Can I Use Generic Wifi Camera With Smartthings

READING Time: xvi MINUTES

In a perfect smarthome, all of your devices would work with the same hub. This prevents you from having to apply multiple apps to control your domicile. But open one app, and voila – every smart device in your house shows upwardly.

It's no secret that the Samsung SmartThings hub is the rex of smarthome hubs in 2021. As such, nigh smarthome product manufacturers endeavour to integrate their devices with SmartThings in one way or another. Which is groovy! All you need to await for are the 3 trivial words on the packet that say "Works with SmartThings".

Sale

Aeotec Smart Home Hub, Works as a SmartThings Hub, Z-Wave Zigbee Gateway, Uniform with Alexa, Google Assistant, WiFi

• Easiest way to make your home a smart home: Wirelessly connect and control a huge range of smart devices - over 5,000 are available from dozens of brands - including voice assistants, lights & switches, speakers, cameras, sensors and more
• Automate connected devices: Any device you connect can be included into automations which can be intelligently managed
• Control via app and voice: Monitor and control continued devices, and run automations, using the SmartThings app on Android, iOS, and iPadOS, or voice user interfaces Amazon Alexa and Google Banana

Yet, at that place are some exceptions to this rule.

Security cameras, for example, don't really NEED to integrate with SmartThings.

Is it useful if they practise? Of course. Obviously information technology's best to keep all devices in the SmartThings ecosystem from a device management perspective. Unfortunately, much like SmartThings smoke detectors, you lot're going to observe that there aren't very many compatible models. But, there are still plenty high-quality models available to help you make an informed decision near the best SmartThings camera.

Keep reading to detect all cameras that work with SmartThings.

---

In a Bustle? Hither's our Best Overall Pick…

Samsung SmartThings Indoor Camera

Samsung SmartThings Indoor Security Photographic camera (GP-U999COVLBDA), 1080P HD Video with HDR, Nighttime Vision, Advanced Motion Detection, and Two-Mode Audio – Black/White

• Feel At Home: The SmartThings Cam provides full vision and sound with 1080p HD 145-degree diagonal video; Information technology has congenital-in IR LED dark vision and two-way audio, assuasive you to hear and speak family members and pets while yous're away
• Eliminates False Triggers: Intelligent motion sensors distinguish between a person and an object, alerting you immediately when necessary; This minimizes false security triggers and unnecessary notifications
• 24-Hour Monitoring: Use as a nanny cam, dwelling house security device, or pet monitor and see all activeness from your phone or tablet through the SmartThings app; Command up to two Cams and view rolling 24-hour recordings for free

The SmartThings Photographic camera is our #1 pick for the best SmartThings compatible camera in 2021. Information technology is meant for indoor use merely. The master features include offers 2-manner sound, sounds detection, person detection, and records everything in full 1080p resolution.

It has an easy-to-view timeline so y'all don't need to scroll through your recording feed to find a specific event. The advanced object detection capability works really well. This feature allows your camera to differentiate between pets, bugs, or whatever other fake alerts. If y'all do notice any false alerts, you can setup "zones" that exclude sure areas of the house (like ceiling fans, pet'due south water basin, TV, etc)

It'southward incredibly piece of cake to setup and apply. In less than 60 seconds, y'all tin can your camera online and recording. Merely launch the app and follow the instructions to add together the determine to SmartThings.

Speaking of the app – information technology only works with the new SmartThings app (sorry Classic users!) If you have notifications turned on in the app, you can go helpful motion alerts in the zones you have setup.

Something we did not realize is that it doesn't record continuously, but instead records in 1 minute clips (I presume this makes information technology easier to upload pocket-size bits of data to the deject). So, if you record something for x minutes – you will meet 10 ane-minute clips in the timeline. This shouldn't be a trouble for nigh users once you tweak the sensitivity settings.

Ane of the virtually useful features is the fact that information technology integrates directly with SmartThings. This means you tin can configure automation rules such every bit "If I enter the home, plough off the camera." or "Turn on camera at 10:00pm every night."

I of the downsides is that you cannot store information locally on an SD memory card. Y'all'll have to use the SmartThings Cam Cloud Video service. The complimentary program supports 4 cameras and stores upshot history for 24 hours. The Premium plan supports 8 cameras, has a 30-mean solar day storage retentivity, and costs $seven.99/calendar month.

Things We Similar:

• Direct integration with SmartThings
• No additional hub required (other than your current SmartThings hub of course)
• Costless deject recording for 24 hours for up to 4 cameras
• Receives notifications via SmartThings hub that includes screenshots of intrusion or motion detection.
• Powered by power cord, non batteries.

