Tplink Tapo C200 Security Camera NOW Works like Magic in Apple HomeKit

[@jacoboalaluf6896]

Hi, can you help me? (my camera) Failed to fetch snapshot. Snapshot request handler provide empty image buffer! I get that message over and over again, I already checked that everything is configured correctly. Any ideas? TY

[@eddiedsuza]

On what device are you'll honebridge on ?

[@dimipot6670]

j@@eddiedsuza I have the same problem. My device is a Synology DS218j. Have you any idea?

[@uksuperrascal]

GREAT VIDEO - BUT what is the DC power requirement that is written on the AC to DC wall adapter ?

[@eddiedsuza]

The power adapter comes with the product.

[@robtor]

I've got a Tapo c200 in another home set up with my logins and account and can't make it to work. What's the procedure with a camera that's in another house?

[@eddiedsuza]

You will be able to access it by having another homebridge instance running in that home together with a apple tv or homepod mini to broadcast the feed to your Apple Home app.

[@VenkatVisvanathan]

Hi Eddie, Thank you for yet another good video. I setup my new c120 tapo cameras using both plugins. And I observed that the camera plugin works great in streaming the video. The tapo plugin loads and stops and adds a frame after 15 seconds. 1. Am I missing something on the tapo plugin? All the packages are up to date as far as I can see 2. Can both plugins be on at the same time? 3. I put both the cameras in the same room and seems the switches and motion sensor is merged at the room level Thx in advance for your response.

[@eddiedsuza]

Hey Venkat ... When the video stops - can you please check the logs on why it stopped. Yes you can use both plugins depending on your needs. You just need to make sure the same cam has 2 different names in the Home App

[@arvmanson]

Hey Eddie, love your vids. thank you. i wanted to ask a question pls. i have homebridge running on a synology NAS. i configured the tapo c320ws accordingly and can see the rtsp stream on vlc player with no issues. however when i follow the instructions you gave for the plugin it returns an the prebuffering error like the earlier comment by a different user. the IP address is correct, complete with the camera credentials. i have turned off SD card recording. i also disabled the multiple detection feature in the tapo app. downgraded the video quality on tapo app to 1920. upgraded ffmpeg package on synology to the latest (i have installed all packages ffmpeg 4, 5, and 6). what could be the problem?

[@arvmanson]

Quick update (24.12.2023) : i have managed to get the still images to appear on apple HomeKit. Still images refresh after every 15 seconds. However, clicking on them to see the stream does not work. CameraUI just returns an image "Camera Offline". Therefore i am led to believe that the CameraUI plugin does not work properly anymore, as the last update to the plugin was in April 2022. Whereas TAPO cams have had a few firmware updates since then; not to mention apple's new tvOS/iOS update to 17.x (on HomeKit) at the moment. For Eddie's followers out there, The steps i had taken to get (at least) the still images to work were:- 1. Within homebridge, ensure that the "homebridge-camera-ui", is running as a CHILD BRIDGE 2. Within the NEW "homebridge-camera-ui" Child Bridge, ensure that each camera is running BRIDGED - uncheck the run "unbridged" option. 3. All other settings are similar to what Eddie had stated in the video. I also reverted settings in the TAPO APP to record at its maximum, and enabled the "Record to Micro SD" option - and the 15 second still images updates (within iPhone "Home" app) still work fine. This will suffice for the time being for me- I will however refer to Eddie's video on using "Synology Surveillance Station with Scrypted" to see if i have better luck there. If i can get that to work better, then i will look into purchasing the additional Camera licenses for surveillance station (as there are only 2 free out-of-the-box free licenses). Thanks Eddie. Love your work mate.

[@eddiedsuza]

Appreciate the feedback and explanation. I finally got my hands on Pi 5 and tested the cam with both plugins that is Tapo as well as camera UI. They worked as intended. For the camera ui, i did not run the plugin as bridged however for the cam the unbridged option was checked. Snapshots and HKSV worked without any issues

[@aveshvedantam8878]

Thank you so much for this video. I was searching on the internet for a while for this integration. When I try to stream on VLC, I keep getting RTSP authentication (username and password) popping up, and it is not working even when I enter my credentials. Do you think I made any mistake, or do I need to open any ports on the router? Please advice. Thank you.

