Setting up Alexa video skills helps you control your smart TV with Amazon Echo, Echo dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show and Amazon Tap devices. Once you have successfully enabled video skills, you can control video services with Alexa, explore movies and TV shows, and control playback. This tutorial tells you how easily you can setup Alexa video skills.
Amazon’s Alexa video skills are available on Echo (first and second generation), Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Plus, and Amazon Tap.
Alexa video skills are not compatible with other Alexa-enabled devices and Fire TV; before you go ahead, you have to subscribe for a supported TV or video service provider and compatible equipment.
Setup Alexa Video Skills on this Supported Devices and Providers
Alexa has expanded its reach and today, its video skills work with a number of TV and video service providers; at the same time, Alexa is also planning to introduce new service and skills to its kitty.
For this tutorial, we will take the example of Dish TV. If you have an active Dish TV subscription and a Hopper box (connected with Internet), you can use Dish TV skill for Alexa. Make sure that Hoppe box is running the latest software version.
How to Enable Alexa Video Skills to Control Video Service with Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show and Amazon Tap
On Alexa app in your smart device, you can enable or activate Alexa video skills and link your devices.
Step #1: Launch Alexa app on your smart phone or tablet.
Step #2: Open the menu and choose Music, Videos, & Books.
Step #3: Tap on Video section, and choose your video or TV service provider; next choose Enable Skill.
Step #4: Now you need to follow the on-screen instructions to connect Alexa to your smart TV or video service.
You may need to follow an additional login or authentication steps to link your service to Alexa. These steps differ from one service provider to another.
If you are using Dish TV skill, you are supposed to turn on Hopper set-top box and enter the code mentioned on your TV screen into the Alexa app.
If you are unable to get a code, you should update your Hopper box to the latest software. For this, open the channel guide and go to channel 9607, and check the “software update” option.
Step #5: Choose Finish Setup in your Alexa app.
Step #6: Next, follow the instructions available on screen to link Alexa device to the TV or equipment you are using to access services. When your devices are linked, you can see them listed under Linked Devices.
Once setup is done, the Alexa app opens to the “Settings” screen for the skill. You can come back to this screen later to see and manage your linked devices and preferences; simply go to Music, Video, & Books from Alexa app menu and then choose your TV or video service under Video.
Enjoy using your voice to control your TV or video service with Alexa.
Also Read:
- Alexa Commands
- How to Control TV or Video Services with Alexa
- How to Control Smart TV with Alexa
- Best Alexa Compatible Smart Devices
- How to Customize Alexa Flash Briefing
- How to Make Calls and Send Messages with Alexa Using Amazon Echo
- How to Set Reminder with Alexa
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