LgTvConnect

A C# library for controlling LG Smart TVs through multiple network-based communication protocols.

Features

• LG Connect WebSocket API: Control WebOS TVs via the native WebSocket interface
• IP Control Protocol: Network-based control using LG's IP control protocol
• RS-232 Over Network: Network-based RS-232 protocol emulation (not serial hardware)
• Unified Interface: Single client API for all connection types
• Auto-Pairing: Automatically accept pairing prompts using IP Control or RS-232
• Event-Driven Architecture: Subscribe to TV state changes, authentication requests, and client key updates
• Async/Await Support: Modern asynchronous programming model

Installation

dotnet add package LgTvConnect

Supported TVs

• LG WebOS Smart TVs (2014+)
• LG Commercial Displays with IP Control
• LG TVs with network-accessible RS-232 protocol support

Prerequisites

• Your TV and computer must be on the same network
• Enable "LG Connect Apps" in TV settings (Network → LG Connect Apps)
• For IP Control: Find your TV's IP control key in settings

Quick Start

using LgTvConnect;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;

var logger = loggerFactory.CreateLogger<LgTvClient>();

var tv = new LgTvClient(logger, new LgTvOptions()
{
    IpAddress = IPAddress.Parse("192.168.1.100"),
    UseRs232 = true // Use RS-232 protocol over network
});

await tv.ConnectAsync();

// Handle authentication (first-time pairing)
await tv.OnAuthenticateRequested.SubscribeAsync(async () =>
{
    await tv.AuthenticateAsync("your-saved-client-key");
});

// Save the client key for future use
await tv.OnClientKeyChanged.SubscribeAsync(async key =>
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Save this key: {key}");
});

// Monitor connection state
await tv.OnStateChanged.SubscribeAsync(async state =>
{
    if (state == LgClientState.Ready)
    {
        await tv.ShowToastAsync("Connected!");
    }
});

Configuration Options

var options = new LgTvOptions()
{
    IpAddress = IPAddress.Parse("192.168.1.100"),
    
    // LG Connect WebSocket settings
    LgConnectPort = 3000,                           // Default: 3000
    
    // RS-232 over network settings
    UseRs232 = true,                                // Enable RS-232 protocol
    Rs232Port = 9761,                               // Default: 9761
    
    // IP Control settings
    UseIpControl = false,                           // Enable IP Control
    IpControlKey = "LGXXXXX",                       // Your TV's IP control key
    IpControlPort = 9761,                           // Default: 9761
    
    // Auto-pairing configuration
    AcceptSequence = LgAcceptSequence.DownEnter     // Or RightEnter
};

Connection Protocols

LG Connect (WebSocket)

The primary control method for WebOS TVs. Communicates over WebSocket on port 3000. Requires "LG Connect Apps" to be enabled and handles authentication/pairing.

Port: 3000 (default)
Use for: Main TV control, launching apps, media control, notifications

RS-232 (Network Protocol)

Network-based implementation of LG's RS-232 command protocol. Despite the name, this is not a hardware serial connection—it's a TCP/IP protocol on port 9761.

Port: 9761 (default)
Use for: Auto-accepting pairing prompts, sending navigation commands, power control

IP Control

LG's IP control protocol for commercial displays and TVs. Requires an IP control key from the TV's settings.

Port: 9761 (default)
Use for: Auto-accepting pairing prompts, direct command control with authentication

Auto-Pairing

The library can automatically accept pairing prompts when connecting for the first time:

var options = new LgTvOptions()
{
    IpAddress = IPAddress.Parse("192.168.1.100"),
    UseRs232 = true, // or UseIpControl = true
    AcceptSequence = LgAcceptSequence.DownEnter // Navigates down then presses OK
};

Available sequences:

• LgAcceptSequence.DownEnter: Arrow Down → OK
• LgAcceptSequence.RightEnter: Arrow Right → OK

When the TV displays the pairing prompt, the library automatically sends the navigation commands to accept it.

Direct Protocol Access

Execute commands directly on RS-232 or IP Control protocols:

// Execute RS-232 command
await tv.ExecuteRs232Async(async client =>
{
    await client.SendCommandAsync(Rs232Command.Down, cancellationToken);
    await client.SendCommandAsync(Rs232Command.Enter, cancellationToken);
});

// Execute IP Control command
await tv.ExecuteIpControlAsync(async client =>
{
    await client.SendKeyAsync(IpControlKey.ArrowDown, cancellationToken);
    await client.SendKeyAsync(IpControlKey.Ok, cancellationToken);
});

Authentication Flow

On first connection:

1. Call ConnectAsync() - establishes WebSocket connection
2. OnAuthenticateRequested fires when authentication is needed
3. Call AuthenticateAsync(clientKey) with saved key (or empty string for first time)
4. If pairing prompt appears and RS-232/IP Control is enabled, library auto-accepts
5. OnClientKeyChanged fires with the client key - save this for future connections
6. OnStateChanged fires with LgClientState.Ready when connection is complete

Available APIs

Power Control

await tv.TurnOffAsync();                              // Turn TV off
await tv.WakeOnLanAsync("AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF");        // Wake TV using MAC address
await tv.ScreenOnAsync();                             // Turn screen on (TV stays on)
await tv.ScreenOffAsync();                            // Turn screen off (TV stays on)

Volume & Audio

await tv.SetVolumeAsync(50);                          // Set volume (0-100)
await tv.SetMuteAsync(0);                             // Mute/unmute

Button Presses

await tv.PressButtonAsync(TvButton.VolumeUp);         // Press any button
await tv.PressButtonAsync(TvButton.Enter);

Available buttons: Back, ChannelUp, ChannelDown, VolumeUp, VolumeDown, Left, Right, Up, Down, Menu, Enter

Note: Requires UseIpControl or UseRs232 to be enabled

Inputs & Channels

await tv.SwitchInputAsync(TvInput.Hdmi1);             // Switch HDMI input
await tv.SwitchInputAsync(TvInput.LiveTv);            // Switch to Live TV
await tv.SetChannelAsync(15);                         // Change channel

Available inputs: Hdmi1, Hdmi2, Hdmi3, LiveTv

Apps & Browser

// Launch any app by ID
await tv.LaunchAppAsync("com.webos.app.netflix");     // Launch Netflix
await tv.LaunchAppAsync("youtube.leanback.v4");       // Launch YouTube

// Close apps
await tv.CloseAppAsync("com.webos.app.netflix");      // Close specific app

// Browser control
await tv.OpenBrowserAsync("https://example.com");     // Open URL in browser
await tv.CloseWebBrowserAsync();                      // Close browser

Screenshots

// Get screenshot URI
string imageUri = await tv.ScreenshotAsync();

// Or use callback
await tv.ScreenshotAsync(async uri => {
    Console.WriteLine($"Screenshot: {uri}");
});

Notifications

await tv.ShowToastAsync("Hello from LgTvConnect!");

Advanced

• Send raw SSAP commands via LgConnectClient.RequestAsync()
• Subscribe to real-time TV events
• Direct protocol command execution with ExecuteRs232Async() and ExecuteIpControlAsync()

Network Ports

Protocol	Default Port	Purpose
LG Connect (WebSocket)	3000	Main TV control API
RS-232 (Network)	9761	RS-232 command protocol over TCP
IP Control	9761	IP control protocol

Note: RS-232 and IP Control use the same default port but are different protocols. Enable only one at a time unless using different port configurations.

License

MIT

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please open an issue or submit a pull request.

Credits

Based on LG's WebOS WebSocket API, RS-232 network protocol, and IP Control specifications.