Automation - Chromecast / Chromecast Audio

Installation

Install dependencies

This command will work on Raspbian. Please Google the right comand for your platform.

sudo apt-get install libavahi-compat-libdnssd-dev

Config example

Example config.json:

{
  "accessories": [
    {
      "accessory": "AutomationChromecast",
      "name": "Test",
      "chromecastDeviceName": "<The device Name of your Chromecast>",
      "switchOffDelay": 10000
    }
  ]
}

This accessory will create a switch linked with the status of a Chromecast or Chromecast Audio device.
It will also create a Motion Sensor, to trigger automation.

When you stream some audio/video to the Chromecast / Chromecast Audio, the switch turns on and the Sensor detects movement. Stop the streaming will turn the switch off and the sensor will stop detecting movements.

Turning On the switch will play the currently casted stream. Turning Off the switch will stop the stream.

The switch has the following properties:

Name	Description	Example
Type	The type of the device.	Chromecast Audio
IP Address	The full IP address + port of the device	192.168.1.100:8009
ID	The Chromecast UUID	a80722d5aa123456e408635c475988ca
Volume	The volume slider, to adjust the volume of the device (it can be also used within automations)	n/a

Note: some properties are not compatible with iOS Home app, use Elgato Eve app instead.

Configuration options

Attribute	Required	Usage	Example
name	Yes	A unique name for the accessory. It will be used as the accessory name in HomeKit.	Living Room TV
chromecastDeviceName	Yes	The name of your Chromecast device as shown in your Google Home App (case insensitive). This plugin will use Bonjour/mdns to detect the IP address of the Chromecast based on this name.	Living Room
switchOffDelay	No (default: 0)	The number of milliseconds to wait before the motion sensor stops detecting movement after stop casting. By default it is set to zero: as soon as you stop playing, the motion sensor will switch off. If you want to add a delay, set it to a value greater than zero. This config is useful for automations (see later example on this readme).	5000 (milliseconds, equal to 5 seconds)

Credits

This project as been largely inspired by the work of @robertherber

Examples

Dim the lights when I stream some video to my Chromecast

1. Create an accessory in Homebridge (code example at the top of this readme)
2. Create a new automation in iOS Home/HomeKit: when the Motion Sensor detects movement, trigger a scene of your choice (e.g. "Movie lights")
3. Start streaming to the Chromecast. The Motion Sensor will detect a movement, triggering the scene

Turn on/off the speakers when I streaming music

Let's assume you have some powered speakers that need to be turned on before use (I have for example the Yamaha HS8).

You can connect the speakers to a Chromecast Audio device and connect the to an Elgato Eve Energy) switch.

You want to turn On the speakers automatically when streaming music and turning them Off once done.

Here's how:

1. Create an accessory in Homebridge (code example at the top of this readme). Set the switchOffDelay to 30000 (30 seconds)
2. Create a new automation in iOS Home/HomeKit: when the Motion Sensor exposed by this plugin detects movement, turn on the speaker plug
3. Create a new automation in iOS Home/HomeKit: when the Motion Sensor exposed by this plugin stop detecting movement, turn off the speaker plug
4. Start streaming music to the Chromecast. The Motion Sensor will detect a movement, turning on the speakers
5. Stop / pause streaming. The motion sensor will wait 30 seconds before stop detecting movement, turning off the speakers

Using a delay will prevent the speakers from switching on and off constantly when you momentarily stop/start a stream (to avoid damages to the speakers)

Other examples

• Mute your Chromecast Audios when playing something from your Chromecast Video
• Pause your Chromecast when leaving home

Other useful plugins

Do you want to play some audio/video on demand from your automation?

Check my homebridge-automation-chromecast-play plugin.