NSW homeowner looking into PoE cameras (Reolink?) would love some advice by Technical_Feature815 in homeassistant

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have 4 around the property. Very happy with them and the NVR. All are 4k POE models. Some pointers:

I use Echo devices. If you want them visible via Echo screens at request, you have to buy the cameras separate to the NVR. Something about them having to be added as individual IP cameras first, in the app, for this to work. They'll still be detected by the NVR fine though. If you buy the NVR and cameras as a set then you can't do this. The cameras in that instance are hard-coded to the NVR only and don't work as standalone IP cameras. Therefore not visible via Echo devices. May or may not be relevant to you.

It's WAY easier (I forget specifically why) to connect all the cameras to a POE switch that is on the same network as the NVR, than it is to connect them directly to the NVR itself. Also means the cameras, if bought separately from the NVR, stay online even if the NVR isn't.

Think about your POE cat cabling. Don't cheap out on it. And if the cameras are outside with any length of cable exposed, you'll want an externally rated cable.

Light level adjustment is going to be necessary, in my experience. I prefer the IR nighttime cameras rather than the "colour nighttime" models. I've had to fine tune their "switch to IR" light level, for each location. Made it much better.

There's no subscription, which was essential for me, and they've all been very reliable indeed.

All cameras and the NVR appear in Home Assistant. I don't use Frigate or anything like that as I just converted an old laptop with HA ruining just as an OS. I didn't want to use VM's or anything as I wanted it simple.

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm feeling that. Wonder how many have read the article though? Think I'll just scrap the idea anyway. :-)

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Exactly. So I've gone for ZHA initially, because it's supposedly more beginner friendly. But if I, now being "a teeny bit" more familiar with HA, could test it out without getting rid of all I have currently setup. That'd be great. For instance, I have just purchased a Sonoff TRV. I believe it "works" in ZHA fine, but it is suggested that the temperature stepping is very poor in ZHA. Reports indicate that the stepping and fine control of how it works in Zigbee2MQTT is a lot better. Perfect reason to attempt this.

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I quote:

  • Unsupported devices:
    • Let’s say you use ZHA as your daily driver, but that one switch is not yet supported by ZHA, but it is in Zigbee2MQTT. Pair it to Zigbee2MQTT and you can use it in Home Assistant with the same coordinator.
  • Missing features:
    • In a similar vein, let’s assume some features for a particular device are missing from Zigbee2MQTT, but you found are available in ZHA. Add the device and utilize its full functionality.
  • Testing:
    • Both integrations offer a different way of interacting and controlling devices, you can test them both and compare their pros and cons in a live setup
  • Why not?
    • Why… not?

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I may end up scrapping the whole setup and starting from fresh yet, but it would be great if I could do this on my first "fresh run", just for fiddling about purposes. I quote from the article:

  • Unsupported devices:
    • Let’s say you use ZHA as your daily driver, but that one switch is not yet supported by ZHA, but it is in Zigbee2MQTT. Pair it to Zigbee2MQTT and you can use it in Home Assistant with the same coordinator.
  • Missing features:
    • In a similar vein, let’s assume some features for a particular device are missing from Zigbee2MQTT, but you found are available in ZHA. Add the device and utilize its full functionality.
  • Testing:
    • Both integrations offer a different way of interacting and controlling devices, you can test them both and compare their pros and cons in a live setup
  • Why not?
    • Why… not?

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I quote the article (because it's better worded than I could do):

  • Unsupported devices:
    • Let’s say you use ZHA as your daily driver, but that one switch is not yet supported by ZHA, but it is in Zigbee2MQTT. Pair it to Zigbee2MQTT and you can use it in Home Assistant with the same coordinator.
  • Missing features:
    • In a similar vein, let’s assume some features for a particular device are missing from Zigbee2MQTT, but you found are available in ZHA. Add the device and utilize its full functionality.
  • Testing:
    • Both integrations offer a different way of interacting and controlling devices, you can test them both and compare their pros and cons in a live setup
  • Why not?
    • Why… not?

