I’ve tried searching here and online about where to start and beginners guides but somethings I’m struggling with.
I’ve already took the plunge and got myself a pi 4 and some sonoff zigbee sensors. Which work well. There is a few things I want to do but I’m finding it’s a minefield. I see some great product recommendations on YouTube and here but I can’t seem to buy them in the UK.
I’m wanting to set up some kind of local smart TV (from a dumb 4k tv but without needing amazon or Google accounts (maybe Kodi?) that I can automate for my son.
Example, a sensor on my sons bedroom door goes off early hours of the morning, it will switch on the TV and start playing some already downloaded (legally) movies in avi/mp4 format. But what device would be best to do this?
Another example is the doorbell debate I’ve seen on so many threads and videos. A local only video two way doorbell through HA. All the decent ones I can’t find in the UK, or the ones I can find there doesn’t seem to be much information about it working with HA. So many options it’s hard to filter out what would be ideal for me.
I have more questions too but I’ll walk before I run and just stick with those for now.
Thank you for your time.
Please be kind, I’m a n00b and I know we can sometimes be stupid.
When I first switched on HA ,it picked up many devices in my house. Some three or four years later, I am now creating my own devices and have 276 devices with 1,400 sensors!
I would note that there is no correct way of doing something. However, first thing you can do is lean how to search in this forum. I would suggest a good place to start is:
“What I wish I knew before I started Home Assistant”.
There are some long threads on people who are having this exact discussion. Good luck.
As far as the TV goes, if it’s a dumb one you’re really limited to actions that could be carried out via the remote control, but you can reproduce these with a universal IR remote like the Broadlink RM4.
I have searched and read a lot of forum posts here and to be honest, most of it doesn’t apply to my needs (yet). I have already learnt how to use HACS and LetsEncrypt because of this forum but what I was hoping to gain from this thread was some product recommendations that is available in the UK today that is local only.
For example, Amcrest AD series doorbells seems perfect for needs, which i discovered on here, but I cannot find it anywhere to purchase. (yes, I’ve tried amazon, ebay and general google searching)
@jackjourneyman
Thank you, this is one step closer This is now in my eBay basket.
In your opinion do you think pairing this with something like a Kodi box? or something similar will work?
I use Ring doorbell pro. I use it for automations triggers and the app is excellent. A lot of people hate it because it is cloud based service and the cloud makes it laggy. However, I have no desire to talk to somebody at my door. And the MQTT integration is fast enough for triggering automations. I get a picture of who has passed the door. My main CCTV is Hikvision cameras through Frigate (moved from synology NAS Surveillance Station). Frigate is frigging amazing and lag is negligible.
I have rebuilt an old cottage with a mind as to installing as much ducting and wiring as possible. Anything installed has one aim; that my mother-in-law only has one switch. She has no idea what is going on behind the scenes!!
I just reread your message and you said you make your own? That sounds awesome. Do you take commissions?
One thing I don’t think exists is a sensor to determine if a door is locked without using a smart lock. Something to sit inside an already existing lock. Do you think that would be possible?
Just go and buy a cheap smart TV? Adding Kodi would mean buying something like a RPI so you could install it. You would then need to find a way to integrate all that into HA. Then you’d need a Smart plug so you can power the TV On/Off when required. It all adds up and makes things more complicated to manage.
There are a number of door/window sensors out in the market that can help with that. Depends on whether you’re going to use Wifi, Zigbee or Z-Wave. There is no simple answer for you on this. In terms of creating the automation, you need to document what you want to happen and how. HA will guide you through that, but you need to understand exactly what you want to do.
As with any device on the market, look at the reviews and then see if there is a native Integration in HA. If the product has good reviews and works well with HA, buy it. If not then don’t buy it.
As has been mentioned, take small steps and get the basic stuff working first before moving on to more complicated things.
For a Doorbell, get the Reolink. Easily available off Amazon and the ingration is very good. No cloud involved. There are two types, POE or WiFi, but they work fine on the UK doorbell wiring. Might have to tweak the wiring slightly so that power is always there.
For media player - an Android TV box is a good choice. It needs a Google account to set it up - but that isn’t used by HA. Again you get some good integration and there is lots written about it. You could then put KODI on to it and control the two services.
A lot of the brands mentioned are effectively USA only or are using US frequencies so cannot be sold in Europe/UK. A lot of it though is just generic Chinese stuff that has been given a brand name which can be picked up from Ali Express, just with a bit of a waiting time.
If you want kit that easily integrates, then the Ikea things are easy to get and work well.
The Broadlink RM4 integrates with HA, so you wouldn’t need anything else. One thing to bear in mind, though, is that with any IR device HA does’t get any feedback about the state of the thing being controlled - it just fires the commands off into the void.
With my Android TV (for which there is an integration) I have to have an IR device as well because an IR command is needed to get it off standby. Once it is on, HA can send commands directly and read its state. I imagine something similar would apply with any smart box.
For a Doorbell, get the Reolink. Easily available off Amazon and the ingration is very good. No cloud involved. There are two types, POE or WiFi, but they work fine on the UK doorbell wiring. Might have to tweak the wiring slightly so that power is always there.
I’ve had a look and picked a reolink doorbell up on the black friday deals. Looking forward to getting this up and running.
My TV is great and works. I can’t justify replacing something that isn’t broken. I’m digging into an IR sensor, my TV does support playback from USB and if source is left on USB before turning off. I could be onto a winner. Simples
Plan of action, leave the TV on standby, sonoff contact sensor on the door triggers an automation to send an IR signal to switch on, wait, then play. Simulated this a few times before IR sensor arrives. Costs alot less than a new TV too haha.
This is now in my eBay basket.
