For people who actually value privacy and want things to just work, Apple’s Homekit is the way to go. Some devices don’t support it but I haven’t ran into an issue where I absolutely need a type of device and no manufacturer makes a homekit version (mileage may vary depending on how deep into the rabbit hole you go). As you said, choose wisely which company you buy from. Can’t wait for Apple Secure Video and Routers. Game changer!
Mari0o0o Agreed! HomeKit is the best combination of “it just works” and solid privacy standards out there! I’m looking forward to the new automation and shortcut features coming to iOS 13!
@Mari0o0o Agree completely on that. Apple Homekit is the only privacy first system from one of the big players out there. I’m edging closer and closer to Apple for my smart home. It’s part of the reason I moved my system over to Hubitat (another privacy first smart home setup) with Homebridge. I’m getting everything linked over to Homekit ... including my older z-wave gear. iOS13 and the new features can’t get here soon enough. By the way, you should check out Shane’s channel. His entire channel is dedicated to setting up an Apple Homekit house.
Just purchased the land for my retirement home in the mountains. Watching all of your videos for tips on solar, smart home, security and any other items that will make my future home easier and safer. So nice that you do the work and all I have to do is reap the results! Thanks, Matt!
I would love to add just a series of cameras that watch about 4-5 areas in and around the house. I start looking into what's out there then get overwhelmed with all the geek stuff and plan on going back to it later... yeah, right! My only experience was when I installed a SimpliSafe system for one of my customers (I do home repairs) and it did go very easy but there is a monthly charge incurred if you want full protection and there wasn't a camera involved with this basic setup. Matt I guess what I'm say here is please do some visual examples of setting up extension to basic systems and where and how video is stored. Clear as mudd??!! I need to learn all this because I need it and many of my customers are asking for small systems.
Home automation doesn’t interest me at all.......but I still find your presentation worth a watch just out of general interest of tech solutions that are out there. You present factual information so well and I applaud both your breadth and your depth of knowledge and the way that you pull all the strands together. Great stuff.
Thanks! Appreciate you still watching it even though it's not something you're interested in. And don't worry, there's a lot more non-automation content coming.
You’re right on Rule 2, the KISS system. So many things can “be made to work” and then reliability, upgrade ability, interoperability, all go out the door. I never want to feel stuck with something because “upgrading” means reconfiguring it all again.
I started putting my system together 4 years ago, before many of today’s standards existed. I decided to use the Insteon products, because I could replace light switches and outlets instead of the bulb or appliance, which meant they could be used in manual mode the same as they always had been. However, Insteon is a fairly closed system. Luckily I found a third-party server (indigo) that ran on MacOS that integrates Insteon and Z-wave, as well as Siri and Alexa. I’m always looking for alternates though that make the integration process easier. Looking forward to this series to see what new options exist since I started down this road.
Interesting workaround you found for yourself. I did a little bit of the same thing when I first built out my system. Doubling down on z-wave light switches, which have been somewhat dicey. Transitioned to Lutron for a lot of it, which has much better integrations and reliability. With Hubitat I've got direct/local integration between my Lutron hub and Hubitat. Not that I want one standard to rule them all, but I'd like to see even more unity behind some of the standards.
Earlier today (I was watching old videos) I heard you say “Changing light colors (while rolling your eyes. )YOU GET ME! I’m interested in hvac booster/dampers, individual room temperature sensors, balancing upstairs temps with downstairs temps without “meatlockering” or “Easy Bake Oven-ing” certain areas. I want to know about smart glass (tintable windows) gridding ceiling recessed lighting with smart bulbs to set zones using some or all bulbs in varying configurations, smart locks, geofencing, THREAD devices and such. As you said, useful, helpful things. I’m not a seventh grader!
Thanks, Matt! I am just planning to get into smart home, but, even being tech head, this space is kind of unknown and confusing to me. This video sums it up well! Looking forward to next one. Have a nice weekend!
Admitting you have a problem is the first step! I’ve got a Phillips Hue setup and an August smart lock. That’s it for now. The Hue lights with motion sensors allowed me to do something simple motion sensor light switches couldn’t.
Have watched nearly all your videos Matt--well done. Smartthings, echo dot (2nd gen), 5 more dots in the mail, LifX bulb starter pack..."When your mesh network is smarter than you!" Ha!
I'm all about the mix match. for sensors buttons and switches. I'm all about Xiaomi because they are dirt cheap, for the light I use Philips hue, lifx, and Yeelight (Mostly yeelight Because they are cheap). for controlling everything I use Home assistant. for voice control, I have google home trough out my house. and android wear. for sockets I use snonff. and then I have lots of DYI stuff like D1 and NodeMcu with humidity sensors, light sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. this is what I can remember on top of my head that I've got, and I can certainly understand you when you say that you got a tech addiction. I can't stop adding stuff to our house. I haven't got much camera stull yet. but I will add it as soon as I can find the time.
Sounds like you’ve got quite the frankenstein smart home (I do too)! It really is a slippery slope adding this stuff in, isn’t it? The more I add, the more I see other opportunities to do more. How do you like the Sonoff stuff?
@@UndecidedMFI like the sonoff. But they are a bit cheap for my liking. By that I mean they are poorly made and they do not have a ground leed by them self. Also having to flash tasmota every single time I wanna add a new one to HA. And by then it's not working with Google home. Unless you got Google to work with home assistant. Which in itself is complicated really make me wanna go crazy and just buy a ton of cheap DIY relays and NodeMcu's as it takes the same time to setup. Overall sonoff are cheap and have lots of uses but they are not for me, in the long run at least. Altho I must say that having a sonoff with the humidity sensor connected to my bathroom ventilation is very useful. As you can set the threshold of humidity before it should start and stop. And if the and a window sensor for the same reason
Really enjoy your videos. Wondering why you're leaving off the Insteon system (no affiliation). I've been using it for years, it seems to fit your criteria in every category. Especially with 200 different integrated devices it seems to exceed current big box/big company/large advertisement budgets options. It runs all devices with one app, including cameras (cameras are the only device using my wifi). One part I like is switches and receptacle take the place of existing dumb devices, no use for expensive smart lamps or plug-in modules cluttering walls. Of course they are a little harder to install. Pricing seems to be competitive and if you wait for sales even better. Thanks again keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching, Michael. No bias on my part for sure. Insteon has a great reputation and a lot of fans (I probably should include them in the mix when talking about all of the options out there). For me personally I went down the path of Zigbee, Z-Wave, and WiFi products because of the wider device options available. It makes it easier to jump around and cherry pick the products I want from a huge number of manufactures. Insteon has a huge edge when it comes to reliability though.
Great video! Way off topic (sorry) but I would love to see a video on the equipment that yo use for your videos - from cameras to video editing software to lights, etc. The quality of your videos is superb.
Really enjoy your videos. EZ to understand and very helpful info. If I had many devices and needed a "dedicated wifi router for your smart home devices", does that mean I would need to have 2 internet lines (and 2 modems) coming into my home? According to my ISP, my modem will only support 1 router. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for watching! And to answer your question, no ... you wouldn't need two internet lines. Basically, you'd have your router like you have it today as the main bridge to the internet for your computers, etc. Then you'd be plugging in a separate WiFi router into that one that would run it's own unique WiFi and LAN for smart home gear. All of the smart home gear would still have access to the internet, but wouldn't be able to see anything connected to your main system. It can be a bit technical to get it setup, so the best first thing to try is a guest network on your existing router if that feature exists.
Matt! Love these beginner videos! I purchased a Phillips Hue starter kit and really enjoy using it and wish I had done more research before purchasing. Glad to know that I'll be able to build out my home auto automation system with cheaper alternatives and have everything work together. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks, Roger! And don’t have regrets about Hue. I love my hue lights, and it’s pretty easy to get them working side by side with any other light out there through these broader platforms. Having the Hue hub gives you more options.
Another good video! Thank you for mentioning the Wi-Fi consideration. It is so tempting to buy some of those wi-fi smart product deals. I believe they use connections and bandwidth I might prefer using on other devices.
