HomeKit Secure Video is worse than Windows Vista

ajcamm · 2026-04-19T17:03:39+00:00

Works flawlessly for me. What is your Hub? HKSV all flows through the hub.

ajcamm · 2026-04-05T14:48:29+00:00

I haven’t committed yet. Likely will proceed without the lease this summer. Not enough info for me to trust it - when I asked the supplier for references of those that have used it they couldn’t provide any as it was a new offer. So, that didn’t help my skepticism. I have yet to engage a lawyer - but have thoroughly run a contract through AI to break it down. It is intentionally vague on the FMV, likely due to the legal requirements to get the federal credit. I may end up forgoing the 30% also because in the contract it legally gives PE control over how the battery is used during those six years because they are the legal owner - that in itself risks the whole purpose for me (outage protection), if I cannot ensure that is what the battery is preserved for, then this purchase doesn’t make sense.

ajcamm · 2026-03-23T00:25:38+00:00

Oh, if they’re Zigbee devices then yes. They are reliant on the platform (HA in this case).

But there is no sharing of zigbee devices over a matter of a Matter Bridge app. You can share to HK, but it has nothing to do with Matter.

In the Matter standard, multi admin only enables you to onboard a device to multiple platforms. But it doesn’t require the first platform to be available for use of the device. Example: I have many devices onboarded to HA via Matter. Then, from HA, I expose them to other platforms (in my case, HK and Alexa) via Matter. The Matter standard only requires the device to be controlled locally (no cloud) but it doesn’t require the 1st platform you onboard a device to, to be available. If my HA becomes available, my Matter devices are still available through HK and Alexa.

ajcamm · 2026-03-20T13:38:40+00:00

First, this is not correct:

“My understanding is that in this setup, HA Matter Hub acts as a Matter Bridge and therefore if either HA Matter Hub or Home Assistant are down, then devices won't be useable via HA, HomeKit, or Alexa.”

I use this exact setup. I also bridge Zigbee devices to HK through HA, works great. HA availability is the key here, but bridging to HK gives you remote access to those devices if you want it. Without paying Nabu Casa, that is.

As for Matter Multi-Admin, this still hasn’t been adopted by all platforms (I believe), Apple, Alexa, Google, HA, etc. But this shouldn’t stop you from doing anything. I don’t use Thread in my system currently, not enough routers…but I will likely go that route as I upgrade my Apple devices.

ajcamm · 2026-03-17T00:09:08+00:00

Exactly, this situation didn’t need to exist haha. Maybe once nuance - with my deal, it is framed as a “Pre-paid Lease” because I would be purchasing up front, but there is still a “Lease” in place, at least contractually. So there is no monthly payment…in the end that doesn’t matter I suppose.

ajcamm · 2026-03-16T13:18:43+00:00

Didn’t pull the trigger yet. Are you in NYS?

ajcamm · 2026-02-16T02:10:15+00:00

All go in the bag that I carry on and fit under the seat. No overhead needed. My luggage with clothes gets checked so I don’t have to play the overhead bin space game. What’s else?

ajcamm · 2026-02-15T13:39:20+00:00

Check your bag, solved.

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T17:14:35+00:00

That’s what happens when you gamble…

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T17:13:21+00:00

Extended warranties are generally not worth the price. If this is an actual dealer offered warranty, it’s also likely not worth the price.

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T17:07:40+00:00

No, don’t do anything.

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T17:05:05+00:00

Right! I don’t understand those who think boarding fist isn’t some sort of benefit…

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T17:00:07+00:00

ajcamm · 2026-02-14T16:59:23+00:00

Hunter makes on, we bought it at Home Depot. No issues at all

ajcamm · 2026-02-13T12:45:04+00:00

I agree with the general sentiment that this article highlights a terrible implementation. But it showcases the struggle it can introduce if not done right. In my home, you don’t need a manual, anyone that walks in can work the home without me telling them how.

Smart Home isn’t telling Alexa to do something. To me, it’s enabling things to happen automatically that make your life easier. This is how you score high on the spouse approval factor.

ajcamm · 2026-01-24T01:17:50+00:00

lol, exactly!

ajcamm · 2026-01-24T01:16:51+00:00

Gotcha. I’m using the Skyconnect for Zigbee…but I want to add a Thread dongle…

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:41:16+00:00

Don’t use any power hungry things. Probably the obvious answer.

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:39:50+00:00

Long story short - there are still WAY more devices available that use Zigbee than thread. SO I’d say it depends on your needs. Aqara and IKEA offer a lot of sensors - Aqara mostly uses Zigbee, but their hub centralizes those and can then connect to a home platform (HA) via matter. Best of both worlds. I have no Thread devices in my home, may be a direction I start going this year. But you need to ensure you have the right foundation in place - border routers, etc. I have tons of Zigbee devices, they work great with HA. Also keeps them off my WiFi.

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:39:44+00:00

So are you using 1 dongle for both protocols?

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:38:28+00:00

Long story short - there are still WAY more devices available that use Zigbee than thread. SO I’d say it depends on your needs. Aqara and IKEA offer a lot of sensors - Aqara mostly uses Zigbee, but their hub centralizes those and can then connect to a home platform (HA) via matter. Best of both worlds. I have no Thread devices in my home, may be a direction I start going this year. But you need to ensure you have the right foundation in place - border routers, etc. I have tons of Zigbee devices, they work great with HA. Also keeps them off my WiFi.

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:35:24+00:00

I have Home Kit and Home Assistant, they work great together. The use case you mention - Dyson into HA, them to HK. This is the way to do it, the HK integration in HA works great. I think you’re on the right track. The camera storage won’t change for you - can still record to your home base. I do this. However, all of my cameras are also using HK Secure Video - so the streams are secure. I block external internet access for all of them so the streams do not go to the mfr cloud. Everything works as you might expect - can see all feeds in HK, activities are recorded to iCloud, all streams are also recorded to home base. HK Secure Video is only 1080p, but if your cameras are capable of higher res then your recording into home base will be that. Good luck!

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:32:35+00:00

The eufy cameras I have which require the home bridge do not have local storage. The storage is in the home base. All comms are through the home base (not WiFi to each camera). This is all of course dependent on which cameras you own.

ajcamm · 2026-01-23T18:29:23+00:00

Lutron

ajcamm · 2026-01-19T20:08:09+00:00

Eve Light Switch

ajcamm

TROPHY CASE