ad
ad

Local Security Camera Recording with Frigate NVR

Howto & Style

Introduction

Security cameras have been found to be highly effective deterrents against crime. In fact, former burglars have stated in interviews that CCTV cameras are likely to discourage them from breaking into a house or stealing a car. They are considered even more effective than burglar alarm systems. In this article, we will explore how to use an open-source AI-powered security camera system called Frigate to receive notifications when your cameras detect people, vehicles, or other objects.

Introduction to Frigate

Frigate is a free-to-use Network Video Recorder (NVR) that can be installed on an old computer or a NAS using Docker or as a Home Assistant add-on. It uses AI algorithms to analyze camera footage locally and only alerts you when it detects something you care about, such as people or vehicles. This eliminates false positives caused by factors like wind blowing leaves or passing shadows.

Setting up Frigate

To get started with Frigate, you will need IP-based security cameras that meet specific requirements. They should support H.264 video encoding and preferably be hardwired using Power over Ethernet (PoE). Wi-Fi or battery-powered cameras are not recommended for continuous 24x7 recording.

Once you have your cameras connected to your network, you can test the RTSP stream URL using media players like VLC to ensure they are working correctly. Additionally, you will need an MQTT server for communication and a computer or device to run Frigate. It is important to have sufficient processing power and disk space for optimal performance.

Installing Frigate

There are two methods to install Frigate: as a Home Assistant add-on or via Docker. If you are using the Home Assistant operating system, you can easily install the Frigate add-on by adding the Frigate repository to Home Assistant using the provided GitHub URL. After installation, create a configuration file called "frigate.yaml" and specify the details of your MQTT server and camera settings.

If you are running Home Assistant in a container using Docker, you will need to add the Frigate Docker image to your Docker Compose file. Create the necessary folders for configuration and media storage, and then specify the configuration in the "config.yaml" file. Run the Docker Compose command to pull the Frigate image and create the container.

Monitoring and Recording

Once Frigate is up and running, you can access the user interface to view live camera feeds and recorded footage. By configuring the recording parameters in the configuration file, you can adjust the settings to suit your environment, balancing storage space and the duration of recorded footage.

Keyword

Local security camera recording, Frigate NVR, AI-powered camera system, CCTV cameras, deterrent against crime, IP-based security cameras, RTSP stream URL, Home Assistant, MQTT server, Docker, live camera feeds, recorded footage, configuration file.

FAQ

  1. What is Frigate NVR? Frigate NVR is an open-source AI-powered network video recorder that can be installed on a computer or NAS device. It uses AI algorithms to analyze camera footage and provides local recording and intelligent notifications.

  2. Are IP-based security cameras required for Frigate? Yes, Frigate requires IP-based security cameras that support H.264 video encoding. It is recommended to hardwire the cameras using Power over Ethernet (PoE) for reliability.

  3. Can Frigate be used with Wi-Fi or battery-powered cameras? While Frigate can technically work with Wi-Fi or battery-powered cameras, it is not recommended for continuous 24x7 recording. Wi-Fi cameras may have connectivity issues, and battery-powered cameras may drain quickly when recording for extended periods.

  4. Does Frigate store footage locally? Yes, Frigate records security camera footage locally to your hard disk or network storage device. This ensures that your video footage is not sent to third-party servers and reduces the risk of privacy breaches.

  5. Can Frigate detect specific objects, such as people or vehicles? Yes, Frigate uses AI algorithms to detect specific objects, such as people, vehicles, or other objects defined in the configuration. This allows for intelligent notifications and filtering out false positives, such as leaves blowing in the wind.

Make sure to subscribe to the channel for more information and tutorials on using Frigate with Home Assistant to enhance your home security.