Integrating ESP32 Camera with ESPHome and Frigate: Project guide 📸🔧

This is a comprehensive project guide on the integration of an ESP32 camera with ESPHome and Frigate. This repository illustrates a step-by-step walkthrough on how to connect an ESP32 camera module to Frigate. The esphome-config.yaml file provided within this repository is specifically curated for an Ai-Thinker ESP32-CAM, but don't worry, if you have a different board model you can easily edit it to suit your needs.

Prerequisites and necessary tools ⚙️

Before diving into the actual process, please ensure you have the following installations:

• ESPHome

• Frigate

Notably, if you are already running a Home Assistant server, these platforms can be readily installed from the Add-ons Store Page.

Firmware Compilation with ESPHome 📚➡️🔧

1. Add a New Device: Start by adding a new device from your ESPHome dashboard.

   

2. Configuration Replacement: Proceed by replacing all the contents of your configuration file with the esphome-config.yaml.

3. Save and Upload: After successfully replacing the contents, click on 'Save and upload' your file. (with your esp-cam connected to your computer)

4. Wifi Credential Setup:

   • Connect to the esp camera wifi ap from your phone or computer

   • Open this page http://192.168.4.1

     

   • Select your wifi network and type your password

Frigate Configuration ⛴️

1. Find the IP Address: Start by finding your ESP32 camera's ip address.

   • You can do it from your phone by using Fing or Wifiman

2. Frigate Config: Proceed with the addition of the contents from this repository to your frigate.yaml config file.

3. MQTT Server: If you haven't already make sure to add your MQTT server information on your frigate.yaml file

   

4. Camera Config: Replace the sample ESP-CAM ip address with your's.

   

5. Restart: Restart Frigate to load the changes.

By this step, you should have a fully functional ESP32 camera integrated with Frigate and ESPHome. Happy tinker! 🎉🚀