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Alarm.com Monitoring: Secure, Smart, and Affordable with SafeHomeCentral.com
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Alarm.com Monitoring: Secure, Smart, and Affordable with SafeHomeCentral.com
The Power of Alarm.com Monitoring for Home and Business Security
If you’re looking for a modern, reliable, and feature-packed way to monitor your home or business security system, Alarm.com monitoring is the perfect solution. With advanced mobile app control, instant alerts, and seamless integration with smart home devices, Alarm.com brings cutting-edge security technology to your fingertips.
At SafeHomeCentral.com, we specialize in providing affordable, no-contract Alarm.com monitoring plans that give you the ultimate combination of security, convenience, and savings. Unlike the big-name security companies, we don’t lock you into long-term contracts or overpriced plans—you get top-tier security monitoring at a much lower cost with our 7-day-a-week expert tech support to back you up.
Why Choose SafeHomeCentral.com for Alarm.com Monitoring?
1. No-Contract Monitoring
Many alarm companies force you into expensive, long-term contracts, making it difficult to switch or cancel services without penalties. At SafeHomeCentral.com, we believe in flexibility—you can cancel anytime with no hidden fees or commitments.
2. Affordable Pricing
SafeHomeCentral.com offers Alarm.com monitoring plans starting at just $13.95 per month, with no contracts and all cellular carrier fees included. Unlike other companies that tack on extra fees, our pricing is transparent and straightforward.
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3. 7-Day-a-Week Tech Support
Unlike many alarm companies that limit customer support to weekdays, SafeHomeCentral.com provides expert technical support every day of the week. Whether you need help setting up your system, troubleshooting an issue, or adjusting your Alarm.com settings, our US-based support team is always available.
4. Nationwide Coverage
We offer Alarm.com monitoring services across the United States and Canada, making us a perfect choice for both homeowners and business owners looking for professional-grade security at an unbeatable price.
5. Works with Popular Alarm Systems
Our Alarm.com monitoring services support a wide range of top-tier security panels, including:
- Qolsys IQ Series security systems
- 2GIG security panels
- Interlogix panels
- Honeywell Vista alarm systems
- DSC systems
If your system includes an Alarm.com cellular communicator, SafeHomeCentral.com can provide seamless monitoring and control.
Key Features of SafeHomeCentral.com’s Alarm.com Monitoring
- Remote Arm/Disarm via the Alarm.com mobile app
- Email, Text, and Push Notifications for alarm events
- Geo-Fencing Automation to trigger actions based on your location
- Event History Log to review past system activity
- Smart Home Integration with thermostats, locks, lights, and garage doors
- Live Video Monitoring with Alarm.com security cameras and video doorbells
- Smart Video Analytics to distinguish between people, vehicles, and animals
Why SafeHomeCentral.com is Your Best Choice for Alarm.com Monitoring
Switching is Easy!
Already have an Alarm.com-compatible security system? Switching to SafeHomeCentral.com is simple! Just provide us with your panel and communicator details, and we’ll get your monitoring service activated quickly.
No Hidden Fees or Gimmicks
Many security companies lure customers in with low introductory rates only to increase prices later. At SafeHomeCentral.com, what you see is what you get—transparent, honest pricing with no surprises.
Faster Response Time
Our Alarm.com monitoring service connects to fully redundant, UL-certified central stations in the U.S., ensuring rapid emergency response times when it matters most.
Insurance Discounts
With our central station dispatch monitoring plans, you may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount of 15-20%, which often covers the entire cost of monitoring!
Get Started Today!
Don’t overpay for Alarm.com monitoring with a big-name provider when you can get the same high-quality service for less at SafeHomeCentral.com. Enjoy the freedom of no contracts, affordable pricing, and expert support every day of the week.
Call us today at 800-840-6150 or visit SafeHomeCentral.com to choose the best Alarm.com monitoring plan for your home or business!
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Linking Multiple Accounts In The Alarm.com App
Linking Multiple Accounts Together In Alarm.com
Linked Systems allows multiple customer accounts to be shared under a single login. This allows the customer login to conveniently switch between Alarm.com accounts without having to log out of one account and log into their other Alarm.com accounts. Once Linked Systems is set up, the login can toggle between the linked accounts using the Customer Website or Customer app.
With Linked Systems, customers can combine any existing Alarm.com accounts together, even if the accounts are with different dealers. There is no limit on the number of accounts that can be linked using Linked Systems.
To link multiple account logins using the Customer Website:
- Have the customer choose the account they would like to mainly use to access all of their accounts. This is the login used to access the multiple accounts once it is set up.
- Verify all usernames and passwords for the other accounts are easily accessible or known.
- Log into the Customer Website using the chosen customer account login.
- Click the Login information icon.
- The user can also click Settings, then Login Information to open the Login Information window.
- Click Link a System if no systems have been linked or Linked Systems if there are existing linked systems.
- Click Add.
- In the Login text field, enter the login name to be linked.
- In the Password text field, enter the password to the login to be linked.
