Home Assistant Dashboard Remote | Tutorial

[@paulhibbert]

Happy Saturday Everyone! One more week of paternity and then you can all enjoy the bags under my eyes! BUY THE WIRELESS KEYBOARD I USED HERE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links below I will earn commission at no extra cost to you :) UK: amzn.to/3x0e0Dn US: amzn.to/3R1Y7TX ============================= BUY ME A BEER Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert ==============================

[@Yuriel1981]

Bro you got a kid now. That Virginity ain't growing back! Lol

[@RobertShed]

Where did you get the stickers from?

[@cristobalruizsolari]

You could create only one automation with multiple triggers...each one for every key of your keyboard using triggers id

[@davidr521]

Thanks Paul! Mazel Tov on the baby, by the way 🙂 Tried this once before, and I had been capturing the "key up" AND "key down" button presses, and wondered why I couldn't get it to work 🤦‍♂Once I saw your code, it dawned on me. Where'd you get/how'd you make the stickers? Also, did you consider using one LARGE automation, with different trigger IDs, for the keyboard?

[@Nigel1969]

Where did you get the stickers for the keypad please

[@ELMANTEC]

Don't know if your guys realize, but this s a game changer. This cheap super accessible trick makes all the expensive big corporations hardware obsolete. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kevinhenryviii]

Nice one Paul. Just ordered one. How did you make the stickers?

[@ShaunWilliams]

This is fantastic. But is it possible to add extra functions as a single/double press and long/short press

[@arunskuviyamphotography5388]

Great video Paul! it's simple but powerful. How did you make the stickers?

[@chicagomike2111]

I am not an apple or home assistant guy but did enjoy the video. Thx Paul

[@GarthShaner]

Love the violin! And the video! Hope you are enjoying your family!

[@Sna55y]

That's pretty cool. Would have loved to have seen an example of a "then do" that used the Android ADB.

[@brendanm720]

I dunno, Paul. I'm a Home Assistant fan and I enjoy the jokes... This is very cool. Thanks for putting this together.

[@ruostee]

Cool idea! I think you could get even more out of it using Mqtt and node red instead of dongle.

[@khevaunguevara8676]

Ok ill give HA a try, was thinking of the habitat but it's so expensive, much prefer a code free as possible local solution but Paul, you've changed my mind.

[@thosharmon5901]

I moved from Hubitat to HA and never looked back.

[@JamieStuff]

I just ordered two of these keyboards using the link... and I don't even have HA set up yet! (No need when living in a semi, aka a lorry.) One of these days, tho...

[@thebatu89]

Hi Paul, what’s that holder thing you used for the remote?

[@sandphotoNL]

What is the range on that keypad? My HA is on the other side of the house...

[@D4RKFiB3R]

33 feet from the receiver. Walls will shorten that distance. USB extention lead could help with that.

[@TayschrennSedai]

Only downside is this requires your HA to be local to the keyboard... My HA is virtual and in the basement. Still it's a nice idea.

[@D4RKFiB3R]

Are you saying this won't work if you have Home Assistant running in VirtualBox?

[@TayschrennSedai]

@@D4RKFiB3R no, if you're able to pass a USB through it'll work, but the RF from a dongle to the keypad is limited.

[@TayschrennSedai]

@@D4RKFiB3R although a way around that would be to perhaps use a raspberry pi or such as a USB-over-IP solution. I haven't specifically seen that used, but I've used USB over ethernet which is basically the same thing

[@D4RKFiB3R]

@@TayschrennSedai Active usb repeater?

[@gadjetsvideo]

Great video and a good idea, I've a similar keypad and although it works the range is pants! about 4 feet, what's your range? maybe yours is a better keypad, I assume this method should work with a bluetooth connected macro keypad? like the ones from Aliexpress?

[@TheShinyGuru]

I have one that looks identical, although in the device listing it has a different name & more entries. Although for reasons I don't understand it took 2 days to get it to work now that it is, I have about 10 feet of range from a room upstairs and over from where the receiver is. The keyboard_remote web page talks about using Bluetooth keyboards so they should work.

[@mutley247365]

I got this keypad to try out, but My hardware is showing "/dev/input/by-id/usb-1ea7_2.4G_Mouse-event-kbd" and I cant get an event log

[@byokey]

very much appreciate! thks

[@kerrigreen2626]

That sexy time button is not going to get much use now. Lol

Am i the only one who is having range issues with this keyboard? It literally cannot communicate above 2 meters, not even through walls. Is it an interference issue that an extension cable can resolve even though the receiver plugged into usb2.0?

