Frequently Asked Questions
General
Does Smart Home Cinema replace VLC or PotPlayer?
No. You still use your media player. Smart Home Cinema only automates it.
Can I use both VLC and PotPlayer at the same time?
No. You install one player version at a time: VLC or PotPlayer. To switch later, uninstall Smart Home Cinema and install the other player version.
Does Smart Home Cinema stream movies from the Internet?
No. It works only with local movie files stored on your PC.
Smart Home Cinema Editions
How many editions does Smart Home Cinema include?
Smart Home Cinema includes two control editions: Local Voice Edition and Voice Assistant Edition.
Local Voice Edition uses a PC microphone and does not require Alexa, Google Assistant, TriggerCMD, Google Home, or a smart speaker. Voice Assistant Edition uses Alexa / Google Assistant together with TriggerCMD.
Which edition should I choose?
Choose Local Voice Edition if you want the simplest setup with a PC microphone. Choose Voice Assistant Edition if you already use Alexa or Google Assistant and want to control Smart Home Cinema through your existing assistant setup.
Can Local Voice Edition work without internet?
For normal movie playback and local voice control, yes, after the required trial or license activation steps are complete. Internet is still required for activation, license rebind, optional OpenSubtitles downloads and updates, where applicable.
About Smart Home Cinema
Is Smart Home Cinema a streaming service?
No. Smart Home Cinema does not stream or provide movies. It only automates local video files stored on your Windows PC.
Can Smart Home Cinema control Netflix or online platforms?
No. Smart Home Cinema works only with local movie files and supported media players (VLC or PotPlayer).
Does Smart Home Cinema collect analytics or user data?
No. The software does not use analytics, telemetry, tracking scripts, or background data collection.
Is Smart Home Cinema suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Yes. Smart Home Cinema enables full hands-free movie control using voice commands, which can be especially helpful for users with mobility limitations.
Installation & Folders
Can I install Smart Home Cinema on an external USB drive?
Yes. External HDDs and SSDs work, as long as Windows recognizes them as fixed drives (Local Disk). USB drives that appear as “removable storage” are not supported.
Can I move the Movies folder later?
No. If you need to change it, uninstall and reinstall Smart Home Cinema.
Do my movies get deleted during installation?
Never. Installation does not modify or delete your movies.
Voice Control Options
Do I need Alexa or Google Assistant to use Smart Home Cinema?
No. Smart Home Cinema includes the Local Voice Edition, which uses a PC microphone and does not require Alexa, Google Assistant, TriggerCMD, Google Home, or a smart speaker.
When do I need TriggerCMD?
TriggerCMD is required only for the Voice Assistant Edition, where Alexa or Google Assistant sends commands to your Windows PC.
Do I need Alexa or Google Assistant installed on my PC?
No. If you use the Voice Assistant Edition, Alexa or Google Assistant runs on your phone or smart speaker and communicates with your PC through TriggerCMD.
Can I use Smart Home Cinema without voice control?
Smart Home Cinema is designed for voice use. Some command actions may be triggered manually for testing or troubleshooting, but the intended everyday experience is voice control.
Subtitles
Why are subtitles sometimes missing or incorrect?
Subtitle availability depends on OpenSubtitles. Not every movie has a perfect match.
Does automatic subtitle synchronization always work?
No. It works in most situations, but some movie releases cannot be aligned automatically.
Safety & Privacy
Does Smart Home Cinema upload my files online?
No. Smart Home Cinema does not upload your movie files, subtitle files, folders, or media library online. Playback and file automation run locally on your Windows PC.
Is it safe to ignore antivirus warnings?
Yes. Smart Home Cinema does not collect personal data and does not modify system files. Some antivirus tools may flag automation behavior (such as player control). If necessary, add exclusions only for official SHC installation folders.
Licensing
Can I install Smart Home Cinema on multiple PCs?
No. Each Smart Home Cinema license is valid for one (1) Windows PC only. Installing the software on multiple computers using the same license key is not permitted. If you reinstall Windows or move to a new PC, a license rebind may be requested according to the EULA.