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36 reviews of this app found across Reddit:
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-camera
Any of the ones with dots support Homekit Secure Video (HKSV). Not all Homekit-enabled cameras support HKSV.
Here's an article explaining HKSV:
https://www.imore.com/homekit-secure-video-everything-you-need-know
Yeah the logitech doorbell will go into a limited functionality mode at 130°F. I’ve seen some people build or 3-D print a mini awning to add some shade. List of HomeKit compatible devices
There’s going to be a lot more choices later this year with interoperability between the different smart home ecosystems when “Matter” products hit the shelves
Check out Apple’s list of supported devices. It helps show just how many types of devices there are which I believe is why there’s no one vendor that can do it all.
Regarding best brands, I’ll prioritize better reliability as long as it’s not too cost prohibitive. To me Lutron’s lighting stuff is rock solid and I’m extremely happy with their stuff. For cameras, based on comments in this sub I’ve avoided trying anything besides my Nest camera investments. I use Sterling Home Hub and agree with many people here that it’s awesome. My Ecobee thermostats have been very good. Finally for outlets, I’ve been using Eve and Meross. Both have been good.
Sorry about that, I usually browse tech subs so that didn't dawn on me!
Apple HomeKit - Apple's software framework for smart homes. Lacks some features compared to say Google and Amazon, but much more privacy focused
Eero - Type of router
Amazon Alexa - Amazon's smart speaker
Google Home - Google's smart speaker
HomePod Mini - Apple's smart* speaker (it's dumber compared to Google Home and Amazon Alexa) that can be used as a "hub" to host the smart home's automations and video footage
You can find a list of cameras with support for Homekit Secure Video here (the ones with the dot):
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-camera
Personally I have two Logitech Circle 2 with HKSV firmware and they work well, but they are no longer on sale. The successor (Circle View) seems very similar in terms of functionality. They also have a doorbell.
I use an Apple TV as Homekit hub.
At least one Ethernet run per room (I don't think I would bother with 6a, it is so thick and hard to manage, 5e is good enough, 6 is also good if not concerned with distance, but really I would go 5e - with 6/6a the install and equipment management is more cumbersome than it is worth).
Ethernet to locations where you will have TVs.
Ethernet to location where you will want speakers (I know HomePods don't have Ethernet, I would still consider running the wire - you can even opt not to install the box externally, just have the wires in the wall next to the power)
Ethernet to locations where you will want security cameras.
Ethernet to key outdoor locations (garage, shed, patio, yard coverage)
Build a place for your data closet to live - your Internet fiber/coax feeds into, holds your router, switch, wi-fi base station, servers, bridges, etc - has good device and cable management and power.
Figure out what you are going to do about security (wired vs wireless, primarily).
Ceiling mounted wi-fi satelittes?
Ethernet to doorbells (even if you don't use the Ethernet spec, you can use the cabling to provide power)
If mounting iPads in walls get something that allows for form factor changes over time, as opposed to built for "iPad 7"
Just go down the list of the obvious, and ask yourself do I have any considerations here:
- thermostats
- air conditioners
- door locks
- door bells
- lighting - main (switches vs bulbs — personally I do switches)
- lighting - accent (switches vs bulbs — personally I do switches)
- Outlets - wire them in instead of using an external add-on and don't forget outside
- television/video
- audio/music
- shades
- sensors
- fans - ceiling and floor
- garage doors (and gates)
- cameras
- security
- sprinklers
you need to have a network device that supports homekit (e.g. those listed by apple at https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-routers)
If you have a honors you can stream from it. It becomes you hub. There is a list of 3rd party speakers that offer Airplay 2
I added my Denin to my home app and can control it using my HomePod without streaming with my phone.
if you already have home kit(?) i'd suggest going with cameras and a thermostat that natively support that ecosystem
AirPlay has changed. Its AirPlay 2 now https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-tv
Your iPad has iOS 9.3.6, right? I don't think it will be able to AirPlay to your TV, but I'm not 100% sure.
What macOS version is installed on the MacBook?
