How to build a Frigate NVR from scratch

Frigate is the best open-source NVR solution for local-first smart homes, but getting it running well requires some upfront planning. Here’s how to build a system that actually works.

Hardware: What Actually Runs Frigate Well

Frigate needs real compute to handle AI object detection in real time. Skip the Raspberry Pi—it’s not viable for anything beyond one or two cameras with basic motion detection.

For 4-8 cameras, a compact mini PC hits the sweet spot between cost and capability. The Beelink EQ13 with a Celeron N100 processor handles 6-8 1080p streams with hardware acceleration without breaking the bank. If you want more headroom for future cameras or higher resolutions, the Intel NUC 12 Pro is overkill in the best way—it’ll run Home Assistant, Frigate, and more without breaking a sweat.

Storage matters more than most people plan for. Plan on 1TB minimum for a week of continuous recording at 1080p, more if you want longer retention or higher resolution. Use a dedicated SSD—NVR workloads are write-heavy and spinning drives will bottleneck you.

Cameras: What Works and What Doesn’t

Not all cameras play nice with Frigate. Stick to ONVIF cameras for the best experience—reolink makes the most cost-effective ONVIF cameras that work reliably. The Reolink Duo 3 PoE is excellent for wide-area coverage with dual lenses.

Avoid cloud-only cameras that don’t support local streaming. You’re building a local system—cameras that require cloud connectivity defeat the purpose.

For the best Frigate experience, enable RTSP streams on your cameras and configure them in Frigate. Most Reolok and Amcrest cameras support this out of the box. If you’re using Amcrest IP8M-2496E or similar, the ONVIF integration handles the heavy lifting.

Networking: Don’t Skimp Here

POE (Power over Ethernet) simplifies camera installs dramatically. If you’re running new wiring, go with POE—it’s more reliable than WiFi and eliminates separate power runs. A simple UniFi Protect setup handles both NVR and POE switching if you want an all-in-one solution, though Frigate gives you more flexibility.

For WiFi cameras, expect occasional dropouts. Placement matters—avoid corners and areas with interference. If reliability matters, wired connections aren’t optional.

Integration with Home Assistant

This is where Frigate shines. The Home Assistant integration gives you real-time camera feeds, motion events as automation triggers, and thumbnail generation for notifications. You don’t need a separate dashboard—just add Frigate as an integration and cameras appear automatically.

For presence detection, combine Frigate with Aqara or Everything Presence sensors. Frigate handles exterior monitoring while presence sensors handle indoor occupancy. This separation prevents the “camera everywhere” creep that makes smart homes feel invasive.

Quick Verdict

Building a Frigate NVR is straightforward if you don’t overcomplicate it. Hardware requirements are modest, camera selection is wide, and the Home Assistant integration Just Works. Budget $300-500 for a capable NVR server, $50-150 per camera, and plan for storage up front. The tradeoff is straightforward: you’re trading money for privacy. Cloud NVRs are cheaper but you pay with your data. For a local-first smart home, Frigate is the clear answer.