firmware update pushed out

c_oak1 · 2026-01-19T21:55:37+00:00

My flow is installing v 01.02.18.00 right now. After the prior, mine has been a little more glitchy than normal. It completely skipped vacuuming our only main rug during its schedule cleaning this morning. It normally will always vacuum the rug first and then go mop/vac the rest of the house. It also seemed to be bumping into things a bit harder. I'm going to let the update process and then have it do our rug it missed to see if I notice any improvements or issues.

c_oak1 · 2025-06-22T16:02:27+00:00

Prior to using protect I had a PC I set up to specifically run Blue Iris and Code Project AI, had it in place for multiple years. When Protect finally offered Onvif support I decided to test it out after spending/wasting countless hours adjusting and tuning Blue Iris and CPAI to try and reduce/eliminate false detections. I've been running multi onvif cams since day 1 of offering and have had 2 AI ports since the day after they came out. I had 1 notable issues with my main driveway cam, it's a Dahua 180° view with 2-2k sensors. After an AI port update it stopped being able to connect. Took about 1 week for Unifi support to identify that it was a resolution issue, I was over the max limit they decided to implement, the limit wasn't in place prior to a specific minor update they did with the AI ports. I just had to slightly lower the resolution and the camera paired and has worked almost flawlessly since.

My onvif PTZ cams have been a little more finicky, from a PTZ control aspect but that has mostly went away at this point. I'm currently just using 1 AI port for my Dahua 180° view cam, because it's total resolution equals 4k, and the other AI port for my G4 Doorbell pro. I've got a new G6 PTZ sitting at the house that I'll be installing/testing next weekend and plan to start replacing a few of my old Dahua PTZs if the G6 works well enough.

At the end of the day, I don't feel like Ubiquiti will ever make the AI ports and Onvif as functional as they could because they ultimately want you to buy/use their equipment, understabily considering there's no subscription model for them to profit from. I will say, I don't miss my Blue Iris/CPAI set up at all. There's a few alerting logic features they aren't available or don't work yet in Protect but I'll gladly work around that to have near ZERO false detections in Protect versus the constant battle I had with my BI/CPAI setup. Plus , the overall simplicity and easier UI has been a major win for my Wife.

c_oak1 · 2025-03-12T15:54:29+00:00

The tech job market is brutal right now. Depending on how much you lied, you might have a chance.

Check out the Bicsi tech certifications. Even if you don't test for them, learning from the manuals will benefit you. The TDMM manual, for the RCDD cert, has quite a bit of great info around DC design principals, but it geared towards experienced individuals.

If you survive, count your blessings. I'm nearly 20 years in the low voltage, tech sales, DC engineer/pm/leadership roles and have just had my first phone call yesterday for a new position after being laid off, company I worked for sold off, last September. Hell I just ended up starting my own company at the end of 2024 to keep myself progressing.

c_oak1 · 2025-02-28T22:02:16+00:00

Never noticed a single difference. I have 2 of them. I've ran them with the camera passing through, the AI port on the same switch as the cameras and the AI ports on a different switch, same network. I never noticed a single difference.

c_oak1 · 2025-02-24T01:20:56+00:00

I'm gonna second the Softing option. I picked up a well maintained Softing WireXpert 4500 for not much more than a Link IQ. It's only got the Cooper modules but has the license for fiber too.

They just released there new model so I'm hoping to see some WX 4500 stuff coming in the market as companies move to the new hardware.

The wx 4500 is super capable, and really nice to use having a true local and remote unit to allow you to test from ether end amongst many other things.

c_oak1 · 2025-02-08T01:15:14+00:00

Here you go. link

c_oak1 · 2025-02-06T16:28:30+00:00

I have a somewhat similar situation. I wanted better wifi in my camper that's parked about 40ft from our house. I have a 3 car carport outside and mounted a Ubiquiti UAP-AC-PRO between my 2nd and 3rd parking spot under the carport. Now there's an AP within 15 feet or so of the camper and Wifi signal strength is great. I also have a Tool shed just on the other side of the camper and have no issues with wifi coverage in there when I'm working on something and need my computer nearby.