Great Video, Matt! Really appreciating the pivot to Home automation lately - but keep up the tesla talk too! I used to have an ELK security panel, tied into an isy994 with Insteon for lighting. After watching the hubitat video, I bought one just to play around with it and see if I wanted to use it as the base for an upgrade. Its quite intuitive and the learning curve is a snap compared with the ISY. Insteon seems to be walled garden, and there are few devices outside the ISY that can control it reliably. Now that the Hubitat has my attention, the fork in the road is, do i shell out for a Lutron RA2 Select to get it all under a single platform? Im already thinking this will be the way to go.
Thanks, Morgan! And don't worry ... still a lot more non-smart home stuff on the way. Just trying to get better about my mix and spread the love. Let me know how the Hubitat experiment goes. I'm really liking mine and it's been a good transition so far. Also, a big fan of Lutron devices. I don't have the RA2 Select, but use the Caseta Pro with a lot of switches and outlets. All rock solid, which is more than I can say for some of the other gear I've tried over the years.
I’m so glad I found your page, I’ve just started to build my smart home. I currently have an Echo Show, Schlage Encode door lock w/ amazon cloud cam, Arlo security (2 cameras), and a few Kasa plugs to control my lamps. I’m thinking of adding a Nest thermostat and using the smart bulbs instead of purchasing more plugs. Are the smart bulbs, as reliables the plug-ins?
Thanks for watching! And yep, smart bulbs can be as reliable as the plugs, but it’s going to vary depending on the technology/manufacturer. They’re a little pricier, but I’ve had rock solid performance from Philips Hue (that’s my go to recommendation). I haven’t tested any yet myself, but have heard good things about Yeelights.
HI, Matt love your channel. Planning on purchasing a house, and I always wanted a smart home for many years. When I was little I went to Epcot and saw the home in the future. Fell in love with the concept. So my question is do I need a router such as Linksys to hook up to my modem followed by a hub or can I use the google wifi mesh router/google wifi router hook to the modem followed by the Samsung smartthings hub. Any feedback would be appreciative.
Matt. I've gone through lots of hubs, starting way back with Vera years ago. But Hubitat is the greatest challenge. I WANT to like it, but the learning curve is so steep that I'm not sure it's worth it. Just trying to tie in a couple of kitchen bulbs to voice command in Google is making me age prematurely. I find the app wonky, and what makes it worse is the hub seems underpowered:it can't reach as far into the home as my other hubs. Radio seems weaker. But the geek in me will continue the quest...up to a point. When my wife asks why I'm working so hard on this puzzle, when the other hubs seem so easy, I tell quote Kennedy's moon challenge: we go there because it is hard. Or. You do the Sunday Times puzzle, right? This is mine. Only fellow geeks would get it..
Ha! I feel your pain on that, Ira. Hubitat does have a steeper learning curve than systems like HomeKit, Alexa, etc., which is why I don't recommend it for the beginner or casual smart home user. That first time user experience is something they really need to work on. After I published my video review I had a couple of hiccups with a few zigbee devices dropping from the hub, which is something I never encountered with Smartthings. I ended up tossing a zigbee repeater from Ikea in my kitchen and it solved the issue completely. It seems Hubitat relies more heavily on devices to push the mesh network through your home than the hub itself. Wish I had encountered that earlier, so I could have included that in the video too. What bulbs are you trying to link up? There might be an easier solution than trying a hub like Hubitat.
Hi Matt Thanks for your quality production and analysis. Looking forward to more. I use the Home Assistant system (hass.io which is a docker based version of HA). This runs on a raspberry pi 3 b+ as opposed to the alternative of running HA on a Linux server. I think the HA community will continue to simplify their system and make it more mainstream (perhaps). The docker implementation is an attempt to simplify HA. Great open source system if you don't mind yaml configuration, json and sometimes replacing firmware on sonoff devices to open them up to mqtt etc.. All a bit techo for most, but great fun if you're a propeller head. I have my HA system extracting data from my 10kWh Sonnen house battery and graphing the data for easy review and to trigger automations that depend on the state of the sun and available battery charge etc.. I display the front door video from a Ring doorbell (which I don't like much due to their lack of privacy from Ring and want to replace with a hand built video door bell, a project for another day). I have 4 Foscam security cameras fed through Synology NAS Surveillance Station to HA. I also monitor the NAS stats through HA, (CPU temp and RAM consumption) because it can get hot in Sydney (max I've seen at my place was 47°c 117°f but 6-18°c today, middle of winter). I've also got HA turning on the pool pump when there is at least 3kW of energy coming from the PV cells on the roof and less than 3 octas of cloud cover reported from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. That was a big energy saving, those pool pumps burn 1.5kW for hours. I also installed a Sonoff SV in the electric gate at the front of the house so I can open and close the gate from anywhere (rather than within 10m using the RF remote). I also set up a number of Wemos D1 Minis to trigger opening the gate when you start one of the cars and close the gate when you drive out of Wi-Fi range. D1 minis are plugged into the USB port on the 3 cars that we have (I have adult kids and a front driveway full of cars). Still waiting for a USB port for my motorbike though before I can fit a fourth D1 gate opener. That requires installing firmware on the D1 designed by aderusha. Also some 3D printing to house the D1. Are you into 3D printers? I'm looking forward to my first Tesla model 3 next month (one of the first model 3s in Australia). I'll see how useful HA is at monitoring the Tesla stats I guess. I have a number of Lifx lights but might move to Philips Hues to reduce the number of devices on the Wi-Fi network (they use ZigBee). There are other little things like exhaust fan for drying out the ground under the house that HA turns on when the sun is out. And I track all the car keys on HA with key "Tiles" if you know what they are. And of cause there are a few Google Assistants around the house which HA can drive, e.g. broadcast a door bell sound when somebody presses the front door Ring button or announces that the Wife is leaving work when her iPhone leaves her work zone (Life360 is best for that) configured in HA (that's so I can start cooking dinner in time for her arrival instead of loosing my head in homeassistant configuration). mmm maybe I am a nerd.
Robert ... that's one hell of a system you've crafted for yourself. Awesome stuff. I've tested Home Assistant on both a Synology and Raspberry Pi (worked better on the Pi). I had issues with it on both, but it's one of the most flexible platforms I've tried out. For 90% of people I think they're interested in more of a plug and play model, which is where I think systems like HA, OpenHab, etc. will always struggle. But for those 10% ... a lot of great options. I'm really curious how your DIY doorbell works out. That sounds like a fascinating project. You might want to make a video series on the project to share.
Thanks for this series. Currently I have philips hue all over the house, but don't know which home security option to go with. I would like to have cameras which communicates with the Philips hue lights to start flashing when an alarm should go off. Also to include a sirene and send notification to relevant parties. It shouldn't include a monthly subscription, but store data on a NAS server. Hope you can help or come up with options. Thanks.
Thanks for watching! I think any camera that support RTSP is what you’d be looking for. That’s a video streaming standard for security cameras that something like a Synology NAS can take advantage of. There are some super cheap cameras like Wyze (m.th-cam.com/video/8JeMudwlOzM/w-d-xo.html) that I’m actually looking at testing. A friend of mine has them and loves them. The video I linked to shows how you can link them to a NAS. And they are supposed to support IFTTT, which would allow you to link them to Philips Hue. There’s no alarm, so you’d have to find another way to handle that. Right now I’m testing the EufyCam E, which also supports RTSP and is recording to my Synology NAS. There’s no subscription fee, which is awesome. The camera system has a base with a security alarm (same for the cameras themselves). Downside is there’s no way to integrate to Philips Hue at the moment. Eufy is looking into IFTTT integration, but it’s not here yet.
Hi Matt, I recently got into smart automation. After visiting a friend who went all out. I got a lot of the same thing he had that are hue based. I know it can be more expensive but I absolutely love the hue sync box. I live in an older apartment so unfortunately I can do any smart thermostats. Any thing you recommend that can play will hue or world help a new person start? Ifttt is way to confuseing to set up
Thank you - do you provide consulting? I am in an apartment but am moving to a house in the near future and want to ensure I get the right system for what I want to do.
Love your videos. Just changed to Hubitat and love it so far. One thing I keep seeing in comments and tutorials is that static IP address's are suggested. What is your take on that and if recommended can you recommend a tutorial that would show how to do that.