- Click Submit.
- Verify the system to be linked, then click Confirm. This takes immediate effect in linking the accounts to the current login name.
Note: A secondary login appears for any accounts that are attached to the main account. The login that appears is the login of the main account.
To link multiple account logins using the Customer app:
- Have the customer choose the main account the customer would like to connect with the rest. This is the login they will use whenever accessing the accounts going forward.
- Verify all the usernames and passwords for the other accounts are easily accessible.
- Log into the Customer app.
- Tap
. - Tap Login Information.
- Tap Link a System if no systems have been linked or Linked Systems if there are existing linked systems.
- Tap Add.
- Enter the login and password for a secondary account.
- Tap Next.
- Read the instructions on the page, then tap Confirm.
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Configuring Alarm.com Places and Geo Fencing
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Configure Alarm.com Places
Alarm.com’s Places feature allows customers to be more connected to their home. With Places, customers can automate home settings and initiate additional notifications based on the location of their iPhone or Android phone relative to their home, office, or any other Geo-Fence they specify. To configure Places follow the following steps using the Alarm.com Customer Website and Customer app.
Permission requirements
The following login permissions are able to configure the Places feature:
- Master Control
- Full Control
- Custom with Notification Settings enabled
Enable Location Services
To configure Places enable Location Services on one or more of your phones. To enable Location Services, the customer must use the Alarm.com Customer mobile app.
To enable Location Services:
- Log into the Alarm.com mobile app.
- Tap .
- Tap App Settings.
- Tap Location Services.
- Tap the Location Services toggle switch to enable it.
- If asked, tap Turn On to turn on Location Services.
- Location Services is now enabled for the device and appears as a Geo-Device on the Alarm.com Customer Website.
Create a Geo-Fence
Once Geo-Devices are set up, a Geo-Fence is created. A Geo-Fence is a virtual geographic boundary used for Alarm.com Places. Geo-Fences can be created and edited using the Customer Website or Customer mobile app.
To create a Geo-Fence using the Alarm.com Customer Website:
- Log into the Alarm.com Customer Website.
- Click Settings.
- Click Places.
- In Manage Places, click Add a Fence.
- The center of the fence defaults to the system’s installation address. To move the fence location, perform either of the following:
- Click and drag the location marker on the map.
- Enter a specific address in the Move fence location to field and click
.
- In the Fence Name field, enter a name for the Geo-Fence.
- To adjust the radius, either click and drag the Geo-Fence anchors on the map overlay, or enter the desired radius in the Geo-Fence Radius field (in miles).
Note: The minimum Geo-Fence radius is 1 mile (1.6 kilometers), and the maximum is 100 miles (160 kilometers). If the account is in Canada, the minimum radius is 1.5 kilometers and the maximum is 150 kilometers.
- Click Save.
To create a Geo-Fence using the Alarm.com Customer mobile app:
- Log into the Customer app.
- Tap .
- Tap Places.
- Tap
. - The center of the fence defaults to the system’s installation address. To move the fence location, perform either of the following:
- Tap and drag the map to adjust the location of the marker.
- Enter a specific address.
- To adjust the radius, either pinch the Geo-Fence, enter the desired radius in the Adjust Radius field (in miles), or tap or
to adjust the distance.
Note: The minimum Geo-Fence radius is 1 mile (1.6 kilometers), and the maximum is 100 miles (160 kilometers). If the account is in Canada, the minimum radius is 1.5 kilometers and the maximum is 150 kilometers. - In the Name field, enter a name for the Geo-Fence.
- Tap Save.
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Enroll a camera or video device to an Alarm.com account
Enroll a camera or video device to an Alarm.com account
There are three local options for connecting video devices to the network: Ethernet, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Mode, and Access Point (AP) Mode. Some video devices can only be connected using some of those options, so verify which methods are supported before beginning the enrollment process.
See also Reconnect a camera to a wireless network if the router, equipment, or Wi-Fi settings change
Pre-enrollment checklist:
- AC power adapter (required for non-PoE connections)
- Broadband (Cable, DSL or Fiber Optic) internet connection with a router
- A computer or mobile device with internet access
- An Ethernet/Cat5 cable (if using an Ethernet-capable camera)
- Alarm.com account access through the Customer Website, or Customer mobile app.
For more information about how to reconnect a camera to a network after it has lost its original connection, see Reconnect a camera to a Wi-Fi network if the router, equipment, or Wi-Fi settings change.
Connect the video device to an internet network
AP Mode
Note: To ensure sufficient Wi-Fi signal, complete these steps with the camera near its final location but prior to mounting.
- Connect the camera’s AC power adapter and plug it into a non-switched outlet.
- Press and hold the video device’s WPS button for about six seconds, then release when the LED begins to flash white.
- On a Wi-Fi enabled device, connect to the wireless network ALARM (XX:XX:XX) where XX:XX:XX is the last six digits of the device’s MAC address, which is located on the back or bottom or the video device.
- On the same Wi-Fi enabled device, open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to add the device to the wireless network.