[@LuMack]

I would like something like this but without being virgin again, sorry, i meant without using home assistant 😅

[@AntonyHart]

Stop it. First you go on and on about HA and make me install and start using it. And then you go and suggest all these cool ideas with HA. It's really eating into my time all this work you keep giving me. HOMEEEEEEEEE ASSISTANTTTTT !!

[@jyvben1520]

you need an assistant, could AI help ? just kidding, AI would probably ruin it all

[@paulhibbert]

This is how the virginity returns 😬

[@TheCowboysdude]

@@paulhibbert I have to say....... when you did that in the video I almost spit my soda out LMAO

[@garrykanter5773]

Unexpected Pitch Meetings references are tight! (First time watcher)

[@cverlaak]

Yeah yeah yeah!

[@paulhibbert]

I’m going to need you to get all the way off my back about it… well let me get off a that thing!

[@Matthewtrains]

Can you also provide us the document you printed with for the stickers

[@ericapelz260]

I think you've missed the true beauty of this remote. Neither my wife nor I have issues using the app, except in the middle of the night when we wake up and want to change something but don't want to grab our phone, unlock it, open the app, and scroll to the thing we want to adjust. It is literally the problem we have with our sleep number bed. It's just too much faffing about in the middle of the night. A nice simple set of buttons is just what I've been thinking about to trigger the Sleepnumber 360 integration so I can quickly get back to sleep.

[@KameraShy]

This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have for years used X10 and am slowly moving toward HA. The beauty of X10 is in its simplicity which allows 16 devices to be controlled with a push-button keypad.

[@Frederikstott]

Ahhh yes, a new video from the masterbaiter!

[@paulhibbert]

That joke happens to return next week! 😂

[@stevehumm1678]

@@paulhibbert the master, that's baiting!!

[@dan-nutu]

Ahhhh, that setup, with a studio light and a camera pointing towards the bed... 😂

[@dan-nutu]

Meanwhile, you can see the amz UK stock for that keyboard going down: "Only 10 left in stock", "Only 9 left in stock" :)

[@Frederikstott]

@@dan-nutu - we all know what happens next 🥴

[@grahamjones7814]

Paul, can you use multiple keyboards? Possibly with the same Dongle, or is the keyboard and dongle locked together?

[@jochemembregts292]

Great video, thank you! Could you please share the file with the stickers you made for the buttons? It would really help me determine the size of them. Thank you in advance

[@chrisbenefield9889]

I second that having today taken delivery of the keyboard and started adding automations. Yet another damn fine video Paul ❤

[@paulhibbert]

I’ll set a reminder in my calendar for tomorrow to upload it and put the link on the video description!

[@paulhibbert]

😫 I'm sorry to report that I didn't keep the file. I can't for one second imagine why I wouldn't have kept it, I can't believe I didn't save it as it would be useful for me too later on!! This is the image I used as my template, I had to clean it up a bit and then get it to scale using Photoshops rulers: m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61v7t5F-YcL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

[@jochemembregts292]

Thanks for trying tough. Keep up the videos, really enjoy them​@paulhibbert

[@Mu-podcast]

Such a silly man. You have a baby now. That heart button will not be pressed for years to come!

[@JeremyCobb]

one more time for the other baby. Then, never again.

[@paulhibbert]

Jokes on you, it gets pressed every night because it’s been reprogrammed to soothe the baby 🤣

[@iainpryde8912]

@@paulhibbert Is that a euphemism? Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

[@jossie067]

Paul, really simple, and clever, how did your create the sticker for on the keyboard?

[@CassidyJames]

I legit do the “HOME ASSISTANT!” bit voice every time it comes up in conversation… thank you for that. My wife doesn't quite understand the random hip thrusting, but that's fine…

[@JustADevMaster]

Standing ovation for using and pointing local/ofline integrations.

[@mrfixers6775]

has anyone elses remote stopped working since updating to 2024.7.2

[@TechRealityGlasgow]

I was starting to feel impressed with this contraption and then I noticed, no "Booby Feed Button" - C'mon man! Are you telling me that the "Mini Paul" starts to squawk and you have no button to feed the little critter? I dunno.. I dunno... :)

[@paulhibbert]

I attached a flic button to my mrs forehead long ago 😉

[@odie7764]

I think you should get a 3d printer, it would be so funny watching you lose your mind.

[@AlvinXant]

tipp: laminate your printed stickers, you can peel off one side with the backpaper and you have the front laminated !