[@eddiedsuza]

try using this *rtsp://username:password@ipaddress/stream1* You have to make sure the IP address is reserved and the username / password is correct

[@hadi1jammoul]

@@eddiedsuza same problem, even tho i did reserve my ip

[@sudosaurus]

Hey Eddie, just received my new C210 and C110 and initially tried to setup the C210 through home bridge as per the guidance. The stream works correctly in VLC. However after restarting home bridge and going to enter the code (which I've noticed never changes?!), no accessory is added - I'm unsure whether this is due to the tvOS 17.0 issues I raised with you on the other video a couple days ago or not?

[@eddiedsuza]

you'll need to add it manually. tap on the + sign ? add accessory and will see your camera to be added. Use the same code that you see on your homebridge status page

[@djjluvv]

Hey Eddie how would i add a tapo camera to hoobs? I tried to follow along the best i could. Ive added the details but the bridge keeps stopping then starting again

[@eddiedsuza]

Good Question ... Please check if the plugin loads and is able to provide the same configuration options. The things is with HOOBS - it redoes the UI

[@costingheonea4597]

Is it possible to add the rtsp link also directly in Scrypted?

[@eddiedsuza]

Yes you can ..

[@DjFonzii]

awesome video ! Does anyone know if this works with the updated C210 model?

[@eddiedsuza]

Hey Dj Fonzii ... If you see the advanced option to setup RTSP and is not battery powered ... then you should be good to setup

[@TSAKOPIAKOS]

Hi Eddie if I do the second plug-in with the HSV does the memory auto delete the old videos?

[@eddiedsuza]

With HSV - you can stores only the last 10 days of footage in icloud. It automatically deletes the old videos.

[@TSAKOPIAKOS]

@@eddiedsuza you’re the best thank you 🙏🏻

[@eddiedsuza]

@@TSAKOPIAKOS Cheers and have an awesome day !

[@RautProductions1]

Hi I am using the camera ui plugin to add c200 camera. I have enabled HomeKit secure video but i am unable to see the timeline in the home app. What may be the possible reason? Btw i have enabled tapo cloud recording, can it cause issues in homekit?

[@eddiedsuza]

It does take time to populate the timeline and also ensure you have enabled stream and record under recording options

[@RautProductions1]

@@eddiedsuza it records using Scrypted but not with camera ui plugin. I checked the logs and whenever a motion is detected it starts recording and then it says FFmpeg recording process exited with error! (null)

[@luisfirra]

Can I block Internet access from the camera and still access via local network and Homekit?

[@eddiedsuza]

yes you can do that

[@Valnurat]

where is the metadata saved? Cloud, SD card or a location of your own choice?

[@eddiedsuza]

iCloud

[@sudosaurus]

Eddie, will the new C220 camera work with Scrypted?

[@eddiedsuza]

Yes it does via RTSP

[@levan3195]

How i could use some features like Motion / Detected people ?

[@eddiedsuza]

You can use the inbuilt sensor when setting up automations.

[@brycematthers]

Hey Eddie, I'm receiving this error "[tapo-camera] Error during setup of camera undefined The "data" argument must be of type string or an instance of Buffer, TypedArray, or DataView. Received undefined" with no stream?

[@brycematthers]

UPDATE: I'm now getting multiple error codes including failed to grab snapshot. Any help for this?

[@eddiedsuza]

For the data error - please add the camera name. Additionally - I just installed Homebridge via Docker on a Pi 5. Followed my own tutorial and I can confirm the device works perfectly. Please let me know where you are having an Issue.

[@kbigk8758]

Hello Eddi! I have been trying for days to get my cameras in homebridge (raspberryPI 5) with different plugins to run neither with ffmpeg nor with Camera.ui the second always makes my system crash! The peculiar is on vlc all streams work and in homebridge it is displayed but the stream works I (failed to fetch snapshot) and in HomeKit gray screen and no connection. Thanks 4 help

[@eddiedsuza]

ffmpeg still doesnt work with the Pi 5 ... Thats the issue its not broadcasting via HB

[@kbigk8758]

Thank you very much, so would it be better to work with home assistant? I have now bought homekit cameras, all good@@eddiedsuza

[@brycelewis5595]

@@eddiedsuza so I can’t get up and running with a 5? Do you know if there is there a work around?

