Does she have a smart phone? There are multiple bird related products (feeders, nesting boxes etc) that will send you a notification when a bird is in view. It would go against the 'no internet' requirement you have, but if a smart phone is already involved you might as well leverage tech that's already available. I bought my wife a BirdBuddy feeder a couple of years ago and she loves it. Every time a bird comes she gets a notification - it takes a vid of the bird or she can watch it live. It uses AI to identify the species AND you can even name the birds (premium) and it does an OK job of recognizing individuals.
edited to add - check out BirdBox - it looks like they may have an HDMI solution.
I reject your reality and substitute my own. --Adam Savage, MythBusters
July 16, 2025, 08:41 PM
trapper189
quote:
Originally posted by architect: Just a follow up about connecting your TV to your LAN. You can do this and still retain reasonable security against outsiders seeing your TV's traffic by configuring your router's "firewall" to block the IP address assigned to the TV. So the TV's network traffic will stay on your LAN and not be able to be routed to the Internet. This means that some of the "smart" features on the TV (like streaming YouTube) will not work as the vendor claims, but that you will be able to see and access other devices on your LAN.
Solid advice. Doing this will allow you to use your TV’s browser app (if it has one) to access the camera on your network. You’ll want to lock the camera down as well.
July 17, 2025, 04:27 AM
marksman41
Thanks for the suggestions so far -
- TV to LAN: I understand the concept. The process, however, is something I don't have the first clue how to do.
- Roku camera & stick: looks like it uses an internet connection and needs a subscription. Trying to avoid both at this point.
- Smart phone: Mom has difficulty in using a regular phone these days so anything more complicated than an On/Off button won't work. The cameras offered by https://green-backyard.com (from the video link) but it looks like they connect through my router, which is what I'm trying to avoid.
Ideally I'd like a wireless camera that sends it's signal without connecting to the router or internet. Does such a thing exist?
I don't need the security features - no recording, motion detecting, night vision, etc. This product sends an RF signal to some unit/box that comes with it and doesn't connect to router or internet. I don't know how I would get the signal to either the tv or a mini-pc, though.
July 17, 2025, 07:50 AM
trapper189
That system has an HDMI output you would connect to an HDMI input on your TV.
The box has essentially a computer (has a CPU, memory, storage, inputs/outputs, and runs programs) that runs the radios for the WiFi, routes the data (video) from the internet protocol (IP) cameras, processes, stores (on a hard drive), and displays (on a monitor plugged into the HDMI port) that data.
You could connect the Ethernet port of any IP camera to the Ethernet port of a computer and then connect the computer to the TV to accomplish what you wish. You can do the same wirelessly with an IP camera that supports an Ad-Hoc connection, if such a thing exists. You mentioned you connect a computer to your TV. You could use your existing computer to test this without having to buy a minipc.
July 17, 2025, 02:20 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by marksman41:
- Roku camera & stick: looks like it uses an internet connection and needs a subscription. Trying to avoid both at this point.
Not true about the subscription, per the FAQ:
Do I need a subscription for Roku Smart Home cameras and doorbells?
Roku Smart Home Subscription is not required to use the basic functions of your Roku cameras or video doorbells. You can pull up a live feed on the Roku Smart Home mobile app from anywhere and get motion and sound alerts to your phone. If you’d like to access enhanced features like event recording, a subscription is required. With a subscription, you unlock cloud recording and 14-day storage in addition to smart detection that lets you filter events by person, pet, package or car.
July 17, 2025, 03:57 PM
HRK
Super simple with an Amazon Fire Stick and Alexa. Right now I'm seeing the front drive on my Office tv using the Fire Stick.
All I do is press the Voice button and say "show Driveway" since the camera's name is Driveway, I can say Show Ring, Show Back Yard, so easy a caveman could do this...
Blink and Ring both work with Alexa, you'd have to determine which camera set you'll have to be compatible.
Once you setup and name the cameras in the Ring or Blink app you can add them to your Alexa app and then you can call the cameras up by name and it will appear on your TV.
When it's up you can press the PIP icon and watch both I do it all the time when we have a service worker here, or if I'm watching an area for a specific reason.
You need to have a fire stick that is voice capable for instructions, the remote will have a blue button at the top.
Blink cameras are inexpensive, and can be bought in multiples. You will have to connect the cameras to your wifi, and the signal will go through the Blink to your firestick.
Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first
July 18, 2025, 06:59 AM
marksman41
- Good to know about the Roku not needing a subscription. I'll have to look at that option some more.
- Regarding Alexa/Siri - can those applications work without connecting to the internet? My goal (perhaps fantasy) is to have one battery/solar camera send a signal direct to tv/computer without any connection to router/internet.
I looked at the bird box cameras again and I think they would work well - if they didn't need to be plugged in. There is a battery-operated option but it requires a motorcycle battery.
July 18, 2025, 11:18 AM
KevH
If you are an Apple user and can wait a bit I think Apple has been hinting they are going to have a bunch of Homekit products coming out in the very near future.
I use Wyze right now for cameras and have been quite pleased for how good and cheap they are.
I'll likely switch to the Homekit stuff once it is out.
Proverbs 28:1
July 21, 2025, 10:17 AM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by KevH:
I use Wyze right now for cameras and have been quite pleased for how good and cheap they are.
I have a Wyze Wi-Fi camera in each of my children's bedrooms and they work great. Can see if they are still awake or need us. No concern with security as I have them locked down tight.
July 21, 2025, 12:41 PM
HRK
Yes, you can connect a wireless camera to your LG Smart TV, but it typically requires using a compatible app or streaming device. Many LG Smart TVs offer built-in apps or support for third-party apps that allow you to view camera feeds. You can also use a streaming device like a Chromecast, Fire Stick, or Roku to access camera feeds through their respective app stores.
