bmercier Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 Hello, I was wondering if anyone is using automation for Halloween. I was thinking that it may be cool to use Ring as a trigger for sound outside, or perhaps activate some movement. This could be when kids ring the bell, or as they approach the door. Anyone has plans like this? If so, share your ideas!
dakall Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 I use the Camect NS to change the brightness of the lights on our front sidewalk from 75% to 100% when a person is detected there. This is year round. Last year, I had strobe lights plugged into outdoor on/off modules and controlled by the Camect NS. That was a bit too much; the wife didn't really like that. This year, I'm going with a fog machine and a couple of Sonos speakers outside that will all be triggered as someone approaches. Wish me luck.
bmercier Posted October 17, 2023 Author Posted October 17, 2023 On 10/13/2023 at 3:33 PM, dakall said: I use the Camect NS to change the brightness of the lights on our front sidewalk from 75% to 100% when a person is detected there. This is year round. Last year, I had strobe lights plugged into outdoor on/off modules and controlled by the Camect NS. That was a bit too much; the wife didn't really like that. This year, I'm going with a fog machine and a couple of Sonos speakers outside that will all be triggered as someone approaches. Wish me luck. Sounds like a great idea! How do you trigger the Sonos speakers - Are you using Sonos or ST-Sonos plugin? Can you expand on what you do with the Sonos integration? Are you using spotify, or have the Sonos talk with the text to speech?
Whitehambone Posted October 18, 2023 Posted October 18, 2023 I have used IP cameras to trigger devices where motion sensors have not worked well. Interesting topic! 1
dakall Posted October 18, 2023 Posted October 18, 2023 21 hours ago, bmercier said: Sounds like a great idea! How do you trigger the Sonos speakers - Are you using Sonos or ST-Sonos plugin? Can you expand on what you do with the Sonos integration? Are you using spotify, or have the Sonos talk with the text to speech? I use the Camect NS to trigger it all when the front door camera sees a person on our front sidewalk. I also use the Sonos plugin. I keep meaning to try the ST-Sonos plugin, but this one "ain't broke" and does what I want/need. I have a Plex Media server typically running for our music. I put some spooky sounds on it that I play on a couple of Sonos Move speakers that I hide outside. (Obviously, I'm not putting the speakers outside if the weather isn't permitting.) I have the sounds on a loop and I just mute and unmute the speakers as needed. I forgot to add that I also have Hue light bulbs in my exterior lights that turn from the normal white light to a purple-ish during this time. I use the Hue NS for that. (I do other colors for other holidays.) Let me add that all this is only for the 4 hour trick-or treating window. So here is what happens: Camect NS detects a person. Sonos speakers unmute. The outdoor on/off module turns on the fog machine. The Hue lights turn purple. I do a 60 second WAIT, and then everything goes back to normal, ready for the next victim. The sad part of all this is that we do not have a lot of kids in the neighborhood. My wife says I do this more for me than for them. I guess that's what happens when you retire and have too much time on your hands. 3
lilyoyo1 Posted October 19, 2023 Posted October 19, 2023 On 10/13/2023 at 12:07 PM, bmercier said: Hello, I was wondering if anyone is using automation for Halloween. I was thinking that it may be cool to use Ring as a trigger for sound outside, or perhaps activate some movement. This could be when kids ring the bell, or as they approach the door. Anyone has plans like this? If so, share your ideas! My stuff is pretty simple. All of our outdoor lighting is Hue stuff. During Halloween and Christmas, instead of turning on normally, everything will be based on the event we're celebrating.
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