binary_sensor macbook pro camera_in_use triggers randomly

[michaeldpj]

Model Name: MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 - M1 Chip macOS Version: 12.1 App Version: 2022.2 (2022.345) Safari Version:

Home Assistant 2021.12.10

I'm having a problem that the camera_in_use binary sensor triggers randomly, thereby turning off my playlist. This works when I do use the camera (when I start a video conference), but it also randomly turns off with no log records before indicating a possibly reason. I have turned off all but 3 sensors - Active Camera, Camera in Use and Geocoded Location.

10:26:30 AM - Spotify changed to Paused by Video Conference - Pause Spotify 10:26:30 AM - MacBook Pro Active Camera changed to Inactive 10:26:30 AM - MacBook Pro Camera In Use turned off 10:26:30 AM - Video Conference - Pause Spotify has been triggered by state of binary_sensor.macbook_pro_camera_in_use by MacBook Pro Camera In Use 10:26:29 AM - MacBook Pro Camera In Use turned on

I am using the Trigger MacBook Pro camera_in_use turned on for my Automation.

I am going to try the Active Camera specifically to the external camera I use, but that this entity is triggered randomly was troublesome.

[michaeldpj]

I worked around this by using the active_camera entity for my automation.

[lochstar]

@michaeldpj Thanks for the tip regarding active camera 👍🏻

[kynatro]

Still seeing this happen in 2022.12.7 with a Macbook Pro 16-inch, 2021 running Monterey 12.6.1. I have a Logitech Webcam C930e hooked up externally as the default camera. Even after switching my automation to turn on my Zigbee light switch to be based on the "Active Camera" value, it still randomly triggers. When the camera is actually on (like when I start a Zoom call), the light stays on, but when the camera is inactive, it randomly triggers the active camera state - sometimes over a dozen times in a single work day. Very annoying to be working on something and have my bright camera light turn on in the middle of an unrelated activity.

[wernerhp]

The sensor doesn't trigger immediately.
M1 MackBook Pro (Ventura 13.2) Home Assistant Companion 2023.2 (2023.444)

binary_sensor.ipad_camera_in_use
iPad Camera In Use

Sometimes when I enter a Google Meet it triggers, other times it doesn't. Manually updating the sensors (File > Update Sensors) doesn't work either.

[whalecoiner]

I am definitely getting this erratic behaviour ONLY when the camera is accessed via a browser running Google Meet (Chrome and FF tested).

The camera being accessed by a browser running a non-Google camera app causes the camera sensor to be triggered reliably.

Very weird.

(and for me quite annoying as all my work meetings occur using Google Meet 😭 )

M1 Macbook Pro, MacOS 13.2.1