Thanks! I'd definitely suggest static IPs for hubs like this. Pointing you in the direction of a good tutorial really depends on what router you use for your home network. Every router has a way to assign a static IP (or reservation) for a specific device, but how you go about that can vary. But here's a good article on the high level of it: www.howtogeek.com/184310/ask-htg-should-i-be-setting-static-ip-addresses-on-my-router/
Hi, thanks, this stuff is a big help. If I could ask you to clarify something, if you have a Hue lighting system for example, the WiFi thinks it’s one item thru it’s hub, not all the individual bulbs? Is this an advantage of a platform with its own hub like Hue over Lifx or the hubitat over HomeKit or google?
Nice video Matt, keep up the good work! My question is: can all Lutron wall switches be controlled by the Lutron hub? I have a few that I bought a couple years ago and wifey loves ‘em, unfortunately I didn’t keep the box so I don’t know what the model number is. She doesn’t let me swap ‘em to the ge zwave switches that I like to control through my new Hubitat hub. Thx
Looking forward to the upcoming videos as this one was informative to people like me. I've just started to look at home automation (only basic stuff using WiFi and Sonoff Basics). An example is I've connected our outside light to a sonoff and replaced the original switch with a home made button switch. Not upgraded to tasmota yet... Just curious, I know your going to cover this late to some degree later, my sonoffs connect to what I call our "public WiFi" (for friends and family). This is offered by my home router and isn't part of our main WiFi/cabled connections. Is this safer?? Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching! And yep ... I’ll be touching on the securing your smart home stuff a bit in the series. The way you have it is definitely a good way to go. The hardcore method is to buy a dedicated router that handles all of the smart home stuff on it’s own. Creates a very secure firewall between IoT and your computers. However, I personally think that’s a little overkill. I have an Eero that has a guest network that puts a firewall around individual devices on the guest network. So any IoT devices on the guest network can’t even see each other.
Can you do a “reference” system? Most people want energy savings and some convenience and good security. Just put together a base system, then a way to scale it up by replacing the router etc for a larger home.
Thanks! As a central platform for automations ... Google and Amazon aren't great at all. A good start for the novice, but you'll quickly start hitting the boundaries. HomeKit is far better than those two. Smartthings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, go even further.
I 100% agree with you Matt. Also, I worked for Amazon and can tell you with 100% certainty, they do NOT care about your privacy or security. I will likely do HomeKit for our next home. Thank you for the advise.
Hi Matt I’ve just found your channel and love your style of education, thank you. I’m trying to learn about smart home devices and eventually automation as I’m just starting on a pretty extensive home renovation so I want to try as much as possible to pre plan for eventual more smart devices. I live in the UK and I’d describe myself a low tech savviness, ie I can’t code but I do understand tech. Would you have any tips like ‘make sure you install zwave smart switches everywhere’ or ‘install motion sensors in key rooms’ or ‘definitely install door sensors’ etc. What would you do if you were renovating (or I think you call it remodelling in the US) your home. I already have 3 Nest Smoke Alarms, Nest Thermostat, Nest Outdoor Cam, Solar PV and Enphase, Sonos and Alexa. I just bought a SmartThings hub to experiment but I’ve not found the time to really learn it yet. Love your thoughts. Also there is a hub in Europe called Homey, check it out you might really like it. Pretty expensive €300 so too much for experimenting. I think I want to avoid a closed system like control4 so I can expand as I grow my experience. Thanks in advance if you get to this.
Hi Cameron ... and thanks for watching! From what you already have it sounds like you're on the right track. My biggest thing is to buy things that are as cross platform as you can. With smartthings you're already able to integrate z-wave, zigbee, etc. devices together ... great start. Since most of the IoT you can by run on a wireless protocol of some kind, there's really not too much you have to pre-wire ahead of time. I like zigbee devices a little better because they're easier to link up and remove from a system, but at the end of the day they all work pretty well from my experience. I just hate the z-wave pairing and unpairing process. Thankfully it's not something you have to do often. For smart switches make sure all of our light switches have the proper wiring. Most switches on the market require a neutral wire to have constant power. You won't need smart switches on every switch, but plan which lights you'll want to have smarts from the start. If you have proper wiring, you can swap more out over time. If you're thinking of getting more security cameras, that's one you should plan for. Having power or networking strung to where you think you'll want cameras ... it'll open up A LOT of options for you. Related to that are video doorbells. Make sure you have proper doorbell wiring and power in place if you want to add one or more of those. Otherwise, you're choices narrow by having to look at battery driven and wireless only cameras. I also would recommend just wiring up network jacks into as many rooms as you can. It'll give you space to grow, add computers, hubs, smart speakers, wifi routers, etc. And lastly, I'm not really into wired in motion sensors. They're great and work pretty well, but I've found that I only rely on them to activate/turn on lights or routines when motion is detected. I don't use them to turn things off because you can easily get a lot of false positives. Imagine sitting and watching TV and having all the lights turn off because you sat too still for too long. In a closet, that type of thing is fine ... but in a living space ... it can be dicey. I'd love to try Homey! I reached out to them a few months ago and found out that the U.S. runs on a different z-wave frequency, so it's not compatible. It sounded like they're considering making a U.S. model. If they do, I'm all over it.
@@UndecidedMF Many thanks Matt that's really useful. I appreciate the time you took to put that response together. I spent time time thinking about what I'll need to do and created the following list... It's going to be expensive I think especially if most down lights are Phillips Hue lights, but I did read they should last ~20 years. Item / Use Case Temperature gauge / To determine heating needs Nest Learning Thermostat / Control heating Radiators / Individually controllable rooms, automation Underfloor heating / Controllable zones, automation Lighting / Centrally controllable, voice, switch & automation (Dimming, Warm/White, all house off, Security, Doorbell) Door sensors / To activate lighting & security Cat 6 cable / For Cameras, computers, hubs, WiFi repeater, speakers Wired Smart switches / So lights can be operated manually also Blinds / Controllable via voice, switch & automation. Motion sensor / Turn off lights in some rooms Garage Door / Controllable with button, fob, phone, voice Driveway Gate / Controllable with fob, code, phone, geo fencing, voice, two communication (Doorbird) Outside lights / Auto light on/off trees, driveway when gate/garage opens Security Cameras / Records motion, switches lights on Pool Filter / Controllable away from home Pool Heater / Switch on when Sunny, controllable away from home Energy Monitor / Alert if high eg oven left on Solar PV / Monitor generation to trigger pumps & appliances Rainwater Harvest Pump / Switch on when Sunny Some product I think I'm narrowing down on - Phillips Hue, Doorbird D2101KV, Sense Energy Monitor.. I still need to choose additional cameras (I have one nest out the front already, but Arlos or something out the back might be better), sensors, garage door opener, blinds. etc... and all the smart switched are so modern they won't suite our traditional house... Also here is a review I found of Homey that feels pretty balanced, not fanboy like, th-cam.com/video/c4kEYy-mFM4/w-d-xo.html
Matt, I've watched several of your videos and keep on changing my mind about platforms and which route to go after I watch another video LOL. I've figured out the switches I want but I'm not sure how to get a Humidifier to work with these. Instead of having to download an app for each item i'm using I like the hub route ie hubitat but again I'm stuck on how to power on an item remotely. These switches seem to be good for items that just power up immediately once they have power but not for those that you have to push a button. What's the go around for this situation? Cheers thxs
Hey Matt. Great video as always. My WiFi network at home is an apple time capsule plugged into my router with another time capsule upstairs to extend the network. Can I plug my hubs (hue etc) into the upstairs capsule or does it need to be the main one?
hi matt im really into having a smart home and i love your videos i have a quick question i have both amazon alexa and google home all of my plugs switches and bulbs are hooked up to both. My question is do i need to keep the original apps like phiilips hue or smartlife on my phone if i already have them in alexa and google home
Nice! So many options for the DIY route ... especially with a Raspberry Pi. It’s just crazy that you can pick up a tiny computer for $5 or more that can become the centerpiece of a smart home.
Matt, I'd like if you just made specific recommendations to save me time on research. Most of your videos make me aware of things, which is great, but then I have to spend even more time researching the additional products you bring to my attention. I almost want to be ignorant and just go buy something.