[@CrypticConsole]

that stand is way too wobbly

[@PeterHellmich]

But what do you do if your HA server isn't sitting in your bed room? These remotes have a pretty limited range, don't they?

[@paulhibbert]

A valid point. It’s not something I considered before making the tutorial because I’d got it working one room over from my Pi and in my brain I’m going it’s WiFi… of course it isn’t 🤣 To give you an idea of range… From the opposite side of the room next door to my pi which is on the opposite side of that room it works 90% of the time.

[@gedgicat2063]

5:05 😂. Great video as always🎉 enjoy family family take a photo at least once a week every week.

[@ThorFayad]

Thank you so much for this! Love it! I also would like to know where you got the buttons or if you could upload your template. Thanks again!!

[@JoshFisher567]

Thanks! Not as good as an Unfolded Circle R3 but at 1/30th of the price, got one through affiliate link.

[@theruffus]

This is waaaay cheaper than the Stream Deck I recently set up to do this kinda thing 🤑 Clever Idea though, I used those 12 actions/4 buttons zigbee light remotes for this before, but remembering what does what is a pain, having images is a nice upgrade 🤩

[@PasqualeRamella]

Is the keypad wifi wireless? I'm not sure how far from the dongle it has to be, to be able to use it?

[@technoah3346]

Can you set this up with more than one keypad?

[@rucdoc]

if the tutorial isn't fun, it's boring and I fall asleep

[@TH3xR34P3R]

I have this done with my streamdeck XL so that I have controls when I am at my desk when I want to use them for the most common things I need to access.

[@thosharmon5901]

Nice part about this is that it's only 10 bucks!

[@jmr]

I did the same thing with one of those remote controls that use a dongle. I made some stickers to label stuff too. I also created a function that switches what device it controls. Shift right makes it a media remote for Alexa. I have several playlists that can be selected by number. Shift up controls the TV. Shift left controls lights. A variable list in the automation maps buttons to human readable commands. A text input stores which device the remote is supposed to be controlling.

[@SteveJones172pilot]

This is awesome.. but, I run my HA as a VM.. Can this run with BTProxy? If so, got any hints? For that matter, I'd LOVE to see an overview video of what I can expect to do with BTProxy in general.. And yes.. I just realized the keyboard you linked to isn't a BT keyboard, so I know it's not a 1:1 comparison... but, since your linked keyboard isn't available, I ordered a BT one.. Please tell me I can use it!! ;-)

[@CrazyAngelfire]

hey paul. just a quick question.... i have the same keyboard that you use, and when i trigger a number it shows 3 triggers. is this correct? i have found that if you push numlock it makes the presses have 3 triggers per push

[@paulhibbert]

Not sure, it’s possible that I did but didn’t notice. I’m assuming one of those 3 is unique to that key press?

[@CrazyAngelfire]

@@paulhibbert seems to be the same number before and after the actual code as if num lock was off. but the code before and after seem to be the same for any number that is pushed

[@paulhibbert]

@@CrazyAngelfire ah cool, you can just use the unique number then 👍🏻

[@iainparsons9788]

+1 on @kevinhenryviii question/comment about the stickers; how did you make them?

[@darknessblades]

This would make using those REMOTE/keyboard combo's quite interesting if you want 30+ automations on a keyboard/remote Having a wireless mechanical keyboard would also help, since you can get special keycaps where you can add stickers/icons to without needing to glue them on the stickers How would this work if you have 2+ keyboards? would this still work, or would each keyboard conflict with each other?

[@BorisChevreau]

Did you try by using the /dev/input/by/-id/usb-... link instead ? I've heard it's usually better in case your receiver changes port or order number changes for whatever reason (for example if you use HA virtualized).

[@luckycatdad8369]

Since it operates off a 2.4ghz wireless USB dongle. Will it work seamlessly on a Raspi? Do the drivers just plug and play automatically?

[@JohnWEdmonds]

Booorrrrriiinnnggggggg!! Fill your tutorials with humor!! (This was informative, but we love your quirky humor!)

[@PosiCat]

This begs the question if a Bluetooth keypad might not work just as well, I've seen some for very similar prices, also some with a wider array of keys, some with other types of controls as well. It would be especially nice to have on that charged over USB, and wire in a Qi charger for it, so you could just keep it docked and charged while not in use. Also it might be helpful to tweak the Linux udev rules to give each keyboard a custom name so you can find it be serial number or some other identifier.

[@DIYtechie]

Good, good…. Hehehe. He has finally embraced the dark side. Kidding aside I love to see these DIY projects.

