[Official] Home Automation Thread

[dareaper]

oic - then no point - neutral switches should work well too as experienced by many bro out here.
Ya, the switches should be the same regardless of shopee or taobao - and should connect to the M2 hub global version too. Actually if you're just purely using Aqara - the china version hub should work (it works with homekit too). Else - if you're using google home or alexa - you'll need to get the global version

Hi, just to check on what you mentioned about aqara switches and google/alexa. I have aqara switches on xiaomi hub, and have not been able to link the switches via mihome to alexa/googlehome. Would having an aqara hub (global version?) solve the issue?

 

[ho_kuku]

Hi, just to check on what you mentioned about aqara switches and google/alexa. I have aqara switches on xiaomi hub, and have not been able to link the switches via mihome to alexa/googlehome. Would having an aqara hub (global version?) solve the issue?

Halo @dareaper ,
U tried linking mi account in the google home app?
any other product appear in ur google home?
so far - my mihome account are set to the china region - no problem linking xiaomi products to google home.
My yeelights, mi fan, robots are all linked to google.
However my switches are on the aqara hub - so can’t validate. It should work though

 

[kurokaze88]

Hi gurus, bought a resale and have a few qns before I stock up during 11.11.

Context to make qn answering easier:

• Zigbee Hub:
  • Either Samsung ST or Aqara M2, don't really wanna mess around too much w/ HA
  • If using Aqara, prefer not to use China region due lag
  • Integration w Google Home nice, but not necessary
• Smart switches for lights - previous owner has a lot of track lights, may not be easy to get smart bulbs for those
• Smart blinds - prefer to use a smart winder since I have existing dumb blinds
• Smart lock - if possible I want hands free opening (eg facial recognition or presence detection from phone)

Questions

1. Switches: If using Aqara M2 international version, can the D1 China switches still work with it, without changing to China region? I know there'll be no integration w Google Home.
2. Switches: If using ST, how stable is the DH for the non-neutral Aqara switches? Anyone had exp using that?
3. Switches: If using ST and I don't get Aqara, any other recommendations for switches?
4. Smart blinds: The Aqara E1 Roller Driver seems like the best fit for me, but international version everywhere like got no stock sia. Anyone know if China ver work outside China?
5. Smart blinds: If Aqara is no go I might go with Ikea FYRTUR. Anyone with exp on how well it works with ST or Google Home? Definitely don't wanna buy the Ikea hub just coz of the blinds...
6. Smart lock: I know some of the newer Samsung locks have ST integration based on Hanman brochure - can they be auto-unlocked based on routines I set in ST, or u die die need to interact with some app?
7. Smart lock: If not Samsung I might go with August coz they have geofencing etc, but seems like without the August connect its kinda ****. Anyone got exp?

Sorry for so many qns and thx!!

 

[hellvolhardzelinsky]

Hi, going to meet my electrician too. Is it recommended to lay neutral wire for all points?

If not, which one should I prioritise to lay neutral wire?

 

[mirage_77]

If i may ask a quick question here as i just started looking into Home automation -

Besides the newer features (and obviously power plug) that Google Nest 2 (US Set) have over Google Nest Gen 1 (SG set), are there any differences on the usage?

More towards if a Sg set able to recognise our Singapore accent (Singlish) better, or give Singapore-related answers. If no diff, then will get Gen 2 since newer.

 

[ho_kuku]

Hi gurus, bought a resale and have a few qns before I stock up during 11.11.

Context to make qn answering easier:

• Zigbee Hub:
  • Either Samsung ST or Aqara M2, don't really wanna mess around too much w/ HA
  • If using Aqara, prefer not to use China region due lag
  • Integration w Google Home nice, but not necessary
• Smart switches for lights - previous owner has a lot of track lights, may not be easy to get smart bulbs for those
• Smart blinds - prefer to use a smart winder since I have existing dumb blinds
• Smart lock - if possible I want hands free opening (eg facial recognition or presence detection from phone)

Questions

1. Switches: If using Aqara M2 international version, can the D1 China switches still work with it, without changing to China region? I know there'll be no integration w Google Home.
2. Switches: If using ST, how stable is the DH for the non-neutral Aqara switches? Anyone had exp using that?
3. Switches: If using ST and I don't get Aqara, any other recommendations for switches?
4. Smart blinds: The Aqara E1 Roller Driver seems like the best fit for me, but international version everywhere like got no stock sia. Anyone know if China ver work outside China?
5. Smart blinds: If Aqara is no go I might go with Ikea FYRTUR. Anyone with exp on how well it works with ST or Google Home? Definitely don't wanna buy the Ikea hub just coz of the blinds...
6. Smart lock: I know some of the newer Samsung locks have ST integration based on Hanman brochure - can they be auto-unlocked based on routines I set in ST, or u die die need to interact with some app?
7. Smart lock: If not Samsung I might go with August coz they have geofencing etc, but seems like without the August connect its kinda ****. Anyone got exp?

Sorry for so many qns and thx!!

Can only answer to q1
M2 hub work with all aqara switches - i dun think switches are tied to any region.

