The V3 models need to be downgraded to a specific firmware first and patching it exposes RSTP streams using https://github.com/AlexxIT/go2rtc. Everything doable without ever installing Wyze app on an environment air gapped environment with no internet.
1. all cameras (firmware v4.36.9.139) have 64gb+ micro SD cards and record to local storage -- many people seem to have issues with anything greater than 32gb in v3's but I've found that this Verbatim tool [0] formats FAT32 at high capacity with no problems
2. all cameras have wz_mini_hacks [1] on the SD card with RTSP enabled
3. all cameras are connected via ethernet instead of wifi using this adapter [2] and wz_mini_hacks config
4. network blocks all outgoing internet connections for all cameras to keep them LAN-only -- this means I have to connect to VPN to review video when outside the house, but I'm cool with that
5. all RTSP streams are also recorded over the network via Agent DVR [3] to a NAS
6. the Wyze app (free tier, not paid) works normally with all of the above in place -- I find it much more intuitive to review recent videos in-app (streamed off the SD card), and then review the very occasional older video from a computer off the NAS (scrubbing through in VLC on a computer)
For what it's worth, I don't use them like a Ring camera where you're responding to realtime video events / talking through the camera to a delivery person -- this is mostly just for 24/7 recording. I have all object/motion detection events turned off, just a straight uninterrupted feed recording local and on the network.
Links:
0. https://www.verbatim.com/index/search.php?words=fat32+tool
1. https://github.com/gtxaspec/wz_mini_hacks
Do you have any Wyze cams outdoors, but under cover of a porch? Or are they indoor only?
That said, all the modifications and tinkering is definitely less turn-key than some people prefer, but I’m a glutton for punishment haha
If you don't and IP addresses cycle, your RTSP stream URLs will change and your recording software will just consider the camera disconnected. The Wyze app sometimes will get confused too (with ethernet in particular, if IP addresses change), and rebooting the cameras sometimes means physically cycling power if you don't know where it's at in your network. Better to just reserve a specific IP up front, write it down, and never think about it again.
I also use a lot of these types of crappy smart plugs [0] throughout the house (as well as starting to replace some with actual wifi outlets [1] for aesthetics) and it's actually really useful to be able to force a power cycle on certain things from my phone.
Links:
0. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LXGHR5X
1. https://www.amazon.com/KP200-Outlet-Required-Control-Certifi...
As time and motivation permit, I've been converting the cameras I care about over to POE. But having to run cable across the house for each one means I haven't done them all.