Starting out and feeling lost. Is there a tool or website you used to work out what you actually need, or did you just research it yourself? And what did you buy first?

Do any of you know if there are any color changing smart bulbs that won't cause banding effects on cameras?

I know this is caused by PWM, so I'm wondering if there are any bulbs that don't use PWM or at least don't produce noticeable banding.

I don't want to see those lines scrolling across the screen whenever I use my camera near these lights. I've included an image of a Hue bulb I've had for a while to show what I mean.

Hi everyone! I want to make my garage door smart so I can open and close it using my phone.

My garage door currently has a remote control with separate buttons for opening and closing. I'm looking for a reliable smart switch or controller, preferably available on AliExpress.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for a good model that's easy to install and works reliably. Thanks!

I have used a Smartlife smart dimmer to control a set of string lights but it always made me nervous as the terms essentially gave them access to my home system (which consists of a few TV’s, two laptops and two iPhones). I opened the app yesterday and it wants me to register again and the terms read the same or worse. Is there a smart plug that will allow me to control the brightness and on/off time without letting someone in China watch everything I do online? I am clearly a technology novice so dumbing down the answer is appreciated. Thanks.

How is Govee able to sell their Wall Sconces without matter enabled??? Their parent company, Shenzhen Qianyan Technology LTD, filed these two products (Govee RGBICW Cube Wall Sconces/Govee Gaming Light Strip G1) under the same FCC ID and said they are matter enabled. When you go into govees website the gaming lights are matter enabled! So why aren’t the wall sconces. Ugh I hate govee sometimes and I don’t want to use their stupid app.
But how is that allowed? If the FCC says the patent is matter enabled how can govee sell it without matter?

Moin zusammen, ich habe in meinem Haus schon die Rolladen- und Fußbodenheizungssteuerung mit Homematic smart gemacht. Aktuell überlege ich, meine Beleuchtung (eingelassene, dimmbare LED-Spots) auch noch zu integrieren.

Die aktuelle Installation sieht so aus, dass die Leuchten direkt am Taster dimmbar sind und zwar nicht nur von einer Schaltstelle, sondern von bis zu drei Tastern.

Hat hier jemand Erfahrung, wie man das am Besten lösen könnte? Mein Elektriker, der mir damals die Elektroinstallation gemacht hat, hat leider keine Ahnung von Homematic.

NICE DIGI X1 — Spontaneous Locking Issue
I am documenting an intermittent malfunction observed on a NICE DIGI X1 Smart Lever.
The lock spontaneously activates the motor and locks the door without any user interaction. This has occurred after a full factory reset, with new batteries, and after removing/recreating all access credentials.
The behavior continues with:
Auto-Lock: OFF
Passage Mode: ON
Door physically OPEN
Gateway disconnected
Bluetooth/app disconnected
No fingerprint, keypad, or physical interaction
During some events, the Bluetooth connection drops at the same time the motor activates.
The app log has also shown configuration events such as “Set Auto Lock [On]”, “Set Auto Lock [10s]”, and “Set Language [English]” that I did not intentionally perform. I cannot determine whether these were generated by the lock, firmware, or app synchronization.
I also tested with only one valid access code remaining, yet the lock continued to activate by itself.
The repeated motor activation significantly drains the batteries.
I have video and screenshots documenting the behavior.
This report is intended to document the issue for reference by other NICE DIGI X1 users and for technical evaluation by NICE DIGI. I am not claiming that this is a universal defect; I am documenting the behavior observed on this particular unit.