People usually have PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras installed in their houses to ensure 24/7 security. These cameras only need one Ethernet cable for power and networking, and they ensure reliable connection and high-quality recording.
It would be a great idea to connect the existing PoE cameras to HomeKit, which is Apple’s smart home platform. It connects all devices in one place, making access and control much easier.
In this article, we will explain how to choose the right PoE cameras for HomeKit and connect them to the platform without any hassle.
Why Integrate PoE Security Camera with HomeKit?
PoE cameras are more advanced than HomeKit-compatible cameras. They offer reliable performance and can record 24/7. You can store recordings of several days, weeks, and months in the NVR or camera’s microSD card. On the other hand, most HomeKit-compatible cameras record only when they sense any motion.
PoE cameras are trusted for most applications. They have a reliable wired connection, which is much better than Wi-Fi. They offer some incredible features like colored night vision, human/vehicle detection, instant alerts, time-lapse, two-way audio, alert systems, etc. You can’t find these special features in simple HomeKit-compatible cameras.
HomeKit only allows up to 1080p resolution, so the native cameras can’t record high resolution. On the other hand, PoE cameras can record 2K and 4K resolutions that give extra clear videos and fine details. You can upload the downgraded version to HomeKit and enjoy the higher resolutions on NVR.
How to Choose the Right HomeKit PoE Camera?
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while selecting a HomeKit PoE camera.
High Video Quality
Check the resolution of the camera. It should be at least 2K; for a better visual experience, select a 4K camera. The second important thing is the wide field of view. It is a must for outdoor surveillance. The wider the field of view, the more information you’ll have in a frame. Finally, there should be color night vision to give real colors at night and in low-light conditions.
Two-way Audio
The two-way audio allows you to talk to the person near the camera from anywhere. The camera has built-in speakers and a microphone. Your camera should have this feature to facilitate communication.
Remote Viewing with Apple Devices
The camera should be compatible with Apple devices so that you can access it from anywhere to see the live preview. It will send alerts and allow you to access recordings from the device.
Compatibility with HomeKit
There is no PoE camera compatible with HomeKit, so you don’t need to worry about this. All PoE cameras need a server like Homebridge to connect to the Home app.
Brand
Go for a reliable brand that offers excellent cameras, after-sales service, and complete solutions for home security cameras.
Budget
Select a brand that offers reliable cameras at an affordable price. Do not compromise on the quality of the camera. Pick the one with excellent resolution and features and a reasonable price tag.
HomeKit PoE Security Camera Recommendation
16MP High-Resolution Security Camera - Reolink Duo 3 PoE
DUO 3 is a dual-lens 16MP PoE camera that takes video quality to an extreme level. You get clear videos with fine details. It can cover a vast area through its lenses and stitch both videos together, so you get a 180⁰ field of view.
The camera can track the motion of objects and send instant and accurate alerts on your devices. It is an ideal option for outdoors due to its rugged design, color night vision, sirens, and other extraordinary features.
Groundbreaking 16MP Dual-Lens PoE Camera
16MP UHD, Dual-Lens, Motion Track, 180° Wide Viewing Angle, Power over Ethernet, Color Night Vision.
4K PoE Security Camera System - Reolink RLK8-800B4
This complete security camera system covers your whole house, office, or warehouse. It has four PoE cameras and one NVR to offer a reliable security system.
The cameras record 4K Ultra-HD videos for crisp and clear visuals. They offer person/vehicle detection, clear night vision, and weatherproofing.
The NVR has 2TB of built-in storage, which is enough to store recordings for weeks. Plus, it has eight channels, which means you can connect four more cameras.
4K 8-Channel PoE Security System
4 pcs 4K Ultra HD Security Cameras; 2TB HDD 8-Channel NVR for 24/7 Recording; Person/Vehicle Detection; Plug & Play; 2 Network Solutions.
How to Integrate PoE Camera with HomeKit?
The easiest way to integrate PoE security camera HomeKit is Homebridge. It is a NodeJS server that emulates iOS HomeKit API and can be set up on your Mac or PC.
Get Homebridge from the official website and install it on your PC or Mac according to the given instructions. After that, follow the steps below to integrate Reolink PoE cameras.
Note: Reolink cameras can’t be connected directly to HomeKit. They need Homebridge or similar servers to build the connection.
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Go to Homebridge and search for the Camera Ui plugin. Click Install.
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Once it is installed, you need to configure it. Click Config.
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Go to Cameras. Type the name you want.
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Under Stream Configuration, enter the video source and video substream source. You need to enter the right RTSP address. Say you are using RLC-811A. Go to the website and look for the camera model. Click the URL. Enter your IP address, username, and password. Click Generate URL. Once you have the URL, you can copy and paste directly.
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Restart Homebridge and open the Home app. Add your cameras manually to HomeKit. After that, you’ll be able to access all cameras directly from the Home app.
FAQs
1. What camera is compatible with HomeKit?
You can find cameras compatible with HomeKit online. But these cameras aren’t suitable for 24/7 security. They are just for recording simple videos after detection motion. They do not have enough space and high-end features like PoE cameras.
2. Do Reolink cameras work with HomeKit directly?
No, Reolink cameras do not work directly with HomeKit. Not only Reolink but also other PoE cameras are not compatible directly with HomeKit. It is essential to use a tool that can connect Reolink cameras with HomeKit.
Conclusion
Apple users prefer to connect their security cameras to HomeKit. It allows them to view their cameras and control other devices with one app. However, there is no way to connect PoE cameras with HomeKit directly. You need to use Homebridge and similar solutions to connect both and access the cameras in the Home app. You can follow the steps we have mentioned in the article and connect your existing PoE cameras with HomeKit.