Is this my new favorite smart home camera?
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- I have tried a lot of different cameras and I continue to enjoy using my Ubiquiti system more than other options, but it's not perfect and not for everyone. Let me explain what this system is, why I love it, and if it's right for you.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:49 What is Unifi Protect?
01:31 Getting a Unifi Console
03:15 Selecting Unifi Cameras
04:55 My setup
05:48 Why do I love Ubiquiti Unifi Protect?
09:16 Running Ethernet cables in your home
11:06 What I don't do
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Great video but couldn’t disagree more about scrypted or the UniFi himebridge plugin. There are no HomeKit cameras that really meet my needs like UniFi does and I already had UniFi for my home network. I use homebridge to add the cameras to a single place and then can use them in my home automation (ie when it’s dark out and they detetect motion turn on a light and have it auto turn off after a few minutes of inactivity) there is a lot of value there and I still use the UniFi app and features.
Totally agree. Scrypted gives you the best of both worlds- integration with HomeKit and the great UniFi protect app. I have a G4 Doorbell, and connecting it to HomeKit with Scrypted let’s me use my HomePods as doorbell chimes.
Well said
Scrypted takes UniFi Protect to a whole other level when it comes to households that are fully in the Apple ecosystem. You may want to revisit scrypted.
Protect for long(er) term storage of 24x7 video and if you need to go back and examine the video surrounding an event and export the video and hands down scrypted/homekit/HKSV for all detections and notifications.
Scrypted is very complementary, I’m really not sure why you seem so down on it?
@@pcm1ke Yes, I'm not sure why he said "explore apple homekit secure video" when that's exactly what scrypted does.
Absolutely. Just recently found Scrypted, and it solves the two big downsides of UniFi camera system: secure cloud backup of key motion event clips (in case someone breaks in and takes your network gear too) and seamless integration of doorbell to Apple HomeKit ecosystem (chimes on HomePods, pop-up notifications on Apple TV). For free!
Awesome as always! Thanks for sharing
Great video. I actually started using a different security system just because Ubiquiti cameras are expensive for what you actually get. With that being said, when I had Ubiquiti, I used Scrypted to have a kind of backup for events. So if someone was to steal my NVR/UDM Pro, the events that led up to this are stored on HKSV. I never used apple homekit to view my cameras exclusively. But it was nice to have it integrated into my smart home. I have ATV and mini home pods that are used as doorbells.
I already have a Ubiquiti network setup, and have helped my sister build in one to her new house. Though I am not using security yet. I would instantly go out and buy so many cameras if they got Matter support.
I agree with your take on Scrypted. Hopefully it pushes Ubiquiti to support Matter in the future.
Great video Eric - thanks, as always for the helpful content. You’ve inspired me to give UniFi cameras a spin with my
UDMPro. Seems like a lot of folks have found Scripted to be extremely beneficial and allowed them to have the best of both worlds: POE cameras and HomeKit advantages. If you ever decide to go that route, I’d be very interested in seeing how you do/did it!
Thanks Lance! I'm glad to hear you like it and maybe I will come around on the idea soon.
Thanks for this video.
I love the Unifi protect. Just works. Great app.
Very cool
I love my udm pro and unifi protect system. Just hate that sometimes it’s very hard to buy their stuff. It’s always out of stock. That’s why I gave up on the g4 doorbell
Only thing I wish was home kit compatibility or even matter in the future
I have a UDM pro with 9 cameras, and have loved it ever since I installed it. UI is so easy to manage, and their support is great.
I am looking to upgrade to a UNVR Pro to offload the processing from the UDM Pro.
Also, with HOOBS I add the cameras to my HomeKit environment so it is awesome!
Another great video Eric. I was reading recently that Homebridge now works with Unify and even supports connecting Protect into HKSV. Have you tried this?
While I don't have any UniFi cameras yet, I do have several other devices from UniFi and am very happy with them. Last year I added a Cloud Key Gen-2 to my setup (which replaced the controller-program on one of my Macs), and this year I intend to get some UniFi cameras for the outside. I like the 24-hour recording, the fact that the recording is stored local, and the idea of hooking up to the network using PoE instead of WiFi. When it comes to devices pushing data 24x7, I'd rather that traffic be on a wire and not competing with other devices for attention from the WiFi access point.
If you're not using Scrypted, then what you do to access the cameras when you're away from home? I'm fine with the idea that what Scrypted would save to Apple Secure Video is both (1) fragments of video (not 24x7), and (2) probably compressed or lower-resolution versions of the video. I wouldn't reference those videos when I *am* at home, but even minimal lower-quality video would be better than no video at all when I'm sitting in my office at work. I don't know anything about what UniFi offers to fit that need. What do you use for that?
