Redman

coylemj

The remote control that comes with the Virgin Media Horizon box has a voice button and you can call out the channel you want to switch to.

rubberdungeon

https://murrays.ie/product/easy-tv10-simple-remote-control/

Would something like this be helpful, it says it works with any TV and is ideal for the elderly, those with poor finger dexterity or impaired vision.

I’ve no experience of using it, just saw it online and wasn’t sure if it would help. If not, perhaps they could offer some advice to help

cruizer101

Just tried on my Sky Q box and it takes voice inputs for channels, I tried about 10 different ones got 7 of them first time, others on a retry.

How many different channels would he watch, if its not too many I wonder could you save as favourites that might make accessing them easier.

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120269677#Comment_120269677

Juts to note on the latest VM box the remote control doesn't control the volume, so that might be awkward if reliant only on voice.

icdg

Sky Glass might be an option to consider albeit a very expensive one - it does “wake word” voice control (like Alexa/Siri) and doesn’t need you to be holding the remote like Sky Q does.

dam099

A Logitech Harmony Elite with the hub (and some other Hub models) could also work, it has an Alexa integration and you can even set aliases for channels like BBC, BBC One, BBC etc in case he uses variants. Unfortunately it was discontinued so they are expensive to buy if you can find one (and likely to be used). They do rely on servers to configure but they are still working (for now), not sure if they are updating the device database for new TVs etc but you can also teach it remote commands as a last resort.

I have it configured but don't use much, but on occasion I or the kids will say Alexa turn on RTE1 for example and it generally seems to work.

Sofabaton seem to be the main recommended alternative but I have not used so cant say if it would work.

redman

Thanks for all the comments and feedback

He does have this remote but it isnt updated for the particular LG model ( i am liaising with them in the Netherlands on this) https://www.oneforall.com/universal-remotes/urc-6810-tv-zapper#/step-1

Softabaton is a new one to me, but Id need a device with big and minimal buttons, ill look into it more though.

Ive tried the "Smart-STB" app on the TV which gives full iptv access but its not controllable via the LG inbuilt Alexa.

What ive managed to do since is create alexa commmands to allow him to now change AV via voice. just not pick a station via voice.

Sky IPTV box not released in Ireland yet and Virgin box remote I have one myself but issue as above