Enhance Home Security with Blue Iris Motion Detection
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Prerequisites for Integration
- Installing HACS
- Installing Blue Iris Integration
- Configuring Blue Iris Integration
- Setting Up Motion Alerts
- Adding Motion Sensors to Home Assistant
- Testing Motion Detection
- Customizing Motion Alerts
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this article, we will discuss how to send Blue Iris motion alerts via MQTT to your Home Assistant dashboard. Blue Iris is a popular software used for managing security cameras, and Home Assistant is a powerful home automation platform. By integrating Blue Iris with Home Assistant, you can receive motion alerts from your cameras and display them on your dashboard. We will go through the step-by-step process of setting up this integration and configuring motion alerts. So, let's get started!
1. Prerequisites for Integration
Before we begin, there are a few prerequisites for setting up the Blue Iris integration in Home Assistant. Firstly, You must have HACS (Home Assistant Community Store) installed. If you haven't installed HACS, you can refer to the back-to-basics series video that demonstrates how to install it. Once you have HACS installed, we can proceed to the next steps.
2. Installing HACS
To install HACS, go to your Home Assistant configuration and navigate to "Server Controls" or press "C" on your keyboard and Type "Server Controls". It is always a good practice to check your configuration before restarting Home Assistant to avoid any Hidden changes. Once your configuration is validated, restart Home Assistant.
3. Installing Blue Iris Integration
After restarting Home Assistant, you can see that HACS is installed. Now, let's search for the Blue Iris NVR integration in HACS. Read through the description to ensure it is the correct integration, and then install the latest production version. Once the installation is complete, you will find the Blue Iris integration located in config/custom/components/blue_iris
. Restart Home Assistant again to Apply the changes.
4. Configuring Blue Iris Integration
Now that Blue Iris integration is installed, navigate to "Configuration" and then "Integrations". Add the Blue Iris integration by clicking on it. Enter your host, port number (usually 81), username, and password. Click on submit to establish the connection between Home Assistant and Blue Iris. The integration will detect all your cameras and devices in Home Assistant. You can set the names and locations for each camera if desired.
5. Setting Up Motion Alerts
To receive motion alerts from Blue Iris in Home Assistant, we need to configure MQTT in Blue Iris. In the Blue Iris settings, go to "Digital I/O and IoT" and then click on "Configure" under MQTT. Enable MQTT and provide the necessary details, such as the client ID, server address, and login credentials. You can test the connection if desired.
6. Adding Motion Sensors to Home Assistant
To add motion sensors to Home Assistant, go to "Configuration" and then "Integrations". Search for the Blue Iris integration, and you will find the devices detected by Blue Iris. You can search for entities like "motion" or "camera" to filter the results. Select the motion sensors you want to add and configure them for display on your dashboard.
7. Testing Motion Detection
To test the motion detection, walk in front of the cameras and observe the changes in the motion sensors' state. You can use MQTT Explorer to monitor the MQTT feed and verify that motion data is being received by Home Assistant from Blue Iris.
8. Customizing Motion Alerts
You can customize the appearance of motion alerts on your Home Assistant dashboard by using the Custom Button Card. Install the Custom Button Card through HACS and add it to your dashboard. Configure the entity (motion sensor) and customize the color, icon, and other features of the button card to match your preferences.
9. Conclusion
Setting up Blue Iris motion alerts in Home Assistant provides a convenient way to monitor and receive notifications from your security cameras. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can integrate Blue Iris with Home Assistant and customize your motion alerts to suit your needs. Enjoy enhanced security and automation with this powerful combination of software.
Highlights
- Send Blue Iris motion alerts to Home Assistant dashboard via MQTT
- Integrate Blue Iris and Home Assistant for efficient camera management
- Configure motion sensors and customize motion alerts on your dashboard
- Monitor motion detection and receive notifications in real-time
- Enhance security and automation with Blue Iris and Home Assistant integration
FAQ
Q: Can I use Blue Iris integration without HACS?
A: No, HACS is a prerequisite for installing the Blue Iris integration in Home Assistant. It provides the necessary tools and resources for seamless integration.
Q: Is it possible to set up profiles for different scenarios?
A: Yes, you can set up profiles in Blue Iris Based on different scenarios such as nighttime or away mode. These profiles can be programmatically controlled through Home Assistant.
Q: Can I add multiple cameras to the motion alerts?
A: Yes, you can add multiple cameras to the motion alerts. Blue Iris integration allows you to select the cameras you want to include in the alerts.
Q: How often does Blue Iris capture motion snapshots?
A: By default, Blue Iris captures a 10-Second snapshot every time motion is detected. You can adjust this setting based on your preferences and system resources.