Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Doorbird
The Doorbird video doorbell is a powerful device, but if you are only using the basic smartphone app, you may feel its features are limited. The true strength of Doorbird lies in its ability to integrate with other systems, transforming it from a simple video doorbell into the central command post for your smart home's entrance. This guide explores how to move beyond the basic features.
## Beyond Event Clips: Achieving 24/7 Continuous Recording
One of the most common feature requests is for continuous recording, not just short clips when motion is detected or the button is pressed. The Doorbird app is not designed for this, but the hardware fully supports it when connected to the right system.
- Integrate with an NVR: Doorbird devices are compatible with most ONVIF-compliant Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and surveillance software. This includes popular solutions like Synology Surveillance Station, Blue Iris, QNAP, and many professional CCTV systems.
- How it Works: You can add the Doorbird to your NVR just like any other IP security camera. The NVR can then record the Doorbird's high-definition video stream 24/7 to its own hard drives. This gives you a complete, uninterrupted timeline of events, which is crucial for security purposes. You can review footage from any point in time, not just when the Doorbird decided an event was important.
## Smart Home Integration: Making Your Home React
The real power of Doorbird is unlocked when it talks to your other smart home devices. This is achieved through its local API, which allows for direct integration with dozens of smart home hubs and control systems.
- Compatible Systems: Doorbird officially integrates with a huge range of platforms, including Fibaro, Loxone, Control4, Crestron, URC, ELAN, and open-source hubs like Home Assistant and openHAB.
- Creating Powerful Automations: Once integrated, the Doorbird can act as a trigger for countless automated scenes.
- "Someone's Here" Scene: When the doorbell button is pressed, your system can automatically pause your TV, flash the porch lights twice, and make an announcement on all your smart speakers.
- "Nighttime Motion" Scene: If the Doorbird detects motion between 11 PM and 5 AM, it can command your smart home to turn on the driveway and hallway lights to 50% brightness.
- "Package Delivery" Routine: When the delivery person presses the button, you can have the system unlock your front gate for 30 seconds and then automatically lock it again.
## Using the API for Custom Solutions
For advanced users and installers, the Doorbird API provides direct control over the device's functions. You can use simple HTTP commands to trigger actions or get information.
- Triggering Relays: You can send a command to the Doorbird to open a connected electric door strike or gate motor. This can be integrated into your own custom apps or control panels.
- Live Snapshots: You can request a live image snapshot from the camera at any time, which can be used for logging deliveries or for display on a smart home dashboard.
- Custom Notifications: Integrate the doorbell press or motion events into custom notification systems like Pushcut or IFTTT to create more flexible alerting rules than the standard app offers.
## Expanding Your System
Doorbird is more than just a doorbell. You can expand your system with other Doorbird products that all work together.
- IP Intercoms and Keypads: Add an indoor station for a dedicated video screen and communication point, or add an external keypad for code-based entry, all integrated within the same system.
By exploring these integration possibilities, you can elevate your Doorbird from a standalone device to a fully integrated component of a sophisticated security and automation system, overcoming any sense of limited features.