Hi everyone, I wanted to share my recent success in setting up a smart camera with privacy mode. It’s been a journey, but I’m thrilled with the result! 
I’ve been looking to enhance my home security while maintaining privacy, especially when family members are at home. After some research, I decided to use a smart camera with privacy mode functionality. The goal was to have the camera automatically switch to privacy mode when someone is home and disable it when everyone is away. Plus, I wanted this to happen only during specific hours—7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Initially, I faced some challenges. I wasn’t sure how to integrate the camera’s privacy mode with the home automation system. I experimented with automations, triggers, and conditions, but it took a bit of trial and error. However, with some online research and community support, I finally got it working!
Here’s how I did it:
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Automation Setup: I created an automation that monitors the presence of family members using zones. When someone enters the ‘home’ zone, it triggers the privacy mode to turn on. Conversely, when everyone leaves the zone, it turns off.
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Time Constraints: I added time conditions to ensure this automation only runs between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM. This means during late hours, the privacy mode remains off regardless of presence.
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Testing and Adjustments: I tested the setup thoroughly to ensure there were no glitches. It’s important to verify that the camera behaves as expected in both privacy and normal modes.
The best part? This setup has given me peace of mind. I no longer worry about the camera recording when family members are home, and it’s automatically managed without any manual intervention. It’s a fantastic blend of security and privacy!
If anyone is looking to implement something similar, I’d recommend starting with simple automations and gradually adding complexity. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions—I’m happy to help! 
Happy automating!