As a newcomer to the SmartThings ecosystem, I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation with both excitement and curiosity. Setting up my first project has been a journey of discovery, and I wanted to share some of the challenges and triumphs I’ve encountered along the way.
One of my primary goals has been to integrate my existing security cameras into the SmartThings platform. While I’ve managed to get one camera working seamlessly, my Dahua cameras have been a bit of a puzzle. I’ve successfully proxied the URLs using NGINX and MJPEG, but I’m struggling with embedding these feeds into a single widget in HabPanel. The issue seems to revolve around encoding the username and password into the HTTPS URL, which I haven’t quite cracked yet. If anyone has tackled this challenge, I’d love to hear your insights!
Another area I’ve been exploring is motion detection and automated lighting. I recently came across a rule example that uses a Ring Doorbell to trigger lights, and it’s inspired me to create something similar. The idea of delaying the light activation by 10 seconds to avoid false triggers is brilliant, and I’m considering extending the duration to ensure reliability. However, I’m also curious about the possibility of integrating this with Goodnight Home, adding a feature to delay lights turning off after detecting motion. This would be a fantastic addition for security and convenience.
While there are certainly hurdles to overcome, the potential of SmartThings to transform my home into a connected, intelligent space is truly exciting. I’m eager to continue learning and experimenting, and I’m grateful for the supportive community that shares knowledge and experiences.
If anyone has tips or tricks for camera integration, motion detection rules, or automating lights with delays, please share! Your insights could help me—and others like me—navigate the learning curve and unlock the full potential of SmartThings.