Migrating from Nest to Reolink for Home Assistant Integration

Hi everyone, I’m new to the world of smart home cameras and I’m currently in the process of migrating from Nest to Reolink. I’ve been using Nest cameras for quite some time now, but I’ve noticed that the experience has become less than ideal since Google took over. The rising subscription fees and the shift to the Google Home app have been major pain points for me.

I’ve decided to make the switch to Reolink cameras, primarily because of their seamless integration with Home Assistant. I’ve heard great things about their reliability and ease of use, which is exactly what I’m looking for. However, I’m a bit overwhelmed when it comes to setting everything up properly.

I currently have two Nest cameras—a floodlight and a doorbell. I’ve been able to successfully set up the Reolink doorbell, but I’m a bit stuck on how to integrate the floodlight camera into my existing Home Assistant setup. I’ve read through some guides, but I’m not entirely sure if I’m following the right steps.

Another thing I’m considering is whether I should invest in an NVR for better management of my cameras. I’ve heard that having an NVR can offer more flexibility and security, especially if I plan to add more cameras in the future. I’m not entirely sure about the capacity of the HDD I need or which NVR model would be best suited for my setup.

I’ve also been looking into the possibility of keeping my security system separate from my NAS box, as I don’t want any potential issues with my network affecting my security cameras. This has led me to explore different NVR options that can work independently.

I’m hoping someone out there has gone through a similar migration process and could share their experiences or tips. Any advice on setting up the Reolink cameras, choosing the right NVR, or ensuring a smooth transition would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help, and I look forward to learning more from the community!