Fregata

Fregata is a native macOS application designed for private, local network video recording, leveraging Apple Silicon for superior performance. Key capabilities include: • Local-first video storage and object detection • Hardware-accelerated video decode/encode via VideoToolbox • Object detection on Apple Neural Engine for speed • Integrates with MQTT and Home Assistant • Single purchase, no subscriptions or per-camera fees This application redefines NVR solutions by running object detection incredibly fast (~1–4 ms/frame) directly on the Apple Neural Engine, eliminating the need for complex setups like Docker, Linux VMs, or dedicated GPUs. It utilizes your Mac's VideoToolbox for efficient video processing, allowing a single Apple Silicon Mac to manage numerous cameras in real time without compromising quality or performance. The setup is straightforward: connect your RTSP-compatible cameras, configure detection rules (via YAML or a web UI), and begin monitoring. Fregata is ideal for homeowners and small businesses seeking a robust, private, and high-performance security camera system. It offers complete control over your video data, ensuring everything remains local to your Mac. Enjoy features like real-time object detection for persons, cars, and other defined objects, along with reliable recording and review functionalities. It provides a familiar Frigate web UI and configuration, making the transition seamless for existing users while offering an optimized native macOS experience. This makes Fregata an excellent choice for those who value privacy, performance, and simplicity in their surveillance setup.