Things We Don't Like:

• Records in 1-minute segments
• No local storage
• Indoor only

---

Arlo Pro 2 Indoor/Outdoor Camera

The Arlo 2 Camera is as well compatible with SmartThings. This camera features 2 way audio, nighttime vision, customized alerts, people detection, and has the power to be voice controlled via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The photographic camera quality is pretty practiced, both during the day and at night. It can also be used indoors or outdoors and connects via wifi to your smarthome.

The Arlo photographic camera includes ii rechargeable -fast-charging batteries, merely nosotros recommend using it with an external power source so you don't need to supervene upon the batteries all the time.

Note: You volition need an Arlo Base Station for the Arlo 2 camera to work.

For those of you looking to control the Arlo 2 via SmartThings:

1. Turn on "Armed Mode" in the Arlo app.
2. Add Arlo device to SmartThings Smart Dwelling Monitor
3. Configure atmospheric condition to turn cameras on or off depending on if your STHM monitor is set to Arm Abroad, Arm Stay, or Disarmed.

Keep in mind – as of 6/i/2020 – the Arlo three is Not compatible with SmartThings. The reason we listing the Arlo 2 is considering that one still works with SmartThings. I also read that the CEO is catastrophe support for legacy products which offer the free 5 camera/30 twenty-four hour period retentiveness limit. As of April 2020, the deject recording pinch dropped from 1080 to around 400 for users in the free program, which makes them virtually useless for catching small details when used as security cameras.

Verdict: If you simply demand 1-2 cameras, and the location in which you will exist placing them has a ability source, so the Arlo 2 base station+Arlo 2 photographic camera might be a good option for you. I recommend planning on upgrading to their paid subscription in order to view the highest quality footage.

Things We Like:

• Easy to setup
• Lots of Arlo products that can exist paired with the Arlo 2 camera
• Great features, decent recording quality

Things We Don't Like:

• Poor customer service
• Newer versions aren't SmartThings uniform
• New business model indicates gratuitous pricing will be going away in favor of monthly subscription.

---

Wyze Cam

No products institute.

The Wyze Camera is i of the most budget-friendly cameras that work with SmartThings. I of the questions I get asked ofttimes is "Does the Wyze cam piece of work with SmartThings?" The answer is yes.

Although, I did want to point out that you tin can't view the camera feed inside the SmartThings app.  The integration allows you lot to use the Wyze cam as a virtual switch or motility detector.

This allows you lot to setup things like "If Wyze cam detects motion, turn on patio lights"

I will warn you that there is some setup involved, merely if you follow the steps below yous can definitely integrate the Wyze Camera with SmartThings. Information technology's a very inexpensive way to add some security to your house and keep things all in the same ecosystem.

What We Similar:

• Very inexpensive
• Works with SmartThings to a limited degree

What Nosotros Don't Like:

• Can't view recordings in SmartThings app
• Can be difficult/time-consuming to create virtual switches and IFTTT applets

How To Configure Wyze Cam With SmartThings App

Required: You volition need to download the SmartThings Classic app, have an IFTTT account that is signed into the IFTTT SmartApp.

1. Log into the SmartThings Archetype app.
2. Go to Automation > Virtual Device Creator.
   1. If you don't have this installed already, roll to the bottom and click Add together a SmartApp > Virtual Device Creator.
3. Create a new Virtual Switch with the following:
   1. What blazon of virtual device? Virtual Switch
   1. Select the hub: Home Hub (or whatever your home hub is called)
   1. Device Name: Wyze Switch 1
4. Go back to Automations > IFTTT. Under "What Switches?" Brand sure there is a checkbox next to Wyze Switch one.
5. Log into IFTTT.com. Create a new applet.
   1. Click This and search for SmartThings.
   1. Select trigger Switched On > choose Wyze Switch i.
   1. Choose That and search for Wyze.
   1. There is a bunch of Actions you can choose. Turn On Device, Turn Off Device, Enable Motility Detection, Tape a brusque clip, turn seedling odd, etc.

Note: To become the most our of the Wyze cam Smartthings integration, you will need to create several virtual switches – one to plough on, one to turn off, etc. I also recommend picking up a few cheap Wyze Sensors. This volition permit you to create even more custom automations, such as "If Wyze Door Sensor is Open up, then Notify Members/plough on the lights"

---

Ring Video Doorbell

Band Video Doorbell 3 – enhanced wifi, improved motion detection, easy installation

• 1080p Hard disk drive video doorbell with enhanced features that allow you run across, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone, tablet, or PC.
• An upgrade from the original Ring Video Doorbell 2, enjoy improved motion detection, privacy zones and audio privacy, and dual-ring (2.4 or v.0 GHz) wifi connectivity.
• Receive mobile notifications when anyone presses your doorbell or triggers your built-in motion sensors.

