When targeting HomePod - volume increases before pausing media about chime_tts HOT 5 CLOSED

Wanted to note here that I tried using the Nabu Casa TTS with Chime TTS here, but got an error (this is probably why nothing played):

Logger: custom_components.chime_tts
Source: custom_components/chime_tts/__init__.py:122
Integration: Chime TTS (documentation, issues)
First occurred: 8:59:25 AM (2 occurrences)
Last logged: 8:59:25 AM

- Error calling tts.media_source.generate_media_source_id: Invalid TTS provider selected
Unable to generate TTS audio

Here is the YAML for the call:

service: chime_tts.say
data:
  delay: 450
  final_delay: 0
  tts_playback_speed: 100
  tts_platform: cloud_say
  message: This is a test
  volume_level: 0.25
  language: en
  tld: com
  chime_path: custom_components/chime_tts/mp3s/bells.mp3
target:
  entity_id: media_player.office

After this I tried turned on debug logging and tried using Google Translate and nothing seems to happen when I call the service. I don't see anything logged, and nothing changes with the device.
The UI in the Call Services interface updates to show a checkmark on the "Call Service" button which indicates that the service call succeeded.

from chime_tts.

Ok. I was playing with this again just now targeting a different HomePod (and UniFi doorbell) and it was working great.
I added the office HomePod to it again this time it worked!

I noticed that I do need to select Entities, that if I try selecting Devices it will fail.

I'm wondering if something is up with the HomePod (via AppleTV integration) where if there is currently a stream (AirPlay from Mac in this case), that it causes problems taking it over.

from chime_tts.

I think the issue with the volume being changed too early actually has to do with a delay that happens between initiating playback on the HomePod Mini, to when it actually starts playing.

More specifically: The volume_set service is called on the HomePod right before the play_media service (which has the delay), so the volume is changed but then there's a delay from when the HomePod prepares to play the audio to when the audio is played.

I think this delay is likely asynchronous and likely to be different each time the HomePod Mini plays Chime TTS audio (or any other audio from Home Assistant). I don't receive any feedback telling me when the audio actually starts playing so I can't know when to change the volume so it coincides with the start of playback.

I don't think I can fix this issue as it looks like a hardware limitation for how the HomePod streams audio from Home Assistant. Unfortunately I can currently only come up with a compromise solution of

1. Pausing any current media on the HomePod Mini
2. Adjusting the volume
3. Playing the Chime TTS audio
4. Restoring the volume

I am not sure I can then resume the previously playing audio. I need to look into it further. I'll post an update here once I know more.

from chime_tts.

Yeah, what I've done in my current automations is basically what you've described.
It's not the best solution, but given the options currently provided I think it's the only way.

from chime_tts.

The issue raised is not caused by this integration and cannot be fixed by it. A solution was proposed and accepted as the best option to deal with the issue.

from chime_tts.