[neilalexander]

UniFi Protect cameras can all be set up in standalone mode by visiting the camera's IP address in a web browser — they will obtain an address from DHCP by default. From there you can set up the RTSP streams which become accessible from the camera IP directly. You do not need to use a UniFi Protect app or console in this configuration.

[leesalminen]

Not anymore with their latest models. You are required to have a Protect NVR and account before they’ll let you use standalone mode, and, apparently some new models disable it entirely.

Check out the UniFi subreddit for details.

Very disappointed, as that was my go to brand for standalone IP cameras.

[sliken]

Sadly ubiquiti seems to be going downhill on multiple fronts.

[somehnguy]

So disappointing. I can finally afford to buy all the Ubiquiti equipment I wanted in the past but no longer want to buy it. I went TP-Link Omada for my APs and have been satisfied.

[kevin_thibedeau]

I bought a TP-Link Kasa smart outlet to power cycle my modem in the basement. I couldn't get the open source Python utility to activate it so I relented and set it up via the official app. The account creation explicitly has a marketing opt-out that they promptly ignored. They have also ignored all my unsubscribe attempts from their spam. I'd recommend avoiding them.

[leesalminen]

Omada is their SMB line so they act a bit differently. You can freely use the hardware without any registration or restriction.

[leesalminen]

I also just set up an Omada system (8 switches, 20 APs) for a friend for the first time after recommending UniFi for years. Very happy with it so far.

[red-iron-pine]

been like that for a while now

[unethical_ban]

I knew they stopped distributing the video server software (forcing a hardware purchase) but I didn't know they required an account now.

It's just impossible for a business not to screw customers, isn't it?

[sgjohnson]

You can also get a console and not connect it to the internet for central management.