ring.com

https://ring.com

Looks like a pretty cool product. If it can integrate with Indigo / Security Spy.

They say there is an API coming out...

https://ring.com/faq#technical

Agreed. 1 year battery life is nice, but the easy install looks great.

Strange that after 7 years of "hobbying" with home automation, I'm still looking for a smart doorbell.

[EDIT] - Saw a MacWorld review that liked Ring overall, but lamented (1) occasional wifi lag from doorbell press to smartphone app response and (2) no video on demand. Apparently, the video can only be accessed after the doorbell has been pressed. Ring said feature (2) is under development.

I'm interested too, but unless it has a web server that can be accessed for images/streams from a browser (no app), then it's not going to make the cut for me. I don't mind using an app for setup or mobile access, but I need it to work with control pages, etc.

I just called ring support and they confirmed that there is no way to get the video out of this device without going through their server.

ring.com may be great for folks who don't want an all-in-one integrated system... better than nothing I suppose... for some.

I've been thinking about the ultimate peephole video viewer for quite some time now... and yes, it would need to interface with either indigo or at least Evological's Evocam software (I think there is a plugin for indigo).

The camera would consist of an HD 720-P element that would look very much like a peephole on the outside... around the lens would be a combination of a microphone, IRLED's and PIR sensors to provide nighttime lighting and motion detection. IR-LEDs wouldn't really be needed much since my porches are lit with Hue bulbs and I have separate motion detection. The back side of the door would have a small 4" color display with a small PCB under it for continuous wifi streaming and a rechargeable Li+ battery. The battery would be charged with inductive chargers built into the hing side of the door. Any time the door was closed, the Li+ battery would be getting a charge. I figure that a simple 5V/1000mA inductive charging look could be embedded in the door with little visibility. The door side of the inductive charger would require about 5 to 10W of power, but would keep the wireless peephole camera sending images 24/7.

Anyone seen something like this?

There are several inductive chargers on the market already for $10 to $20 in kit form:

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/QI-Wir ... -1721.html

https://www.adafruit.com/products/1407

I figure all I need is the peephole camera... something not rigged and locked down like the ring.com contraption. TIA,

Look at http://www.doorbird.com

It cost a bit more than ring. Has an open API so you can integrate with a home automation system. Their site states it already works with Control4.

It also has a web interface to access the relay functions and camera while on the same LAN.

API: http://www.doorbird.com/downloads/api_lan.pdf?rev=0.9

it looks as if on your wifi network with:

Code: Select all

http://<device-ip>/bha-api/open-door.cgi

you can open the door,
published on the api web site. ... no https , no ...?

Karl

No, it doesn't use https on the local lan. That doesn't bother me, since the traffic is not going over the public internet.

It does use authentication:

HTTP INTERFACE DESCRIPTION
AUTHENTICATION
Please use basic authentication as defined in RFC 2617 for each HTTP request. Use the same credentials as you are using to add a device to the DoorBird App

Did not expect anything less from the Germans.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, thanks for the info! I really liked the doorbird so I got the video door station and it is on its way. Nice little project for the coming weekend

I hope that there will be integration opportunities, but IMO it is not essential for this type of device.

Hi,
I got my doorbird, and so far pretty impressed. I have it triggering both doorbell and motion scenes (as well as the door opening button in the app), I also have it downloading the 20 history images to a control page (they snap on either motion detection or door push). The response time is excellent as I have it triggering a Dlink siren via Z wave as well as a Sonos group notification and the Dlink sounds with no perceptible delay. The only issue I have is the RTSP permanent stream keeps dropping to my blue iris server (the feed in the app is fine). I will provide some more comprehensive notes when I get a chance, and you never know I may take the opportunity to produce a plugin rather than my simple scripts.
Thanks,
Neil