Introduction
A video doorbell can be a great way to upgrade your home's security and see who is at your door, even when you aren't able to answer. However, many popular smart doorbells on the market can be quite expensive. With some DIY spirit and basic technical skills, you may be able to convert your existing standard doorbell into an inexpensive Raspberry Pi-powered video doorbell.
In this guide, I'll cover the basic concepts and components needed to potentially create your own video doorbell using a Raspberry Pi. However, please keep in mind that modifying devices can be complex, and you should only attempt this if you have the necessary technical expertise. Proceed at your own risk.
Overview of Video Doorbells
A video doorbell is a doorbell that is equipped with a digital camera to capture video footage of your doorstep. When someone rings the doorbell, it can send a mobile notification to your phone and allow you to see and communicate with visitors via an app, even if you're not home.
Many commercial video doorbells available today also have features like motion detection, night vision capability, cloud storage for footage, and integration with smart home platforms. However, these features often come at a high price point.
Why Use a Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is an inexpensive, credit card-sized single board computer that is very versatile for DIY electronics and programming projects. It has inputs and outputs that allow it to interface with cameras, screens, sensors and more.
The Raspberry Pi has just enough computing power to handle recording video footage when the doorbell button is pressed and streaming it to your mobile device. Using a Raspberry Pi allows you to potentially build a video doorbell with custom features at a fraction of the cost of commercial options.
Some other benefits include:
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Low cost - Raspberry Pi boards start at around $35. Add a camera module and other components and you can keep the total cost under $100.
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Customizable - You can modify both the hardware and software to suit your needs. Add extra sensors, customize the video stream, or tweak the app interface.
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Open source - The Raspberry Pi uses open source software like Raspbian OS, allowing you to dig into the code.
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Educational - Great way to learn more about electronics and programming.
Basic Components Needed
If you want to attempt to build your own video doorbell with Raspberry Pi, here are some of the main components you'll need:
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Raspberry Pi - The brains of the operation. A Raspberry Pi Zero W or 3B+ would work well.
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Camera module - Attaches to the Pi to capture video. Seek one with night vision ability.
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MicroSD card - To store the OS and video recordings. Aim for at least 16GB.
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Power supply - A 5V micro USB power adapter. Can often reuse a phone charger.
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Doorbell button - Wire this to GPIO pins to detect when it's pressed.
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Mono or stereo speaker - For audio alerts and communication.
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Voltage regulator - To safely reduce mains voltage to 3.3V for the Pi.
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Jumper wires and breadboard - For prototyping connections.
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Waterproof housing - To protect the Pi from outdoor elements.
Potential Workflow
Here is one approach on how a DIY Raspberry Pi video doorbell could potentially work:
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Existing doorbell button is wired into the Raspberry Pi's input pins.
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When the button is pressed, the Pi activates the camera module to start recording video.
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Video is saved locally on the microSD card.
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The Pi sends a push notification over WiFi to the homeowner's smartphone.
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Homeowner opens the app and can view the live video feed and communicate through the speaker.
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Video footage can be stored in the cloud and reviewed later.
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Motion detection can be implemented to also start recording when movement is detected.
Challenges and Considerations
While a homemade video doorbell using a Raspberry Pi is certainly feasible, there are some challenges and factors to consider:
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Requires soldering and electrical work to install and connect components.
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Need to waterproof the setup so it can withstand weather outside.
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WiFi connectivity may be tricky depending on distance to router.
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Setting up remote access and routing footage to your phone takes networking knowledge.
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Limited onboard storage, so cloud integration or external storage may be needed.
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Powering the Pi continuously will be necessary. Battery packs could work.
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Configuring motion detection and minimizing false alerts may take some tweaking.
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Functionality will be more basic than a commercial product.
Overall the process will require some experience with electronics and Raspberry Pi programming to setup a reliable system. Be ready to deal with troubleshooting issues as they arise too. But the learning experience along the way can be very rewarding!
Final Thoughts
Converting an ordinary wired doorbell into a smart Raspberry Pi video doorbell is an intriguing DIY project for the tech savvy. It allows you to gain video intercom abilities and useful home security features at a fraction of the cost of commercial options.
However, this project does require technical skills to install, configure, code, and troubleshoot your own custom doorbell system using the Raspberry Pi board and camera. Make sure to do thorough research before attempting any wiring or modifications. But with some clever hacking, it may be possible to upgrade your boring doorbell in a fun and educational way.