2 version of M2 hub available - china And global. China version is also homekit compatible. Global verison is google, alexa and homekit compatible

regarding your question 2 - you may be better off picking the official smartthings supported switch. Since u haven’t bought anything yet - why bother with DH

 

[ho_kuku]

If i may ask a quick question here as i just started looking into Home automation -

Besides the newer features (and obviously power plug) that Google Nest 2 (US Set) have over Google Nest Gen 1 (SG set), are there any differences on the usage?

More towards if a Sg set able to recognise our Singapore accent (Singlish) better, or give Singapore-related answers. If no diff, then will get Gen 2 since newer.

There should be a noticeable improvement in sound quality if u listen to music. 1st gen doesn’t really sound good.
There is not really much difference between us and sg set besides the obvious power plug. You can still define ur region in the setup and change it to sg. But i doubt it recognises the singapore accent - even for sg set

 

[kurokaze88]

Can only answer to q1
M2 hub work with all aqara switches - i dun think switches are tied to any region.

2 version of M2 hub available - china And global. China version is also homekit compatible. Global verison is google, alexa and homekit compatible

regarding your question 2 - you may be better off picking the official smartthings supported switch. Since u haven’t bought anything yet - why bother with DH

For 2, my fear is tt w Samsung not producing ST hardware anymore, then dunno how much longer the ST hub can be good for...also $$ coz Aqara is so much cheaper...

 

[comcrepe]

Just set up Homebridge on a raspberry pi.

waited for my conbee 2 stick from Amazon to arrive before I set up Homebridge but realised I did not really need the conbee stick since I have hue.

The idea of getting the conbee stick was to get ikea tradfri lights and some generic smart strip lights I got from AliExpress to show up on HomeKit. but tradfri lights can show up on hue via a 3rd party app.

so now I’m stuck with the conbee stick. Not sure if I should return it or does it even help in extending the range of my Zigbee signal for hue and aqara switch. Not sure if it’s the conbee stick or just physiological that makes me justify keeping the conbee but the aqara switches and hue lights seem a bit more responsive with the conbee stick.

 

[Evilbear]

Hi gurus, bought a resale and have a few qns before I stock up during 11.11.

Context to make qn answering easier:

• Zigbee Hub:
  • Either Samsung ST or Aqara M2, don't really wanna mess around too much w/ HA
  • If using Aqara, prefer not to use China region due lag
  • Integration w Google Home nice, but not necessary
• Smart switches for lights - previous owner has a lot of track lights, may not be easy to get smart bulbs for those
• Smart blinds - prefer to use a smart winder since I have existing dumb blinds
• Smart lock - if possible I want hands free opening (eg facial recognition or presence detection from phone)

Questions

1. Switches: If using Aqara M2 international version, can the D1 China switches still work with it, without changing to China region? I know there'll be no integration w Google Home.
2. Switches: If using ST, how stable is the DH for the non-neutral Aqara switches? Anyone had exp using that?
3. Switches: If using ST and I don't get Aqara, any other recommendations for switches?
4. Smart blinds: The Aqara E1 Roller Driver seems like the best fit for me, but international version everywhere like got no stock sia. Anyone know if China ver work outside China?
5. Smart blinds: If Aqara is no go I might go with Ikea FYRTUR. Anyone with exp on how well it works with ST or Google Home? Definitely don't wanna buy the Ikea hub just coz of the blinds...
6. Smart lock: I know some of the newer Samsung locks have ST integration based on Hanman brochure - can they be auto-unlocked based on routines I set in ST, or u die die need to interact with some app?
7. Smart lock: If not Samsung I might go with August coz they have geofencing etc, but seems like without the August connect its kinda ****. Anyone got exp?

Sorry for so many qns and thx!!

Not sure whether I should answer this, you probably watched my videos already.

1. According to Aqara - 'In theory, only the oversea products (regardless they are global/US/EU/UK version) are configured be to connected with the oversea servers. But in real world, users sometime might be able to add the Chinese version products to the oversea servers, and that's mainly because these Chinese products share the same model value and hence the same configuration with the oversea products. Of course this won't be the case for all Chinese products, and that's reason we highly recommend global users to purchase "right" Aqara products that are designed to be sold and used in the local region.'

2. Yup I am using ST with Aqara non neutral switches and they are working perfectly fine for me. But I can only say for those switches that I am using. Some people say 3gang switches will have problems but some of my viewers comment it works fine using the DH I am using

3. I never use other brands before but can explore Shelly/Sonoff

4. No idea

5. Works perfectly with ST. If you don't intend to get the ikea hub then your question to work with Google home is NA.

6. You can probably check with Hanman directly

7. No experience with August locks. As long as ST has geofencing, it doesn't matter I guess.

 

[comcrepe]

Smart lock: If not Samsung I might go with August coz they have geofencing etc, but seems like without the August connect its kinda ****. Anyone got exp?
Sorry for so many qns and thx!!

I use the august smart lock which is the first gen.
They now have the wifi version that eliminates the need for the august connect.
But if you have an Apple TV, you can use Apple TV as the hub and do away with the august connect if you opt for the 1st gen august lock.

never bothered with Geo fencing cos that’s fluffy stuff to me. I just use my iPhone to unlock.

