Reolink offers a range of high-quality security cameras that integrate smoothly with Home Assistant. With built-in AI processing, Reolink users benefit from advanced features without the need for complex software like Frigate. Additionally, they can rest assured that video analysis occurs locally, rather than on a third-party server. The latest update, Home Assistant Core 2023.2, introduces significant improvements to the Reolink integration, enhancing usability and expanding functionality.
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New Features in the Reolink Integration
One of the most noteworthy updates in Home Assistant Core 2023.2 is the introduction of enhanced binary sensor support for Reolink cameras. These new capabilities extend beyond mere video and audio integration, offering a range of detection features that elevate your home security system. After upgrading to this version of Home Assistant, your Reolink security camera will be able to report the following events directly to Home Assistant:
- Motion detection
- Doorbell presses
- AI person detection
- AI vehicle detection
- AI pet detection
- AI face detection
Benefits of AI Object Detection
Reolink cameras equipped with AI object detection provide advanced surveillance capabilities, detecting and identifying objects or individuals in real-time. This feature allows for tailored automations and alerts within Home Assistant. For instance, you could create a script that changes the colour of a nearby light when motion is detected or when the doorbell is pressed, ensuring you're always aware of important events—even if you're wearing noise-cancelling headphones.
Reolink Camera Performance in Home Assistant
It's important to note that not all Reolink cameras will offer the same level of functionality with Home Assistant. Some models are capable of sending ONVIF push events, providing immediate updates to Home Assistant. This feature is essential for real-time automations, such as motion-activated responses. However, other models require polling, which Home Assistant performs every minute. This delay can significantly impact the effectiveness of motion-triggered automations, making the integration less suitable for such use cases.
ONVIF push events are notifications or alerts sent by a network camera or other ONVIF-compliant device to a monitoring system (like Home Assistant) when a specific event occurs, such as motion detection, a doorbell press, or another trigger. ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is an open industry standard that enables interoperability between IP-based security products, including cameras, video management systems, and other devices.
Understanding Camera Compatibility
While Reolink offers a wide range of cameras, not all models are compatible with Home Assistant. A notable example is the popular Reolink E1 Pro, which lacks the HTTP web server API necessary for integration. Additionally, all battery-powered Reolink models are currently unsupported. For a comprehensive list of compatible cameras, refer to the integration's support page. However, it's worth noting that this page does not yet indicate whether these models support ONVIF push notifications.
Reolink Video Doorbell Integration with Home Assistant
One camera that we can confirm will fully integrate with Home Assistant Core 2023.2 is the Reolink Video Doorbell, available in both PoE and Wi-Fi versions. This doorbell camera will notify you of doorbell presses and, like all other Reolink cameras on your network, it will be automatically discovered by Home Assistant. Additionally, all compatible Reolink cameras will now support FLV streaming, enhancing the viewing experience within Home Assistant.
Conclusion
The Home Assistant Core 2023.2 update significantly enhances the integration of Reolink cameras, particularly with the introduction of advanced AI detection and improved binary sensor support. These updates offer users more sophisticated and responsive home automation capabilities. However, it's essential to ensure your specific Reolink camera model is fully compatible to take full advantage of these new features. As Home Assistant continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest updates will ensure your home automation system remains both robust and cutting-edge.
