HA for Beginners: You NEED to know this before trying Home Assistant! (the basics)

Everything you need to know before starting Home Assistant! The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/makeitwork07221
What's up Smart Homers! I hope you enjoy this video - it's a bit of a different style! I'm hoping that this little informational video helps you decide to use #HomeAssistant! This open-source software will change your definition of #smarthome! Thanks for watching!
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[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for watching! The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/makeitwork07221

[@MHM4V3R1CK]

Exactly the primer I needed after struggling with the basics for some time. Thank you!

[@makeitworktech]

Glad it helped!

[@MatSmithLondon]

I’ve used Node-RED for many years, and have hundreds of custom programmed flows / automations etc. I have installed HA many times over the years (usually in virtual machines on my hyper-v server) but just never really “got on” with the software. The main reason was that I didn’t really understand the concepts. This is the first time I have bothered to find out more about the concepts, and your video was really excellent at making these things clear! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put in to making this video. I think I’m going to try to get back in to Home Assistant now.

[@makeitworktech]

I'm glad to hear it! I think this kind of information should be included in a "tutorial" within Home Assistant

[@DonParlor]

Not a newbie anymore, but always entertaining to watch your videos!

[@makeitworktech]

Wow, thanks sir!

[@farlo144]

Great timing on this video. I just discoverd HA this morning!

[@makeitworktech]

Awesome! It's a great platform for sure!

[@Frem_Kra]

Home assistant is biggest scam ever - lack of real security, HACKS is full of security free integrations not to mention lack of stability. "Developers" are another problem If you mentions about issues on forum Petro or Zack will bann you without warrning. Also - they banning russian developers :))) Also seems like platform will be monetized soon that is why "developers" constantly avoiding security and stability discussion not to mention their "political" inclinations.

[@jamegrabham9992]

This was great...new subscriber here...thank you for the overview....well done...:)

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Glad it helped! 🙏

[@conecomputersuk]

Nice introductory overview of the HA areas and a very smart looking wall tablet!...what card are you using for the time/date on the tablet ?

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!! That's the custom digital-clock card from HACS

[@GarryNeeman]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@makeitworktech]

You are welcome!

[@Antiik2]

Yes more dashboard tutorials please :)

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll at least do one or two!

[@bat3332]

yes definitely needed

[@StuartEdick]

One of the best explanations I've heard

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!!

[@EricDankbaar]

Clear! Thanks.

[@makeitworktech]

Glad it helped!

[@kennshearer526]

Great intro thank you. Always difficult to avoid tech-talk. How about a beginners guide to HA Bluetooth? Must be one of the most confusing setups in HA. Still haven’t managed to get my HA to see any Bluetooth devices - and I have many. Running on a Mac which has Bluetooth as standard and even bought recommended USB Bluetooth dongle but still no luck 😤

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! I really don't have much experience with running HA on a PC, and I don't own any macs, so I'm not sure I could help, but have you tried Bluetooth proxy? Instead of using a Bluetooth dongle, you can buy an M5 Stack Atom Lite ($7) flash it in about 2 minutes, and plug that into a 5v usb charger. It connects to WiFi, and it acts as a Bluetooth radio. HA will automatically recognize it and you'll start pick up bluetooth devices. I may do a video on that method, but I don't have any understanding of how PCs/Macs work with bluetooth.

[@mpxz999]

What was that "smart button" thingy you have setup with your projector~? Thank you for the lovely video!

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! That's a Moes 4-Button scene controller. I covered it in this video a while ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eF6kfKF8drutqbs This is the controller: amzn.to/3HHibHb

[@romanykemp9042]

2nd vid that you produced that I've watched (the first was a basic dashboard howto). You do a great job at explaining some of these basic concepts. You need to do another dashboard howto though :-)

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! That's on my list for one of the next ones!

[@samboden6352]

Thank you for this great overview. I have heard great things about the ConBee II & HA amd an wondering if you have by chance tested it. It seems to be great when you use different brands of sensors and light

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Yes, I use the Conbee II for my test setup, so every ZigBee device I own works with it!

[@samboden6352]

@@makeitworktech Thank you for your reply! So it's a good tool you say, i think i'll get it.

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah it's great!

[@Frem_Kra]

Home assistant is biggest scam ever - lack of real security, HACKS is full of security free integrations not to mention lack of stability. "Developers" are another problem If you mentions about issues on forum Petro or Zack will bann you without warrning. Also - they banning russian developers :))) Also seems like platform will be monetized soon that is why "developers" constantly avoiding security and stability discussion not to mention their "political" inclinations.

