One of the necessary devices in a smart home is a camera; it helps implement various surveillance scenarios and simplifies the implementation of some automation.
The article shows which cameras can be connected to a smart home, how to contact Alice and set up useful automation.
What are the benefits in Russia
💜 Simple video surveillance system. This is much better than ordering the design of a surveillance system from an external integrator. You can get by with a couple of cameras and set everything up yourself.
💜 You can record what is happening in the entrance. Find out who came during your stay, what your neighbors think of their functions, or who steals other people’s mail.
💜 Helps keep an eye on children or relatives. A convenient way to keep kids safe or get grandparents back. You don’t need to call them every time to find out what they are doing; if necessary, you can make sure that everything is in order through the camera.
💜 You can check how your pets are doing. If you come for a weekend or vacation, you can look after a cat or dog.
💜Create healthy, useful conditions at home. Most of the camera can act as a motion sensor and trigger to enable automations.
Which camera is better to buy?
Developers regularly update the list of relevant devices that can be connected to a Yandex smart home. We have collected several options at different price points.
IP camera Qtech Rostelecom WiFi QVC-IPC-136W
One of the most affordable cameras on the market. Video resolution – 1280×720 pixels at 25 frames per second. Viewing angle 94° in width and height.
There is IR illumination for shooting in the dark and a motion sensor that can be used for automation automation.
The camera can only be placed indoors, connected to a smart home with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
This camera costs 1,899 rubles.
Video camera Tuya Wi-Fi HD 360
A camera from a well-known Chinese brand that works with other common smart home control networks. Shoots a picture in 1080P resolution 15 frames per second.
There is a swivel mount, viewing angle 105°. The camera supports night photography, supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and is supported by a power adapter.
🛒 The device costs 2,474 rubles.
Video camera Optimus IP-S042.1
This camera shoots in 1920×1080 resolution at 25 frames per second and is equipped with powerful IR diodes for night shooting. Can distinguish objects in the dark at a distance of up to 30 meters.
The dust and moisture protection class of the case is IP-66, the mount allows you to adjust the desired viewing angle.
🛒 The camera costs RUB 5,813.
Camera hub Aqara Camera Hub G2H
One of the most affordable cameras with HomeKit support, we have already reviewed it in a separate review.
Shoots in 1080p resolution at 30 fps. Maximum viewing angle 146°, IR illumination range 4 meters.
The camera can connect to a smart home via Wi-Fi and serve as a ZigBee hub for sensors.
🛒 The camera will cost 6,980 rubles.
IP CCTV Camera Hiwatch DS-I458Z
The ceiling-mounted dome camera shoots in 2560×1440 resolution at 20 frames per second. Viewing angle horizontally 95.9° and 50° vertically. IR illumination range is 30 meters.
🛒 The camera will cost 11,603 rubles.
For a complete list of compatible cameras and other smart devices with the Yandex smart home, see here.
How to install the camera correctly
It all depends on the chosen model, the room and the tasks that are solved using the camera. There are general recommendations for installing a camera in a smart home.
▶ Make sure you can provide power to the premises. Some models can work with PowerBank, but this is a story for vacations or weekend trips. When you need a camera on an ongoing basis, you cannot do without an outlet nearby.
▶ Don’t violate someone else’s personal space. You can install the camera anywhere in your apartment, but if you mount the device in the entrance or in the yard, you need to carefully choose the location. Do not fall into adjacent rooms, open doors, windows or someone else’s yard within sight.
▶ Evaluate the capture camera. You can make sure that all the necessary objects, doors, windows or rooms are not objectively included. Most often, the camera is installed in restrooms to ensure protection of the coverage area.
▶ check the Wi-Fi is working. In order for the camera to broadcast video and work with a smart home, it must catch a Wi-Fi signal. The distance from the router and a large number of walls on the way to it can become an obstacle.
When a suitable location has been chosen and it has been confirmed that the camera catches the network, captures the necessary objects and does not spy on its neighbors, you can install the device.
How to connect to a smart home
In most cases, everything happens according to the scenario:
1. Connect the camera to the manufacturer’s app. If you need to configure the gadget and update the software.
2. In the application Home with Alice Add a skill to link your account to your account camera and follow the young man on the screen. Here are the most common skills:
▶ Akara
▶ Digma
▶ Samsung
▶ Thuja
▶ Xiaomi
3. After connecting your accounts, go to the camera in the list and Yandex smart home links.
4. The device will appear on the main screen of the application.
What commands and scripts are recommended?
In most cases, basic switch control using Alice will be available. This could be turning the gadget on and off, checking the status, and using video. The latter will be available if you use a TV with Alice, a TV with a connected Yandex module or Station Max.
Commands for the camera in a smart home:
Alice, turn on the camera in the corridor
Alice, turn off the camera in the kitchen
Alice, what happens in childhood?
Alice, go back to the main menu
Scenarios:
🤖 Turning on the light in the room using a motion sensor. You need a camera with a motion sensor; many current models also have a smart switch, relay or light bulb.
◆ If the camera detects movement, turn on the lights in the room.
🤖 Night illumination. Can be adjusted if you have a smart bulb or dimmable light fixture.
◆ if the camera detects movement from 23:00 to 6:00, turn off the lights in the corridor with a brightness of 20%.
🤖 Turning off the lights when everyone is gone. Here you will also need a camera with a motion sensor and any smart device to turn off the lights.
◆ if the camera does not detect movement for more than a minute, turn off the lights in the room.
🤖 Get an alert when motion is detected in your home. This scenario can be implemented using a camera with a motion sensor.
◆ if the camera detects movement, send…
You can configure the script to run, for example, on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.
🤖 Alert when someone approaches the front door. The camera needs to capture the entrance area in front of the door, and the sound output should be a speaker or smart speaker.
◆ If the camera detects movement, send a message to your smartphone and play the sound on the speaker.
All scenarios can be activated at the selected time and in opposite weeks.
Even more consequences can be found in the application itself. Home with Alice. Everything is limited only by your imagination.
Is it worth buying
A camera is a useful tool that can enhance your smart home and give you the ability to keep an eye on your loved ones or pets. And with the help of the camera you could find out who came when you were not at home.
The camera can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a motion sensor; it can run different scenarios in a smart home.
Do you use a surveillance camera in an apartment or house? What scenarios you built and how it helps in everyday life, write in the comments.
🏡 More about smart home:
▪ The window opened and the air conditioner turned off. Analysis of why an opening sensor is needed in a smart home and what else it can do
▪ Lights and ventilation turn on when entering the bath. Why are motion sensors useful in a smart home?
▪ I find out about a leak in the house in a second, the water won’t pass. How to use a leak sensor in Russia (+ best scenarios)
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
