How to Build a Smart Home 101

Turning your home into a smart home is easier than you think! You may even have some products that are already compatible. Through this video I will let you know what devices you need to get from start to finish to build your smart home.

Google Device Family:

Products in this video:

My Video Equipment:

Connect with me!

#SmartHome #GoogleHome #AmazonAlexa #GoogleAssistant #Siri #Cortana #TechWithBrett #HomeKit

[TechWithBrett]

This is only the beginning to get you in the right direction! Let me know what you want to learn more details about below. One thing I forgot to say is that many of these smart products are referred to as IOT (internet of things) devices. There are thousands of products you can choose from so make sure they will connect the way you want before you buy them!

[amandac.]

changing the speed to 1.5 helped watch this video :)

[erniestammers]

Hi and Greetings from the UK, I have just started with this technology, and being a 73 year old retired electrician, with mobility problems, I found your video both instructive and informative, I can do most installation work the physical part but I have to get my son and grandson to do the programming part. Many thanks for sharing it, I use the Amazon devices where ever around the house, it does make my life easier.
Kindest regards

[ivyk]

Moved out of my parents house 2 weeks ago. Got a chrome cast from someone who got a 4K one and I got a nest mini on black Friday. Now watching this. Wallet is crying.

[anthonyharmon]

Huge respect for breaking this down the way you did without siding like you're belittling people. 👍🏿

[VicInCommentSection]

I have over 50 smart home products in my house and this video still interested me, and there are still things that I learned. You presented this perfectly for people who are new to smart homes.

[garethjones]

A genuinely awesome video that absolutely nails both displaying the huge range of smart home options but distilling them down to be understandable for new adopters, having something like this at the start of my smart home journey would have saved me hours of research & more than a little money!

[Geezman]

So:
1) Home internet/WiFi network
2) WiFi Routers
3) Google Home Hub (that works w G Assistant for voice command capability
4) A Smart-things hub, to reduce strain on WiFi (signal competition?) and to aggregate the many devices under 1 'control' for other devices - lights, etc..
5) Choose your smart item - bulbs, switches, doorbell, camera etc.. link these to the smartthing hub (or similar).

Looking to buying a home soon and kind of excited to have some smart stuff at home - lightings, fridge, G-hub, G -Home mini, TV. Thanks for this.

👍👍

[charlesdiekmann]

This was one of the most informative videos I’ve seen on setting up smart home devices. I really like the step by step and knowing why I need it.

[coderon]

I'm building my smart home, a little at a time. I went the Alexa route, began with my old Echo Tap and added a couple of dots. Now I've got a Show and the new Show 5. Then I added the Ring doorbell. I made a mistake in getting smart plugs and switches that were different brands and was unaware of what Zigby was until I saw this video. As a result I had to set things up with five different apps. Now that it's set up I use Alexa to control it all, so the end result wasn't so bad. I've now added a remote garage door opener and a Sonos speaker. The MyQ garage door opener is awesome if you've ever been across town and wondered "did I close the garage?" Don't laugh, once you hit 60 these things happen. :-) I also enabled Amazon Key so my Amazon packages are delivered securely inside the garage, even if I'm not home. The next step for me is to add a couple of cameras. I was surprised to hear you say they were about $25, since what I've seen starts at about $125. If you've read this far, I'd appreciate info on the less expensive cameras. To wrap up, it's been a fun experience to build my own smart home. There was no mistake I made that I couldn't easily correct. I renamed my Alexa's to "Computer." It's so cool to be able to use voice controls like "Computer, turn on the kitchen lights." I have a few more items to add to my smart home capabilities. Probably the biggest lesson I learned on lighting is to skip the smart home switch or bulb if all you really need is a motion sensor. That's what I installed in the garage. Have fun!

[robertrosenberg]

thank you - very few people can explain things without being massively in favour of one type over another. It is very helpful to understand what is out there

[darellmoffatt]

Thank You -- So very helpful for an old guy who never knew where to get started. I intend to control a smart plug with my cell phone while away from home. Going with Hue for now.

[Alpha_fitz]

Regarding smart switches along with smart lights, naming conventions can be very helpful. That is naming them similarly simplifies the commands This makes it so whenever I request the bedroom lights both the switch and the lights are turned on with one command.

[TristynRusselo]

After my smart home reached over 40 zwave & zigbee devices, i had to move my smartthings hub to the middle floor to stop devices from dropping off the network.
I think device connections had to make too many "hops" from device to device, from the basement to the top floor.

Something to keep in mind....

[randomdude]

Great video! Should mention if you have ring alarm or ADT, they can work with your smart home! Only moved into a smart home 2 months ago and in love with the concept. Feels very modern

[peacecorpsdennis]

Thanks for the video. Finally a video that actually explains setting up a smart home!

[tiemle]

i am renovating my bathrooms and want to build a smart home, with steam shower, toto's toilet, heating floor and lighting. Thank you for the lesson. I can't wait to explore the products. There are so many of them and it can be confusing. Thanks.

[testdummy]

very informative. however I would had loved to see real world examples how you really connect and setup the various things to for example to Smartthings, google home, Allexa etc.

[slave_of_solitude]

Not all hero's wear capes!!
You helped me so much, thanks for the vid

[NilsoNxAlmeida]

Best video for begginers! I was looking for an explanation like this for days. Thanks! A hug from Brazil!