 

[Evilbear]

If i may ask a quick question here as i just started looking into Home automation -

Besides the newer features (and obviously power plug) that Google Nest 2 (US Set) have over Google Nest Gen 1 (SG set), are there any differences on the usage?

More towards if a Sg set able to recognise our Singapore accent (Singlish) better, or give Singapore-related answers. If no diff, then will get Gen 2 since newer.

Get gen 2, able to support thread is a big one. SG google store can preorder already

 

[dareaper]

Halo @dareaper ,
U tried linking mi account in the google home app?
any other product appear in ur google home?
so far - my mihome account are set to the china region - no problem linking xiaomi products to google home.
My yeelights, mi fan, robots are all linked to google.
However my switches are on the aqara hub - so can’t validate. It should work though

thanks for the response! I linked mihome to alexa / googlehome, but alexa/googlehome don't detect the mi hub (china server) and hence the aqara switches are not connected either. Have switched to using only alexa recently, and only my mi robot can be discovered in alexa...

 

[scenium]

Not sure whether I should answer this, you probably watched my videos already.

1. According to Aqara - 'In theory, only the oversea products (regardless they are global/US/EU/UK version) are configured be to connected with the oversea servers. But in real world, users sometime might be able to add the Chinese version products to the oversea servers, and that's mainly because these Chinese products share the same model value and hence the same configuration with the oversea products. Of course this won't be the case for all Chinese products, and that's reason we highly recommend global users to purchase "right" Aqara products that are designed to be sold and used in the local region.'

2. Yup I am using ST with Aqara non neutral switches and they are working perfectly fine for me. But I can only say for those switches that I am using. Some people say 3gang switches will have problems but some of my viewers comment it works fine using the DH I am using

3. I never use other brands before but can explore Shelly/Sonoff

4. No idea

5. Works perfectly with ST. If you don't intend to get the ikea hub then your question to work with Google home is NA.

6. You can probably check with Hanman directly

7. No experience with August locks. As long as ST has geofencing, it doesn't matter I guess.

Hi,

For you Aqara Switch, do you require to add capacitor to your light? Do you experience the light to flicker? Sorry, im new to SmartHome.

So does it means that even buying from local official store in SG like Lazada or Shopee it will connect to local server or it will connect to oversea server?

What app is ST and what does it stand for?

 

[ho_kuku]

Just set up Homebridge on a raspberry pi.

waited for my conbee 2 stick from Amazon to arrive before I set up Homebridge but realised I did not really need the conbee stick since I have hue.

The idea of getting the conbee stick was to get ikea tradfri lights and some generic smart strip lights I got from AliExpress to show up on HomeKit. but tradfri lights can show up on hue via a 3rd party app.

so now I’m stuck with the conbee stick. Not sure if I should return it or does it even help in extending the range of my Zigbee signal for hue and aqara switch. Not sure if it’s the conbee stick or just physiological that makes me justify keeping the conbee but the aqara switches and hue lights seem a bit more responsive with the conbee stick.

Actually the conbee stick is to replace ur hue and aqara hub. Home Assistance with conbee should be able to access all ur hue n aqara devices.

If you are using HA to link to your hue and aqara hub - then not much point. The integration can be achieved via homebridge unless u love the UI in HA.

if you are having lot of other zigbee device - then conbee makes sense. But if u r keeping ur smart home devices to hue and aqara (plus keeping their hubs) - the conbee stick is really quite extra.

 

[comcrepe]

Actually the conbee stick is to replace ur hue and aqara hub. Home Assistance with conbee should be able to access all ur hue n aqara devices.

If you are using HA to link to your hue and aqara hub - then not much point. The integration can be achieved via homebridge unless u love the UI in HA.

if you are having lot of other zigbee device - then conbee makes sense. But if u r keeping ur smart home devices to hue and aqara (plus keeping their hubs) - the conbee stick is really quite extra.

yah boy. learnt it the hard way. at least I can return the conbee 2 stick to amazon.
will stick with hue since the UI is more friendly and will invite fewer complaints from the boss.

 

[ho_kuku]

yah boy. learnt it the hard way. at least I can return the conbee 2 stick to amazon.
will stick with hue since the UI is more friendly and will invite fewer complaints from the boss.

Haha. “Fewer complaints from the boss” - oh boy what a perfect way to put it. I am in the same boat

 

[ho_kuku]

Get gen 2, able to support thread is a big one. SG google store can preorder already

@Evilbear , quick check with you. I know you are comparing the different vac robots. If I am getting the s7 - u think ok or can explore other brand? I will use it for light mopping too. For my s6 - I’ll clean and change the mop pad for each room.

 

[comcrepe]

Haha. “Fewer complaints from the boss” - oh boy what a perfect way to put it. I am in the same boat

yah boy. but then i might keep the conbee stick since I managed to get the tradfri remote to show up in homekit via homebridge and conbee. but adding one tradfri remote just for conbee seems a bit overkill.
maybe will try their dimmer switches.

 

[Nights_Ice]

The community is your best friend,
https://community.smartthings.com/

Thanks