You can run Home Assistant on a Pi (or other computer) and then look into what cameras, etc, work with that. There are tons of utilities you can install once you’re up and running.
reply
This. Don't trust somebody else to host your cameras, and don't trust that they'll keep working forever if you aren't running the server yourself. These companies have a history of rug pulling their users in various ways.
reply
Any recommended videos or YouTube channels for assistance in setting up?
reply
I think this is the video I first used to help me get setup
Also read the Getting Started Section on the HA website.
From there, you can look into which Home Assistant Integrations you might want to use, and start to plot how you'll get up and running.
Some notes:
  • it is very flexible, which also means it takes some effort to get things working
  • some of the integrations still send out to the internet, so keep an eye on that
reply
I have used Zoneminder for years. If you value privacy and control above features and simplicity it is the best option I have found.
Have been experimenting with HA as well. To early to share my experience yet.
reply
11 sats \ 0 replies \ @gd 21 Jan
Minimize cameras and microphones in your home. At least network them inside a private subnet without access to the internet.
reply
I use Wyze cameras with Zoneminder. Their cameras are good and inexpensive while their AI is total shit, but thankfully they have an RTSP firmware you can install which makes them compatible with ZM and other related things. They are on their own VLAN and only communicate with ZM.
reply
a dog or a lion or a ghost or all of 3 :)
reply
Grab a Pi, get a camera for it and install this amazing open source software for it
reply
deleted by author
reply
The Eufy E210 is a simple yet smart camera that will record 24/7 on an internal micro SD card for up to 13 days in a continuous loop with no monthly subscription. Not your drive, not your data! It will also send smart alerts to whenever someone is on your property
Eufy is a higher-quality Chinese brand, also known for their Anker (power station, battery, solar panel) line of products.
They make higher end 4k cameras with solar panels and all kinds of fancier AI stuff but "cloud" and monthly subscriptions are more likely to be required.
reply
I've used 3 self-hosted solutions and all work pretty good:
  • Zoneminder
  • Synology
  • Home Assistant
Synology was probably the "most polished w/ features" but only 2 cameras out-of-box for free, thereafter $25 per camera (one-time license)
reply
I like ubiquity! You can self host the video recorder and still get a good UX
reply
stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.