Hey all I’m looking for recommendations for a video doorbell that doesn’t need an internet connection.
Preferably something that is WiFi and would work with Frigate?
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Reolink doorbell is great. Comes in a WiFi or PoE configuration. Can be used with their app with a local NVR, or used as an IP cam into your own NVR.
Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I’ve seen in this thread:
Fewer Letters More Letters HA Home Assistant automation software ~ High Availability IP Internet Protocol NAS Network-Attached Storage NVR Network Video Recorder (generally for CCTV) PoE Power over Ethernet
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In my experience pretty much all IP cameras phone home in some way at some point, so yeah, you are best off putting them on a separate VLAN and routing appropriately.
The only brand I’ve had a good experience with is Reolink. I don’t think the quality is appreciably different than a brand like Hikvision and the firmware and support is vastly superior.
Edit: Some good info on using Reolink cameras with Frigate. I use Blue Iris but would vastly prefer OSS.
unifi has nice (a) doorbell(s). you need a server to record and run the controller though, but that can be a raspberry pi
Don’t the Ubiquity doorbells require a ‘dream machine’ storage appliance for recording video? I didn’t think there was a way to use your own storage anymore which has been my main hesitation in getting one.
oh, i didn’t know that, as i’m already in to deep in unifi appliances 😬
i think i remember that it was not required, but i would not be surprised if that has changed.
consodering that you would need a subscription for a ring doorbell (if i remember correctly) the 200€ for the storage device and the ~180€ for the doorbell would still be cheaper. i’d be surprised to see another alternative with the same features for less money or without a aubscription.
Reolink
Just be careful you don’t get their “smarthome” line, at least for cameras. It doesn’t require Internet to operate, but it requires Internet for configuration and management.
I’m not sure if that’s the same with their doorbells, but it was true of their wifi cameras.
I went with this but PoE. Happy so far.
Have not used Frigate
When using reolink in a self-hosted setting:
- how do you get notifications of someone at the door?
- can you use the android app still?
- how do you securely store video on your server? They say they support ftps, but I have no idea how hard that is to set up. Shame they don’t support sftp.
Thanks
I bought one of their NVRs, so that currently stores recordings. I have yet to figure out how (or if) I want to integrate with my NAS or other (tbd) home automation.
I get push notifications on my phone and watch by having the Reolink app installed.
Can the Reolink doorbell leverage your existing chime? Or do you need to use the plug-in chime that it comes with?
I believe it’s their plug-in or your via a relay like home assistant or your phone
Thanks. I ordered one and, yeah, it’s their plug and whatever you come up with in Home Assistant.
You using it already?
Don’t. They consumer surveillanceware cops will try to access if they get the chance.
Well, the goal would be that its not accessible externally. And I’m OK with providing footage should they request it - that’s just something you have to accept when owning a security system.
They can’t request it if you don’t build it. That’s the point. We’ve never needed this security theater before. You don’t need a video camera pointed out towards the public 24/7. Don’t build it and they won’t come.
