Reolink automation

[warm briar]

I have Reolink security cameras that I want to operate only when nobody at home, i.e., when the alarm system is on. The thing is the my alarm system is old and doesn't support integration / interception of events (PIMA Hunter, not Hunter Pro).
Any ideas on alternative options other than replacing the alatm system?

[reef aspen]

You can use your phones to detect when you're not home, and use that as a trigger the security cameras

See https://community.home-assistant.io/t/when-last-person-leaves-select-people-and-a-zone-add-your-conditions-and-actions/723601

[warm briar]

Thanks a lot! If I get it correctly, the idea is to define each of the family member's iPhones as entity in HA, and then trigger the security camera when ALL are out, right?

[reef aspen]

Yeah, that's what I do for triggering any automations when everyone leaves

But note that it's flaky in the sense that if someone's battery dies or data is disconnected etc., then the information of "not at home" is not sent. And HA thinks someone's still home

If I were triggering security set up, I'd be more conservative and use other detection techniques (like motion detectors) to decide if the system should be started

Alternatively, if you already have a reliable system to start the alarm system, you might want to figure out dumb ways to capture events from that. Eg: trigger a bulb or a switch to be turned on by your dumb security system and then monitor that using a standalone device

Example, if you've some LED that lights up reliably, then put a tiny detector in front of it. Or if you've a plug that your system can turn on -- us that to signal to HA