[@TrophysoftCom]

You should REALLY stop using HA automations and switch to Node Red. Not only is it far easier to program using a graphic interface - there are DOZENS of functions that you can use in Node Red which are not available in HA automations.

[@winandd8649]

This might work for some, but as the wireless keyboard is using a 2.4Ghz dongle to the HA system, this system should be in range of where you use the keyboard.. Since my HA system lives in cellar.. not worky.. any solutions to that?

[@chriswitham4510]

Excellent tutorial. Just to note, my Raspberry PI 5 based Home Assistant needed a full restart to work not just a quick reload.

[@Teleport73]

Paul Hilbert making a Home Assistant tutorial calling for edits to the configuration.yaml file...good...good...

[@AlonsoVPR]

Amazing!!! I definitely have to try that! Cheers my favorite bald man! yeah.. not Bezos :D

[@DanStratton1]

Great video. However, a year ago if someone would have told me I would be learning YAML from Paul, I would have laughed.

[@neilos2085]

Got the same keybaord and followed the instructions. Can see the device in the list, but doesnt seem to pickup on any inputs. :(

[@timsbird1971]

Put a thin layer of clear nail varnish on top of the buttons carefully and they will last longer and you should still be able to peel them off.

[@davelindenmuth1421]

Paul, you forgot the microphone because children (especially the wee ones) remove brain cells from their parents heads…

[@KrazyKaiser]

"your virginity will grow back" damn, it must suck for your wife to have to teach you how to have sex again all the time.

[@eadweard.]

How far apart can the reciver and keypad be? Different rooms?

[@D4RKFiB3R]

33 feet from the receiver. Walls will shorten that distance. USB extention lead/active repeater could help with that.

[@_Bogdan_]

Nice video as always 😊 How did you make the stickers? do you have the raspberry pi in your bedroom? the range on this is not that long and its not working for me like 5m away.

[@elasticleeds]

presumably, with some clever automations, (and leaving the number keys as is) you could use this as a cheap alarm key pad for Alarmo? well i hope so because I've just bought one!

[@boehserenkel]

Nooo. No normal human being (with a wife) should do YAML code!!!

[@olestampevestergaard4746]

Is there anything that could do this that is Bluetooth or wifi, I want to make one for both my kids rooms, and I don't think the isg (thanks Paul) will deal with multiple of these

[@rpjames11]

I have been wanting to find a cheap physical button solution for lights. This works perfectly. I'm not enjoying my current tablet dashboard and I think this is going to replace that. Smaller footprint and the satisfaction of a physical press. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@Matty0311MMS]

The video popped up on my TV App saying "uploaded 10 seconds ago".

[@paulhibbert]

Your tv has good taste! 😝

[@asopok]

I've been following the tutorial but anytime I add the code to my config file and try to restart my home assistant, it doesn't restart. I have to reboot the entire system and when I go to events and listen, when I press the keys, nothing shows

[@Pastacious]

Fantastic idea! think I may do something like this myself, just wondering what the range for the dongle is like?

[@ubeaut]

That is a good idea but my server is on the garage about 10 meters away so the dongle wouldn't be accessible :(

[@mr0x50]

I instantly ordered a keypad. It arrived and I recreated it. It's awesome! 🎉 Exactly what I needed! Feels like a streamdeck on steroids!

[@paulhibbert]

Amazing!! Love it! ❤️

[@patrickalbury8901]

Great video. I always enjoy these ideas and tutorial videos. This is how come i started following your channel. Thanks for all the hard work you do, for us.

[@saintpara1980]

Good morning Daddy Paul. Hope paternity leave going well and you're getting more than 3 min sleep!! 1) what's the range like on that keyboard? My Pi is upstairs but would love a remote downstairs to make my wife's life easier (aka to stop her moaning she can't remember how to do things 😂) 2) When did you join the Royal Marine's band as a guitarist.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2qmi4h7rp1shMksi=RZHBwwmWlxXAQu9p 😂😂😂

[@TheMistymina]

In my case, since I had a pi that was doing other things and was closer to where I wanted the keypad, I connected my keyboard to that one instead and used a bit of python to grab the keypad presses and publish them over mqtt instead. Can't remember if I found the python or cobbled it together though..

[@paulhibbert]

It struggles marginally from the room next door to the Pi unfortunately 😬 Ironically I’m about to go play a gig with my real life band now!

[@rpjames11]

You have keycode 74 listed for both "-" and "4".