[@eddiedsuza]

@@brycelewis5595 So i just installed Homebridge via Docker on a Pi 5. Followed my own tutorial and I can confirm the device works perfectly. Please let me know where you are having an Issue.

[@charlieferdinand]

Hi Eddie, this works for C100 tapo camera also?

[@eddiedsuza]

Hey Charlie .. I think it should work ...

[@tsangyu]

Thanks for teaching, I have a similar issue that I can use VLC to stream using rasp but the homebridge does not work: Accessory C225 Main experienced an address collision -> and will shut down in 60s, very similar to @yodabunz's case. Please advice thanks a lot!

[@eddiedsuza]

Can you send me pastebin link to the errors you are seeing in Homebridge

[@jatinrathi2495]

FFmpeg exited with code: 1 and signal: null (Error) I keep getting this error by the way my model is c210 pls help

[@eddiedsuza]

If you are running homebridge using a Mac - ffmpeg will need to be installed manually.

[@D4ngle]

Hey Eddie, I'm usiong two Tapo TC60 cameras. They work using camera UI and I can see them in homkit. I have motion set up, and I get motion notifications from the tapo app, but not from homekit....Any idea why?

[@eddiedsuza]

Open up the Apple Home App > Home Settings > Cameras & Doorbells > And allow notifications

[@D4ngle]

@@eddiedsuza yeah, they’re on. Still no joy.

[@danialrafiqi9346]

@@D4ngle Have you got it to work?

[@D4ngle]

Nope. Zero notifications from Apple home.

[@dejan2556]

Thank you for this great tutorial! Works great. I just had a problem at first, the video feed was not working in the plugin but the RTSP feed was working in the VLC player. I'm using a Synology DS220+ NAS and the TAPO C510W camera. The solution was to update the ffmpeg package on Synology, worked like a charm after that.

[@eddiedsuza]

Glad it helped! Cheers

[@albertosaularmendariz6042]

@@eddiedsuza - Hi, I just have this same problem, can you share the troubleshoot steps for the update of FFmpeg for Mac, and avoid the error cycle on Homebridge, please?

[@kour0sh]

such a good video, thank you so much. clear instruction and no time wasted. cheers mate!

[@eddiedsuza]

Awesome Thanks 🙏

[@waxdolphin1923]

I don't have Device Account option in Advance settings. There is only Powerline Frequency and Diagnostics. Nothing else. Is this settings only part of some TAPO Cameras? I have Tapo C425

[@eddiedsuza]

I Believe its suppose to be default for all devices ..

[@nanoarchitekten]

Thank for review

[@eddiedsuza]

Thanks for watching!

[@yodabunz]

I cannot get this to work on my ds218play. The stream will not start, then HB reboots. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong...

[@eddiedsuza]

please check the logs and post here on what the plugin is reporting

[@WilliansBonfim]

does this method work with homeassistant?

[@eddiedsuza]

I havent checked. However i know theres a Tapo integration to add them to HA

[@MemeScreen]

Been a while since I watched one of your videos. Good to see that you fixed the echo that was prevalent in your previous videos. 👍

[@eddiedsuza]

Welcome back! And appreciate the positive feedback. cheers

[@3liverse]

Is manual panning possible?

[@eddiedsuza]

Not at the moment via HomeKit

[@MrEgorKravchenko]

Does anyone have success in enabling twowayaudio on tapo c220? Doesn’t work for me

[@eddiedsuza]

It only works with Scrypted

[@hajarhassouni-x3r]

IT S WORK WITH TAPO C 500 ? please

[@eddiedsuza]

As long as it supports RTSP - Then Yes

[@mr96nik]

BRO YOU ARE DAMN LEGEND,PLEASE NEVER STOP MAKING VIDEOS FOR US. I would like to integrate my mi cameras into Homekit but as of now it seems impossible. but I know you always come up with some magic haha

[@eddiedsuza]

Appreciate the feedback ... With regards to Mi Cameras - please refer to this plugin www.npmjs.com/package/homebridge-miot & video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXmcpYCelJuIfq8

[@mr96nik]