[@MrQuattrodave]

I am just starting on this journey, This is quite a detailed overview. I am Mac based. is there a Mac equivalent as I see HA is PC based

[@dannyguy0411]

Thanks!

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the thanks!!

[@hildalopez1252]

Your videos are amazing! Good job. I need a Step by Step guide for Dummies on how to setup HA. I tried once before and found it very challenging : ( I think a step by step would help me to follow and try again : ).

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Was my video from last year not what you're looking for? Or has HA changed to much since then?

[@hildalopez1252]

@@makeitworktech no worries. I watched another video and FINALLY have HA installed on my laptop. Now to continue watching your videos to add cards! BTW your videos are awesome, thank you : )

[@makeitworktech]

Awesome! Wow, thanks!!

[@joeking5211]

would have been informative if the 'other video' was pointed to for other poor confused and bemused noobes, like me, and i'll guess many many others out there. @@hildalopez1252

[@jay-rus4437]

HA just seems overwhelming. It always seems that it is discussed as a easy to setup and use program. Unfortunately we then see a video, like this one, that then shows lines of programming language that we are supposed to somehow understand. While I consider myself fairly capable, as an example Im radio operator and run digital formats, have raspberry pi that handle various functions, and yet the HA seems to be very in-depth which makes it confusing for those of us that dont have significant computer programming background

[@makeitworktech]

I agree, it does appear complicated Like I mentioned in the video though, I don't have a programming background, and it's not too bad to figure out. You really don't need to touch the code unless there's something you're trying to add that doesn't yet have integration via user interface set up yet. There is a lot to it -- a single machine acting as the brains of an entire smart home isn't going to be simple! Compare to the competition: you can do more without coding than both Hubitat and SmartThings.

[@MadBison]

I am a ham radio operator and a software dev with almost 40 years coding. Setting up Home Assistant in the last 5 weeks has been an exciting learning project. The config and initial setup on a raspberry pi to just put the image on an SSD drive and have it on the network and picking up a bunch of bluetooth and wifi connected devices was surprisingly easy. Even the switch from a Pi3b+ to a Pi400 migrating my configuration was so much easier than i thought it would be! Andthe discovery of esp32 bluetooth proxies was a significant upgrade. But, I think it's a project to do as a backgrounder, just tinkering from there on. I set up node red, and it seemed very difficult for me to understand what was needed to get the task done, even with extensive coding knowledge. The power of HA and Node Red is truely amazing as someone who has spent a career automating tasks in the digital world. But, the learning curve is very steep, so just play around with it adding a small automation occasionally, taking time to enjoy the learning process. I would not tackle Home Assistant as a task to complete in a number of days. Slowly roll out your improvememts as you have time. In time, you will get better at the configuration, and Home Assistant will get better at automating your home. I think it's all about "discovery".

[@Chequr_Prostate]

@@MadBison Lol. I think you just made his point.

[@MarteSystems]

I like the design of your dashboard! Can you show us how you created some of your dashboards?!!!

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks, I'll work on that!

[@emilianofernandezcervantes4042]

Great video! I was confused with all the different home assistant functionalities so this was very useful.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks, I hope it helped!

[@asderven]

Thank you for the video. I just had a tiny, basic question, I downloaded home assistant, I have a few WiFi devices. Home assistant asks me for a server address, I stopped there. Do I have to set up a virtual server, or need a dedicated machine for this? If I have zigbee hub, would I be able to use that as a server? You give really interesting ideas for home automation, once I get past the initial stumbling blocks, I’ll definitely expand and share. I find that home assistant is super useful for elderly people. Do you know if there is a sensor that can detect if a person falls in the bathroom/room? Or someone has been in a room or bathroom for too long and should check on them?

[@makeitworktech]

You need a dedicated machine - use a Raspberry Pi or an Intel Nuc. You can also buy the Home Assistant Green or Yellow. The Zigbee hub alone will not work

[@TheBEGamer]

Great video and all but why is it never mentioned that using home assistant requires the users to pay a monthly fee? In other words, do you know if there's any way I can integrate WLED with Google home without having to pay for it every month?

[@makeitworktech]

Home Assistant is free!

[@gripperrod]

But you need a Nabu Casa subscription to easily integrate with Alexa and Google?

[@z7502z]

Hi Aaron, I am trying to set up smart home within next 12 months. With Matter rolling out, do you think it is still necessary to learn erverything about HA? Thanks!