The Ring Video Doorbell works directly with SmartThings. I personally utilize this at my firm and it works actually, really well. Y'all can view live video feeds, take screenshots, talk to someone at the front door, or quickly view Contempo Activity such as motion detection – all without having to go in the Band app.

Once you have your Ring cam setup on your wifi, you tin simply add together information technology as a new device in the SmartThings app just like you would any other device.

You can too create SmartThings automations using the Ring doorbell. For example, ane of my automations is "If Ring Doorbell is pressed, Notify Me. You lot can set up more than customized notifications and create "motion zones" inside the Ring app itself, but sometimes I'll be in the lawn and may not hear the doorbell, so a quick notification can exist very useful.

There are some really useful IFTTT/Ring/SmartThings recipes available on the Smartthings customs website besides.

Heir-apparent Beware: Not all other Ring products (namely the floodlight or indoor cameras) work with SmartThings even though they prove a "Works with SmartThings" logo on the Samsung website. By "works with", they hateful you can turn the floodlight camera on and off and that's it; you tin can't actually view video feeds or take screenshots like you can with the Ring doorbell.

Things We Like:

• Can view live photographic camera feed inside SmartThings app
• Tin can take screenshots
• Can create SmartThings automations with the Ring Doorbell, such as Motion Detected or Button Pressed.

Things We Don't Like:

• Just a video doorbell, not a standalone camera

---

Best SmartThings Camera Accessories 2020

If you're going to be using your Wyze cam as an outdoor security camera, we recommend getting a weather-resistant mount like this i:

Sometimes cameras need to be manually turned off or rebooted. Accept you e'er heard of Switchbot? Switchbot acts as a virtual finger press – let you lot to physically press the reset button, or turn on a power switch.

Sale

SwitchBot Smart Switch Push button Pusher - No Wiring, Wireless App or Timer Control, Add SwitchBot Hub Mini to Make it Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, HomePod, IFTTT (white)

• Universal - Works well with just well-nigh whatsoever rocker switch and push button of any appliance. Smart push pusher for your smart home. Supports Press way/Switch mode. With the included Improver sticker, switch way helps to turn your light on/off.
• Easy to install and gear up - Tape it right next to a rocker switch or button with a 3M sticker in 5 seconds. No swapping, no tools are required. Easy App performance. 600 days long bombardment life.
• Fifty-fifty better with SwitchBot Hub - With SwitchBot Hub Plus/Mini (only support ii.4GHz Wi-Fi), you tin can control your SwitchBot remotely from anywhere and enable vocalism control. Works well with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and IFTTT.

Should you buy a SmartThings compatible camera?

This is a question y'all should really ask yourself when researching the acme SmartThings cameras. Practise you really demand information technology to integrate? Or can you achieve everything you are after in a standalone app?

A lot of united states already have window sensors, smart doorbells, or other smart devices that alert us when something happens. Some of the bigger security camera manufacturers like Band or Nest have highly polished apps that can record when motion is detected already.

If you're not storing anything else in the cloud already and don't want whatever additional monthly subscriptions, and so maybe direct SmartThings integration isn't necessary.

Why you SHOULDN'T integrate Cameras with SmartThings

There'southward a lot of reasons why someone wouldn't want to integrate a camera with SmartThings.

What functionality practise yous really need?

Videos typically take up a lot of space. Cloud storage tin can exist expensive, especially when some manufacturers accuse on a per device/calendar month basis. In that location are very few options to choose from, and the ones that are available exercise take limitations.

And so when you lot ask yourself if y'all really need to add cameras into SmartThings, you might showtime do some research into NVR's and PoE cameras (Nosotros've recommended some below). These records 24/vii locally and are powered over an ethernet cord (PoE) which ways y'all don't need to charge batteries or worry about wifi speeds.

You lot tin can likewise go on a memory as long as you desire (only express to how much harddrive infinite you are dedicating to the NVR).

Why y'all SHOULD integrate Cameras with SmartThings

If yous like to keep things simple and all in one app, and then you should consider 1 of the compatible cameras in our review. Y'all get to use the built in SmartThings custom automations and view information technology in your list of all other smarthome devices.

If you simply need 1 or two cameras, then a compatible camera makes perfect sense. That gives you flexibility of purchasing a great all around photographic camera like the Samsung SmartThings camera, or a very inexpensive option like the Wyze Cam V2.

Alternative SmartThings Photographic camera Options

An alternative option is to purchase an NVR and a few IP security cameras.

