I like having the TV serve as the trigger for all the other home theater equipment being turned on, since the TV is in the room, and when you press the remote, you can easily see if it's on or off.
Our TV -- a Panasonic plasma -- like nearly all TV's, does not have a 12 volt trigger output. However, like most modern TV's, it *does* have a USB port (actually two). The USB ports are powered only when the TV is on.
And, USB ports provide a 5V power for its connected devices.
So, the trick/tip is to get a USB breakout terminal block. If you go to ebay, and type in USB breakout terminal block, you can find a variety of different ones. This way, you get a 5V trigger out signal, which you can use in a variety of different ways.
For example, you can hook it up to a 5V relay to close a contact, which you can detect using readily available Z-Wave and other equipment. HomeSeer's ADIO device I believe can read the 5V signal directly (but don't quote me on that). And once you get the signal detected, you can of course do anything you want!
The USB breakout terminal blocks are five bucks. A very cost effective solution.
Our TV -- a Panasonic plasma -- like nearly all TV's, does not have a 12 volt trigger output. However, like most modern TV's, it *does* have a USB port (actually two). The USB ports are powered only when the TV is on.
And, USB ports provide a 5V power for its connected devices.
So, the trick/tip is to get a USB breakout terminal block. If you go to ebay, and type in USB breakout terminal block, you can find a variety of different ones. This way, you get a 5V trigger out signal, which you can use in a variety of different ways.
For example, you can hook it up to a 5V relay to close a contact, which you can detect using readily available Z-Wave and other equipment. HomeSeer's ADIO device I believe can read the 5V signal directly (but don't quote me on that). And once you get the signal detected, you can of course do anything you want!
The USB breakout terminal blocks are five bucks. A very cost effective solution.
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