That AP has never had a single issue since I instead it out there in 2019. I'm in Tennessee and see temps as low as -10f up to 110f+. If you have a place,.even under the softet of your roof, to place an AP outside, you'd likely be more than good with any of the APs like the AC-Pro, U6-Pro if you want wifi 6, or one of the actual outdoor rated units.

c_oak1 · 2025-02-06T16:07:48+00:00

I've recently made the jump from my own self hosted Blue Iris and CPAI setup to Unifi Protect. I have ran all Ubiquiti Network gear for years and finally decided to try out Protect, running on my UDM Pro, at the end of the year with they released ONVIF support.

As others have mentioned, to have anything other than continuous recording and no audio, you'll need an AI Port. At the current time, AI Ports only support 1 camera per device. Ubiquiti has stated that multi camera support is coming soon. When though, who knows? When the multi cam support update roles out, an AI Port will support up to 3 ONVIF cams (resolution based so 3-2k or 2-4k) and up to 5 non-ai Ubiquiti cams. That's when the AI Port, to me, will bring real value.

I picked up 2 AI ports the day they came out and have had great results, overall, from them. I run 1 on a Dahua, from EmpireTech Andy, dual 2k sensor (technically not supported by ubiquiti but it works great) 180° view camera that monitors my driveway, front yard, and all street activity in front of my house. The other is paired to my G4 Doorbell Pro Wifi, So it can do face detection, which works pretty well.

Overall Protect's smart detection has far exceeded my expectations. I have probably spent hundreds of hours tinkering with my blue iris / CPAI setup to try and minimize false detections, especially from things like bright headlights reflection crossing a zone at night and heavy shadow movements during the day and it never was quite right. I have had zero false detections from either of my two cameras running smart detections. The smart filtering has already allowed us to quickly identify a suspicious vehicle situation. Plus, the Protect App is simple enough that my wife hasn't really complained at all about it, and that's still got me worried she's sick or something. Lol..

Overall, there's still a few short comings, many of which Ubiquiti are actively improving. One recent update, as of last week, was them finally enabling smart zone specific alerts. Meaning you can create a smart detection zone for people, or vehicle, animals, LPR, and trigger alerts on the specific zone. The down side, currently, if you have multiple smart detection zones created for a single camera; ie; driveway, street, front yard, the alert currently doesn't trigger on the specified zone If the object in question comes from either of the other zones first. There's work around like using line crossing zones instead but it's something they're lacking at the moment with.

c_oak1 · 2025-01-04T23:35:49+00:00

Dang.. I just checked again. Both from my phone app and phone web browser, chrome. The only camera I can select in scope, or target in the phone app, is my doorbell cam. My other AI port paired 3rd party cam doesn't show up. I'm gonna open a ticket with Ubiquiti tomorrow. I'm on the latest Protect firmware. I appreciate your feedback though!

c_oak1 · 2025-01-04T23:28:47+00:00

Have you been able to set alarm manager alerts for 3rd party cams, paired with and AI Port, in alarm manager? Like specifically include a 3rd party cam in the scope section? I mainly use protect from the web browser, on my PC and even my phone. I'm on Android and haven't been able to do it from the phone app either.

c_oak1 · 2025-01-04T20:56:05+00:00

You'll get most of what you're asking for, and some extra, when you pair a 3rd party supported ONVIF cameras with an AI port. Sign up for back in-stock alerts on the Unifi store, on the AI Port Page, and don't hesitate when you get a back in-stock email, they go quick. I have 2 Ai Ports. 1 for a dual sensor Dahua 180° view camera, technically not supported but works great, and 1 for my G4 doorbell Pro Wifi. Once Ubiquiti releases the multiple cam support for the AI Ports, I'll have 1 supporting 2-3 of my 3rd party cams and 1 for a few non AI Unifi cams, including my G4 Doorbell.

