Startguide - lgtv-alexa-skill

Node.js bridge for LG Smart TV and Amazon Alexa

Software requirements

• node >= 14
• Docker (for the dev container)

Working environment

It's recommended to make use of the .devcontainer to have all the needed tools and libraries available without the need to set them up manually. Just run in in VSCode or any other IDE supporting dev containers.

In alternative, proceed to setup a local node environment, with the constraint listed above.

To run

• Enter your TV's MAC address and IP address into tv_data.json
• npm install
• node index.js alexa

To do during the first run

• Be sure your Alexa-ready device is up and running
• On your TV, make sure that TV Mobile On (General settings) is set to ON
• On your TV, make sure that LG Connect Apps (Network settings) is set to ON
• Add the devices using the Alexa app (Settings -> Smart Home -> Add Device )
• Wait about a minute, then say "Alexa turn TV on/off" or "Alexa start/stop [app name]"
• The first time, turning on/off the TV will ask for permission. Just confirm the pairing and your bridge is ready!

Functions

Alexa bridge
node index.js alexa - Makes the vocal commands for TV and apps available

Toast
node index.js toast "[your message]" - Display a toast message on your TV

Apps list
node index.js appslist - Display all the apps installed on your Smart TV and provides some useful info (appID etc.)

Service list
node index.js serviceslist - Display a list of the available services and theirs API

Status
node index.js status - Display the TV status (ON or OFF), and if ON, shows the application in use

Application status
node index.js appstatus [app ID] - Display the status of the application specified by an ID

Mute on/off
node index.js mute [true|false] - Mute/Unmute your TV

Turn TV on/off
node index.js [tvon|tvoff] - Turn the TV on or off

Available vocal commands

• Turn tv on/off: "Alexa, turn TV [on|off]"
• Start/stop application: "Alexa, turn [on|off] [your app]" or "Alexa,[start|stop] [your app]"
• Mute/unmute tv: "Alexa, turn muting mode [on|off]"

Available applications

• Netflix
• YouTube
• Broadcasting (LiveTV)

Add your application

It's possible to add your own application if you know the appID (and if you don't just run the appslist command to get a list). Add your application on apps.json, restart the Alexa bridge and run the device discovery on Alexa app on your mobile or at the Alexa website.

Run as a standalone service

It's possible to run this bridge as a standalone application and, for example, as a service in your own linux server, running in your network together with your TV.

To do so, compile the application by running ./build:app.sh <node-environment>. Then move your executable where needed and prepare the service file for systemctl. Example:

[Unit]
Description=LGTV backend service for integration with Amazon Alexa
After=network.target
StartLimitIntervalSec=1

[Service]
Type=simple
Restart=always
RestartSec=3
ExecStart=/usr/bin/lgtv alexa // suppose that the executable file is on /usr/bin

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

and save it with a meaningful name, like lgtv.service in the folder etc/systemd/system for example.

Then run:

• sudo systemctl daemon-reload
• sudo systemctl enable lgtv.service
• sudo systemctl restart lgtv.service

You shall be able to see the status by executing sudo systemctl status lgtv.service

Thanks to

• hobbyquacker, lgtv2 library
• neil-morrison-44, forked project