[@makeitworktech]

I think HA is still important to learn if you want maximum flexibility, because there are MANY companies that make smart devices (like bluetooth) that will not be matter compatible. I'm honestly a bit skeptical of how wonderful Matter has been spoken of, and am not going to make any decisions based on the promises of Matter until I see them fully developed. Either way, HA is still extremely useful if you want to a have a truly automated home. That's my 2 cents!

[@mrme1380]

How did you create the clock card? It looks cool. Would you mind to share the codes? Thanks

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! It's actually a custom card from HACS, you can download it there!

[@retrogamemachines]

really like your dashboard would like mine to look like yours

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!

[@emailyarabrandao]

hi there. i watched your video but i am still a bit confused. here at my home i only use products from MOES that are zigbee 3.0 and sonoff also zigbee 3.0. i do have 3 curtain motors that are tuya bluetooth. i have their hubs and i also have an IR RF hub so i can control my ac, tvs and fans via my alexa. i just need a dashboard that will entregate most of this as i will only stick to these brands. is there something easier to use? i do have a tablet that runs android 13 that i want to use. thanks in advance.

[@makeitworktech]

What smart home platform are you using to tie them all together? Or are you using them with their individual apps?

[@Waterbottle365]

Let’s see that dashboard! I have a mounted tablet, but admittedly not the best at making a nice looking dashboard, so it’s a bit empty right now..

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@lenluviner8373]

I’m trying to learn about how I’d accomplish the setup I want but there doesn’t seem to be a similar setup. I have a HTPC with Kodi for watching all my ripped movies. All I want to do is to be able to press play on my Harmony One remote and the Sylvania smart lights turn off in my movie room and when I press stop or pause I want the lights to come on.

[@makeitworktech]

I do that with Plex and Home Assistant, but I've never used HTPC or Kodi

[@RyanVandeWetering]

I can’t figure out how to integrate Aqara devices. Any advice or tutorial you can share?

[@makeitworktech]

It depends which devices, and how you want to integrate them! They are Zigbee devices typically, so you can use a Zigbee USB radio like I did here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6a9hGNjndhosJI), or you can add the hub (and all devices via the hub) using this method (www.home-assistant.io/integrations/xiaomi_aqara/), which I've never done because I don't have the hub. I'd recommend getting a Zigbee radio and doing it. If you do, most of my Ultimate Comparison Series (kzbin.info/aero/PLUTKOGJvdIQ8_2aKKAQUGFQkLcYscJltq) videos contain Aqara devices and I show how to pair them in each. I hope this helps!

[@LokiDaFerret]

I'm not understanding why I would want home assistant. If I'm using smart things or Google home on my Samsung device what benefit do I get from home assistant?

[@makeitworktech]

WAY more integrations with a LOT more customization. Local control of devices (you don't rely on their cloud to function)

[@bat3332]

one thing i have noticed is there is harldy information on what are helpers in homeassitant and its uses. can you cover in future video

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks I'll add Helpers to the list!

[@durtydeedsREI]

What is that tablet you are using with the HA dashboard?

[@makeitworktech]

That's the Fire HD10 2021. I'm working on a video about my experience with a HA wall panel after a year, and some info about how I installed this second one

[@Frem_Kra]

Home assistant is biggest scam ever - lack of real security, HACKS is full of security free integrations not to mention lack of stability. "Developers" are another problem If you mentions about issues on forum Petro or Zack will bann you without warrning. Also - they banning russian developers :))) Also seems like platform will be monetized soon that is why "developers" constantly avoiding security and stability discussion not to mention their "political" inclinations.

[@vPeteWalker]

I can't seem to figure out how to add the HA community store. I went to Integrations, but it's not there. I even went to the web site as prompted, and no dice. Any help someone can provide?

[@makeitworktech]

I'll try to help. To install HACS, the easiest way is to install an SSH add-on that allows you to access the HA terminal. I use the add-on called "Terminal & SSH". You'll find that in the Add-On store. Once installed, open it and then type the required commands to install HACS. These instructions can be found at hacs.xyz/docs/setup/download. Once you type in those commands, you can follow the instructions there to set it up the rest of the way. It's not too hard!

[@dogcatmause]

Almost nothing here told is true. I had a little experience before with php html raspberry and arduino. By my experience in HA you definitely need coding skills if u want anything to work. And yes - for new user this WILL be overwhelming. Most horrible, horrible thing is customize those customizable dashboards. I can guarantee to everyone who starts with HA weeks - probably months with sleepless nights depending how many gadgets u have in your house. If you can make it work it would definitely be a great thing, but for that u MUST be a computer geek.

