Ensure your camera supports RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) or ONVIF, which allows external software to access the video feed.

Once your chosen system is configured, trigger a test alert. Walk in front of the camera or manually trigger the motion detection zone.

If you want to avoid false alarms from wind or rain, Frigate uses local AI to detect specific objects like people, cars, or cats.

Open Telegram and search for (the official bot creation account). Start a chat and send the command /newbot .

For total control, you can use a lightweight Python script running on your machine to monitor the RTSP feed and send media via the requests library.

Call the notification service notify.telegram and attach the camera's live snapshot. Method C: A Simple Python Script (For DIY Enthusiasts)

Your camera can send high-resolution JPEG snapshots and MP4 video clips directly into your private chat.

Many budget IP cameras feature a built-in "FTP Upload" or "Email Alert" function triggered by motion detection.

Telegram stores your received photos and video clips in the cloud securely, saving your local hard drive space.

Home security does not have to come with a expensive monthly subscription. While commercial security cameras charge recurring fees for cloud storage and smart alerts, you can build your own real-time surveillance system for zero cost.