this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2024
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Hi, anyone have any good self hosted solution for a doorbell camera? What I need is to have the option to look at who is at the door and be able to actuate a lock (relay operated). I have a cheap Chinese brand solution, but it uses an unknown cloud solution and is very unreliable. A phone app would be fine, but if there's a standalone tablet, that's even better.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I use a Ubiquiti doorbell, which operates locally. However you do need some extra equipment to set it up.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago

Pretty sure UniFi Access can also control the lock mechanism they’re describing. So it’d be a nicely integrated solution.

[–] Zachariah 4 points 6 months ago

This was going to be my suggestion. It may seem like you need a ui.com account for it, but there is a way to use the equipment without one.

[–] anime_ted 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Not sure if this meets your needs but you might check out DoorBird. They claim to work with several NAS solutions and have an API, as well as the usual phone- and tablet-notification and communication through their own service.

[–] wreckedcarzz 8 points 6 months ago (1 children)

cheapest is $670

Holy shit nope.jpg

[–] anime_ted 2 points 6 months ago

Oof! Guess I should have looked at that.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 months ago

I have a TP-link Tapo D230S1. It comes with an indoor chime that acts like a hub that has an sd-card slot. The hub supports up to 4 compatible cameras and 64 other devices. It's also pretty affordable and easy to set up. It is however battery only, but it lasts for several months between charges.

I don't know of any smart doorbells that can also open doors. Maybe you could use a shelly relay or something similar?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Aqara sells one that works with HomeKit and should work offline. They say it will get Matter support later, but Home Assistant can use it through HomeKit without having to buy any Apple devices.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

It's a year old video, but it still is pretty relevant I think.

Local Control Video Doorbells - Reolink, UniFi, Amcrest, Hikvision, Dahua. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XCu6L0xn4Y&t=904s

If you'd rather read than watch the video, he has a nice companion blog. https://www.thesmarthomehookup.com/local-control-video-doorbells-reolink-unifi-amcrest-hikvision-dahua/

[–] fluxx 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

This looks the most promising. I'll take a closer look. Does it provide a rtsp stream?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

I'm honestly not sure. I'm doing the same kind of research myself for a new home I'm building right now and happened to stumble across this guy's youtube channel. He does a lot of great smart home stuff. I haven't actually purchased one of them myself yet.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Home assistant, and frigate. Along with whatever type of smart lock you choose (even building one with esphome, diy version)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Also currently looking to replace my Ring Doorbell

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Not exactly what you asked for, but I went with Eufy with local storage. There is a home base so everything is stored here and not in the cloud. Costs a bit more but gives me peace of mind.

Downside is that it won’t work if my internet or power is out, but that happens once a year, max.

For door I’d go with Yale with the hub to lock and unlock remotely.
Don’t know of a combined solution, sadly.

[–] CeeBee 11 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Downside is that it won’t work if my internet or power is out

If it doesn't work when your internet is out, then it's not local.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

Poor wording on my part.

It still functions, but I don’t get push notification when it detects motion or someone rings the bell while I’m out. I will see the recording once I’m on my local network again.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

I assume they meant "wifi", not internet.

[–] fart_pickle 0 points 6 months ago

I was about to suggest the same thing with a small caveat. From what I know, communication between doorbell and base station is unencrypted. I might be wrong, it's been a while since I read about it, so double check the current status.