templates VS scrypted

Setting two on/off cycles with 50 discrete schedules seems like a very inefficient way of doing this when the same thing could be accomplished with two rules. Any compatible device flashed with Tasmota or similar FOSS firmware would make this possible.

Have a look at https://templates.blakadder.com

Another WiFi based option is any compatible smart relay or switch flashed with Tasmota. In Tasmota, SwitchMode 15 decouples the switch state from the relay and sends status changes via MQTT to HA.

2) If you want to switch on/off the light switch in your room, your best bet is to replace your regular light switch with a WiFi light switch. (Yes, you must have some electrical knowledge to do this. But trust me, this is best, most reliable way.) See https://templates.blakadder.com/ for some good devices. Many of them can be re-flashed, so instead of using "their app", the light switch can be a web server that you can talk to from any computer on your network (including your laptop, your phone, etc).

If you're familiar programming ESP boards take a look at this repository of compatible devices.

Wifi switch, I suggest one that runs tasmota. Blakadder website seems to help.

I cannot find the correct model for this plug. On the back it says "WiFi Smart Plug / TWSP017" but I cannot find any reference to this online. I looked at the (long) list of pictures of plugs and sockets at the templates.blakadder.com site, but without finding anything that looks quite like it. There is one power socket, one LED (that never seems to be lit) and one button on the left side. It is a square shape with rounded corners; too generic a description to be useful I'm afraid.

You mention incompatibilities. I am not 100% what you mean but here's a link of Zigbee2Mqtt supported devices and Heres a list of tasmota supported devices . i'd reference these before buying anything.

lazyweb: https://github.com/koush/scrypted (regrettably the licensing is "it depends" https://github.com/koush/scrypted/blob/v0.93.0/LICENSE.md#li... )

and don't overlook that user's other repos, as seems like there are quite a few fun things in there: https://github.com/koush?tab=repositories

I have taken a look at the page for debugging steps for Homekit recording and haven’t played with any setting mentioned there.

Unfortunately the options for HKSV doorbells is fairly limited. The Logitech circle view Doorbell looks like the best candidate but it has a spotty review history, with the biggest complaint being it breaking in direct sunlight.

I’m about to buy some cameras and I’m thinking of just buying Nest and using https://scrypted.app to bridge to HKSV.

In the demo video linked to from the Scrypted Github repo, the author has some kind of a delivery box (visible in the top camera), with a camera inside the box in night vision mode, able to report on whether there’s anything in the box. Does anyone know how this setup was achieved, or have done something similar to combine a camera with a closed delivery box?

You can migrate the scrypted setup with this: https://github.com/koush/scrypted/wiki/Scrypted-Backup-and-Restore

I see two options, both from brands that seem to be well-received on the brand report card.

You might want to try setting them up with Scrypted then use the plugin to get them into Homebridge.