TV remote operation possible?
 

Many have lights which go one and off simulating people being in the house when away. Is there any way to turn a smart TV on and off with a pre programmed channel?

People easily see our TV on or off when driving by, and was thinking about how to add a bit of a more realistic some is at home effect. .

not expecting much but worth a try

Alexa can control some Smart TV's, a Google search including your TV model can explain.

I have seen (Amazon I think) a light bulb that simulates the color changing normally seen when a TV is on, and these were sold based on that point. This works great IF your TV is not visible from outside, also you can have a radio that turns on to provide some sound.

Few different options............but the answer is yes.

Try Google.

Alexa
Samsung TV & Samsung Phone
Get a WiFi power switch for your TV.

I like Wyze lite bulbs and Wyze app.
I use Wyze cameras.

I do use Bond app on my phone to control my fans, lights and shades on the lanai.

Why not run a "screen saver"? My TV runs my Amazon Photo Album ... free with Amazon Prime.

Unless someone is peeping with a Drone, they won't notice it's not a TV show that's on the screen.

With the blinds open, from the street you can watch our TV easily, and the blinds are open all the time. we don't live in a cave.

The best answer is to close the blinds and then use the TV simulator aimed at the blinds, on a WEMO timer

Amazon.com

thanks for the suggestions

That's very clever, this one that simulates motion is interesting also:

https://a.co/d/7DxZjra

Just curious, why? Are you really that concerned about a home break in? The Villages is a very safe place. I worry way more about stuff like lightning strikes, an A/C failure during the summer, a bursted water pipe or irrigation line, or hurricane damage. Someone breaking into our home isn’t even on my radar of concerns. Then again, besides our golf carts, clubs, e bikes, and vintage grandmother clock, there really isn’t anything in our home that I would particularly miss if stolen.

Some people TVs, including Samsung, have sleep settings which can also turn the on at a set time of day.

I have Google Home, I do not have smart TVs, yet it is set up that they will turn on from either my computer or phone. I also have smart plugs throughout the house which I not only use for my lights but also for my Christmas lights. Of course, with everything else I have cameras in the house, so last year when I wanted my grandson in PA to see my Christmas tree lit up, I switch on with my phone.

Wemo switch, which connects to the Internet thru your home WIFI.

You could also put a blow up doll in a chair.

Up here in MA in the city. . .
There wouldn't be much we would miss, it's just not giving someone any ideas. . it's more about avoiding the hassle, and we have been fine before with friends checking the house.

However, the friends who checked the MA house are now in TV, and we check their house in MA until it sells

I have google home set up to turn my TV off at a certain time when I fall asleep while watching TV. So yes it can be setup to go on at a certain time as long as you have a smart TV.

TV remote on off
 

Use a timer with multiple settings

Use a Timer with multiple settings.

Plug it in to a lamp timer, and leave its switch turned on.

Most TVs don't operate like lamps. If you unplug a TV, and then plug it back in, it will not come back on until you press the power button on the remote.

There are multiple "smart" plugs that you can get. I have Sonoff smart modules and their interface module which connects to my router. Most anything plugs into the module and then you can control it from your phone anywhere you go with Internet access. The app also allows you to program on/off times as you desire. The app I use is eWeLink but I think there are many ones out there. Takes a bit of setting up, but very easy to use.

Digital Picture Frame
 

We have a MaxAngel Digital Picture Frame - Model 102KZ. We purchased it to start and stop family photos changing every 30 seconds. It runs continuously according to whatever start and stop times we select. Our children can send us photos and videos via the internet which enter our Picture Frame directly. It's a family shareable Digital Picture Frame that also has audio.

This could be used for your purpose using non family photos.

This is a hilarious thread! Nothing here would prevent someone figuring it all out, except for 1 (only 1 answer) . That is Samsung (Smart Things app) which would allow the remote control of the TV and channels etc. What y'all are missing is it has to be RANDOM! All patterns are detectable, even if I had smart lights, they would never be set to the same time every day. That's just asking for it.

You can purchase a Kasa smart plug for about $10. It needs wifi to initially set up with the Tapo app.
Once set up, you can set a schedule for when the plug turns on/off.

The plug will then turn on/off per that schedule (even if your wifi is down). And if your wifi is working you can manually turn on/off the plug from anywhere in the world with your smart phone or tablet using the App.

You plug this device into your wall socket and plug your TV into this device

Some posters are suggesting that you can control a TV with wall plug and/or a timer. These are not solutions because the TV will not come back on by just plugging it in. You need to press the power button on the TV remote control after you plug it in.

Install a home security system

I'm surprised folks don't feel safer, given we spend millions of dollars for "Community Watch".

No consensus on this thread that folks are feeling unsafe. A poster asked a question and got a lot of suggestions.

This seems like a paranoid, silly solution to a problem that probably doesn't exist. I've never heard of a break-in in my TV neighborhood ever other than in situations where ex-spouses or relatives are involved. There's tons of empty homes in TV that can be spotted a mile away with zero lights on for weeks/months that any potential burglars would surely target first.

Also, do most people actually have anything worth stealing anymore? Other than my vehicle and golf cart, I can't think of anything in my home outside of furniture or appliances that I paid more than $1000 for, which would be worth pennies on the dollar if resold.

Samsung, Sony and some other brands allow you to set “On” timers for various days of the week.

This video shows you how to do it:


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9sIG_omnXEM

tv timer
 

Just buy a TV from the early sixties.

LOL. But, note that today, most people don't use the tuner in a TV. They get their content from a cable box or from a wifi-connected streaming service and/or device. The TV is just used as a monitor.