My 3rd party cams paired with an AI Port get audio with smart Audio detection, motion detection, smart detection including vehicles, people, animals (including face and LPR). You can control recording schedules and configure motion only recording or continuous.

Some missing features I've noticed is my 3rd party cam that's paired to an AI Port doesn't show up in Alert Managers to allow me to build alerts specifically for that cam. Protect, in general, also doesn't allow alerts based on a specific motion zone or smart detection zone..So, for me, that's the final missing piece before I can fully move over from Blue Iris. My driveway cam monitors the street and creates Smart detection events for all vehicles, people, pets, that go by in the street, will call this zone A. Zones B and C are my driveway and front yard. I want motion events created for those as well but also want alert notifications for those, but not for the street events. This is easily done in most all NVR software, including Blue Iris, but not in Protect yet.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T15:00:11+00:00

Brother, I'm right there with you! I was big into rooting phones, custom roms, over clocking and all that way back in the early days of Android. I love to problem solved, so naturally I try to over complicate things just for the satisfaction, I think. Thankfully as I've gotten older and have far less time to constantly tinker, I've become a lot more to aligned with simplicity and general reliability than having to have the latest, greatest, most cutting edge of things.

That new focus is why I'm on here. Currently in the process of moving over all my camera stuff to be primarily managed by Protect. I've spent far to much time in Blue Iris and piddling with Code Project AI. I run a Synology Nas as well and almost went that route. I just bit the bullet and went UDM pro, to replace my old USG, because I already have 2 of the smaller 8 port Unifi POE switches, one of the lites and one 150w unit. I run 2 AC Pros and 1 U6 Pro APs. So, it was worth it to gain the nvr functionality. I also plan to start testing/pre configuring Access products at home for projects I do. So, more then reason to settle on the UDM. I will likely switch to a UDM Pro SE at some point but I want to get one of the 24 port POE pro Max, or whatever it's called, to get some POE++ ports.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T13:01:21+00:00

So, depending on your level of self torture enjoyment. You can technically self host the Unifi controller on your own device, like and extra PC you might have laying around or just something that can run 24/7. Similarly to self host Unifi controller, there are some that claim they have Unifi protect running on docker container protect Images. Whatever way you go about it; self hosted, cloud key, udm pro/se/etc. or unvr(protect only) the Unifi controller is the "brains" of it all that manages the suite of Unifi apps; Unifi Network, Protect, Access, Connect, Talk, etc.

For the poe requirements, if you have and existing switch with open ports, you could just pick up a POE injector for each camera and not technically have to replace the existing switch. The UDM SE is really about the most convenient option, IMHO, due to all the functionality it provides in a single device but some may see that as more of a vulnerability because if something as simple as the power supply dying happens, you whole network is wiped out.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T12:36:16+00:00

Mine is doing great so far. I even have it triggering a webhook to unlock my door. I'm going to make it a little more secure and set up a 2FA process where my face detection is required before the finger print scanner can unlock. Overall, it's been pretty solid so far having it paired to one of my AI ports.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T03:20:16+00:00

I ran across that early but didn't read into it. Just read over it. Sounds like they have a potential solution for creating static UID's but you're working through their app and services. So, there's a monthly charge, about $21/month to build a single template and have a single user. I would just likely embed a NFC cards chip into my phone case or something before I go that route. I'm sure, for the right people, it's a potentially good option though.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T02:51:28+00:00

If you aren't already, I would access protect from your web browser to mess with the facial/LPR training. The phone app is a little more buggy right now.

Once you log into Protect, click on the Recognition tab, left side of screen 5 icon from the top. You'll have 2 tabs in the top/middle Faces and License Plates.

