Currently buying first home and want to start planning security system. Based on what I saw, current owners have an Alarm.com system. I have no knowledge of that system. With that said, I'm looking to achieve the following: High quality security camera system that I can access via mobile and will also notify me when motion is detected, etc. (similar to Netgear Arlo system). I'd also like a DYI security system (perhaps I can use some of the Alarm.com hardware or wiring?). I'm not against a small monthly payment for profession monitoring / cellular connection in case there is a power or internet failure. Any particular place I should start?

Buy an Arlo camera system, ring doorbell, and get the doors and windows monitored by smith Thompson.

I currently have Arlo and can't stand it. From the terrible software bugs, changing batteries, delayed recordings, etc., I could go on and on. I want something more reliable with higher quality video.

i sent my arlo system back 1 week after purchase via amazon. several of the cams wouldnt get strong enough wifi signal to be dependable, even though other devices at the exact same spot could play videos without any streaming difficulty.

We have a Ring system and really like it. Easy to install. Easily customizable with tons of options. Professional monitoring. Available on mobile. Cheap.

Lots of pros.

I'm intrigued by the ring security system, but wasn't sure if it has "matured" enough as there are several companies entering that market. We also are heavy users of "Alexa" so the integration would be a huge plus. What I'm not sold on is Ring's camera systems and whether or not I want to implement those as well, or put in a professional quality camera system. I'm considering installing a high quality PoE IP camera system over Arlo, Ring, etc. camera systems, but not sure of what system would be best or how to manage it to get the features I want.

Quailmeezy said:

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We have a Ring system and really like it. Easy to install. Easily customizable with tons of options. Professional monitoring. Available on mobile. Cheap.

Lots of pros.

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Second for Ring. Picked up the jumbo system from Costco on black friday and paired it with 2 POE cameras. Easy-to-use app interface and $10/month for monitoring the alarm, which also includes unlimited cloud stoarge for the cameras.

Can you integrate any PoE cameras with Ring or do you have to use theirs?

Nobody Knows My Name said:

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Can you integrate any PoE cameras with Ring or do you have to use theirs?

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You have to use theirs, as far as I know.

I have some experience with a few

We had an alarm.com system in Colorado that included one camera, it was an HD 720p camera. The picture quality was terrible, slow frame rate and very grainy. The alarm system was good, but if you're after good video, this doesn't have it. I should add that we had it installed in about 2014, so the quality may have improved since then. Alarm.com's phone app was solid, their control panel was good, it included two-way voice communications which is excellent for us with the kids. One positive for the camera system is that the motion detection worked well, and you can adjust the sensitivity.

I have ring doorbell, nothing fancy, but the picture quality is very good. The motion detection is good, and the app/web interface is good. I don't have experience with their other cameras, but I would imagine the technology is the same as in the door bells

I have an Arlo camera from their F&F program, several of us on the Nerdery have been able to participate in that. The camera quality is excellent, the one I have is a 4k model. The app and web interfaces aren't great, but they work. The motion detection isn't good IMO. I have it watching my driveway across to the front walk, when I adjust the sensitivity to capture people motion for the sidewalk, it's very sensitive up close, and will trigger too often. When I adjust the sensitivity down to avoid over captures up close, it can't detect people on the front walk. The nice thing about this model, is that it's completely wireless. Connects over wifi, and is battery powered. The battery looks to last about 60-80 days on a charge so far. That said, the price tag is too high IMO

I've been looking at redoing my home network using Ubiquiti products, which includes POE cameras. I don't have experience with these but I've heard good things.

we've got simply safe for doors and windows and then a ring doorbell/spotlight cam for outside.

im pretty pleased with it.

Thinking of doing Simplisafe in new house with door contacts, motion, etc. Anyone have any experience/reviews?

we've been with them for 5-6 years. been pretty pleased. no real issues.

If you don't want to have to pay for ongoing monitoring/service, check out Abode. Ring/Nest/Simplisafe are all sold with the premise of needing a monitoring plan with them.

I have the original Arlo's from the F&F program. I've had similar issues. While they have been serviceable, I want a more permanent, reliable solution for the new house. I was burglarized a couple years ago so I plan to go all out with camera / security system. I'm likely looking at ~4-8 cameras. Still need to scope out the property a little more once we close.

I currently have a Ring doorbell, flood light camera, 2 stick up cameras and alarm system. Also currently testing a new product that is useful but can't discuss yet due to NDA's. It's on their website if you look.

I love it all and can integrate them with each other. Can also select which cameras if any I want to instantly start recording if the alarm is tripped.

