From b782e249f519f25d1f537ac2b8397f26ce511114 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Joshua King <joshuaking.mba@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2026 10:01:04 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] Refactor ESP32 camera configuration and add dynamic controls
 for brightness, contrast, and AE level tuning

---
 esphome/esp32-h2c-camera.yaml | 71 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------
 1 file changed, 59 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-)

diff --git a/esphome/esp32-h2c-camera.yaml b/esphome/esp32-h2c-camera.yaml
index 565c8d4..8b7a896 100644
--- a/esphome/esp32-h2c-camera.yaml
+++ b/esphome/esp32-h2c-camera.yaml
@@ -56,34 +56,42 @@ mdns:
 web_server:
   port: 80
 
-i2c:
-  - id: camera_i2c
-    sda: GPIO8
-    scl: GPIO9
-    scan: false
-
 esp32_camera:
   name: "${friendly_name}"
   external_clock:
     pin: GPIO5
     frequency: 20MHz
-  i2c_id: camera_i2c
+  i2c_pins:
+    sda: GPIO8
+    scl: GPIO9
   data_pins: [GPIO16, GPIO18, GPIO21, GPIO17, GPIO14, GPIO7, GPIO6, GPIO4]
   vsync_pin: GPIO1
   href_pin: GPIO2
   pixel_clock_pin: GPIO15
 
-  # Start conservative for reliability; increase later if stable.
-  resolution: 800X600
-  jpeg_quality: 15
+  # Resolution & quality (ESP32-S3 with Octal PSRAM handles XGA easily)
+  resolution: 1024X768
+  jpeg_quality: 10
   max_framerate: 20 fps
   idle_framerate: 0.2 fps
-  frame_buffer_count: 1
+  frame_buffer_count: 2
 
-  # Common orientation defaults for this module.
+  # Orientation
   vertical_flip: true
   horizontal_mirror: false
+
+  # Image tuning for chamber monitoring through tinted door
   brightness: 1
+  contrast: -1
+  saturation: 0
+
+  # Auto-Exposure & Gain tuning (AEC2 + AE Level lift shadows away from bright LEDs)
+  aec_mode: auto
+  aec2: true
+  ae_level: 1
+  agc_mode: auto
+  agc_gain_ceiling: 8X
+  wb_mode: auto
 
 # Camera endpoints:
 # Stream:   http://<ip>:8080
@@ -144,3 +152,42 @@ interval:
             - logger.log: "Wi-Fi not connected for 5 min, rebooting..."
             - delay: 10s
             - lambda: 'App.safe_reboot();'
+
+# Dynamic controls exposed to Home Assistant for real-time camera tuning
+number:
+  - platform: template
+    name: "${friendly_name} Brightness"
+    min_value: -2
+    max_value: 2
+    step: 1
+    initial_value: 1
+    optimistic: true
+    set_action:
+      - lambda: |-
+          sensor_t *s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
+          if (s) s->set_brightness(s, (int)x);
+
+  - platform: template
+    name: "${friendly_name} Contrast"
+    min_value: -2
+    max_value: 2
+    step: 1
+    initial_value: -1
+    optimistic: true
+    set_action:
+      - lambda: |-
+          sensor_t *s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
+          if (s) s->set_contrast(s, (int)x);
+
+  - platform: template
+    name: "${friendly_name} AE Level"
+    min_value: -2
+    max_value: 2
+    step: 1
+    initial_value: 1
+    optimistic: true
+    set_action:
+      - lambda: |-
+          sensor_t *s = esp_camera_sensor_get();
+          if (s) s->set_ae_level(s, (int)x);
+