HomeKit Alternate home hub search

[farfromovin]

Hello all. I just started utilizing Apple HomeKit with my Arlo Pro cameras and a few cheap outlets. I'd like to control some of these devices from outside my home network, lo and behold I find I need a home hub: i.e. HomePod, AppleTV, or iPad. I don't have any of those devices. I do have a Synology NAS as well as a Windows 10 computer that runs as my Plex server 24/7 though. I started googling around to see if I could run a plug-in on either of those platforms that would function as my home hub so I can control HomeKit from outside the WLAN.
Synology can use an app called homebridge ran from within docker, but that's more to utilize smart devices with HomeKit that aren't normally compatible. Cool idea, but not exactly what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a home hub software solution. Is anyone else doing this?

 

[waw74]

no, you need one of the apple devices listed.

homebridge is used to make non-homekit devices work with HomeKit.
You still need a home hub to access those devices outside your home.

I'm not sure what you're using to watch Plex, but the appleTV app for Plex is pretty good.
The AppleTV is pretty good overall, The only bad thing is the physical design of the remote, It works well, and looks good, but it's way too symmetrical for something that is usually used in the dark, and I hit the wrong button (because I've got the remote upside down) about 1-2 times per week.
But the HDMI-CEC control of your devices is pretty sweet, as well as a pretty good chance of auto-programing of the remote codes if your TV doesn't have HDMI-CEC.

for $150/$180 depending on if you need 4k or not, it's not horribly expensive.
you can get not-4k refurbished for $130 (4k not avail currently)
and they now come with a year of apple's new streaming service.

you do need to have it hooked up to a TV for initial setup at least.

with a little research, you might be able to find a used compatible iPad for cheaper than a new aTV.

You can use the aTV 3 as a home hub, but it doesn't support remote cameras (or automations) so for you, it sounds like this is not an option.

 

[bbednarz]

You will need an Apple device. No way around it and for good reason.

 

[farfromovin]

Thx for the replies. I’ll just replace an older Roku in the house with a AppleTV 4K!