The floodlight camera is at the beach house watching the golf cart and has already assisted us when teenagers were trying to take it for a spin.

any recs for a hardwired DVR type camera setup? Would like to be able to monitor from phone as well. Looking for 8 cameras. 4 inside, 4 outside

Currently have Blink. No monitoring. Generous storage. Reasonably priced hardware. Decent picture quality.

MAS444 said:

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Thinking of doing Simplisafe in new house with door contacts, motion, etc. Anyone have any experience/reviews?

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We've had simplisafe for a few months since we bought our house in March. Seems to work great, haven't had any issues.

Only complaint I have is that it doesn't have routine capability with Alexa. It has Alexa compatability in that you can tell Alexa to arm it, or put it in 'home mode' or whatever, but you can't create a specific routine so it doesn't talk very well with other things in your house if you're looking for a lot of smart home integration.

But that's a very specific complaint, overall we really like it. Easy to install, easy to understand and change the settings, etc.

Ring with 2 flood light cams, door bell cam, garage door sensor. Love it so far and will continue to add on.

My next step is indoor camera(s).

Thanks for posting about Simplisafe. I was just about to create a new thread asking for opinions on their system.

Does anyone else have experience with Simplisafe? It seems pretty straight forward and relatively inexpensive. I don't need anything state of the art, just simple intrusion detection and a camera or 2. They are currently running a Father's day special where you get a free camera and 15% off the entire order.

ive heard mixed reviews about their cameras. rest of the system is solid.

Thinking of going the wired CCTV route. Obviously, no interaction with people that come to the door. What drawbacks are there with these systems from those who have gone with other systems? I'm not really interested in some of the features that Ring and other doorbell units offer. I just want to see who's on my property and record if necessary.

See my post here:


https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/2918380


Had them about a year and a half now, and have no complaints.

What kind of cable connects the cameras to the control unit? On the thread you referenced, someone complained about the camera going out. I'm wondering if rodents got to the cable. Did you wrap yours with anything?

They are POE cameras and come with a 100ft Ethernet cable for each camera.

It's possible that rodents chewed his cable. I did not wrap or protect my cables with anything. Just ran the bare Ethernet cables through my attic.

I have Blink cams & use Smith Thompson to monitor the pre-wired ADT system in the house. Pleased so far.

This tech space is rapidly evolving & there really isn't one best single solution for all of it. There may never be.

Try not to spend an arm and a leg on this stuff, because the options will be better in another 5 years & you may want to upgrade/swap/mix-n-match.

Went with Swann system from Fry's in Houston a few years back and have been satisfied with the product and App.

It's a 4 camera hardwired system with an 8 channel 2 TB harddrive - which is plenty of storage if you have the settings to record on motion instead of continous - I think I still have recordings from this past Christmas.

Two recommendations:

1) I would spend money on the highest resolution camera within your budget (I've been satisfied with 5 MP, higher would be 4K) and off-set by not going with PoE (Cat 5 cable) since you'll be running cable anyway, as the POE option is a bit more expensive. The ones i purchased have BNC cables - one for power and the other for video. The two cables are insulated together so you're really only running "one" cable, just with two connections.

2) Spend a lot of time reading reviews on the software and app. The hardware across the brands (Swann, Q-See, Samsung, etc.) on an apples-to-apples basis will be similarly priced, but the reliability of the app and it being user friendly are extremely important if you want to view on your mobile on a regular basis.

I would stay away from wireless options altogether.

Ring works great for us, as well. With each new update, it improves leaps and bounds, too.

Get a dog... Doesn't have to be a pit bull or rottweiler...
In fact, a yippy little dog often is a great alarm!! The more terrier the more chance of a territorial dog who will defend to the death!

A sign on the door, fence, gate, etc., stating "beware of dog" works wonders whether you have a dog or not.
Same is true of security camera - a sign works wonders even if you don't have a system...
Or, mount some fake cameras in various obvious locations and don't worry about the software working, etc. - it is still a deterrent.

It's like putting several dead bolts on your door is a waste of time and a hassle to open each one when coming and going... A good kick will likely knock the door frame in/out - ...and going through a large window or patio door is easier for real burglars.

The best solution if you are in the house is a 2x6 inside across the door which fits into Z shaped angle iron bolted to the structural members of the wall about midway in the door. May not be too pretty, but much more effective than lockset/dead bolt.

For sliding patio doors a piece of wood or pole behind the moveable door is better than any lock.
Same for windows - a piece of wood, etc., to brace the movable window from opening is better than the lock.

I'm not saying don't lock your doors or get a security system - or pay for one... common sense and a few simple security features work wonders...