UKTV Channels in IP Mode

[SoupDragon57]

@Anonymous I'm not a great fan of WiFi-based smart plugs, bulbs or much else. I've found it more reliable to opt for a ZigBee-based solution. Ok, this means having a small hub or two, but it reduces the number of devices on WiFi and builds it's own mesh network. Try to stick to a single ecosystem (e.g. Tuya, Aqara etc) and they're pretty bullet proof. Removes all the WiFi related issues.

[Anonymous]

@SoupDragon57 

I just started looking at aqara stuff as I want a HomeKit doorbell.

As I have a HomePod and an Apple TV I do have hubs in my set up and my latest plugs proclaimed to support every system under the sun plus Matter.

But if I can’t get the plug to connect to WiFi in the first place, it’s all mute! 🤣

[DarrenDev]

My smart home is part WiFi, part ZigBee. Obviously the latter is much easier to set up, but for the WiFi stuff the apps are all getting much better nowadays - they recognise that the mobile may be connected to a 5GHz network, but it can still be accessible from 2.4GHz (they used to just prevent you from continuing). I do occasionally find that it doesn't find my device using normal pairing, but for all those occasions the AP mode works fine. I've never had a smart device that I couldn't connect (and I have a lot of them, from many different manufacturers).

[Anonymous]

Not as successful here sadly.

My Hive stuff works fine and I did have a working Meross smart plug, but just couldn't connect the new ones (tried AP mode, Bluetooth and HomeKit code).

2.4 ghz only, Mode 1, 2 and 3 but they just would not connect to the Smart Hub 2. They did connect via AP mode to the Meross app though. 

I gave up and sent them back for a refund. 

[SoupDragon57]

@Anonymous The Meross plugs were a nightmare. That's what made me switch to ZigBee. I went for the Tuya ecosystem and most ZigBee-based products work really well with the 2 hubs I have (1 downstairs and another upstairs). Pretty sure Aqara would be as good. I gave up 100% on the WiFi products as they seem to have issues. Not sure if it's the Smart Hub or just WiFi products in general. Hive also works well (and is ZigBee-based)

https://www.tiktok.com/@hibberthometech/video/7027883148985814277?lang=en 

[DarrenDev]

I forgot to mention - when using AP mode, I also have to turn off mobile data on my phone. Otherwise the phone tries to be clever and use that in preference to the AP.
Just checked: I have 3 Meross, 3 PlusMinus, and 23 registered with SmartLife (all from different manufacturers, of which 6 are ZigBee).

Before you ask - yes, my house is like Blackpool illuminations. 😁

[Anonymous]

I haven't tried with mobile data off, will give that a whirl later 👍🏻

[ney]

@SoupDragon57 I have been using smart plugs for a good few years now and just last year change to the TP-Link Tapo smart plugs to control two living room lamps and a bedside lamp in my bedroom and have had very little problems with them.

Also have two TP-Link Tapo cameras in the house and a Ring doorbell that I thinking of replacing at some point with a TP-Link Tapo Doorbell just so I can stop paying g for cloud storage for my recordings.

I now rely on my internet in the house more now than I did a few years ago.

As I also have 4 Amazon Echos in the house and two Amazon HD Firesticks.

[SoupDragon57]

@ney Solid kit from TP-Link. I have Ethernet switches, cameras and other stuff from them. And plenty of Echo devices. Even with loads of the smart plus, bulbs, sensors etc offloaded onto ZigBee, there's over 40 devices on the WiFi and the Smart Hub 2 (and WiFi extenders) handles them great.

[Weerab1983]

I have a mixture of Tapo and Smart life bulbs and smart plugs with a ring door bell and a ring camera overlooking my back garden and they work fine with my 2 Echo Dots.

Contemplating having an indoor camera for my kitchen as well.

I agree the Internet is more than just Web browsing, email and streaming for me now.