I use scrypted just to have face recognition from ther doorbell and made the HomePods announce who’s is at the door
Hello sir, do you have a list or video of the tools you’ve bought for Ethernet cable routing?
My InWall AP is the best thing ever, I fully plan on throwing 2 more in the walls throughout the home to allow me to hard wire my streaming devices while also having small Access Points.
That’s great to hear. I think the concept is so great as a way to hide the access point
Big fan of the in-wall APs as well, we have a few of these in our house
Wouldn't Scrypted makes sense the second you have a reolink or other much cheaper cameras with better quality 4k?
I also saw a way to bridge reolink via a server to show up as a Protect, which might be when better... Point is, Unifi is too expensive not to consider mixed environnements for home users.
I've used several brand cameras in my home and for the money, I think that for most users, Eufy have the best solution. 2K cameras with local SD card storage or RSTP to a NAS solution or server and of course, cloud storage if you like. The AI detection is good and notifications are fast and very customizable.
I've installed several unifi security systems and currently work for an AV company who specialize in IC Realtime systems. The cameras we sell most clients range in price from $400 to $900 each although some have bought the high end motorized ones for over $6000 each....
That compared to a unifi protect system with G4 bullets, the Unifi is a steal, easier to setup and has better AI tech.
I don't think that either instant camera is worth what they charge but if you want to get into the unifi protect ecosystem, you don't really have any cheaper options.. and the G4 instant video quality is very good and dual band wifi is nice to have also.
The ace up the sleeve of the unifi vs commercial solutions is that it can do the other stuff too like run networks, video doorbell, access control, VoIP, etc and even something like a cloud key Gen2 can run a full small office wifi and camera setup. I've installed a lot of those and businesses like dentists and other small medical practices were easy sells and we never had problems out of those systems and they never got bogged down or over-utilized hardware problems.
Eufy cameras are pretty good for their pricing (esp on sale) but from my personal experience I wouldn't describe their AI detection as good, I got A LOT of false positives in the 2+ years I ran their cameras. I also hate how they have banner ads and sales alert messages in their mobile app, not to mention the permanently fixed store tab. With all that said though, I decided I wouldn't buy any Anker products going forward after how horribly they handled the Eufy debacle last year.
@@DanWalshTV Yeah the data breach was a big turn off for me as well and although I still have 2 Eufy's outside, they're on the chopping block to eventually get replaced. I've replaced 2 other Eufy outdoor cams with the Unifi G5 bullet and a G5 Pro.
Regarding Scrypted. I respectfully disagree. Scrypted is drop dead easy to configure for unifi protect using the unifi protect plugin for Scrypted. Once you enter your credentials into the plugin and what the IP is of your UDMPro, it magically pulls in the cameras and then it’s a simple matter of enabling HomeKit for those cameras in Scrypted, scan the QR code to add it into your Apple Home and you’re good. The Unifi protect cameras will pass through their motion detection events to trigger HKSV recording. I do agree that the Unifi Protect storage is the primary. The Apple Home part is a nice convenience thing and backup copy of the clips. Great video overall.
Can I use a ubiquity nvr with my already in place POE cameras? (Reolink and lorex cams).
How well does this work with Apple TV getting the tv to pop the live camera picture?
You should definitely clean up your server rack:)
The ubiquiti nvr doesn't seem to have an hdmi out, is there a way to send video to a monitor?
I'm in doubt whether I should go for a G3 flex with wall mount or the new G5 Dome. The flex looks prettier though...
There is also a G5 flex in EA which you should look into.
@@davidronan2001 Thanks! I should have looked that up earlier! Now it's shold out here in Europe..
Funny that you mentioned how photography is another level not compared with surveillance but Ubiquiti actually have an interchangeable lenses security camera
Because they work. They not perfect but it’s close as you can get as you have said. I have around $8k in UniFi hardware and everything runs fast and reliable. 13 cameras including the PTZ.
Why don’t you prefer or mention the UDM-SE rather than the UDM-Pro?
Did you have Night Shift enabled at 08:18 it looks really yellowish?
Yes! Whoops…I use night shift and I often forget to turn it off when filming at night
Great video Eric! It’s great you have run Ethernet around your house for these cameras. But I couldn’t help but notice you have some amount of exposed cable leading to your exterior cameras. This is a weak point for your security. Because a savvy intruder could follow the wires with their eyes and find where to cut them. If they do that then your video feed stops which leaves your vulnerable. In addition, it could open your home network to vulnerability if they cut the cable and connected a computer to it. They could potentially have high speed unrestricted access to your entire home network. Something to think about! Thanks for your great videos, keep up the good work!
This is why all iot and security cameras should be placed on their own network. VLANS
Hi Eric, looking into purchasing UniFi Camera system. If I am away from home, am I able to access the alerts and video feed while on the road? Does it come with an APP for Android and IPhone to be able to accomplish this?
