this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2024
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Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on a Raspberry Pi or a local server. Available for free at home-assistant.io

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Simple video doorbell software recommendations? (self.homeassistant)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by Heavybell to c/homeassistant
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So I'd like to have a video doorbell set up so that it communicates locally with my HA, raising an event when the button is pressed, allowing me to watch its audio and video stream live, and speak back to whoever is at the door. Ideally either from the browser or my phone, when I'm at home or not.

I don't care about motion sensing or AI or even NVR functions really. What software do I need? Should I bother going through the process of setting up Frigate or is there something simpler that would do the job?

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[–] NeoNachtwaechter 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

when the button is pressed, allowing me to watch its audio and video stream live, and speak back to whoever is at the door.

I'm curious.

You want the video and speak back and all, but you don't want the ability to open the door for your visitor? Why not?

[–] Heavybell 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Maybe I'll look into electronic locks later, I guess. It's not really a priority.

[–] NeoNachtwaechter 1 points 5 months ago (2 children)

So what's the use of all the other functions when you cannot (or don't want to?) open the door?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

So he can give them instructions like "empty your pockets and place your weapons in the slot on your right, and put on the blindfold and ball gag on your left, and wait for someone to lead you a play room." The video is for blackmail.

[–] spitfire 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Or tell the courier to leave the package in whatever place I ask them to.

[–] Heavybell 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

This one. Especially if I am not home.

[–] spitfire 2 points 5 months ago

Yup, same here. Sometimes they wouldn’t bother to call, and would just take the package with them if I wouldn’t answer.

[–] Heavybell 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

As someone else said, it's mainly so I can ask couriers to leave packages in specific places, tell salespersons to go away without getting up, etc.

[–] NeoNachtwaechter 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

ask couriers to leave packages in specific places

Around here, they drop the parcel in front of the door and then they run away like thieves.

Sometimes they ring, too. But they don't bother waiting.

[–] Heavybell 2 points 5 months ago

They're a lot better than that where I live.