Hikvision, the Chinese surveillance products manufacturer, has become a popular choice for CCTV cameras and video surveillance. Many users wonder if these products can work with Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa.
While Hikvision cameras are not inherently compatible with Alexa, there is a workaround using a service called Monocle. By connecting the cameras and Alexa devices to the same network and enabling the Monocle skill in the Alexa app, users can control Hikvision cameras with voice commands.
However, this process can be complex and is recommended for users with specific Amazon devices.
Overview of Hikvision and Alexa Compatibility
Hikvision does have some products that can work with Alexa through a workaround, according to the information provided.
While CCTV cameras and video surveillance products from Hikvision are not considered smart products, there is a way to integrate them with Alexa using a service called Monocle.
Monocle acts as a gateway service, connecting IP-based network cameras, like Hikvision’s, with smart home devices like Alexa.
To enable this integration, users need an Alexa voice-enabled device and an RTSP/RTP network-based camera connected to the same private network.
By creating a Monocle account, adding camera feeds, and enabling the Monocle skill in the Alexa app, users can link their Monocle and Alexa accounts.
With this setup, they can use voice commands to show or hide camera feeds from Hikvision PTZ cameras or mini PTZ cameras on their Alexa devices.
Understanding the Monocle and Alexa Integration
Monocle is a service that acts as a gateway, connecting IP-based network cameras and smart home devices like Alexa. It serves as a bridge between the two, allowing users to integrate their network cameras into their smart home ecosystem.
To use Monocle, users need an Alexa voice-enabled device and an RTSP/RTP network-based camera connected to the same private network. Monocle is compatible with various Amazon products, including Amazon Echo Spot, Amazon Echo Show, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Hikvision’s network PTZ cameras fulfill the requirements to work with Monocle.
To enable the Monocle skill, users must create an account on the Monocle website, fill in camera feeds and RTSP/RTP camera feed URL, and add the Monocle skill in the Alexa app.
With Monocle and Alexa integration, users can use voice commands to display or hide camera feeds from their Hikvision cameras on compatible Alexa devices.
Steps to Enable the Monocle Skill for Hikvision Cameras
To enable the Monocle skill for Hikvision cameras, users must follow these steps:
- Create an account on the Monocle website.
- Fill in camera feeds and the RTSP/RTP camera feed URL.
- Add the Monocle skill in the Alexa app by searching for it and enabling it.
- Link their Monocle and Alexa accounts by signing in to their Monocle account in the Alexa app.
Once these steps are completed, users can:
- Allow Alexa to find smart home devices, including the camera feeds.
- Use voice commands like ‘Alexa, show my Hikvision network camera feed’ or ‘Alexa, hide the feed from my Hikvision camera feed’ to control their Hikvision cameras through Alexa.
- Enjoy the Monocle skill, which allows Alexa to display the camera feed on compatible devices.
Voice Commands for Controlling Hikvision Cameras With Alexa
Users can easily control their Hikvision cameras using voice commands through Alexa. By enabling the Monocle skill and linking their Monocle and Alexa accounts, users can utilize voice commands to interact with their Hikvision cameras.
For example, they can say ‘Alexa, show my Hikvision network camera feed’ or ‘Alexa, hide the feed from my Hikvision camera.’ The camera name can be customized in the Alexa app, and Alexa can display the camera feed on compatible devices like the Echo Show.
It is important to note that for Echo Show with the latest versions, a Monocle gateway service is required. This can be downloaded from the Monocle website and used to enable the Echo Show to display the Hikvision camera feed.
Overall, controlling Hikvision cameras with Alexa through voice commands is a convenient and user-friendly option.
Monocle Gateway Requirement for Echo Show
The Monocle gateway service is necessary for the latest versions of Echo Show to display the camera feed from Hikvision. This gateway service acts as a bridge between the Hikvision camera and the Echo Show, enabling the camera feed to be displayed on the Echo Show’s screen.
To set up the Monocle gateway service, users need to download it from the Monocle website and ensure compatibility with their computer’s operating system. Additionally, users will need to edit the Monocle camera feed and change the tags to ‘@tunnel’.
Once the setup is complete, users can run the Monocle gateway on their computer, allowing the Echo Show to access and display the camera feed from Hikvision. This integration provides users with the convenience of monitoring their Hikvision camera feed directly on their Echo Show device.
Troubleshooting and Configuration for Hikvision and Monocle Integration
When troubleshooting and configuring the integration between Hikvision and Monocle, users can follow these steps:
- Download the necessary Monocle gateway service from the Monocle website.
- Ensure compatibility with their computer’s operating system.
- The Monocle gateway service acts as a bridge between Hikvision cameras and Alexa-enabled devices.
- It allows users to view the camera feed on devices like the Echo Show.
- After downloading the gateway service, users can troubleshoot any compatibility issues.
- Check if their computer’s operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
- Edit the Monocle camera feed by changing the tags to ‘@tunnel’.
- Run the gateway service on their computer.
- By following these steps, users can successfully integrate Hikvision cameras with Monocle.
- They can enjoy the convenience of viewing their camera feed on Alexa-enabled devices.
Conclusion: Making Hikvision Work With Alexa Using Monocle
By following the steps outlined on the Monocle website and utilizing the Monocle gateway service, integrating Hikvision cameras with Alexa can be easily accomplished.
Monocle acts as a gateway service that connects IP-based network cameras with smart home devices like Alexa. To enable the integration, users need an Alexa voice-enabled device and an RTSP/RTP network-based camera connected to the same private network.
After creating a Monocle account and filling in the camera feeds and RTSP/RTP camera feed URL, users can add the Monocle skill in the Alexa app and link their Monocle and Alexa accounts. By discovering devices in the Alexa app, users can allow Alexa to discover the camera feeds.
Voice commands can be used to show or hide the camera feeds from Hikvision PTZ cameras or mini PTZ cameras. For Echo Show devices, the Monocle gateway service needs to be downloaded from the Monocle website and run on a computer to enable the display of the Hikvision camera feed.