I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect video doorbell setup for my home, and I wanted to share my journey and experiences in case it helps anyone else out there. My main goal was to have three video doorbells, preferably from the same manufacturer, with the third one being battery-powered due to the lack of existing wiring. I’ve explored various options and thought I’d walk through what I’ve learned and what I’m currently using.
First off, I’ve looked into both wired and battery-powered options. For the two doorbells that can be wired, I’ve found that PoE isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it’s definitely a bonus. However, the third doorbell is where the real challenge lies. After some research, I stumbled upon the Ubiquiti Pro 4, which has a downward-facing camera and is battery-powered. It’s a bit out of my initial price range, but the features it offers make it worth considering. I’m also keeping an eye out for any firmware updates or new models that might bridge the gap in price and functionality.
One thing I’ve learned is the importance of battery monitoring. I’ve come across a few models that report their battery status to my home automation system, which is a huge plus. It takes the guesswork out of when I’ll need to replace the batteries, and it adds an extra layer of reliability to the system. I’ve also discovered that while puddle lights and two-way audio are nice-to-have features, they’re not dealbreakers for me.
I’ve been using Blue Iris and DeepStack for video analytics, and I’ve been impressed with how well they integrate with the doorbells I’ve tested so far. The RTSP support with substreams has been crucial for maintaining smooth video feeds without overloading my network.
If anyone has any firsthand experiences with specific models or manufacturers, I’d love to hear about them! Whether it’s a seamless installation process or some unexpected features, every bit of feedback helps. Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other find the perfect setup!