Using Scrypted to Integrate Cameras Into Your Smart

Support for security cameras are very essential and is one of the most important factor in major smart platforms. It provides different integration methods, features and even approaches. Through it you could experience different, mixed, limited and even non-functions with different brands.

New smart home standard matter claims that it will bring everyone under one integrated roof. However and unfortunately, most of the major tech companies could not get into an agreement when it comes to the standardization of cameras. Hence, it was left out.

The development of Scrypted, an open-source tool has actually made the situation better especially for power users. It is considered as a very powerful and reliable integration and automation tool which acts as an intermediary between devices and smart home platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Scrypted is like Homebridge tool.

What You Need to Run Scrypted

One important thing that you would need when you use Scrypted is internet connection. When you are online, you will be able to connect your camera to your smart home. Scrypted could be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux and extension on Raspberry Pi minicomputer. It also has the ability to run on different NAS platforms such as ReadyNAS, QNAP, Synology and Unraid. With all of this, we highly recommend to use Raspberry Pi as it is small, low power and it is silent as well.

Before You Jump In

As you might have already known, Scrypted is an impressive and amazing tool which could integrate our IP based camera to your smart home. It offers technical options and plugins which would definitely enhance your setup. With Scrypted, you would not need to worry of your camera underperforming. Though this is the case, keep in mind that Scrypted is not an official solution which means complications could arise. Do not worry as there is an official Discord which you could go to which would help you in terms of instructions. In this platform, you will be able to find different readme sections for different plugins.

Lastly, it is highly recommended for you to use a wired Ethernet connection whenever you run Scrypted.

How to Setup Scrypted

In this guide, we shall focus on scrypted using Ring cameras with HomeKit Secure Video.

Install Scrypted

• Choose host platform
• Install Scrypted using instructions from the Github page. You will be able to find this under the installation section.
• Select Docker Compose option
• Once install is complete, the service will run at port 10443
• Go to the browser of your Raspberry Pi and go to the 10443 port – https://scrypted:10443.

Install Plugins

On your console, you will find a lot of things. Do not get overwhelmed as you will only have to deal with two sections and they are Plugins and Devices. Click on the Install link. Once you arrive at the plugin search page, type the plugin that you would want to install. Select and click on the install button.

Once you have installed them, you will be taken to the plugin setting page of your Ring plugin. Provide authentication details for your to be able to connect to your cloud account. Enter your email and password for Ring account. Save it and you will receive a two-factor code. Enter the code and save it.

Ring camera devices will then appear on your Devices List. Keep in mind that Scrypted only supports Ring cameras, doorbells and built-in lights and doorbell buttons.

Once you have installed Ring plugins, the next step is for you to install HomeKit plugin. Just follow the same search and install procedure. You will see a pairing code. Do not use it yet as you will need to adjust the Ring camera settings.

Click on the Network tag button. Put the IP address of Scrypted server and leave the other settings on its default setting. Save it and you are good to go.

Configure Cameras

• Go to the devices menu item
• Scroll down and select one of your Ring cameras
• Click on the HomeKit Pairing
• Tick on the Standalone Accessory Mode
• Do individual accessories for your cameras
• Go to HomeKit plugin page
• Select Reload plugin
• You will receive a pairing QR code under HomeKit settings on your camera’s device page.
• Add new accessory in your Apple Home app using the pairing QR code
• Pair bridge using QR code on your HomeKit plugin page

HomeKit Secure Video Caveats

The HomeKit Secure with your Ring cameras provide many different features such as recording, object detection, facial recognition and notifications. Though HomeKit could miss motion events, its performance through Scrypted is really impressive. The only downside of HomeKit is that its notification is a bit slow. Furthermore, HomeKit also depends on the camera on motion detection. For you to fix this issue, you will have to reduce motion filtering features.

More You Can Do With Scrypted

• Create device groups which allows you to combine multiple devices into one.
• You could also select which motion sensor you would want to trigger you camera
• You could set up automation rules through the use of a built-in rule editor