Ha! Thanks for the feedback. I’m starting to look at a few “getting started” packs for a potential video coming up in the next few weeks. Hoping to pull that together.
Hi, just found you...i am currently just starting out with Google hub...but i am about to build my retirement home and wouls like it to be very smart. My wife though is very concerned about the security of these systems and hackers
Thanks for watching! That’s a topic I’m very concerned with myself and have done a few videos on privacy concerns with some systems that are out there (like Alexa). One of the videos coming up in the series discusses security ... that will probably be one you’ll want to watch. My recommendation is to stick with brands you know and trust. Don’t go with no-name brands to save a few dollars. Be sure to read through the privacy policies of the products you’re interested in using. They’ll often include details about how they use your data and where that data is stored. And it’s a good idea to firewall these devices off as best you can on your home network. One way is to buy a separate wifi router that is dedicated to smart home devices and keeps things separate from you computers, etc. I use an Eero Wifi system that has an interesting guest network setup as part of it. Any device on the guest network is firewalled off not just from my main wifi, but also for each other on the guest wifi.
Question about hubs: if I have say a SmartThings device that requires a hub can I just use a Hubitat hub to use the SmartThings devices (as Hubitat supports them) or will I also need the SmartThings hub in between, or can hubitat control them directly? Thanks :)
Hi Matt...I want to use a habitat to have a more secure home but they’re not easy to get in Europe. Are there similar hubs I can use herei in Germany also?
Sadly Europe and the US use different zwave frequencies, so hubs don’t always cross the ocean. The hub that caught my eye before Hubitat was Homey. Unfortunately it’s only available in Europe ... I’d recommend checking that one out. Privacy first design and lots of supported devices. And if you’re comfortable with DIY, look into Home Assistant.
It’s funny....even the autocorrect won’t put Hubitat! I see from the website that they do supply it to Europe so think I can go that route. Thanks for your help and advice and really great videos. The channel will grow hugely I’m sure the interest you’ve awoken in me in smart homes will be wider than you realize
You can study any course related to electronics technology, but with more practical in embedded systems. In embedded systems, programming of microcontrollers and microprocessors, sensors and actuators are done. These are what are being dealt with in home automation systems
I have a question and I really hope you can help me. I don't have any gateway/hub for my smart device, I just connect it directly to my wifi and using google home mini for command and my smartlife app for set the scenes. When my phone died, is my google home mini still can activate my preset scenes?
You had sold me on Samsung SmartThings until I saw the price of batteries for SmartThings sensors. Australian hardware prices: SmartThings Motion Sensor $10 (CR2) and SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor $5 (CR2450) with lifespans of 6 to 12 months. Philips Hue is $2 (apparently 3 AAA) and last at least 2 years.
Yikes ... those are high prices. My Smartthings multipurpose sensors have lasted much longer than 6-12 months. I have one that’s somewhere between 18-24 months right now.
Hi, I keep finding lots of sights for beginners. Is there a good website to go to for.... Beginners +. Trying to change some wall switches and ever brand has a slightly different version than its competitor. Also looking for a LED Flood Light that can change colors over 1200 lumins. Thiughts anyone?
My goto recommendation is typically Philips Hue, but Yeelights are another good option. Same for Cree. One of the reasons I love Philips Hue is that it's supported by just about every system you can think of, so it'll work for you with Amazon now ... but if you switch down the road ... it'll keep on working.
I don't have one, as I moved in with my grandparents to be extremely available in case of a medical emergency. Whenever I have to move back out for work, if I start a family, or death of relatives; I would probably have a new house built, with the highest level of smart home integration built in. I don't want smart switches plugged into switches. I want everything fully integrated and controlled by a central programmable logic controller.
When will the home automation standards become sentient and battle each other to death, Highlander style, until only 1 remains? It would make things so much easier.
This will never happen. But it’s a very nice dream to have. Look at the battles between Android and iOS. Amazon, Google and Apple smart speakers, though I think Apple is losing traction in this battle. Xbox and PlayStation. VHS and Beta, well that battle has been fought and won, then lost for both of them as new tech (DVD) came along. Cassette and 8 track and then DVD again. 3.5” and 5” floppy discs and the DVD AGAIN!!!!!! There’s a pattern here. Maybe we’re looking for the “DVD” of home automation. Only when a perfect system that is compatible with all systems comes along will the world of automation (not just Home) be happy and content. But imagine if you could only buy a Lexus car as it was the standard. They wouldn’t necessarily see the need to push the envelope of designing better cars as there would be no competition to push them to do so. Samsung SmartThings is getting very close to that standard though. In Australia it is only available online, so it’s not quite there yet.
@@SmartHomeHASHTAGS Then how do you explain VINYL making a comeback. Sometimes the low-tech is the right tech. Like meeting people in person and establishing a relationship, not just "Facebook" friends.
I’d love to, but can’t talk from hands on experience. I actually reached out to them a couple of months ago and found out that there’s no U.S. version yet. The U.S. uses a different radio frequency for z-wave, but it does sound like Homey is looking into making a U.S. version. If/when that happens, I’m all over it. Looks like an absolutely amazing system.
I want my smart home to stop sharing all the conversations that happen in my house with the highest bidder. btw if smart home people could put a little sign on their door to let anyone entering know their privacy is about to violated that would be cool.
Setting up an Apple Home-centric setup? If so, that’s a good direction to head in. Great selection of devices out there and the system really is growing nicely. Can’t wait for iOS 13 and what’s coming with the software updates around shortcut automations and HomeKit.
Gah! Sorry about that. I had been good about doing that in my other videos, but completely forgot on this one. I’ll do better with that on the coming videos. Thanks for letting me know.
For people who actually value privacy and want things to just work, Apple’s Homekit is the way to go. Some devices don’t support it but I haven’t ran into an issue where I absolutely need a type of device and no manufacturer makes a homekit version (mileage may vary depending on how deep into the rabbit hole you go). As you said, choose wisely which company you buy from. Can’t wait for Apple Secure Video and Routers. Game changer!
Mari0o0o Agreed! HomeKit is the best combination of “it just works” and solid privacy standards out there! I’m looking forward to the new automation and shortcut features coming to iOS 13!
@Mari0o0o Agree completely on that. Apple Homekit is the only privacy first system from one of the big players out there. I’m edging closer and closer to Apple for my smart home. It’s part of the reason I moved my system over to Hubitat (another privacy first smart home setup) with Homebridge. I’m getting everything linked over to Homekit ... including my older z-wave gear. iOS13 and the new features can’t get here soon enough.
By the way, you should check out Shane’s channel. His entire channel is dedicated to setting up an Apple Homekit house.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell thanks Matt!
Undecided with Matt Ferrell thanks for the recommendation. I definitely will.
Just purchased the land for my retirement home in the mountains. Watching all of your videos for tips on solar, smart home, security and any other items that will make my future home easier and safer. So nice that you do the work and all I have to do is reap the results! Thanks, Matt!
Ha! Thanks for watching, Randy. 👍
Thanks matt! Best explanation on smart home I have ever seen on youtube
I would love to add just a series of cameras that watch about 4-5 areas in and around the house. I start looking into what's out there then get overwhelmed with all the geek stuff and plan on going back to it later... yeah, right! My only experience was when I installed a SimpliSafe system for one of my customers (I do home repairs) and it did go very easy but there is a monthly charge incurred if you want full protection and there wasn't a camera involved with this basic setup. Matt I guess what I'm say here is please do some visual examples of setting up extension to basic systems and where and how video is stored. Clear as mudd??!! I need to learn all this because I need it and many of my customers are asking for small systems.
Home automation doesn’t interest me at all.......but I still find your presentation worth a watch just out of general interest of tech solutions that are out there. You present factual information so well and I applaud both your breadth and your depth of knowledge and the way that you pull all the strands together. Great stuff.
Thanks! Appreciate you still watching it even though it's not something you're interested in. And don't worry, there's a lot more non-automation content coming.
You’re right on Rule 2, the KISS system. So many things can “be made to work” and then reliability, upgrade ability, interoperability, all go out the door. I never want to feel stuck with something because “upgrading” means reconfiguring it all again.
