Hi everyone, I’ve recently started diving into the world of smart cameras and automation, and I wanted to share some of my experiences and questions with you all.
I recently installed a Reolink battery-powered doorbell camera, and while it’s been a fantastic addition to my home security, I’ve noticed something a bit unexpected. Since living in an apartment, I’ve overheard several conversations that I’d rather not have heard. People seem to be talking about the camera or even backbiting about it. I’m curious if others have experienced similar situations or if there’s a way to handle this gracefully. I know many neighbors use Ring doorbells, but mine seems to stand out—maybe because of the blue light? I’m not sure.
On another note, I’ve been experimenting with setting up automated notifications for my door sensors. I’ve noticed that when motion sensors trigger the automation, the notification message doesn’t specify whether it was a door or motion sensor. I’d love to customize the message based on the trigger type. Does anyone know if it’s possible to check the domain of the trigger entity within the automation logic?
Lastly, I’ve been checking my camera recordings daily since setting it up, but I’m starting to think this might be too much. I’m considering only checking recordings when necessary or muting the audio to maintain some privacy. It’s a balance between security and peace of mind, I guess.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on these topics! How do you handle camera privacy in apartments, and have you found a way to customize notifications based on trigger types? Let’s discuss!