How to Automate a Movie Night Scene

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Define your lighting state

   Open the Home app and navigate to the room containing your viewing area. Select your smart lights and set them to a warm color temperature between 2000K and 2700K at 20% brightness to reduce screen glare. Ensure all accent or overhead lights are set to off.

   Note: Use low-intensity bias lighting behind your screen to reduce eye strain.
2. 1 min

   Establish the scene

   Tap the Plus (+) icon in the top right corner of the Home app and select Add Scene. Choose Custom, name the scene 'Movie Night', and select the lights configured in the previous step. Confirm the current state of these lights is captured as the scene default.

3. 1 min

   Add media controls

   While still in the Scene editor, select your Smart TV or streaming device. Assign a 'Power On' action to the scene to ensure the display activates when the scene is triggered. If your device supports it, set the default input to your primary streaming app.

4. 30 sec

   Set environmental variables

   If you have integrated climate control, add your smart thermostat to the scene. Set the temperature to a consistent 70 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain comfort for the duration of the film. Save the scene once all devices are configured.

   Note: Avoid automated climate changes during the movie to prevent distracting fan noise.
5. 30 sec

   Execute the automation

   Navigate to the Home tab and tap the Movie Night scene tile to execute the sequence. Verify that all lights dim, the TV powers on, and the climate control adjusts simultaneously. If any device fails to trigger, long-press the scene tile and tap Edit to adjust individual device settings.

   Note: You can now trigger this scene via Siri by saying 'Hey Siri, Movie Night'.