An NVR (network video recorder) records the video footage taken from your IP cameras and then stores it locally on your domicile network. These cameras are ordinarily PoE powered, significant they get power over ethernet from a PoE switch or PoE injector. That means you don't need to set it upwardly about a power outlet or somewhere with decent wifi access.

The biggest advantages are cost, speed, and length of data retention. At the end of the day, it's much cheaper in the long run to setup an NVR arrangement.

You can use open source security cam software or highly-rated software like Blue Iris to view upward to 64 cameras. They have great mobile apps which allow you lot to customize alerts, detect movement, listen and talk, and much more.

NVR's can be configured to run and record continuously forever, with no freeing up space on your cease of things. With wink drives, once you fill up the bulldoze, you lot can't add annihilation else to them. With NVR'due south, they fill upwardly the drive and only overwrite the oldest days worth of data, so it'due south important to programme howq much data per day will be used when determining how large of a harddrive to choose.

I utilise an NVR and DVR Hard Bulldoze Estimator to make that approximate: https://www.lorextechnology.com/articles/NVR-DVR-Hard-Drive-Storage-Figurer

Best NVR Security Arrangement in 2020

I won't become into too much particular in this postal service about NVR and DVRs, but if you're speedily looking for the all-time NVR in 2020 or best security cameras – nosotros've included some links down below.

Sale

Amcrest NV4108E-A2 4K 8CH POE NVR (1080p/3MP/4MP/5MP/8MP) POE Network Video Recorder - Supports upward to 8 x 8MP/4K IP Cameras, 8-Channel Power Over Ethernet Supports up to 10TB HDD (Non Included)

• Amcrest's NV4108E-A2 8CH POE NVR supports hard drives upward to 10TB while Featuring 8CH Recording & Alive View in Up to 8MP/4K Resolution @ Existent-Time 30fps. Playback 8-Channel @1080p(30fps)/4-Channel @4MP(30fps)/2-Channel @4K(30fps). Supports all Amcrest WiFi and Wired IP cameras and limited compatibility with 3rd-party brand compliant IP cameras.
• Advanced H.265 compression technology lets you relieve on storage infinite which allows for longer recording times. H.265 engineering compresses your video without sacrificing any of the UltraHD video quality. Intelligent search, playback, and backup functions provide enhanced ease of use and security (for case, motion detection events and exact search functions that are accurate to i second).
• Supports AI Features from AI IP Cameras, AI features available depend on the photographic camera model existence used. Only Supports 2CH AI Cameras at 4K@30fps. No congenital-in AI Features on NVR. Connects to and manages all the POE IP cameras on your network direct through their ethernet cables for ultimate ease and convenience in a home security system.

ZOSI 2.0MP 1080p Security Camera 4-in-1 TVI/CVI/AHD/CVBS Surveillance Bullet Camera Indoor Outdoor,120ft Night Vision,Aluminum Metal Housing,Work for 960H,720P,1080P,5MP,4K analog CCTV DVR(White)

• 【2.0MP HD 1080P 4-IN-1 Security Photographic camera】-- This is iv-in-i TVI/CVI/AHD/CVBS Bullet Camera. uniform with 960H,720P,1080P,3MP,5MP,8MP,4K HD-TVI, AHD, CVI, and CVBS/960H analog DVRs.
• 【Bulit in OSD Menu】-- It comes with OSD Menu which can change 4 dissimilar video output. 1080P AHD, 1080P CVI, 1080P TVI and 960H CVBS .Default Video style is 960H mode, compatible with all analog DVRs.
• 【120ft Nighttime Vision】 Built in 36pcs IR LEDs, Become a sharp and crisp image day or night with the camera's automatic IR-Cut filter. Up to 120ft night vision in total darkness and 160ft Dark vision in ambient light. More three.0Lux the night vision is color.

Conclusion

Overall, there are some actually bang-up options if y'all're looking to comprise a security camera into your SmartThings ecosystem. Depending on your use instance, budget, technical knowledge, or willingness to tinker volition all determine whether or not yous should get a compatible photographic camera.

Hopefully our in-depth review helps you make a decision on what'southward best for you!

---

My Favorite SmartThings Devices

Below are some of the SmartThings-compatible devices I've personally used in my dwelling.

• Hub: Aeotec SmartThings Hub
• Smart Plugs: Securifi Peanut plugs
• Motion Sensors: Aeotec SmartThings Motion Sensor
• Camera: Aeotec SmartThings Indoor Camera
• Garage Door Opener: MyQ Chamberlain (works with all existing garage door openers)

The full list of all zwave & zigbee devices I utilize can be establish on my Equipment List page.

Source: https://smarthomepursuits.com/best-smartthings-compatible-cameras/

Posted by: carpenterhices1941.blogspot.com

Share this post