Free AI-Powered Home Security: Reolink, Home Assistant, and iSpy Integration

This guide explores how to leverage Reolink cameras with free software to create a robust, AI-powered home security system integrated with Home Assistant. By using iSpy, AI Tool, and Deepstack AI, you can achieve advanced motion detection and object recognition without incurring additional costs. This setup allows for customized notifications and automations within your smart home ecosystem.

To implement this solution, you will need the following components: * **Reolink Cameras:** (e.g., RLC-520, RLC-810A) - These are your IP cameras providing the video feed. * **iSpy v7.2.1.0 64-bit (Freeware):** This software manages the camera streams and captures images based on motion detection. * **AI-Tool:** This tool processes the captured images using AI to identify objects. * **Deepstack AI:** This AI engine performs the object detection. * **Home Assistant:** This platform integrates all components and enables custom automations and notifications.

1. **Install iSpy:** Download and install iSpy from the provided link. 2. **Add Cameras:** * Use the "Add IP Cameras with Wizard" option. * If your camera model isn't listed, select "Not Listed" and manually input the Make and Model. * Tick the "Scan RTSP Addresses" box. * Enter your camera's username and password. * If you know the IP address, enter it manually or scan the local network. * Select the appropriate stream. Using the sub stream (e.g., `FFMPEG:410:rtsp://user:password@IP Address:554/h264Preview_01_sub`) is recommended to reduce network traffic. 3. **Name Your Camera:** After adding the camera, use the "Edit Camera" option to give it a descriptive name.

1. **Motion Detection Tab:** * Draw detection zones over the areas where you want motion to be detected. It's okay to cover the entire area, as the AI will refine the detection. 2. **Images Tab:** * Enable "Local Saving Enabled" and set "Save When" to "Motion Detection." * Remove the "Overlay Text" if desired. 3. **Storage Tab:** * Set the "Media Location" to a folder you can easily remember (e.g., `C:\aiinput\video\FrontDoor\Grabs`). * Enable "Storage Management" to automatically delete images after a set period (e.g., 24 hours).

1. **Install Deepstack AI for Windows:** Ensure you use the Windows version, as the Docker version is not compatible with this setup. 2. **Configure AI Tool:** * Select your Deepstack installation folder. * Set the API to "Detection API," Mode to "High," and choose a port (e.g., 83). * Enable "Automatically Start Deepstack." * Save the settings.

1. **Settings Tab:** * Set the "Default Input Path" to the folder where iSpy saves the images. * Set the "Deepstack URL" to `localhost:port#` (e.g., `localhost:83`). * Tick "Start with user login." * Save the settings. 2. **Cameras Tab:** * Click "Add" and give the camera a name (e.g., FrontDoor). * Set the "Input Folder" to the iSpy image folder (e.g., `C:\aiinput\video\FrontDoor\Grabs`). * Select the relevant objects you want to detect (e.g., Person, Car). 3. **MQTT Settings:** * Under "Actions," click "Settings" next to MQTT. * Input your Home Assistant MQTT broker's Server:Port (e.g., `192.168.0.72:1883`). * Enter the MQTT username and password. * The default topic is `ai/[Camera]/motion [Detection]`, which will send payloads like `ai/FrontDoor/motion Person`. * Set a "Cooldown Time" to avoid excessive notifications (e.g., 1 minute).

Update your `configuration.yaml` file to listen for the MQTT payloads. Here's an example for detecting people and cars: ```yaml binary_sensor: - platform: mqtt name: "Motion - Front Door - Vehicle" device_class: motion state_topic: "ai/FrontDoor/motion" payload_on: "Car" off_delay: 60 - platform: mqtt name: "Motion - Front Door - Person" device_class: motion state_topic: "ai/FrontDoor/motion" payload_on: "Person" off_delay: 60 ```

Create automations in Home Assistant to trigger actions based on the MQTT messages. For example, to send a notification when a vehicle is detected: 1. **Name:** Motion Detection - Vehicle Front Door 2. **Mode:** Single 3. **Triggers:** * Type: MQTT * Topic: `ai/FrontDoor/Motion` * Payload: `Vehicle` 4. **Actions:** * Type: Call service * Service: `Notify.mobile_app_iphone` * Service Data: ```yaml message: Motion Detection - Front Door - Vehicle data: attachment: content-type: jpeg push: category: camera entity_id: camera.front_door ``` Save the automation.

* **High CPU Usage:** If Deepstack AI is consuming too many resources, consider reducing the image resolution or adjusting the detection mode. * **False Positives:** Fine-tune the detection zones in iSpy and the object detection settings in AI Tool. * **Network Traffic:** Using the sub stream in iSpy can significantly reduce network load. * **MQTT Connectivity:** Ensure your Home Assistant MQTT broker is properly configured and accessible.

By integrating Reolink cameras with iSpy, AI Tool, Deepstack AI, and Home Assistant, you can create a powerful and free home security system. This setup provides advanced motion detection, object recognition, and customizable notifications, enhancing your smart home's security capabilities without incurring additional costs. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough to help you set up and optimize this solution for your specific needs.