Hi everyone, I’m diving into the world of smart home cameras and I’m a bit overwhelmed by the options out there. I’ve been researching different solutions to secure my home, and I wanted to share my findings and ask for your thoughts.
I’m looking for a system that can handle 3-4 cameras and a video doorbell. Key features I need include local and remote viewing, fast access, local video storage, and the ability to integrate with my existing smart home setup. I’ve come across Netamo, Nest, and some IP cameras, but I’m not sure which would be the best fit.
Netamo seems appealing because it offers many features without the subscription fees of Nest, but I’m concerned about its compatibility with my Hubitat ecosystem. I’ve also heard about using IP cameras with software like Sighthound for facial recognition, but I’m not sure if that’s the right path for me.
Another consideration is power over Ethernet (PoE). I have existing cat5 wiring in two positions, which would be ideal for PoE cameras. However, my video doorbell will be 15 meters away from the house, so I need something reliable for that distance. Would Ethernet work, or should I look into using a Google Wifi unit there?
I’m also thinking about future-proofing my setup. I’d love to integrate these cameras into a smart display on a tablet and have the doorbell feed pop up on my TV when someone rings. It would be great if the system could disable alerts based on time and proximity, so I don’t get notifications when I’m already at home.
If anyone has experience with Netamo, Nest, or other camera systems, especially in a Hubitat environment, I’d love to hear your insights. Have you managed to integrate cameras into a smart display or TV? Any tips on PoE setups or wireless solutions for longer distances would be appreciated too!
Thanks for your help, and I look forward to learning from your experiences!