Updated Matter 1.2 Specification Supports New Device Types and Brings Performance Improvements

[Neil Harrison]

Yeah, that's great. Aside from the fact you need to invest over $500 in the DM Pro hardware. (I know because I have a DM Pro and four Unifi AP's).

Then you need RTSP compatible cameras, a decent 4TB hard disk designed for camera recordings (WD do one), so add another $200 on top, and then your time. A Unifi camera is about $300-$400 for the lower grade ones. An RTSP compatible camera costs about $150 more or less. My time is over $400 per day, and I see myself doing at least 2 days worth of config, so that's $800. (Nobody ever looks at this). So far, we're at about $1800, maybe more when you add cabling and installation costs.

Ring Protect Plus on the other hand, charges me $100 per year. That's it. I just install (10 mins), configure (20 mins), and it works. The camera costs about $80 each.

However you look at it, the cost is a fraction of what you would pay for a Unifi system. In fact, my mother in law has a Reolink system, which is much cheaper than a Unifi service and it's also RTSP compatible, but for her 6 cameras, 4TB PVR and the installation, she spent about $1,500. I will say the cameras are astonishingly good as they are 4K and the picture is phenomenal, but that's still $1500 vs $480, plus $100 per year. (In that budget you get 10 years subscription).

Short of the long, you get better systems, but the reality is the subscription, really isn't that bad when you put it all into context.

Why do you need a DM

 

[Sciomar]

Their doorbell looks amazing but I have no way of getting PoE to door frame without cables

It is a nice doorbell. It can work off your existing doorbell wiring if you have the correct transformer. They had 4 options when I last went on the site, regular version for existing wiring, pro version for existing wiring, USB C powered pro version, and PoE supported version. Looks like they have gotten rid of the regular version and streamlined the pro with the power options once you select it. You will need one of their cloud gateways. I made a simple setup at a friend's house using just the Dream Router and G4 doorbell pro, relies on his existing doorbell wiring and Wi-Fi. His router is close enough to the doorbell there are no connection issues, if your setup is further you may also need an AP.

 

[tobybrut]

I'd find value in knowing if the fridge or freezer door wasn't shut properly, whether either has lost power, or whether the temp has changed. I've occasionally looked for solutions, but have not found anything I like.

There is a solution for two of them, though I only have one. I use a door sensor, the same ones you’d use on a door or window, to see if it’s open or closed. I get notifications whenever the garage freezer is opened. There are a number of temperature sensors you can put in a refrigerator. A fridge isn’t going to get colder than 40F, so any decent temperature sensor will work. For power, there are smart outlets you can get that will tell you about external outages, but it won’t tell you about the fridge breaking. I wouldn’t buy a whole new fridge just to get some sensors I can buy elsewhere, but if you happened to need one, then that’s a good reason.

 

[philstubbington]

Once you move any automations you have, delete the Hue hub from homekit.

Thanks, I’ll give that a try. The hue hub is showing up twice I’ve realised. So presumably I can delete both? Do lighting scenes still work though?

Once you move any automations you have, delete the Hue hub from homekit.

 

[philstubbington]

None of the security camera manufacturers want to support standard because they want revenue from subscription.
if you have Ring door bell you can just watch live if you don't sign up for subscription.
If you have nest door bell you can watch recordings from last 3 hours.
If you have Arlo and need smart notifications you need to subscribe, i have Arlo i get notifications when a shadow moves.

I don’t pay any subscription for my Logitech security camera. It uses iCloud (+?) storage and that’s it.

 

[spazzcat]

Thanks, I’ll give that a try. The hue hub is showing up twice I’ve realised. So presumably I can delete both? Do lighting scenes still work though?

You need the matter version of the hub.

 

[joecomo]

Don’t do it. I did, and regret it, as do many others on Reddit. Seriously, just don’t.

You might want to consider to move to Conbee/Deconz - much better experience …

 

[beanbaguk]

Why do you need a DM

I work from home and want the best there is when it comes to my network and Wi-Fi. I also host numerous services on my end as part of my work, so for that purpose, I need to be able to control traffic, provide myself VPN services and manage my AP's across my home. My DM Pro gives me rock-solid reliability, and the ability to add AP's and allow peer to peer connect to my other home is invaluable to me. (I actually have two DM Pro's ).