If you are already bought into the Apple HomeKit ecosystem, iCloud+ just added the HomeKit Secure Video service. If you’re paying for the iCloud 50GB plan you get 10 days of recorded activity for one camera with HomeKit Secure Video support. If you go the next level up in iCloud+ (200GB) you get up to 5 cameras. It’s a nice little side benefit if you’re already on that plan.
https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/configure-cameras-iph7bc5df9d9/ios
I like to use the Apple site to find the definitive list of certified things (https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/). Coincidentally I also needed to buy a doorbell about a month ago. (My requirements weren’t as strict, just wanted fast EU shipping)
As you can see, there are 4 doorbells on that HomeKit list.
I threw out the Yobi since there site appears to have a couple glitches on the iPhone, so not a good sign.
The Robin has HKSV, but it is gigantic, kind of ugly and cost like double what the competition, but it has horizontal video.
So I was left with two options: Logitech or Netatmo. Only Logitech currently supports HKSV, Netatmo is promising a software update.
I know. But Netatmo already made good on their promise with the Outdoor Camera, so I was confident, plus they have other ok options so I don’t really need HKSV.
My deciding factor was that you still can’t buy the Logitech here in Europe and I would have to pay one of those companies that will let you buy US stuff and reroute it to you but it is kind of hacky so I just went with the Netatmo. Also at the time I didn’t know about the overheating thing.
So really if you are concerned about the overheat then go with the Netatmo. It has been solid for me.
Also after installing it I discovered that HomeKit is wildly unprepared for doorbells. In the default Home app you can’t have an automation trigger based on the doorbell being pressed. It shows the motion component of the doorbell as a trigger but not the doorbell button. The Eve app can set a scene based on the doorbell, but I wanted to be able to do that “Convert to Shortcut” and have the lights flash. So I setup a dummy switch in Homebridge and have Eve trigger that switch and then when that switch is turned on I have regular HomeKit automations setup to blink the lights and click the plugs.
What's the deal with the Honeywell T9? It's listed as HomeKit-compatible on Apple's list but there's no mention of HomeKit on the product's website and everything I can find about it is either from 2 years ago when it launched with reviewers saying "HomeKit is coming" and more recently just others asking about it without seemingly anyone who does have it around to answer. Does anyone know or have a source that says otherwise?
Besides that, does anyone recommend any other solid simple HomeKit thermostats? I know the ecobee is popular but are there any others on Apple's list that are worth checking out?
There are many brands, although in the case of Hue, they are only exposed to HomeKit via the Hue Bridge, as that is the HomeKit ‘point of entry’ for Hue products. Here’s a list of compatible lighting products on Apple - https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-light or if you want to be more specific on just bulbs, here’s a list.
What are you using to connect your devices to HomeKit? Are you using Wi-Fi? If so, which one?
What HomeKit hub are you using? Apple TV HomePod, or an iPad set to be a hub, or a combination of two or more?
- The HomeKit hub receives video from your camera system and decides what to save in HomeKit Secure Video.
- HomeKit requires the internet in order for HomeKit Secure Video to work; otherwise there’s no way to get video clips to your iCloud storage. 3a. Do you mean indoor camera? All these companies have an indoor camera that integrates with HomeKit. 3b. Do you mean no signals exiting the house? The only way to guarantee that is to be fully wired. You need: a router without Wi-Fi, a switch, and Apple TV on Cat5/6 to the switch, and a POE camera that is HomeKit capable. The camera part is the hard part in this scenario. If you really want it to be wired, you may have to do some experimentation with HomeBridge.
There is a Homekit subreddit you can ask questions: r/Homekit
Here is a list of the Homekit accessories: https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/
Vocolinc smart bulbs are good, if you want to go that route. But you might want to think about replacing the light switch instead.
That’s not normal for a lg tv or any other tv try too look in this website from apple if it’s supported or notFix Issues with AirPlayCheck Your TV or other devices that’s work with airplay 2
There isn’t yet a category available in HomeKit for this type of appliances.
Current category types;
Air Conditioners, Air Purifiers, Bridges, Cameras Doorbells, Fans, Faucets, Garage Doors, Humidifiers, Lights, Locks, Outlets, Receivers, Routers, Security, Sensors, Speakers, Sprinklers, Switches, Thermostats, TVs, Windows.
Until Apple make this accessory category’s available you won’t find HomeKit supported devices.