Exactly. Keeping things simple will give you something you’ll be happy with for years as things change and evolve.
Great video as always. Some solid tips here for beginners! Nice job!
Thanks, Shane!
I like how u explain. Very precise
👍 Thanks so much!
I started putting my system together 4 years ago, before many of today’s standards existed. I decided to use the Insteon products, because I could replace light switches and outlets instead of the bulb or appliance, which meant they could be used in manual mode the same as they always had been. However, Insteon is a fairly closed system. Luckily I found a third-party server (indigo) that ran on MacOS that integrates Insteon and Z-wave, as well as Siri and Alexa. I’m always looking for alternates though that make the integration process easier. Looking forward to this series to see what new options exist since I started down this road.
Interesting workaround you found for yourself. I did a little bit of the same thing when I first built out my system. Doubling down on z-wave light switches, which have been somewhat dicey. Transitioned to Lutron for a lot of it, which has much better integrations and reliability. With Hubitat I've got direct/local integration between my Lutron hub and Hubitat. Not that I want one standard to rule them all, but I'd like to see even more unity behind some of the standards.
Earlier today (I was watching old videos) I heard you say “Changing light colors (while rolling your eyes. )YOU GET ME! I’m interested in hvac booster/dampers, individual room temperature sensors, balancing upstairs temps with downstairs temps without “meatlockering” or “Easy Bake Oven-ing” certain areas. I want to know about smart glass (tintable windows) gridding ceiling recessed lighting with smart bulbs to set zones using some or all bulbs in varying configurations, smart locks, geofencing, THREAD devices and such. As you said, useful, helpful things. I’m not a seventh grader!
Thanks, Matt! I am just planning to get into smart home, but, even being tech head, this space is kind of unknown and confusing to me. This video sums it up well! Looking forward to next one. Have a nice weekend!
Thanks so much. And you aren’t alone ... the smart home tech world is all over the map.
Looking forward to this serie. Very good videos as always. 👍🔥
👍 Thanks so much!
personally I loved this video please keep making more , keep it simple stupid is a rule ill definingly follow
Admitting you have a problem is the first step!
I’ve got a Phillips Hue setup and an August smart lock. That’s it for now. The Hue lights with motion sensors allowed me to do something simple motion sensor light switches couldn’t.
I should start a tech addicts anonymous group. ;-) Hue and August are a good place to start for devices. Both rock solid from my experience.
Thanks Matt. I currently use Home Assistant along with Alexa and Google Home.
Nice! Has Home Assistant be rock solid for you? I‘ve had some stability issues with it, but I know a bunch of folks that have had zero issues.
@@UndecidedMF Yes, it has been solid. Still run it on a Raspberry Pi as well.
Thanks Matt - interesting start to your planned series , I look forward to the rest of them
Thanks! As it moves forward let me know if you have any questions that aren’t seeing get answered.
This video really helped me. SUBSCRIBED
Have watched nearly all your videos Matt--well done. Smartthings, echo dot (2nd gen), 5 more dots in the mail, LifX bulb starter pack..."When your mesh network is smarter than you!" Ha!
Ha! Thanks, John. Sounds like you’re going for a dot in every room.
I'm all about the mix match. for sensors buttons and switches. I'm all about Xiaomi because they are dirt cheap, for the light I use Philips hue, lifx, and Yeelight (Mostly yeelight Because they are cheap). for controlling everything I use Home assistant. for voice control, I have google home trough out my house. and android wear. for sockets I use snonff. and then I have lots of DYI stuff like D1 and NodeMcu with humidity sensors, light sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. this is what I can remember on top of my head that I've got, and I can certainly understand you when you say that you got a tech addiction. I can't stop adding stuff to our house. I haven't got much camera stull yet. but I will add it as soon as I can find the time.
Sounds like you’ve got quite the frankenstein smart home (I do too)! It really is a slippery slope adding this stuff in, isn’t it? The more I add, the more I see other opportunities to do more. How do you like the Sonoff stuff?
@@UndecidedMFI like the sonoff. But they are a bit cheap for my liking. By that I mean they are poorly made and they do not have a ground leed by them self. Also having to flash tasmota every single time I wanna add a new one to HA. And by then it's not working with Google home. Unless you got Google to work with home assistant. Which in itself is complicated really make me wanna go crazy and just buy a ton of cheap DIY relays and NodeMcu's as it takes the same time to setup. Overall sonoff are cheap and have lots of uses but they are not for me, in the long run at least. Altho I must say that having a sonoff with the humidity sensor connected to my bathroom ventilation is very useful. As you can set the threshold of humidity before it should start and stop. And if the and a window sensor for the same reason
Thanks for the Beginners guides! Just getting into home automation and looking for inspiration and understanding.
Glad you’re finding it useful!
Really enjoy your videos. Wondering why you're leaving off the Insteon system (no affiliation). I've been using it for years, it seems to fit your criteria in every category. Especially with 200 different integrated devices it seems to exceed current big box/big company/large advertisement budgets options. It runs all devices with one app, including cameras (cameras are the only device using my wifi). One part I like is switches and receptacle take the place of existing dumb devices, no use for expensive smart lamps or plug-in modules cluttering walls. Of course they are a little harder to install. Pricing seems to be competitive and if you wait for sales even better. Thanks again keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching, Michael. No bias on my part for sure. Insteon has a great reputation and a lot of fans (I probably should include them in the mix when talking about all of the options out there). For me personally I went down the path of Zigbee, Z-Wave, and WiFi products because of the wider device options available. It makes it easier to jump around and cherry pick the products I want from a huge number of manufactures. Insteon has a huge edge when it comes to reliability though.
Great video! Way off topic (sorry) but I would love to see a video on the equipment that yo use for your videos - from cameras to video editing software to lights, etc. The quality of your videos is superb.
Thanks! I’ve been wondering if anyone would be interested in seeing what I use to make the videos.
Really enjoy your videos. EZ to understand and very helpful info. If I had many devices and needed a "dedicated wifi router for your smart home devices", does that mean I would need to have 2 internet lines (and 2 modems) coming into my home? According to my ISP, my modem will only support 1 router. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for watching! And to answer your question, no ... you wouldn't need two internet lines. Basically, you'd have your router like you have it today as the main bridge to the internet for your computers, etc. Then you'd be plugging in a separate WiFi router into that one that would run it's own unique WiFi and LAN for smart home gear. All of the smart home gear would still have access to the internet, but wouldn't be able to see anything connected to your main system. It can be a bit technical to get it setup, so the best first thing to try is a guest network on your existing router if that feature exists.
Matt! Love these beginner videos! I purchased a Phillips Hue starter kit and really enjoy using it and wish I had done more research before purchasing. Glad to know that I'll be able to build out my home auto automation system with cheaper alternatives and have everything work together. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks, Roger! And don’t have regrets about Hue. I love my hue lights, and it’s pretty easy to get them working side by side with any other light out there through these broader platforms. Having the Hue hub gives you more options.
Another good video! Thank you for mentioning the Wi-Fi consideration. It is so tempting to buy some of those wi-fi smart product deals. I believe they use connections and bandwidth I might prefer using on other devices.
Thanks! WiFi is an enticing path, but there are some downsides to consider when going that route.
I'm a few days late in watching this video. Another fantastic video Matt! Can't wait to see the rest of the smart home vids.
Thanks, Peter!
Great Video, Matt!
Really appreciating the pivot to Home automation lately - but keep up the tesla talk too!
I used to have an ELK security panel, tied into an isy994 with Insteon for lighting. After watching the hubitat video, I bought one just to play around with it and see if I wanted to use it as the base for an upgrade. Its quite intuitive and the learning curve is a snap compared with the ISY. Insteon seems to be walled garden, and there are few devices outside the ISY that can control it reliably. Now that the Hubitat has my attention, the fork in the road is, do i shell out for a Lutron RA2 Select to get it all under a single platform? Im already thinking this will be the way to go.
Thanks, Morgan! And don't worry ... still a lot more non-smart home stuff on the way. Just trying to get better about my mix and spread the love.
Let me know how the Hubitat experiment goes. I'm really liking mine and it's been a good transition so far. Also, a big fan of Lutron devices. I don't have the RA2 Select, but use the Caseta Pro with a lot of switches and outlets. All rock solid, which is more than I can say for some of the other gear I've tried over the years.