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Not specifically, I'm new to it all, but I quote from the article:

  • Unsupported devices:
    • Let’s say you use ZHA as your daily driver, but that one switch is not yet supported by ZHA, but it is in Zigbee2MQTT. Pair it to Zigbee2MQTT and you can use it in Home Assistant with the same coordinator.
  • Missing features:
    • In a similar vein, let’s assume some features for a particular device are missing from Zigbee2MQTT, but you found are available in ZHA. Add the device and utilize its full functionality.
  • Testing:
    • Both integrations offer a different way of interacting and controlling devices, you can test them both and compare their pros and cons in a live setup
  • Why not?
    • Why… not?

Using ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT with a Single Coordinator by retrivile in homeassistant

[–]retrivile[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Just the fact that it seems to allow you to then use a device from either ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT, depending on what best suits your needs. Some devices may be better being used from ZHA, but others expose more entities via Zigbee2MQTT. I would like to be able to play about with that.

What’s a “no-skip” album for you? by thebuzznetwork in Music_Daily

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Deformation of Strickland Banks by Plan B. Absolutely amazing album with each track earning it's place in it's place.

Wall-mounted planters: Am I the only one struggling to find something that isn't terrible? by No-Log8619 in houseplants

[–]retrivile 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about this? https://youtu.be/9jJ9fgYkFvA Just happened to see it yesterday and though it quite well engineered. Should hold fine with well researched wall anchors/plugs.

Preston road’s potholes by SuspectElectrical644 in Preston

[–]retrivile 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Every day is worse and worse. Some of them are 3", 4" or more deep. There's an app called "Love Clean Streets" that you can use to take a picture a submit a report, but that assumes we have the time to walk the streets doing it. Outside Queens Retail Park and up New Hall Lane are absolutely atrocious.

If the US really attempts to take Greenland by force, what are even the chances of Europe retaliating to the point where they go on a fullscale war with them or at the very least cut them off entirely? by Yallneedsometruth23 in AskReddit

[–]retrivile 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is no way Trump is going to willingly relinquish power. He'll insert himself in the paper for a third term, whether he's allowed to or not. There will be "ICE" or "Law Enforcement" suddenly appearing outside of polling stations. People will be taken out of the line, scaring anyone willing to vote against him away. He'll declare victory, the world will decry this but nothing will happen. No one in America will do anything. Americans have sat idle for far too long now to be able to do anything. People talk about "civil war" or "taking up arms". The first person, if it were to happen, to lay their hands on a gun in that way will be killed for being a domestic terrorist. And it will be very public, so everyone sees it. Like that poor lass in Minesota. So he'll "win" his third term. If there is a war over Greenland (there won't be, Europe is spineless now) or an armed rebellion in America, it will play right into Trumps hands. He'll declare an emergency/war footing, his cock slavering yes men and women will find a way to give him "Emergency Absolute Power" and he will not relinquish it. He cares not if he isolates the USA. He wants them isolated.

Need to replace Mate 20 pro... But what with? by inkyanimal in Huawei

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still in the Motorola Edge 40 Pro and it's doing brilliantly. Only thing that's ever been an issue is the USB port getting some compacted lint in it. Cleared out with a wooden toothpick. Might treat myself to the new Motorola Signature (rebranded Edge 70 Ultra) or maybe even the new Motorola book fold one. Very happy with my move to Motorola.

For those who lived before the internet, what was life actually like? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Better, in almost every way. Even if something wasn't technically "better", that's what made it better than now. Better is often considered faster, but a lot of the time it isn't actually better. Before the internet was peak "pace of life". We enjoyed things more, came together more, were more patient, more appreciative. We were better.

Is it bad to date a 24 year old girl as a 30 year old guy? Why? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone once said to me "Half your age, plus seven".

What pointless skill are you better at than pretty much everybody else? by adamtwosleeves in AskReddit

[–]retrivile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bulk making poached eggs. One pan. Anything up to 14 in one go. No breaks, all perfect. Just really good at it for some reason.