[@makeitworktech]

Agree to disagree! 🍍

[@Tekwyzard]

I'm from a similar background and my experience with Homeassistant has been, and continues to be the same as yours. It rarely 'just works', and when it does it's usually a surprise. Templating, Yaml, and scripting to get it to do anything remotely 'intelligent' is an absolute nightmare, often made worse with every single update that deprecates something or slightly tweaks the new syntax of how it's now meant to be done. When it works, once all the battles and late nights are done, it's utterly stunning, in so many good and amazing ways. But I would never in a million years recommend it for novice use until someone else has put the work into setting it up and making it work. So much of the terminology and the underlying set up was utterly frustrating for me, someone who is very computer savvy, so God help a beginner at stuff. I firmly believe that's why it's not gaining traction as it really should (in addition to the ongoing worldwide 'shortage' of things like raspberry Pi's), but the easier the Devs make it for beginners, the more frustrating it gets for the experienced users, it's hard to win.

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

it's like there help files - written by engineers for engineers given to the newbe

[@dogcatmause]

@@martehoudesheldt5885 I myself like to think of that like buying a new car from Elon. Only this time the car comes in the big box like Ikea furniture, and only instructions how to put it together is picture of finished car

[@makeitworktech]

Don't forget, English isn't the first language of many of the developers

[@lawrencemanning]

If they make a Home Assistant speaker that acts as a voice assistant for HA I’ll buy 3 at least.

[@makeitworktech]

Same! I mentioned that to them at CES and they're considering it

[@lawrencemanning]

@@makeitworktech WTH. I meant to put that comment on your recent third reality video, but it looks like you figured that out. ;)

[@makeitworktech]

@@lawrencemanning weird haha I didn't even notice

[@TechySpeaking]

You can't just gloss over that "single keypress on the keyboard triggers a scene and changes your background", we're going to need some details on that.

[@makeitworktech]

Haha, that one is quite complex. It involves the use of HassAgent and Lively Wallpaper. I should do a video on it

[@TechySpeaking]

first

[@tomaszurbanowicz4737]

The most important disadvantage is that home assistant is not free like smartthings. I was used to turning on the lights using Alexa, which in home assistant you have to pay for. Home assistant is hopeless compared to smarttings. Examples: sometimes it shows that the lights are on when they are not on, sometimes the thermostats are offline, then after 2 days they are online, Motion sensors sometimes work and sometimes they don't work. I thought it would be faster because it is local compared to smartthings - it is not. I am disappointed with how it works after watching videos praising the home assistant. I think most of these videos are sponsored.

[@makeitworktech]

Home Assistant is free, and it even supports LOCAL voice control. You give up the ability to use Alexa (cloud based) for keeping things local. Using Alexa is user error. A lot of things can cause the issues you describe, most of which are poorly integrated devices or a poorly configured network, not Home Assistant's issue. Home Assistant is an open source platform, and Nabu Casa does not sponsor videos.

[@tomaszurbanowicz4737]

You are right. To use home assistant you need to be programming expert with 100 of hours spent with home assistant not average person. Everything I connected to home assistant works without any issue with smartthings so explain me please what I did wrong with my network what was working before with smartthings? @@makeitworktech

[@MarcCalvert]

You just said you don't need to be a programmer, so you start hawking a way to learn programing. LOL I just deleted home assistant, everyday spent my time trying to get and keep it running. I wish I understood it, but... it's not that easy

[@makeitworktech]

You don't need to be a programmer, but it's a valuable skill! 😁 Sorry to hear that!

[@A456GHk67]

Great video! I pay for youtube premium. You override that, resulting 👎

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks!

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

good selling vid but put your money where thy mouth is. make a vid of a newbie (non programmer) setting up and using it. and make a device bought and built do something .

[@makeitworktech]

I already did

[@aszona4115]

terrible. entirely promotional.

[@makeitworktech]

😂

[@KameraShy]

Wrong! Home Assistant has the worst user interface I have ever seen over my 50 years in IT. Confusing, obtuse and impossible for the reasonably astute user to figure out how to perform the basic functions. They make it worse by inventing their own terminology which is not clear and compounds the confusion. Its usability is suited for experienced programmers. And NOT explained well here.

[@makeitworktech]

Do you currently use Home Assistant?