I’m so glad I found your page, I’ve just started to build my smart home. I currently have an Echo Show, Schlage Encode door lock w/ amazon cloud cam, Arlo security (2 cameras), and a few Kasa plugs to control my lamps.
I’m thinking of adding a Nest thermostat and using the smart bulbs instead of purchasing more plugs. Are the smart bulbs, as reliables the plug-ins?
Thanks for watching! And yep, smart bulbs can be as reliable as the plugs, but it’s going to vary depending on the technology/manufacturer. They’re a little pricier, but I’ve had rock solid performance from Philips Hue (that’s my go to recommendation). I haven’t tested any yet myself, but have heard good things about Yeelights.
HI, Matt love your channel. Planning on purchasing a house, and I always wanted a smart home for many years. When I was little I went to Epcot and saw the home in the future. Fell in love with the concept. So my question is do I need a router such as Linksys to hook up to my modem followed by a hub or can I use the google wifi mesh router/google wifi router hook to the modem followed by the Samsung smartthings hub. Any feedback would be appreciative.
Matt. I've gone through lots of hubs, starting way back with Vera years ago. But Hubitat is the greatest challenge. I WANT to like it, but the learning curve is so steep that I'm not sure it's worth it. Just trying to tie in a couple of kitchen bulbs to voice command in Google is making me age prematurely. I find the app wonky, and what makes it worse is the hub seems underpowered:it can't reach as far into the home as my other hubs. Radio seems weaker. But the geek in me will continue the quest...up to a point. When my wife asks why I'm working so hard on this puzzle, when the other hubs seem so easy, I tell quote Kennedy's moon challenge: we go there because it is hard. Or. You do the Sunday Times puzzle, right? This is mine. Only fellow geeks would get it..
Ha! I feel your pain on that, Ira. Hubitat does have a steeper learning curve than systems like HomeKit, Alexa, etc., which is why I don't recommend it for the beginner or casual smart home user. That first time user experience is something they really need to work on.
After I published my video review I had a couple of hiccups with a few zigbee devices dropping from the hub, which is something I never encountered with Smartthings. I ended up tossing a zigbee repeater from Ikea in my kitchen and it solved the issue completely. It seems Hubitat relies more heavily on devices to push the mesh network through your home than the hub itself. Wish I had encountered that earlier, so I could have included that in the video too.
What bulbs are you trying to link up? There might be an easier solution than trying a hub like Hubitat.
Hi Matt
Thanks for your quality production and analysis. Looking forward to more.
I use the Home Assistant system (hass.io which is a docker based version of HA). This runs on a raspberry pi 3 b+ as opposed to the alternative of running HA on a Linux server.
I think the HA community will continue to simplify their system and make it more mainstream (perhaps). The docker implementation is an attempt to simplify HA.
Great open source system if you don't mind yaml configuration, json and sometimes replacing firmware on sonoff devices to open them up to mqtt etc..
All a bit techo for most, but great fun if you're a propeller head.
I have my HA system extracting data from my 10kWh Sonnen house battery and graphing the data for easy review and to trigger automations that depend on the state of the sun and available battery charge etc..
I display the front door video from a Ring doorbell (which I don't like much due to their lack of privacy from Ring and want to replace with a hand built video door bell, a project for another day).
I have 4 Foscam security cameras fed through Synology NAS Surveillance Station to HA.
I also monitor the NAS stats through HA, (CPU temp and RAM consumption) because it can get hot in Sydney (max I've seen at my place was 47°c 117°f but 6-18°c today, middle of winter).
I've also got HA turning on the pool pump when there is at least 3kW of energy coming from the PV cells on the roof and less than 3 octas of cloud cover reported from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. That was a big energy saving, those pool pumps burn 1.5kW for hours.
I also installed a Sonoff SV in the electric gate at the front of the house so I can open and close the gate from anywhere (rather than within 10m using the RF remote).
I also set up a number of Wemos D1 Minis to trigger opening the gate when you start one of the cars and close the gate when you drive out of Wi-Fi range. D1 minis are plugged into the USB port on the 3 cars that we have (I have adult kids and a front driveway full of cars). Still waiting for a USB port for my motorbike though before I can fit a fourth D1 gate opener. That requires installing firmware on the D1 designed by aderusha. Also some 3D printing to house the D1. Are you into 3D printers?
I'm looking forward to my first Tesla model 3 next month (one of the first model 3s in Australia). I'll see how useful HA is at monitoring the Tesla stats I guess.
I have a number of Lifx lights but might move to Philips Hues to reduce the number of devices on the Wi-Fi network (they use ZigBee).
There are other little things like exhaust fan for drying out the ground under the house that HA turns on when the sun is out. And I track all the car keys on HA with key "Tiles" if you know what they are. And of cause there are a few Google Assistants around the house which HA can drive, e.g. broadcast a door bell sound when somebody presses the front door Ring button or announces that the Wife is leaving work when her iPhone leaves her work zone (Life360 is best for that) configured in HA (that's so I can start cooking dinner in time for her arrival instead of loosing my head in homeassistant configuration). mmm maybe I am a nerd.
Robert ... that's one hell of a system you've crafted for yourself. Awesome stuff. I've tested Home Assistant on both a Synology and Raspberry Pi (worked better on the Pi). I had issues with it on both, but it's one of the most flexible platforms I've tried out. For 90% of people I think they're interested in more of a plug and play model, which is where I think systems like HA, OpenHab, etc. will always struggle. But for those 10% ... a lot of great options.
I'm really curious how your DIY doorbell works out. That sounds like a fascinating project. You might want to make a video series on the project to share.
Thanks for this series. Currently I have philips hue all over the house, but don't know which home security option to go with. I would like to have cameras which communicates with the Philips hue lights to start flashing when an alarm should go off. Also to include a sirene and send notification to relevant parties. It shouldn't include a monthly subscription, but store data on a NAS server. Hope you can help or come up with options. Thanks.
Thanks for watching! I think any camera that support RTSP is what you’d be looking for. That’s a video streaming standard for security cameras that something like a Synology NAS can take advantage of. There are some super cheap cameras like Wyze (m.th-cam.com/video/8JeMudwlOzM/w-d-xo.html) that I’m actually looking at testing. A friend of mine has them and loves them. The video I linked to shows how you can link them to a NAS. And they are supposed to support IFTTT, which would allow you to link them to Philips Hue. There’s no alarm, so you’d have to find another way to handle that.
Right now I’m testing the EufyCam E, which also supports RTSP and is recording to my Synology NAS. There’s no subscription fee, which is awesome. The camera system has a base with a security alarm (same for the cameras themselves). Downside is there’s no way to integrate to Philips Hue at the moment. Eufy is looking into IFTTT integration, but it’s not here yet.
Hi Matt, I recently got into smart automation. After visiting a friend who went all out. I got a lot of the same thing he had that are hue based. I know it can be more expensive but I absolutely love the hue sync box. I live in an older apartment so unfortunately I can do any smart thermostats. Any thing you recommend that can play will hue or world help a new person start? Ifttt is way to confuseing to set up
Excellent video, I have a few devices and thought I was doing a good job! Can’t wait for the rest of the series :)
Thank you - do you provide consulting? I am in an apartment but am moving to a house in the near future and want to ensure I get the right system for what I want to do.
Love your videos. Just changed to Hubitat and love it so far. One thing I keep seeing in comments and tutorials is that static IP address's are suggested. What is your take on that and if recommended can you recommend a tutorial that would show how to do that.
Thanks! I'd definitely suggest static IPs for hubs like this. Pointing you in the direction of a good tutorial really depends on what router you use for your home network. Every router has a way to assign a static IP (or reservation) for a specific device, but how you go about that can vary. But here's a good article on the high level of it: www.howtogeek.com/184310/ask-htg-should-i-be-setting-static-ip-addresses-on-my-router/
I’d like to know more about security.
Hi, thanks, this stuff is a big help. If I could ask you to clarify something, if you have a Hue lighting system for example, the WiFi thinks it’s one item thru it’s hub, not all the individual bulbs? Is this an advantage of a platform with its own hub like Hue over Lifx or the hubitat over HomeKit or google?
