python-mqtt-nvr

A python program to handle recording video feeds from IP cameras that integrates with MQTT for easy automation (Home Assistant for example)

Usage

1. Edit example_config.py to suit your needs
   1. an arbitrary number of cameras can be added
   2. each camera entry should have a corresponding outfile definition
   3. you should only edit the word immediately before and after the // for each outfile definition
2. Rename example_config.py to config.py
3. Create as many folders as cameras in config.py where the folder name is the part immediately before the // in each outfile definition
4. Install the requirements using pip install -r requirements.txt
5. Install ffmpeg
6. Run the script using python camera.py
7. Start recording by sending the payload record to the mqtt topic cameras/nvr/record and stop to the same topic to stop

Home Assistant Usage

In the configuration.yaml file for Home Assistant, add a new platform (assuming your mqtt broker is already set up correctly for Home Assistant) as below:

 - platform: mqtt
   name: "camera-record"
   state_topic: "cameras/nvr"
   command_topic: "cameras/nvr/record"
   payload_on: "record"
   payload_off: "stop"
   retain: true

This will add a new toggleable switch which you can use to start and stop recording.