Great question. Yes you can access the video live feeds and get alerts away from home. You don't need a VPN to do this either. I think Ubiquiti is using some kind of a relay to facilitate the connection but your video is still locally stored in your home of course. The one limiting factor here is your home internet upload speed. If that is less a lot less than let's say 12mps I would be concerned the video would be slow to access.
Is there an iPhone app to see videos while away from home ?
Yes, iOS has UniFi Protect. Create and use a UI cloud login and the notifications work best. We have a doorbell that works well from another country too.
Eric, as someone from Los Angeles and near the beach, I was wondering what that white stuff was you were struggling to shovel. Was that compressed sunshine? 😮
Haha yes exactly 😅
The answer to your rhetorical questions its we love the interface
I’m using Reolink in HomeKit much cheaper as well
I have ubiquity camera setup in both my home and office. It’s a disaster! Way too complicated for the average consumer.
Why do you say that? Personally, I couldn't disagree more, I have Ubiquiti cameras in my home too and they work great. Are you referring to the installation? Running cables is always going to be a pain initially over wireless/battery solutions, but the one time hassle is well worth it (and you can always have someone else install them if you're uncomfortable/unable yourself). Once installed I don't see how they're any more complicated than any other camera solution. We've had Nest, Eufy and now UniFi Protect in our home and my non-technical "average consumer" wife has zero issues/complaints with UniFi compared to our previous Eufy or Nest solutions. The only thing shes noticed is the notifications come in faster lol.
@@DanWalshTV Logging into the app, powercut, loss of internet connection - there's always a rigmarole trying to reconnect to the devices whereas with Nest, Ring etc. it's just an wifi connection and away you go. Trying to setup the Ubiquiti cameras is way too complicated.
Tbh. I’m still confused as to why people love these cameras. Nothing against them or you but everything you named about them applies to pretty much all IP Cams and systems. Visualizing data is cool but almost entirely useless for the average homeowner
4:57 5:06 😱 So I'm the only one shocked by those ugly cables that go all over your walls, outside and inside your house ??
Yeah, that was a pretty rough install, especially the exterior cameras with the visible black cable against the cream wood lol. I installed all my cameras myself and none of the cables are visible. A little bit of effort goes a long way.
OK SO: SCRYPTED: Let’s talk. Good video. Strongly disagree about SCRYPTED. You don’t live in a big city with higher crime and vagrants. I can see that from your videos. What’s wrong with having the best of both worlds. Or jumping between ubiquity app or HomeKit depending on my needs. I want wired cameras. Even the doorbell for faster alerts throughout the LAN. That alone knocks out all HomeKit cameras. Fkk WiFi. Next!! I want pop ups on my Apple TV the moment a person is detected outside my homes perimeter. So I have to ask are you just constantly looking at a live monitor with the ubiquity app open??? While you watch tv?? There’s no alerts faster than the one always right in front of your face, our TVs. That’s great you live in a nice cozy part of the country. What homes in LA or NYC or even Dallas with the lowest crime of the larger metroplexes. Let me just say you gotta know a certain set of unsaid “smart people” rules if want to survive in these large cities. #1 you don’t walk your dog at night. And you don’t go to the mailbox at night. That includes Beverly Hills. Money does not shield you from crime. Self intelligence does. And having the ability to make any security camera of my choosing work on any platform is genius. Props to the team at SCRYPTED for all thier hard work. Here’s a wonderful example: My personal setup combination: I want wired cameras, I want popup alerts while I’m watching tv. BUT I also want a 24/7 live view sitting next to me. Yes I could buy a 1000 iPad mini for every room and turn off its sleep and burn up 1000$ apple screens every 6 months. ORRR I could simply buy a small google hub or Amazon fire tablet or mini lenozo google screen all of which are very cheap. Until apple figure out how to make iPads power on out of sleep for HomeKit secure (And you know they never will) SCRYPTED makes a lot of sense for a lot of properties in different parts of the world. Oh yea I forgot. I have one AUTO PTZ camera in my back alley. It costs 2500$, ridiculous. But it is 360 degree coverage in an alley with motion tracking & zoom. I would need 5 cameras at least to cover everything it does. It’s also safe from vandalism up on a tall pole. It zooms down Into faces. Like an invisible drone, Licenses plates. Turns towards my driveway. Turns back towards the alley ect ect. I can see immediate alerts on aptv then go to the unify app or whatever sysyem app to get full footage for police. You would appreciate this kinda of mesh platforming if you were living in an environment totally opposite from Colorado or Utah or wherever you are with that beautiful snow. I’d love to leave Dallas and move to Colorado. But my aging parents live here. So I’m rooted in a larger city.
I guess you don't care about cables being run on the wall. That looks so unprofessional. If I you can't fish the wire don't bother.