[@holohane]

Hi Paul, I understand that you have to make money from this channel, but I think tutorial videos like this are so much better than product reviews. Also, for the automation, would it be better to use one automation with trigger IDs and the choose action, rather than eighteen separate automations? Thanks as always for the great video. Eddie

[@TheMistymina]

Thing is, it's probably easier to find what you're looking for directly from the automations page where you can filter and search than it would be to look for the relevant branch of a choice within a single automation.

[@paulhibbert]

Thanks for the feedback dude, I would like to do more tutorials, but like you say, gotta bring the money in!

[@luke5957]

Thank you! This video should be in the official doc

[@DaveSomething]

I'm some wanker that uses HA-Core... so... off to ssh and then sudo su - homeassistant... then nano (or whatever) blah blah blah... **sigh**

[@doglegsoap7373]

Please tell me how the hell to do this!!

[@samucasmarthome]

Nice video!! Its so unexpensive and amazing.

[@TodorCvetkov]

Please. In the name of the Queen. I beg. Do. Not. Stop. The jokes. My keypad just got here. Will update with a success story. Wife approval level is already high. PS: Congrats on the baby. And may the odds be with you!

[@paulhibbert]

Thanks so much dude, I needed that today ☺️

[@nate_river_]

That's a lot of automation for a tenner, think I'll have to do that.

[@paulhibbert]

It is the coolest thing I’ve done in ages!

[@D4RKFiB3R]

@@paulhibbert Apart from the Mrs 😏 Congrats ❤

[@RLR997TT]

Anyone else have distance issues? Getting very limited range.

[@HomeAutomation-zc2tg]

This looks great, but it corrupts my Sonoff dongle (Zigbee2MQTT) when I plug in the USB, the Z2M posts a 502 error, so it seems to corrupt that. If this happens, plug the USB dongle out, it requires a reboot, not a restart or reload. if I find a solution I'll post it. I replied with a solution:

[@HomeAutomation-zc2tg]

I've resolved my issue after numerous reboots and rearranging dongles. The breakthrough came when I used a USB extension for the keypad dongle, suspecting interference. Separating them by 2.5 meters on extensions did the trick! Surprisingly, they continued to work even when placed next to each other. It could be related to resistance or capacitance, considering the keypad dongle is receiver-only. I can see the events coming through now. I'll proceed with programming it tonight. Thanks, @paulhibbert!

[@TheWebstaff]

Amazon UK unavailable on that number pad.

[@WoottonRivers]

Awesome video! HOME ASSISTANT!!!!!!!!!!

[@Disruptii]

this is sooo goood. i think im installing HA because of you

[@markshaz8691]

Happy Saturday Paul, I need one of those small violins for a woman at work. 🤔

[@paulhibbert]

They’re mega cheap on Amazon, best thing I ever bought! 😂

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

That's cool, but too bad Home Assistant is too hard.

[@MichaelSanAngelo]

what are you using as a holder for the keyboard?

[@KrazyKaiser]

Is there a way to do this with a home assistant instance on docker?

[@rbolden]

Paul, could you do this with a Bluetooth Keypad too?

[@MattWiener]

I thought I was a nerd until I saw this!

[@rmiles7721]

What do you find the range is on that keyboard?

[@TheCowboysdude]

This is so so awesome!! Thank you...... BUT let me say this to maybe help others... put the battery in the keyboard THEN put the dongle into your usb slot.... if you don't do that it won't work for some reason.... I did buy the one in this tutorial...I am running mine on an Intel NUC and it's working perfectly... Even though I did the key press codes were still different LOL SO, and I hope this also helps are mine... you can copy and paste these and makes your changes if need be.... One last thing..... for the arts and crafts part......how did you make the stickers, what did you use? Thank you! key_code: 128=Num lock key_code: 98= / key_code: 55= * key_code: 74= - key_code: 71= 7 key_code: 72= 8 key_code: 73= 9 key_code: 75= 4 key_code: 76= 5 key_code: 77= 6 key_code: 78= + key_code: 79= 1 key_code: 80= 2 key_code: 81= 3 key_code: 14= Back space key_code: 96= Enter key_code: 82= 0 key_code: 83= .

[@paulhibbert]

Thanks for taking the time to post your numbers! 😃 Unfortunately the stickers were an arduous task in photoshop and then printed on to sticky back vinyl.

[@TheCowboysdude]

@@paulhibbert Well as we say 'it is what it is' LOL. Thank you!!!

[@SolarizeYourLife]

Try that homey.... I didn't think so....