Hi everyone, I’ve been exploring the integration of outdoor security cameras with SmartThings and wanted to share my experiences and some tips for those looking to set this up. I recently got a few Imou LOOC cameras, which come with built-in spotlights and motion sensors. While they’re great on their own, I wanted to connect them with my existing SmartThings setup to enhance my home security system.First, I tried setting them up directly through the SmartThings app, but it wasn’t as straightforward as I hoped. I found some conflicting information online about whether these cameras are fully compatible with SmartThings for motion detection. Some users mentioned issues with the motion sensor not triggering actions reliably, which was a bit concerning. However, after some research, I discovered that using a third-party service like MQTT can help bridge the gap between the camera’s capabilities and SmartThings.I ended up using MQTT to send motion detection signals from the camera to my SmartThings hub. This way, I can trigger actions like turning on outdoor lights or sending alerts to my phone. While it required a bit of setup, it’s been working smoothly for the past few weeks. I’ve also been experimenting with integrating this with my Rachio sprinklers to scare off any unwanted visitors, like raccoons, by activating the sprinklers when motion is detected at night. It’s been a fun project and adds an extra layer of security.For anyone looking to integrate outdoor cameras with SmartThings, I’d recommend checking if there are existing community solutions or scripts that can help automate the process. Also, make sure to test the motion detection settings thoroughly, as sensitivity can vary depending on the environment. If you’re using MQTT, I’ve found some helpful guides online that walk you through the setup step by step.Overall, while there are some hurdles to overcome, integrating outdoor cameras with SmartThings is definitely worth the effort for the added convenience and security. I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried similar setups or has tips to share!