Looking forward to the rest of this series.
Nice video Matt, keep up the good work!
My question is: can all Lutron wall switches be controlled by the Lutron hub? I have a few that I bought a couple years ago and wifey loves ‘em, unfortunately I didn’t keep the box so I don’t know what the model number is. She doesn’t let me swap ‘em to the ge zwave switches that I like to control through my new Hubitat hub.
Thx
Thanks, Thomas. If they’re Caseta switches, then they can work with the Caseta hub.
Looking forward to the upcoming videos as this one was informative to people like me. I've just started to look at home automation (only basic stuff using WiFi and Sonoff Basics). An example is I've connected our outside light to a sonoff and replaced the original switch with a home made button switch. Not upgraded to tasmota yet...
Just curious, I know your going to cover this late to some degree later, my sonoffs connect to what I call our "public WiFi" (for friends and family). This is offered by my home router and isn't part of our main WiFi/cabled connections. Is this safer??
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching! And yep ... I’ll be touching on the securing your smart home stuff a bit in the series. The way you have it is definitely a good way to go. The hardcore method is to buy a dedicated router that handles all of the smart home stuff on it’s own. Creates a very secure firewall between IoT and your computers. However, I personally think that’s a little overkill. I have an Eero that has a guest network that puts a firewall around individual devices on the guest network. So any IoT devices on the guest network can’t even see each other.
Can you do a “reference” system? Most people want energy savings and some convenience and good security. Just put together a base system, then a way to scale it up by replacing the router etc for a larger home.
Really nice suggestion!
Great video!
You should add a rule for users to stay away from Amazon and Google platforms, I’ve had both and they’re terrible.
Thanks! As a central platform for automations ... Google and Amazon aren't great at all. A good start for the novice, but you'll quickly start hitting the boundaries. HomeKit is far better than those two. Smartthings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, go even further.
I 100% agree with you Matt. Also, I worked for Amazon and can tell you with 100% certainty, they do NOT care about your privacy or security. I will likely do HomeKit for our next home. Thank you for the advise.
very informative
Hi Matt I’ve just found your channel and love your style of education, thank you. I’m trying to learn about smart home devices and eventually automation as I’m just starting on a pretty extensive home renovation so I want to try as much as possible to pre plan for eventual more smart devices. I live in the UK and I’d describe myself a low tech savviness, ie I can’t code but I do understand tech. Would you have any tips like ‘make sure you install zwave smart switches everywhere’ or ‘install motion sensors in key rooms’ or ‘definitely install door sensors’ etc. What would you do if you were renovating (or I think you call it remodelling in the US) your home. I already have 3 Nest Smoke Alarms, Nest Thermostat, Nest Outdoor Cam, Solar PV and Enphase, Sonos and Alexa. I just bought a SmartThings hub to experiment but I’ve not found the time to really learn it yet. Love your thoughts. Also there is a hub in Europe called Homey, check it out you might really like it. Pretty expensive €300 so too much for experimenting. I think I want to avoid a closed system like control4 so I can expand as I grow my experience. Thanks in advance if you get to this.
Hi Cameron ... and thanks for watching! From what you already have it sounds like you're on the right track. My biggest thing is to buy things that are as cross platform as you can. With smartthings you're already able to integrate z-wave, zigbee, etc. devices together ... great start. Since most of the IoT you can by run on a wireless protocol of some kind, there's really not too much you have to pre-wire ahead of time. I like zigbee devices a little better because they're easier to link up and remove from a system, but at the end of the day they all work pretty well from my experience. I just hate the z-wave pairing and unpairing process. Thankfully it's not something you have to do often.
For smart switches make sure all of our light switches have the proper wiring. Most switches on the market require a neutral wire to have constant power. You won't need smart switches on every switch, but plan which lights you'll want to have smarts from the start. If you have proper wiring, you can swap more out over time.
If you're thinking of getting more security cameras, that's one you should plan for. Having power or networking strung to where you think you'll want cameras ... it'll open up A LOT of options for you. Related to that are video doorbells. Make sure you have proper doorbell wiring and power in place if you want to add one or more of those. Otherwise, you're choices narrow by having to look at battery driven and wireless only cameras.
I also would recommend just wiring up network jacks into as many rooms as you can. It'll give you space to grow, add computers, hubs, smart speakers, wifi routers, etc.
And lastly, I'm not really into wired in motion sensors. They're great and work pretty well, but I've found that I only rely on them to activate/turn on lights or routines when motion is detected. I don't use them to turn things off because you can easily get a lot of false positives. Imagine sitting and watching TV and having all the lights turn off because you sat too still for too long. In a closet, that type of thing is fine ... but in a living space ... it can be dicey.
I'd love to try Homey! I reached out to them a few months ago and found out that the U.S. runs on a different z-wave frequency, so it's not compatible. It sounded like they're considering making a U.S. model. If they do, I'm all over it.
@@UndecidedMF Many thanks Matt that's really useful. I appreciate the time you took to put that response together. I spent time time thinking about what I'll need to do and created the following list... It's going to be expensive I think especially if most down lights are Phillips Hue lights, but I did read they should last ~20 years.
Item / Use Case
Temperature gauge / To determine heating needs
Nest Learning Thermostat / Control heating
Radiators / Individually controllable rooms, automation
Underfloor heating / Controllable zones, automation
Lighting / Centrally controllable, voice, switch & automation (Dimming, Warm/White, all house off, Security, Doorbell)
Door sensors / To activate lighting & security
Cat 6 cable / For Cameras, computers, hubs, WiFi repeater, speakers
Wired Smart switches / So lights can be operated manually also
Blinds / Controllable via voice, switch & automation.
Motion sensor / Turn off lights in some rooms
Garage Door / Controllable with button, fob, phone, voice
Driveway Gate / Controllable with fob, code, phone, geo fencing, voice, two communication (Doorbird)
Outside lights / Auto light on/off trees, driveway when gate/garage opens
Security Cameras / Records motion, switches lights on
Pool Filter / Controllable away from home
Pool Heater / Switch on when Sunny, controllable away from home
Energy Monitor / Alert if high eg oven left on
Solar PV / Monitor generation to trigger pumps & appliances
Rainwater Harvest Pump / Switch on when Sunny
Some product I think I'm narrowing down on - Phillips Hue, Doorbird D2101KV, Sense Energy Monitor.. I still need to choose additional cameras (I have one nest out the front already, but Arlos or something out the back might be better), sensors, garage door opener, blinds. etc...
and all the smart switched are so modern they won't suite our traditional house...
Also here is a review I found of Homey that feels pretty balanced, not fanboy like, th-cam.com/video/c4kEYy-mFM4/w-d-xo.html
Matt, I've watched several of your videos and keep on changing my mind about platforms and which route to go after I watch another video LOL. I've figured out the switches I want but I'm not sure how to get a Humidifier to work with these. Instead of having to download an app for each item i'm using I like the hub route ie hubitat but again I'm stuck on how to power on an item remotely. These switches seem to be good for items that just power up immediately once they have power but not for those that you have to push a button. What's the go around for this situation? Cheers thxs
Looking forward for the whole series! Thanks so much
👍 Thanks so much!
Great !
Hey Matt. Great video as always. My WiFi network at home is an apple time capsule plugged into my router with another time capsule upstairs to extend the network. Can I plug my hubs (hue etc) into the upstairs capsule or does it need to be the main one?
Thanks, Jordan! You should be able to pull them in anywhere.
hi matt im really into having a smart home and i love your videos i have a quick question i have both amazon alexa and google home all of my plugs switches and bulbs are hooked up to both. My question is do i need to keep the original apps like phiilips hue or smartlife on my phone if i already have them in alexa and google home
I've gone fully custom. Raspberry Pi's in home network linked to a web server. Video monitoring, temperature sensing, automated sprinkler control
Nice! So many options for the DIY route ... especially with a Raspberry Pi. It’s just crazy that you can pick up a tiny computer for $5 or more that can become the centerpiece of a smart home.
Matt, I'd like if you just made specific recommendations to save me time on research. Most of your videos make me aware of things, which is great, but then I have to spend even more time researching the additional products you bring to my attention. I almost want to be ignorant and just go buy something.
