Getting started
First setup
The first time you open Theatrium it asks one question, where your home information comes from. Here is how to answer it.
Before you start
Have the Apple TV remote in your hand. If you plan to connect Home Assistant, it also helps to have your phone nearby; there is a way to sign in from the phone instead of typing on the TV.
You will be asked to choose one of four options. You are not locked in. You can switch later in Settings › Connections.
| Option | Choose it if | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Explore Demo | You want to look around first | A full dashboard with made-up data. Nothing to connect. |
| Home Assistant | You run Home Assistant at home | Every card, including notifications, energy and health cards. |
| Apple Home | You use the Home app on your iPhone | Your lights, thermostats, locks, blinds, scenes, sensors and cameras. |
| Apple TV only | You have no smart home | Weather, radar, news, calendar, webcams, markets and your music. |
Step by step
- Open Theatrium. The welcome screen explains the app in three lines. Move down to Get Started and press the center of the pad.
Press the center of the pad - On Choose your backend, move to the option that fits you and press the center.
The four choices: Explore Demo, Home Assistant, Apple Home, Apple TV only. - If you chose Home Assistant, a sign-in screen appears. Follow Connect Home Assistant for that screen, then come back here.
- If you chose Apple Home, tvOS asks once whether Theatrium may use your Home data. Choose OK. A short "Loading your Apple Home" screen counts your accessories in. See Connect Apple Home if it stalls.
- Theatrium then asks What's on your dashboard? and shows groups such as lights, climate and cameras. Untick anything you do not want yet and continue. This only shapes the first layout; every card can be changed later.
- Pick your cards shows a starter layout. It is fine to accept it as it is. Press the button at the bottom to continue.
- Connect your music asks where your music comes from (Apple Music, Spotify through Last.fm, Last.fm, Plex or Home Assistant). Pick one, or skip. You can set this up later in Settings › Now Playing; see Where your music comes from.
- If you have smart lights, Theatrium offers Set up light groups now? You can say yes and pick your lights, or do it later from Settings › Light Sync. See Room Light Sync.
Your dashboard appears. That is the whole setup.
What happens next
The first load takes a few seconds while the cards fill in. A card that shows a dash or "Waiting" is still fetching; give it a minute. From here, Getting around the dashboard shows what the buttons along the top do, and Change a card shows how to swap any card for another.