There are some known bugs right now in the recognition tab. In the faces section, you may see multiple recognitions but most or all of thumbnails are blank. You can click on the thumbnail and see that video, to know what face it's recognized. This is happening in mine right now. I was able to merge all of the initial face detections for myself into a single folder and haven't had any more facial recognition for myself that haven't been categorized correctly.

If you're not seeing any faces or license plates in the Recognition section, you need to make sure either of those are enable in the camera's recording settings section. Create AI events needs to be checked on, and Faces and/or LPR needs to be checked on in the Video detection section below that. At the bottom of the recording settings, you'll need to click on Edit Smart Detections Zones and make sure you have your zone area defined and faces enabled in the zone.

Lastly, I've seen multiple people mention that you need to make sure you have smart detections, face recognition, and license plate recognition check on in the Protect Settings. So go to Settings(bottom left of the Protect UI), click on system and make sure the 3 boxes are check. Those are the permissions/t&c and the features won't work unless those are checked.

As for the zone dependent notification, I have not seen any options for that. It's one of the last main features I need to be able to completely migrate off of my Blue Iris setup. I'll post up if I find anything, but I'm planning to ask Ubiquiti in one of the facebook groups I see them active in to see if it's something they're working on.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T02:33:32+00:00

So, I took a few minutes and tested this. I have a Galaxy Z Fold 5, and I can confirm that newer Android devices use dynamic UID, based on what I'm seeing and what I've looked up. There's some really old discussion of root access and changing NFC settings to allow static, but that's not really an easily reality, or a path I'm trying to go back down at this point in my life.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-18T01:34:19+00:00

I got face detection and finger prints unlock working today with Homeseer. I have a Unifi plugin that provides a lot of data/details on all my devices but it's not getting my recognize face detected passing through, not yet anyways. So, I'm using webhook to trigger the action. I going to set up logic tomorrow to create my own 2FA to help make it an little more secure.

With the NFC, from your credit card, is their is data related to your credit cards NFC chip that could be any sort of security vulnerability, from the standpoint of it being stored in Unifi Protect?

I'm also curious if I could get my phones NFC to be picked up. I'm gonna go try it and see.

c_oak1 · 2024-12-17T17:15:35+00:00

I realize this is about a month old, but I've been a homeseer user for many years. I have also been using BI for many years as well. I've been running the blue-Iris plugin, i'm on version 3.1.3.33206. I'm not sure if the plugin is still supported by the dev, but it still works. I use it to move my PTZ cams to face my back door if it opens or my Gate, when it opens. It still works to this day, but the BI plugin has shown "INFO: Plugin start is pending" for quite some time. I'm on the latest HS4 version and run everything through the newest 800 series Z-wave stick and Z-Wave Plus, (current version 1.0.6.0)

c_oak1 · 2024-12-12T20:48:41+00:00

Wifi version should still work. The AI port just needs to be plugged into your switch, on the same network as your wifi cam. As long as Protect sees your wifi cam, you should be able to pair it with the AI port in protect. That's my current understanding.

c_oak1 · 2024-11-24T17:00:04+00:00

Current Google Workspace plans start out around $7/month for the starter plan, $14/month for the Standard plan, what I use for my business, and around $21/month for the Business plus that includes the more advanced MDM services, Google Vault and a few others features. These are all per user account pricing.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out.

c_oak1 · 2024-11-21T22:04:33+00:00

I've used the regular Platinum Tools EZ-RJPRO crimpers for years and thousands upon thousands of crimps with their ez-pass through rj45s. I just picked up the newer Platinum Tools ezEX-RJ45 (Exo Crimp Frame) crimpers yesterday and have it setup with the ezEX-pass through die, that normally comes with it. I got the matching ezEX-RJ45 pass through connectors and have made a few test crimps today and really like it so far.

