I’ve been diving into the world of smart home security lately, and I must say, it’s been an exciting journey! I recently set up a system using Wansview outdoor cameras and Aeotec motion sensors, aiming to create a seamless security setup. While the process has been mostly smooth, there have been a few bumps along the way that I thought I’d share, along with some tips for anyone looking to do something similar.
The Setup
I started by installing the Wansview cameras in strategic locations around my property. These cameras are great for outdoor use, and I was impressed by their night vision capabilities. Pairing them with iSpy for motion detection and recording was the next step, but I ran into an issue with push notifications. The Wansview app claimed to support notifications, but they never showed up on my phone. Frustrated, I looked for alternatives and discovered that using iSpy with a server setup was the way to go, but it required a subscription fee, which I wasn’t too keen on.
The Solution
After some research, I stumbled upon a clever workaround using IFTTT and WebCoRE. I created virtual switches in SmartThings for each camera and set up IFTTT webhooks to trigger these switches when motion was detected. WebCoRE then monitored these switches and sent push notifications to my phone. To ensure the system didn’t get stuck, I added a 5-second delay before resetting the switch. This setup has been working flawlessly, with a delay of just 1-2 seconds from detection to notification. It’s been a great solution, and I’m happy to share it with anyone interested!
Challenges and Tips
One challenge I faced was adjusting the sensitivity of the Aeotec motion sensors. They were too sensitive initially, picking up every little movement, which led to unnecessary alerts. After some trial and error, I found the sweet spot by tweaking the settings in the SmartThings app. If anyone else is struggling with this, I’d be happy to share the exact steps I took.
Another tip I have is to consider the placement of your cameras and sensors. I learned the hard way that placing sensors too close to windows or doors can cause false triggers. Experimenting with different placements and angles made a significant difference in reducing false alarms.
Looking Ahead
I’m now looking to expand my setup by integrating facial recognition for family members and setting up geofencing to automatically arm and disarm the system based on my location. I’m curious if anyone else has experience with this and would love to hear your insights or tips!
This project has been a fantastic learning experience, and I’m thrilled with how much I’ve been able to accomplish. It’s amazing how technology can enhance home security while still being user-friendly. I can’t wait to see what other smart home projects I can tackle next!
If anyone has questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help and learn from others’ experiences.