Short of the long, it's a good bit of kit, but not cheap and not for everyone, as I alluded to already.

Moreover, I have experience experimenting with the Protect app, with my Reolink cameras as the management is significantly better than the Reolink NVR application. I gave up as I eventually needed a bigger HDD and since I have a Reolink NVR with an 4TB HDD, I felt it was a bit of a waste.

Anyway. There you go...

 

[philstubbington]

There is a solution for two of them, though I only have one. I use a door sensor, the same ones you’d use on a door or window, to see if it’s open or closed. I get notifications whenever the garage freezer is opened. There are a number of temperature sensors you can put in a refrigerator. A fridge isn’t going to get colder than 40F, so any decent temperature sensor will work. For power, there are smart outlets you can get that will tell you about external outages, but it won’t tell you about the fridge breaking. I wouldn’t buy a whole new fridge just to get some sensors I can buy elsewhere, but if you happened to need one, then that’s a good reason.

That’s a interesting solution

You need the matter version of the hub.

Phillips Hue Bridge is showing up on my iPhone under Settings.. General.. Matter Accessories so I guess it is?

 

[Neil Harrison]

It is a nice doorbell. It can work off your existing doorbell wiring if you have the correct transformer. They had 4 options when I last went on the site, regular version for existing wiring, pro version for existing wiring, USB C powered pro version, and PoE supported version. Looks like they have gotten rid of the regular version and streamlined the pro with the power options once you select it. You will need one of their cloud gateways. I made a simple setup at a friend's house using just the Dream Router and G4 doorbell pro, relies on his existing doorbell wiring and Wi-Fi. His router is close enough to the doorbell there are no connection issues, if your setup is further you may also need an AP.

Yeah my issue is we took out the doorbell wiring so my only thought was PoE

 

[Neil Harrison]

I work from home and want the best there is when it comes to my network and Wi-Fi. I also host numerous services on my end as part of my work, so for that purpose, I need to be able to control traffic, provide myself VPN services and manage my AP's across my home. My DM Pro gives me rock-solid reliability, and the ability to add AP's and allow peer to peer connect to my other home is invaluable to me. (I actually have two DM Pro's ).

Short of the long, it's a good bit of kit, but not cheap and not for everyone, as I alluded to already.

Moreover, I have experience experimenting with the Protect app, with my Reolink cameras as the management is significantly better than the Reolink NVR application. I gave up as I eventually needed a bigger HDD and since I have a Reolink NVR with an 4TB HDD, I felt it was a bit of a waste.

Anyway. There you go...

See what you mean, I don’t have DM, I have a cloud key. In hindsight given I have added extra switches I should have a got a DM. Me and wife work from home so I have come a bit obsessed with creating the right network. Most of the devices I try to hard wire where they can so it minimises WiFi connections. Have 4 UniFi AP’s probably not Verny efficient but just me upgrading stuff

 

[Sciomar]

Yeah my issue is we took out the doorbell wiring so my only thought was PoE

How tight a space are you working with? What does the inside of that exterior spot look like? You could do some minor drilling and back-fill with material, then paint; or drill straight to inside if there is a nearby plug and use the AC adapter. Purely spitballing here, I don't know your home layout.
I went with the Router at first and then moved to the Wall in EA as I followed its development. Overkill right now since it is only controlling 2 doorbells and some switches lol, but it's pure hobby at home. I am sure I will add some more as time allows.

 

[Neil Harrison]

How tight a space are you working with? What does the inside of that exterior spot look like? You could do some minor drilling and back-fill with material, then paint; or drill straight to inside if there is a nearby plug and use the AC adapter. Purely spitballing here, I don't know your home layout.
I went with the Router at first and then moved to the Wall in EA as I followed its development. Overkill right now since it is only controlling 2 doorbells and some switches lol, but it's pure hobby at home. I am sure I will add some more as time allows.