Ha! Thanks for the feedback. I’m starting to look at a few “getting started” packs for a potential video coming up in the next few weeks. Hoping to pull that together.
Hi, just found you...i am currently just starting out with Google hub...but i am about to build my retirement home and wouls like it to be very smart. My wife though is very concerned about the security of these systems and hackers
Thanks for watching! That’s a topic I’m very concerned with myself and have done a few videos on privacy concerns with some systems that are out there (like Alexa). One of the videos coming up in the series discusses security ... that will probably be one you’ll want to watch. My recommendation is to stick with brands you know and trust. Don’t go with no-name brands to save a few dollars. Be sure to read through the privacy policies of the products you’re interested in using. They’ll often include details about how they use your data and where that data is stored. And it’s a good idea to firewall these devices off as best you can on your home network. One way is to buy a separate wifi router that is dedicated to smart home devices and keeps things separate from you computers, etc. I use an Eero Wifi system that has an interesting guest network setup as part of it. Any device on the guest network is firewalled off not just from my main wifi, but also for each other on the guest wifi.
🤔 So where those series that you mentioned? I don't think I've noticed them if they've been start as of yet...
Question about hubs: if I have say a SmartThings device that requires a hub can I just use a Hubitat hub to use the SmartThings devices (as Hubitat supports them) or will I also need the SmartThings hub in between, or can hubitat control them directly?
Thanks :)
Hi Matt...I want to use a habitat to have a more secure home but they’re not easy to get in Europe. Are there similar hubs I can use herei in Germany also?
Sadly Europe and the US use different zwave frequencies, so hubs don’t always cross the ocean. The hub that caught my eye before Hubitat was Homey. Unfortunately it’s only available in Europe ... I’d recommend checking that one out. Privacy first design and lots of supported devices.
And if you’re comfortable with DIY, look into Home Assistant.
It’s funny....even the autocorrect won’t put Hubitat! I see from the website that they do supply it to Europe so think I can go that route. Thanks for your help and advice and really great videos. The channel will grow hugely I’m sure the interest you’ve awoken in me in smart homes will be wider than you realize
What course should I study in the university or college to be a certified home automation technician or engineer?
You can study any course related to electronics technology, but with more practical in embedded systems. In embedded systems, programming of microcontrollers and microprocessors, sensors and actuators are done. These are what are being dealt with in home automation systems
I have a question and I really hope you can help me. I don't have any gateway/hub for my smart device, I just connect it directly to my wifi and using google home mini for command and my smartlife app for set the scenes. When my phone died, is my google home mini still can activate my preset scenes?
I mean without a manual voice command, just utilize the preset scenes
You had sold me on Samsung SmartThings until I saw the price of batteries for SmartThings sensors.
Australian hardware prices:
SmartThings Motion Sensor $10 (CR2) and
SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor $5 (CR2450) with lifespans of 6 to 12 months.
Philips Hue is $2 (apparently 3 AAA) and last at least 2 years.
Yikes ... those are high prices. My Smartthings multipurpose sensors have lasted much longer than 6-12 months. I have one that’s somewhere between 18-24 months right now.
Good
Please how can I become expect in Smart home installation..tnx
I want my smart home to connect to my Neuralink implant..
We’ll be in full-on Neuromancer territory when that finally happens.
don"t dumb down yer home! haha /s
Hi, I keep finding lots of sights for beginners. Is there a good website to go to for.... Beginners +. Trying to change some wall switches and ever brand has a slightly different version than its competitor. Also looking for a LED Flood Light that can change colors over 1200 lumins. Thiughts anyone?
I have a fire TV cube end it is hooked up to three ring Doorbells I would like to get some kind of lighting system but I don’t know what to get
My goto recommendation is typically Philips Hue, but Yeelights are another good option. Same for Cree. One of the reasons I love Philips Hue is that it's supported by just about every system you can think of, so it'll work for you with Amazon now ... but if you switch down the road ... it'll keep on working.
I don't have one, as I moved in with my grandparents to be extremely available in case of a medical emergency.
Whenever I have to move back out for work, if I start a family, or death of relatives; I would probably have a new house built, with the highest level of smart home integration built in. I don't want smart switches plugged into switches. I want everything fully integrated and controlled by a central programmable logic controller.
I wonder if Apple HomeKit will support ZigBee or Thread down the road. 🤔
That would be awesome. Something tells me it isn’t likely, but I hope I’m wrong.
Please review the brilliant smart light switch
I’d love to, but it requires a neutral wire. My house is older and most of my switches don’t have one.
Are 2 Google WiFis good enough for multiple smart home items?
They should be ... it's a good system and should be able to handle a bunch.
When will the home automation standards become sentient and battle each other to death, Highlander style, until only 1 remains? It would make things so much easier.
I would pay good money to see that happen. How can we make this happen?
This will never happen. But it’s a very nice dream to have.
Look at the battles between Android and iOS. Amazon, Google and Apple smart speakers, though I think Apple is losing traction in this battle. Xbox and PlayStation. VHS and Beta, well that battle has been fought and won, then lost for both of them as new tech (DVD) came along. Cassette and 8 track and then DVD again. 3.5” and 5” floppy discs and the DVD AGAIN!!!!!! There’s a pattern here. Maybe we’re looking for the “DVD” of home automation.
Only when a perfect system that is compatible with all systems comes along will the world of automation (not just Home) be happy and content.
But imagine if you could only buy a Lexus car as it was the standard. They wouldn’t necessarily see the need to push the envelope of designing better cars as there would be no competition to push them to do so.
Samsung SmartThings is getting very close to that standard though. In Australia it is only available online, so it’s not quite there yet.
@@SmartHomeHASHTAGS Then how do you explain VINYL making a comeback. Sometimes the low-tech is the right tech. Like meeting people in person and establishing a relationship, not just "Facebook" friends.
If you have the time, also discuss homey controller from athom.com
I’d love to, but can’t talk from hands on experience. I actually reached out to them a couple of months ago and found out that there’s no U.S. version yet. The U.S. uses a different radio frequency for z-wave, but it does sound like Homey is looking into making a U.S. version. If/when that happens, I’m all over it. Looks like an absolutely amazing system.
You don't mention OpenHAB as a platform. It is worth a look.
Thanks for the call out. OpenHAB is one that I recently added to my list.
Tom Cruise with no hair! Did anybody ever tell you that brotha?
Ha! I’ve gotten that comment a few times, which always makes me laugh. I am so no Tom Cruise in person ... I’m the skinny, awkward, nerdy Tom Cruise.
@@UndecidedMF it's not that you look like him, it's him looking like you 🤜🤛
@@paul9387 ha!
C by Ge bulbs, Hue bulbs, Nest, some smart plugs,,, all through google home
Nice collection of stuff.
I want my smart home to stop sharing all the conversations that happen in my house with the highest bidder. btw if smart home people could put a little sign on their door to let anyone entering know their privacy is about to violated that would be cool.
I've had enough of smart home tech. It's problematic, temperamental and is now boring me. Thanks for the video.
It can be those things for sure. It’s really the Wild West, which makes it that way. With some careful system choices it can be very reliable.
Last
First
I literally said “yeesss yess yees” at 0:03, even tho I’m alone in the room. sry if bad English
Ha! I take it you’ve been waiting for something like this series. 😉
Undecided with Matt Ferrell yes
My goal in life is to have a house like IRON MAN
I named my Tesla Jarvis ... I’m right there with you.
OpenHAB
Another good option.
Apple home
Setting up an Apple Home-centric setup? If so, that’s a good direction to head in. Great selection of devices out there and the system really is growing nicely. Can’t wait for iOS 13 and what’s coming with the software updates around shortcut automations and HomeKit.
Can you try to mute the Amazon wake words. Thank you 🙏
Gah! Sorry about that. I had been good about doing that in my other videos, but completely forgot on this one. I’ll do better with that on the coming videos. Thanks for letting me know.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell I watch another TH-camr who says Alex A and it works really well.
Michael Hughes Ha! Nice ... I like it.
I have a few of these devices smart bulbs, smart plugs, Siri but I'm really not fascinated by them I don't want to talk or hear about it. Don't care.