{HowTo} turn on/off your monitor (Time based, PIR/Button, App)

nikobelohlav · Jan 21, 2018, 9:25 AM

is there a way to use a PIR sensor and the PIR module to make the PI load a black screen saver so that it looks like the screen went off but really didnt and then when the PIR sensor picks up motion the screen saver is “turned off” like it would normally do.?

cruunnerr · Jan 21, 2018, 12:32 PM

@nikobelohlav

yes it is.

Just use the external script from this tutorial. Change the content of the monitor_off.sh and monitor_on.sh to the following:

monitor_off:

export DISPLAY=:0
xset dpms force off

monitor_on:

export DISPLAY=:0
xset dpms force on

I will add this options to the tutorial later. ;)

Mykle1 · Jan 21, 2018, 2:44 PM

@cruunnerr

Those commands look familiar. :-)

Peter · Jan 21, 2018, 2:42 PM

Nice tutorial!
Time to connect the Pir to the Pi.
Thanks!
Peter

cruunnerr · Jan 21, 2018, 3:30 PM

@nikobelohlav @ninjabreadman

Alright, i add this option to the tutorial. Hope you enjoy :)

If there are any suggestions on the scripts i am using please tell me. I am not a programmer so it could be, that the scripts aren’t as “clean” as they could be.

OdomLinx · Jan 23, 2018, 1:25 PM

disable the HDMI port with

vcgencmd display_power 0

and enable with

vcgencmd display_power 1

Most monitors then go into standby. Some also show ‘NO Signal’.

E3V3A · Jan 23, 2018, 1:24 PM

@OdomLinx copy paste error?

OdomLinx · Jan 23, 2018, 1:27 PM

@E3V3A Yes copy paste error, I adjusted it

E3V3A · Jan 23, 2018, 2:14 PM

Most modern monitors also have a PowerSave function that completely turn off the monitor when there is no HDMI signal, after a set amount of time. So I guess experimentation will be needed as to what really happen after you have turned it off using either:

vcgencmd display_power 0
sudo tvservice -o
DISPLAY=:0 xset dpms force off (Notice, it’s not necessary to export!)
xset -display :0 dpms force off

The first 2 turn off HDMI and most likely put your monitor into PowerSave mode, eventually.
The last 2 only blanks the screen (visible when dark), and does not disable HDMI signals.

ninjabreadman · Jan 23, 2018, 1:42 PM

@E3V3A Some monitors, but almost all television displays turn off after delay (and then cannot be woken in software).

That, and some folks have complained that they can’t hear a podcast or Alexa because their integrated speakers turn off when the monitor is in powersaving.

You’re right, it takes some experimentation to tailor to a given use case/situation depending on requirements.