Blue Iris

I'd like to be able to turn on a flood light when motion is detected.
Google searches found multiple discussions - mostly old, and none with full details on what hardware/software is needed.
I REALLY don't want it to require talking to a remote server just to turn on a light.
Suggestions on how to accomplish this?

I'd think one question would be which smart light would you use and what ecosystem/technology that uses.

Then, how do you trigger the light to come on? BI or passive IR (PIR).

Lots to unpack in what looks like a simple question.

If you mean you want to use BI5 camera motion detection to trigger a light, then yes it can be done. I personally have Homeseer automation, and so can send a json command from BI5 to HS3 to trigger a light. Is that what you are after ? If so, do you use a home automation system ?

That is what I want, but I don't have a Home Automation system.
I'm hoping for something that can be used standalone.
I did find one reference to somebody using a Zigbee (or Zwave?) setup, but they didn't provide any details.

Are you interested in a really capable and flexible system that requires a bit of tech DIY skills (Raspberry Pi and Arduino nodes, with plenty of pre-built modules) or more of a turnkey commercial system?

As Henry mentioned it ain't easy. Sounds simple, but it isn't easy to control a light using a camera without additional equipment. The good news is that new solutions are coming out every day.

If you want something plug-and-play, your simplest route would be to buy a floodlight equipped camera. There are dozens on the market with more coming every day. But beware as many of these are cloud based and require a monthly/yearly subscription of some sort. And the thing is, you are locked into their echo system if you want to expand.

If you plan on using Blue Iris with the camera make sure the cam is Onvif compliant. As long as the camera is Onvif then it would most likely be compatible with any software you choose in the future.

Personally in use Blue Iris and an automation system that uses ZWave but can also speak Zigbee, Homekit, X-10 and so on. An inexpensive HA system: A bit larger than a pack of playing cards and is going to offer the most flexibility but also complexity.
For instance: camera detects motion > reports to automation system - automation system acts on logic like "is it dark out" or "is the alarm set" then > turns on light.

Most automation devices Zigbee, ZWave, X-10 devices require a controller of some sort. The home automation server such as the one above can be equipped with multiple controllers that speak the appropriate language (protocol) to the lights etc. Then your light need to speak whatever protocol you choose. The Phillips and Ikea lights as examples use Zigbee. You can get screw-in light bulbs that have the tech built in tech or change out the light switch to one with your tech of choice.

Hope this helps.

Sparks, That HomeSeer looks like a Pi in a custom case

HeneryH wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 1:37 am Sparks, That HomeSeer looks like a Pi in a custom case

You nailed that one.
It does not take much horsepower to run a very powerful automation server, nor does it need to be expensive.
A system like this can speak allot of different protocols so you are not locked into one manufacturers web.

You can buy a Pi and buy the HS3Pi software separately as well. I run two of those, mainly for Xmas lights etc. My primary HS3 Pro installation is for general house automation, and it runs on the BI5 server. Many Z-wave mesh networking devices, some 433Mhz sockets via a RfxTrx433, and even some X10 via a CM11.

According to the HomeSeer website, the HS3Pi can only run 5 different plug ins, probably due to the small memory etc. You can however run Linux Hs3 on the Pi if you are up for that sort of flagellation, and that can do more, until it crashes in many different and interesting ways

In the middle of last year, Homeseer actually made HS3Pi free for a week (Keep an eye on the website for offers). Quite a saving. I have that on one of my Pi's, and the only difference to regular HS3Pi is that there is a strip of adverts at the top of the web page.

I really enjoy playing with this system and it is very full featured BUT..... is very much DIY where you can save money by soldering/assembling the modules yourself. The guy who runs it makes the PCBs and sources the other self-assembly components into kits.

IoT Gateway Project
Turn your Pi into a robust IoT gateway solution to monitor, control & secure your property
https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/gateway/
https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/gateway/screenshots/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F15dEqZ ... tion=share

You can make any modules your imagination can come up with but here are some kits that he pre-packages for sale.



PIR Motion Detector
https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/motionmote/



https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/switchmote/

SwitchMote is a wireless light switch controller that replaces traditional light switches and allows you to remote control any AC load. SwitchMotes can be independent of each other or they can be synchronized such that when a button is pressed one or more SwitchMotes can turn their loads ON/OFF. It can also be wirelessly programmed (OTA).

This is the latest revision with all SMD components, 3D printed enclosure and and minimal soldering and hand assembly:

https://lowpowerlab.com/2015/07/23/more ... l-control/

DoorBellMote is a versatile kit that allows automating your traditional doorbell. Requires a regular Moteino (not included). Requires soldering assembly.
The project is documented in this blog post.

it uses power from the doorbell transformer
detects when the doorbell button is pressed
It can also trigger the doorbell via a primary relay
it can disable the doorbell via a secondary relay

https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/garagemote/

GarageMote is a garage door controller shield kit for Moteino that can be used to remotely control a garage door from anywhere on the web or from your smartphone. There are commercial solutions that offer the same thing, but are more integrated with the opener. This solution requires assembly, and also installing this device on your garage opener.

https://lowpowerlab.com/guide/sonarmote/

SonarMote is a project that was designed to allow reading of distances and take action either through sound (piezo buzzer), RGB LED, OLED display or through wireless. It accepts a Moteino as the microcontroller and optionally wireless transceiver and uses the HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor to measure distances up to 2 meters.