What has been unreliable about your reolink? Were you using the PoE doorbell or the wifi?
I had the same issues and Reolink sent me a new replacement but I’m having the same issue. It has to be an issue on their hardware. I replaced my doorbell transformer for a more powerful one at their request but that didn’t help. Mine loses power most of the time when someone pushes the doorbell button and even sometimes when it recognizes a person. Almost to the point of replacing with a simple smart button and having a reliable camera up above.
Same issue for you @IanScottMoyes ?
That’s bizarre! Almost seems to me like the wiring from transformer to Reolink has high resistance and under low load is fine but under higher load it can’t deliver the current. I would check basics by disconnecting the wires at the transformer and the Reolink, short circuit the two wires at either the transformer end or the Reolink end and then check the loop resistance at the other (open) end. It should be almost zero. If it is then perhaps the 120V supply to the transformer is restricted for some reason. With everything reconnected, attach a voltmeter to the transformer secondary output and have someone press the doorbell button while you watch the transformer output voltage…it should drop very little, if any. If it does drop then the transformer cannot supply the current being requested at the same voltage and I’d try connecting the transformer temporarily to an alternate mains power source as a test.
Well, a few months have gone past, I thought I’d share my experience with you, in case it’s useful. If it’s not, no problem, just ignore my post and enjoy the rest of your day.
My spec is, internet connectivity, local storage, HAOS “compatible”, no subscription.
1: My first video doorbell was one of these generic Tuya compatible ones:
Frankly, it was useless. Poor WiFi connectivity, 5-10 seconds lag, poor image quality at night.
2: My second was this Arlo Essentials one:
Better. Decent WiFi connection, NO WIRES, because it has a rechargeable battery. Still very laggy though.
3: My third was one of these Reolink WiFi ones.
You may notice, this project is starting to get a little expensive. Maybe I can spare you some of that.
OK WiFi connection but it kept “unpowering” itself. It would just; die. Then later, come back to life. It didn’t matter what I tried to fix it. GREAT Home Assistant integration, worked well with Frigate and with Agent DVR, MUCH less lag. However, this tendency to go to sleep eventually got the better of me so.
4: I bought the POE version of the Reolink one and had an electrician run a network cable to it, where the doorbell power cable had been (20 years ago I would have been up for scrambling around in lofts but, those days are behind me). It’s SO good, I never think about it. I can record video onto a local NAS, snatch snapshots from it, use 2 way audio to chat to the person at the door. Highly recommended. UPDATE THE FIRMWARE to the latest version.
I can […] use 2 way audio to chat to the person at the door.
How did you get this to work with HA? There are a lot of users having issues with 2-way audio on Reolink doorbell, some users stated that only works if the firmware is at a specific version
And
I’m planning to build things to my HA and a 2-way doorbell is on the list, so I did some research and found users having issues with it, could you please show what you did to get it working?
Thanks
I’m currently also sreening for video and 2-way audio doorbells with HA integration. Hence, I’m also interested how @IanScottMoyes managed to get things running. Would you please share your integration?
Thx
I ordered reolink doorbeel on ebay and the camera stopped working after a few hours. now I am trying to return it. No Reolink for me!!!
At the same time mine is working since it was released. Just as my 5 Reolink PTZ cameras in my house.