+22 votes
by (2k points)
How r people who have WiFi led strips behind their tv getting them to turn on with the tv? Is there a usb powered relay or something?  
How r people who have WiFi led strips behind their tv getting them to turn on with the tv?

17 Answers

+22 votes
by (6.6k points)
 
Best answer
I have my TV plugged into a smart switch that monitors power usage. When it draws power, it turns on a virtual switch, when it doesn’t draw power it turns off the virtual switch. In SmartLighting I have a routine that turns on/off the plug my LED TV light strip are plugged into, depending on the state of the virtual switch.  
by (1.5k points)
@angell what did you use to get the power usage to trigger the virtual switch. I have a SmartThings outlet that can read power draw. I’d love to only have the tv lights come on when the tv is on.  
by (6.6k points)
@literalism webcore
+20 votes
by (1.2k points)
My USB port powers up when i turn the telly on. Have two sets of two TVs and both do the same.  
by (2k points)
@thereafter right, but most WiFi rgb controllers need ac power
by (550 points)
Most LEDs behind TV's aren't wifi, they come with an rf remote and are powered by a USB port on the tv itself.  
+19 votes
by (890 points)
You could use a power monitor smart plug, and when it reads a load (TV on) turn on the lights
by (660 points)
@squaw this is what I do
+11 votes
by (1.6k points)
My Harmony routine includes the IR control of the strip.  
+12 votes
by (2.2k points)
I just have mine set to come on when my living room lights are on.  
+17 votes
by (550 points)
If you want them to turn on with the tv, the easiest way is to get strips made for tvs. They plug into a USB port on the tv and are powered when the tv is powered and come with an rf remote to change colors/modes. WiFi enabled LED strips cost more than regular rf controlled ones too, so it's also the cheapest.  
+21 votes
by (2k points)
I had one that was ir and it did plug into tv. I wanted to use WiFi but everything I see on amazon needs a ac power adapter
by (170 points)
You can get wifi adapter for led strips which are powered by usb i use them myself the input is 5v.  
by (2k points)
@biretta isn’t it limited to 3 feet?  
by (170 points)
@lemma i have mine around my electric fire and it is more than 3 feet over 6 feet and can control them by infra red or alexa i will try and take photo and upload it i use magic home app linked to alexa.  
+10 votes
by (650 points)
I use a harmony hub.  
+17 votes
by (3.4k points)
I’m a fan of home automation but sometimes the KISS method makes the most sense. Why not go to Walmart and buy the led kit they sell for tv’s. They plug into the TV USB port and turn on with the TV. I set the color, plugged them in 2 years ago and no issues at all. Less than 10 bucks if I remember.  
+10 votes
by (400 points)
Plug it into the USB port
+10 votes
by (1.6k points)
Harmony here
+14 votes
by (1.9k points)
Just get a cheap usb light strip. It plugs into the tv and turns on/off automatically with the tv.  
+13 votes
by (2.2k points)
Hue LED strip, and they are added to the "Turn TV on" routine in Alexa.  
+17 votes
by (410 points)
I had a Sylvania led strip that was controlled with SmartThings and a smart power plug for the TV. When the TV plug goes over 25W (TV sucks up some wattage even when off. ) I have SmartThings turn the led strip on. Then my son laughed at me because he had a cheap led USB strip he connected to the TV that did the same thing  Only benefit of my setup is that a webcore routine can change the light intensity up or down as the wattage from the TV changes. Just for fun.  
+16 votes
by (4.7k points)
Good tvs or at least higher end brand have a usb port on the back of the tv. its used for manual updates or for people who have to have a backlight for some reason
+11 votes
by (580 points)
Harmony Hub with a routine
+15 votes
by (490 points)
Most of my screens have a USB port that can power small devices. If not powerful enough it’d be easy to use it to trigger on/off.  
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