More info at;
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/
​
Straight from the authority (Apple). They add stuff after it's been certified. This can be found by searching for 'homekit list' and selecting first at top of the results.
Ahh… they might not US-based here. That said, if you can find a smart switch that has a remote switch capability, you should be able to bury the actual switch somewhere you can get access, but not see it. Then pair the remote switch and mount that. Apple’s Belgian version of the HomeKit accessories should point you in a good direction.
US Version - Belgium should have a similar version of this page
Hue and Lutron Caseta are the predominant ones for HomeKit. SmartThings is another direction to possibly go. Go Here and then tap on the categories to get to the options. From there you will be able to see the possibilities.
From what I’ve read on both Sony and Apple’s website, there already is the Apple TV app: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00226446 Apple: https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-app/devices/ AirPlay compatible: https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-tv
I'm US based so I do not know CAD pricing
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-tv
Problem is you know longer get Vizio in Canada & any Samsung below a Q80T + any LG below an OLED + any Sony below an 900H I wouldn't recommend so that puts you in a spot where you'd be settling for a lesser TV for airplay 2 or buy say a R635 TCL + an Apple TV
Maybe I wasn't clear in my question. I am looking for Smart Outlets or Smart Switches. Most of the products mentioned here are not available in India. I checked on Amazon.in and most of the smart outlets and switch only work with Alexa or Google Home. One of my friend told me to buy the Alexa ones, connect them with Alexa and then use Siri on top of Alexa to get things done. But i am not convinced this is the best way to do it.
Having either an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a home hub is going to allow you to set up those automations within the home app/HomeKit. Make sure the iPad stays home at all times if you plan on controlling your HomeKit/smart home devices away from home. In regards to setting up other devices in your home with HomeKit, have you checked out Apple’s list of HomeKit compatible devices? Apple’s HomeKit Compatibility List
from the quick googling looks like that is a PHONE app not one that any TV may have
I'd get a TV that supports AirPlay2 so you can possibly mirror your phone - https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-tv or ANY TV you want plus an Apple TV streaming media player
Thanks! I'll keep an eye on that thread. I hope it can integrate Z-wave devices and expose them to Homekit, that would be amazing.
I've basically been going down the list of Security Systems and Sensors shown here:
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-security
I’ll see it when I believe it it didn’t ship with the camera it doesn’t have it. Even Apple’s website doesn’t note the Netatmo has HSV.
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-bell
The Robin doorbell does 💁🏽♂️
Beside the Yobi not having a range of 8 volts they did it.
If you’re in the Apple eco system what about a brand utilizing HomeKit Secure Video? Tho not many options especially for doorbell Ring like cameras as of yet, and I’m not sure what brands offer local storage options.
There's one more point. Deco M9 provide mesh wifi and zigbee but does not integrate with HomeKit. To my best know, this means if you have a Zigbee device, say a Zigbee light bulb, you still need a bridge to make it visible by homekit.
TPLink does not claim to be to compatible with HomeKit, and Apple does not list it as such.
Then you'll only want to buy stuff listed here - https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/
If it's not there, it's likely not going to work "out of the box."
That said, there's good reason that many folks on this sub will recommend things that are not on that list and require a non supported bridge of some sort.
If you use HomeKit, you can find a list of compatible sensors here. This also gives you much more flexibility since it goes through the Apple Home app.
https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-switches - here you can find the list of Homekit supported switches. From there you would likely need to research options, because they differ a lot (support for 3-way, neutral requirement, etc)
None of my Arlo Pro 2 have facial recognition options in the camera settings in the home app, but AP2 is on Apples Secure Video list from https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-camera
I also have everything listed on the requirements webpage: An iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch with iOS 13.2 or later. The Home app set up on your iOS device using the Apple ID that you use with iCloud. A home hub set up on an iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV. One or more HomeKit Secure Video cameras. A supported iCloud storage plan.
Has anybody else got facial recognition working with Arlo Pro 2?
true i could not find any. everything was stereo amplifier and none were surround sound amplifier. so now probably i will be looking for receiver with homekit integration. something from this list https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/#section-receiver
It’s only specific brands. It’s the accessory manufacturer that decides whether to make it HomeKit compatible initially or adds it later through some kind of an update.