Yeah isn't really a close point to get to and walls are quite think, went with the Aqara doorbell in the end, may get the camera for the back garden

 

[Dble07]

You nailed it. Apple completely missed the boat and isn't even making an effort. And no, the Homepod doesn't count as anything that competes.

Amazon is the winner here, and will likely just continue expanding with Alexa. Google is runner-up. Apple is nowhere even on the stage, which is sad and very disappointing as they could dominate things if they tried but for whatever reason, they just don't seem to care about the massive space. Huge mistake.

I think this is an example of small picture thinking. I assume you are referring to the lack of both core products(such as the HomePod with a screen idea) as well as secondary products(like thermostats). Apple largely a core only(or nearly only) company and always has been. So secondary products are never going to be a thing from them. And as far as creating new core products…. I think them pursuing matter and getting other companies on board is their attempt to pursue more core. As it stands, too many product companies don’t want to subscribe to the apple method(which brings privacy benefits among other benefits) because it would hurt their profits. So these companies don’t make HomeKit supported products. These makes it stupid for Apple to develop more core product until there is enough secondary product on the market to see true benefit and demand for more core product. It’s a game of chess. I’m not preaching that Apple is great at this particular game, just that too many people are yelling at Apple without even trying to look 3 moves ahead.

 

[R2DHue]

I think this is an example of small picture thinking. I assume you are referring to the lack of both core products(such as the HomePod with a screen idea) as well as secondary products(like thermostats). Apple largely a core only(or nearly only) company and always has been. So secondary products are never going to be a thing from them. And as far as creating new core products…. I think them pursuing matter and getting other companies on board is their attempt to pursue more core. As it stands, too many product companies don’t want to subscribe to the apple method(which brings privacy benefits among other benefits) because it would hurt their profits. So these companies don’t make HomeKit supported products. These makes it stupid for Apple to develop more core product until there is enough secondary product on the market to see true benefit and demand for more core product. It’s a game of chess. I’m not preaching that Apple is great at this particular game, just that too many people are yelling at Apple without even trying to look 3 moves ahead.

This is where Apple could acquire this “secondary product” maker, like Eve (though Apple missed the boat on that company), and operate it as an independent subsidiary and as if it’s NOT an Apple company — keep the Apple branding out of it, like it does with Beats®.

That way, Apple wouldn’t further dilute the focus of its Brand Name with all kinds of crazy gadgets and smart thermostats, smart plugs, smart fire safes, smart tea kettles, smoke alarms, bulbs, doorknobs, litter boxes, whatever…

And Apple would have the power to make this independent subsidiary's products be “Works with Apple HomeKit” only.
˙

 

[R2DHue]

this might win the award for most bizarrely formatted comment of all time.

alexa losing money itself does not mean the company doesnt derive benefit from it. video game console manufacturers typically take a loss on the consoles, and make the profits back many times over in the games and accessories market for the lifespan of the console itself, which is on a 7/8 year cycle currently, and longer for the customers who stick around into the next gen with last gen's console.

amazon may see returns elsewhere thanks to interactions with alexa.

This.

And this.

I suppose these are “bizarrely formatted” too(?). Tell that to the 10,000 laid off Amazon employees — mostly from the Alexa division, the division that was called “the driving force behind the layoffs” — representing 3% or the largest layoffs in Amazon’s history.

I think it’s high time you rethought my post…and rethought your halo/loss leader comparison to game console makers…

And I think you just may have taken the crown now, btw. 🤡

 

[Eorlas]

This.

And this.

I suppose these are “bizarrely formatted” too(?). Tell that to the 10,000 laid off Amazon employees — mostly from the Alexa division, the division that was called “the driving force behind the layoffs” — representing 3% or the largest layoffs in Amazon’s history.

I think it’s high time you rethought my post…and rethought your halo/loss leader comparison to game console makers…

And I think you just may have taken the crown now, btw. 🤡

i'm not even going to take the time to find out if those links are all legitimate or malicious. holy lord the hyperlinks and colors, just write whatever it is you're trying to get at.