Gents, we are contemplating some security upgrades at our domicile. The old neighbourhood is still pretty friendly but the encroaching area is starting to get dodgy at times.
We are updating outdoor lighting soon and I will handle that since I do electrical work daily. There are some additional steps we are contemplating and I would be more tha happy to hear other peoples experiences before proceeding.
First up will be some perimeter alarm security. Entry points, garage doors, and probably the lower level windows. A keypad front and back would be appropriate. I will likely buy and install these components myself. If you check the online security device stores they sell established(read that easy to get parts and support) brands like Honeywell and DSC for VERY good prices these days. The wireless versions are considerably more for the sensors and devices but you can hybridise the wired systems pretty easily with wireless adapters. We will probably not be going with a paid monitoring service but with a cellular dialer to call one of our phones.
Cameras. This is a really interesting aspect of home security. And the most confusing as well. You can spend 50 dollars on a cheap ip capabile webcam, $200 on a Drop Cam, or just as much as you want on a dedicated surveillance system with loads of cameras and a pvr to archive it. Well we don't need a bank's security system but we would like to have two, maybe three cameras. One at each entry door and another on the corner of the house to watch the driveway. Monitoring is the issue. We have a decent network in our house and I was wondering if there was possibly an application for our Fire Tv that would act as a link to the cameras? I understand the cams would need to be networked and made 'live' to do it but networking is not my strong suit and I am sure there is much I am overlooking. I wouldn't mind spending a few hundred dollars on this but certainly don't want to spend thousand(s). Suggestions please.
Entry door intercom and driveway monitors. If you search the web for 'Chamberlain driveway monitor' you will see a nifty $60 wireless device that notifies you when someone pulls into your drive. Additional sensors are about $25 apiece and you can add three more to the system. Nice. I am unsure about the intercom. It would be really nice if my family did not have to answer the door some night without speaking to whoever is on the other side. I do not want the intecom installed by the door. At least not the inside station. I want it away from the door so any potential perp does not have an easy grab by immediately busting through the door. Any ideas about this equipment? I am hoping the video cameras will suffice for visuals since I am sure any sort of video/phone/intercom for the doors would be very pricey.
Alright, lets hear it. What do you have that works the way you want? On the other hand, what to avoid?
We are updating outdoor lighting soon and I will handle that since I do electrical work daily. There are some additional steps we are contemplating and I would be more tha happy to hear other peoples experiences before proceeding.
First up will be some perimeter alarm security. Entry points, garage doors, and probably the lower level windows. A keypad front and back would be appropriate. I will likely buy and install these components myself. If you check the online security device stores they sell established(read that easy to get parts and support) brands like Honeywell and DSC for VERY good prices these days. The wireless versions are considerably more for the sensors and devices but you can hybridise the wired systems pretty easily with wireless adapters. We will probably not be going with a paid monitoring service but with a cellular dialer to call one of our phones.
Cameras. This is a really interesting aspect of home security. And the most confusing as well. You can spend 50 dollars on a cheap ip capabile webcam, $200 on a Drop Cam, or just as much as you want on a dedicated surveillance system with loads of cameras and a pvr to archive it. Well we don't need a bank's security system but we would like to have two, maybe three cameras. One at each entry door and another on the corner of the house to watch the driveway. Monitoring is the issue. We have a decent network in our house and I was wondering if there was possibly an application for our Fire Tv that would act as a link to the cameras? I understand the cams would need to be networked and made 'live' to do it but networking is not my strong suit and I am sure there is much I am overlooking. I wouldn't mind spending a few hundred dollars on this but certainly don't want to spend thousand(s). Suggestions please.
Entry door intercom and driveway monitors. If you search the web for 'Chamberlain driveway monitor' you will see a nifty $60 wireless device that notifies you when someone pulls into your drive. Additional sensors are about $25 apiece and you can add three more to the system. Nice. I am unsure about the intercom. It would be really nice if my family did not have to answer the door some night without speaking to whoever is on the other side. I do not want the intecom installed by the door. At least not the inside station. I want it away from the door so any potential perp does not have an easy grab by immediately busting through the door. Any ideas about this equipment? I am hoping the video cameras will suffice for visuals since I am sure any sort of video/phone/intercom for the doors would be very pricey.
Alright, lets hear it. What do you have that works the way you want? On the other hand, what to avoid?