Exploring Hikvision Doorbell Integration and Automation Tips

General
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Hi everyone,

I’ve been diving into the world of Hikvision doorbell integration and automation lately, and I wanted to share my experiences and some tips I’ve picked up along the way. If you’re considering integrating your Hikvision devices with Home Assistant, you might find this useful!

Integration Journey

I started by exploring the Hikvision HikConnect app and its integration with Home Assistant. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I found some fantastic resources and community support that made the process much smoother. The Hikvision Addons GitHub repository has been a lifesaver, providing detailed instructions and scripts to capture events and automate actions.

One of the key features I’ve been experimenting with is the ability to send commands like answering or rejecting calls directly from Home Assistant. This has been especially handy for managing doorbell notifications across multiple indoor stations. For example, when someone presses the doorbell, all indoor stations ring simultaneously with my smartphone. To prevent the doorbell from ringing indefinitely, I set up a rule where if I open the door manually, the call signal is dropped automatically. This has significantly improved my daily routine.

Automation Example

Here’s a quick example of how I set up an automation to reject calls when the door is opened manually:
yaml

  • alias: Reject call when door is opened manually
    initial_state: ‘on’
    trigger:
    • platform: state
      entity_id: binary_sensor.openclose
      from: ‘off’
      to: ‘on’
      condition:
    • condition: template
      value_template: “{{ (as_timestamp(now()) - as_timestamp(states.sensor.hikvision_callstatus.last_changed)) < 30 }}”
      action:
      service: hassio.addon_stdin
      data:
      addon: aff2db71_hikvision_sdk
      input: reject

This automation checks if the door was opened within the last 30 seconds and rejects the call if true. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure the doorbell doesn’t keep ringing after I’ve already opened the door.

Tips for Smooth Integration

  1. Firmware Updates: Always ensure your Hikvision devices are running the latest firmware. This can often resolve unexpected issues and improve compatibility with third-party integrations.
  2. Local vs Cloud Integration: If you have local access to your outdoor station, the Hikvision Addons can handle most of the heavy lifting. If not, the HikConnect cloud integration is a great alternative.
  3. Scripting and Custom Commands: The ISAPI protocol support in the Hikvision Addons allows for advanced automation, such as controlling door locks, managing call signals, and even rebooting devices remotely. I’ve found this incredibly useful for troubleshooting and maintaining smooth operation.
  4. Community Resources: Don’t hesitate to explore the GitHub repositories and community forums. There are countless scripts, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides that can save you hours of trial and error.

Future Plans

I’m currently working on setting up two-way audio with the Hikvision doorbell using the advanced camera card in Home Assistant. This would allow me to communicate directly with visitors without needing to press a button on the doorbell itself. It’s a bit complex, but the results will be well worth the effort!

If anyone has questions or tips about Hikvision integration, feel free to share. I’d love to hear about others’ experiences and learn more tricks to enhance my setup!

Cheers,
[Your Name]