Hey everyone! I wanted to share my recent project of integrating a smart projector system with my Home Assistant setup. It was a fun challenge, and I thought I’d walk through my experience in case anyone else is looking to do something similar.
I recently decided to upgrade my home theater setup and decided to go all-in with a smart projector, an electric screen, and a lift mechanism. My goal was to automate the entire process—turning on the projector, lowering the screen, and dimming the lights—all with a single command in Home Assistant.
After some research, I settled on the Optoma X projector, the Screen Innovations electric screen, and the Liftie lift mechanism. I chose these brands based on positive reviews and their compatibility with smart home ecosystems. Setting up the hardware was straightforward, but integrating everything with Home Assistant was where the real challenge lay.
I started by adding the projector and lift mechanism to my Zigbee network using the Zigbee2MQTT plugin. This allowed me to control them directly from Home Assistant. For the electric screen, I used a Z-Wave smart plug to control the power supply, which gave me the ability to toggle the screen up or down through automation.
The real magic happened when I created a custom automation in Home Assistant. I set it up so that when I press a button on my phone or say a voice command, the following sequence happens:
- The lights in the room dim to a preset level.
- The projector powers on and starts streaming my favorite media source.
- The lift mechanism lowers the screen into place.
It’s been a game-changer for movie nights! Everything happens seamlessly, and I don’t have to fumble with multiple remotes or buttons.
One thing I learned during this process is the importance of testing each component individually before setting up the automation. I also found that using ** MQTT retained messages** was key to ensuring smooth communication between all devices.
If anyone else is looking to do something similar, I’d recommend starting small—maybe just integrating one component at a time—and gradually building up your system. It’s also worth checking out the Home Assistant Community Store (HACS) for any custom integrations that might simplify the process.
Overall, I’m really happy with how this project turned out. It’s a great example of how smart home technology can enhance everyday experiences. If you have any questions or need help with a similar project, feel free to reach out! 