Will do my friend! I can’t believe I’m actually talking to you! The guy who made my dreams of having HomeKit come true! Thank you so very much, I was always fascinated by homekit but with a google home system, i couldn’t really change my house to homekit. But because you are the magic man, nothing is impossible! Thank you again! Love the vids

[@eddiedsuza]

@@mr96nik cheers 🍻

[@mr96nik]

@@eddiedsuza hey I tried your instructions and it somewhat worked, the cameras don't show up in Homekit as cameras but only as buttons! im guessing there is no fix for this but if you know of a fix that will be great

[@eddiedsuza]

@@mr96nik you'll need to tap on Add accessories > more options > and you should see your camera here

[@romilagarwal8868]

my username is my email address. This is causing an error in homebridge and causing it to not run. Any help?

[@eddiedsuza]

Please go to the advanced settings to confirm if thats the information. In the video i show on how to set that up

[@romilagarwal8868]

Yes, I got it to work. Thank you!!!

[@Godwin4663180]

5:52 how did you get this?

[@eddiedsuza]

I used Heimdall to create that dashboard. heimdall.site/

[@zare88]

Works with C320WS. I was actually shocked at how easy it was to setup.

[@eddiedsuza]

Cheers and Glad to know you got them working ....

[@dimipot6670]

What exactly do I have to do to make it work?

[@eddiedsuza]

@@dimipot6670 you need to have homebridge installed > install the plugin > configure the plugin and expose it to HK ... The video above shows that

[@dimipot6670]

@zare88 still it work with C320WS. I get the error "Failed to fetch snapshot." and "Snapshot request handler provided empty image buffer!" Have you an idea what it is?

[@TeknolojiKurduOfficial]

Tapo C500ws nasıl iphone da ios ev uygulamasında izleyebilirim🥲

[@montyscott5676]

How do I reserve my IP address.. anyone?

[@eddiedsuza]

You will need to access your router via a web browser or an app (if it can)

[@yodabunz]

WARNING c200: Can not start prebuffering, camera not reachable. Trying again in 60s..

[@eddiedsuza]

Please check the IP address assigned to the camera/

[@yodabunz]

I have - it has been correct for over ten hours - still hosed! But I just painted my bathroom.@@eddiedsuza

[@yodabunz]

I have the ip reserved - and the c200 resolves through vlc - what could be the problem? Is the 218play crippled?@@eddiedsuza

[@brycelewis5595]

Man. If you really can’t do this on a raspberry pi5, you should have had some kind of warning. I spent a good part of my day resetting and trying to get this thing to work. I could have had a relaxing Saturday, instead I followed your tutorial directly into a brick wall. I guess I’ll send this camera back, after all, your video was the only reason I purchased it. How anti-climactic, ugh

[@eddiedsuza]

So i just installed Homebridge via Docker on a Pi 5. Followed my own tutorial and I can confirm the device works perfectly. Please let me know where you are having an Issue.

[@brycelewis5595]

@@eddiedsuzanever mind on that help. It’s more economical for me to spend the extra money on a HomeKit enabled camera. I’m sending it back. It keeps doing this flashing red light. I just unplugged it to move it and was just gonna use it in the app. Then comes the blinking red light again.That camera has gone haywire on me 5 times now with the red light crap. Every time it seems like a lottery system getting it back to sync mode. I see why this camera was only 20 dollars. You get what you payed for. Dang, I wish I could get it figured out like you though, I liked it so much I was gonna just use it in the app. It was to monitor a handicapped squirrel. Would have been perfect even without HomeKit support. Too bad it can’t stay connected, I can’t work with that.

[@eddiedsuza]

@brycelewis5595 totally understand! Have a great week ahead ! Cheers

[@Charles-AntoineMaudet]

I've this problem can you help me ? Error: Accessory Cam int experienced an address collision. at BridgeService.handlePublishExternalAccessories (/var/lib/homebridge/node_modules/homebridge/src/bridgeService.ts:419:15) at processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:95:5) Thanks

[@eddiedsuza]

Please check the assigned IP address to the Camera and also reserve it in the router settings under DHCP. Thanks

[@Charles-AntoineMaudet]

thanks but I've the same problem :/ @@eddiedsuza

[@Godwin4663180]

6:45 how did you get this

[@eddiedsuza]

You will need to access homebridge and install the camera ui plugin