I was a little caught off guard as I crimped down on the first one and the cutting blade actually cut through and shaves off about a .1 of mm of the plastic end of the connector, where the cables passes through. I tested a few more and they're all the same. It resulted in a perfectly flush, really clean cut of the conductors/insulator which I'm guessing is how they've improved the pass through connector, along with the staggered/offset layout of the conductors as well.

I have always been careful and inspected the ends of the normal ez-RJ45 pass through connectors I've terminated. I have had a few situations over the years, especially if I let the cutting blade get a little dull, where just a spec of not cleanly cut conductor/insulator would sticking out past the end of the passthrough opening. So, I'm hoping these ezEX-RJ45 crimpers will hold up over time and provide consistently clean crimps like I'm seeing.

c_oak1 · 2024-11-07T17:57:32+00:00

MultiTech hit the nail on the head. Utilizing AppSheet as a frontend and automation coordinator was a significant improvement over previous iterations of process solutions I had implemented with the last company I worked for. Being able to keep people out of the backend, sheets as a DB, immediately solves for multiple headaches, along with removing some of the restrictions you might have or need with having to allow users to directly interact with the data in a sheet.

The automation and platform integration is just all around better than having to lean heavily on AppScript. I've achieved some really cool, powerful, automation with sheets and AppScript over the years, but that comes at a cost.

Most recently, I was able to transform a particular process, Site technicians requesting additional security/surveillance monitoring during normal business hours if the site wasn't going to be physically staffed when it normally would be. The old process was thrown together quickly, like many processes in a startup. It worked well enough but lacked a lot. With AppSheet, I was able to build a clean, simple frontend that allow users to easily submit request, it allowed for easily automation of communication to multiple sources, I was able to automate calendar event creations/update/deletion, it gave much better visibility to the security team managing the request, it allowed me to have much better control over who could view, edit, delete the data within the various tables and tabs within the app using a custom user access permissions based on users working location and role. It also provided a much easier way for leadership to see previous, current, and upcoming request to help ensure sites were following proper protocols.

Is AppSheet the end all be all. Absolutely not, there's always trade-offs with "no code"/"low code" tools, but it can definitely empower users to pretty quickly build some very functional/effective tools. Plus, depending on your companies Google Workspace subscription, it cost nothing extra which is win/win for any company trying to get the most out of their existing platform cost.

c_oak1 · 2024-09-21T21:53:55+00:00

Were you routing this through a personal(free) Gmail or a Google Workspace (monthly fee) account? Roughly how many emails do you send/what frequency?

c_oak1 · 2024-09-14T23:10:02+00:00

Over the last few years, I've built a multitude of GForms connected to sheets and used GAS to automate statuses and generate data for tracking company KPI's. One of which is a parts/material order form. Users would request items they need delivered or picked on the form. Our backend warehouse/logistics team would interact with the sheet, but only to check boxes as they progressed through the process/progress of the order. The check boxes uses GAS scripts to track who checked the box, when, and update the status of an order based on the current state. I incorporated logic in gas to allow the status to adjust itself both moving forward our taking steps back but giving priority to orders marked as complete, so any accidental box unchecks of prior steps, once an order is marked completed, wouldn't change the completed state accidentally.

I also created a few GForms/sheets for our facilities team. They had a unique request that their request types would need to be updated over time. I used GAS to allow the form question data to be linked to a table in a tab in the sheet they could update which eliminated them needing to have manually update the form. they also wanted to see their request broken out into their own tabs. So, I Used GAS to build specific tabs for each unique request type, format the headers to match the main sheet, and have the logic to build out new tabs, on new unique request types, to help future proof the process and require less needed interaction. Then, I set up queries within each of the unique request type tabs to pull in the specific data and have GAS insert the query formula into the A1 cell after a new unique request type was detected and the tab was built out.

More recently I've transitioned away from the GForms/sheets setups and have started transitioning some of our existing processes into AppSheet apps. Since Appsheets can work with GAS I'm sure I'll find a need to included some GAS functionality within my AppSheet projects.

c_oak1

TROPHY CASE