Great thread. Really long and with lots of info. Thanks for the 101
@David L .
I have an EZVIZ DB1 to REPLACE My old video-intercom that used an AC/DC transformer (28VDC, 15W) installed near the gate at the entrance (doorbel is for the gate, not the house door). I bought a DIN rail transformer for continuous service (Primary: 230VAC - Secondary: 12-24VAC 40VA). Reading the thread I found out that the DB1 supports DC, while on datasheet there was no mention. Could have saved €30 if I waited to read everything. The DB1 will be installed really close to where the current DC transformer is, so I guess that it would've worked.
My issue is that I wanted to replace my intercom system, uninstalling the old unit (outside and inside monitor), without using an internal chime, but using Amazon Echo devices installed in every room to notify when someone rang the new doorbell. I thought the EZVIZ Alexa skill would support this, but I can only tell Alexa to SHOW the video of the cam (and it is working fine with latest fw Build 191211. It doesn't wake up the Echo devices to notify the event. So I'm really disappointed about the missing feature. Is there any way to make this work, through other software?
I'm also using a Synology DS1812+ to record everything using the integrated surveillance software, it works perfectly, event though without ONVIF support the config is really basic, but it fits the need. One thing you lose without ONVIF is the possibility of using the camera's internal motion detection feature, instead of the VideoSurveillance software integrated one (I tried this using Nelly's firmware, integration was perfect with more config features, I recommend Nelly's fw over Laview for EZVIZ DB1 owners, less upgrade/downgrade issues). Even though the VS software on the NAS lets you fine-tune the detection zone with the grid approach, and it works fine.
On my mobile I'm using both EZVIZ app and Synology DS Mobile app (the videosurveillance sw client) and I get notifies at every motion detection event by both apps. I could uninstall EZVIZ app, but I need it to answer when someone rings. Too bad it can't be done with the DS Mobile. For configuration I'm using only Hikvison's Config Tool.
So now I have to find a way to let my Echo devices wake up and notify me when someone's at the gate and rings the doorbell and I can uninstall my old videointercom. I also need to integrate a feature to open the gate (right now the old intercom uses a 12V relay) I found a sonoff external button that has an integrated relay and integrates with Alexa. So I will then want to answer the doorbell via app and then instruct Alexa to open the gate, and I will also have a manual button outside in case internet connection is down.
I thought to share my experience like many kind people did here (I learned a lot from everybody, thanks) so newcomers could have more information to digest.
Thanks in advance for every suggestion you could give me about solving my issues and improving my installation.