- When the LED is solid green, the wireless connection is complete. If the LED is not solid green after a few minutes, retry AP mode or try to connect using a different compatible mode (i.e., WPS or Ethernet).
WPS Mode
Note: To ensure sufficient Wi-Fi signal, complete these steps with the camera near its final location but prior to mounting.
- Connect the camera’s AC power adapter, and plug it into a non-switched outlet.
- Press and hold the WPS button for about three seconds, and then release when the LED begins to flash blue.
- Activate the WPS mode on the router. The device begins to connect to the wireless network.
- When the LED on the video device is solid green, the wireless connection is complete. If the LED is not solid green after a few minutes, retry WPS mode or try to connect using a different compatible mode (i.e., AP or Ethernet).
Ethernet Mode
- Plug an Ethernet cable into the video device and the customer’s router or networking device.
- Connect the camera’s AC power adapter and plug it into a non-switched outlet. If the video device is using Power-over-Ethernet, ignore this step.
- When the LED is solid green, the wired connection is complete. If the LED is not solid green after a few minutes:
- Power cycle the camera.
- Try a different Ethernet port on the router or networking device.
- Try to connect using a different network connection option (i.e., WPS or AP) if one is available.
Important: If the video device is going to be connected wirelessly, configure the video device’s Wi-Fi settings once the camera is added to the account.To enroll the video device using the Customer app installation wizard:
- Log into the Alarm.com mobile app.
- Tap Video.
- Tap
. - Tap Add Video Device.
- Tap Install for the desired video device to be installed.
- Follow the on-screen prompts for installing the video device.
To enroll the video device using the Alarm.com Website:
- In an internet browser address bar, enter www.alarm.com/addcamera and log into your account. Alternatively:
- Log into the Alarm.com Website.
- Click Video.
- Click Settings.
- Click Add Video Device.
- Find the desired video device in the list and enter a name for the video device.
- Next to the desired video device, click Install.
- After the device is successfully installed, the camera settings are configurable using the Alarm.com Website. If the video device needs a Wi-Fi connection but was installed using an Ethernet cable, the video device’s Wi-Fi settings need to be configured.
- Power down the video device, and install it in its final location using the included hardware.
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Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus DIY Wireless Home Security System Review – 2021
From the professional installation side of our business the new Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is with a doubt our “go-to” panel when upgrading customers with lots of existing wireless devices. We frequently come across customers with older Honeywell Lynx Plus or Lynx Touch wireless panels, or even Vista hardwired with wireless sensors added on that are looking to modernize. The same goes for customers with Interlogix/GE Simon XT, 2GIG Go!Control (GC2), or DSC Impassa systems, all very popular in their day.
Qolsys has introduced an enhancement to their already successful IQ Panel 2 adding PowerG wireless capability but more importantly compatibility with many popular legacy wireless formats. The new product is called the IQ Panel 2 Plus. While we loved their original IQ Panel 2, the new Plus model adds some powerful upgrade features. First is adding DSC’s PowerG wireless capability for super long range sensor protection. Now that DSC (or more correctly Johnson Controls) has acquired Qolsys adding PowerG to the Qolsys lineup was a natural. Rather than the normal 100-200 feet range most RF wireless sensors can be seperated from their control panel without a repeater, PowerG has a maximum range of 2000 feet! This is perfect for homeowners with detached garages, sheds, thick interior stone walls etc. where traditionally wireless without a repeater was problematic. Of course security was designed in so these sensors utilize 128-bit AES excryption making PowerG one of the most secure in the industry.
Another improvement for the IQ Panel is legacy RF wireless support. If you had an existing GE/Interlogix panel for example the IQ Panel 2 Plus can continue to utilize these 319.5Mhz wireless sensors – as well as 915Mhz PowerG sensors. If you had 2GIG or Honeywell 5800 series wireless sensors then you can use the 345Mhz legacy wireless model. The same goes with DSC 433Mhz wireless support. The choice of legacy wireless support make the IQ Panel 2 Plus extremely flexible for panel upgrades. You can add up to 128 wireless total zones supporting PowerG or one of the legacy wireless modes (319.5Mhz, 345Mhz, 433Mhz).
Out of the box the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus has WIFI and 4G LTE cellular buillt-in. You can choose between AT&T or Verizon models. As with the earlier Qolsys panels Alarm.com is their chosen interactive services partner to remote control security, home automation, as well as video surveillance devices such as cameras and video doorbells. Using the built-in Live View capability you can answer your door right from the 7″ touchscreen using an Alarm.com Skybell video doorbell. Have a Z-Wave lock? Then you can unlock the door from the keypad as well. Of course all of this is possible from the Alarm.com mobile app too.
For home automation the IQ2+ is Z-Wave Plus compatible which opens up the world to the thousands of Z-Wave devices on the market. You can ad up to 232 Z-Wave home automation devices such as lights, locks, thermostats, even Z-Wave sirens. You can control these devices right from your keypad or via the Alarm.com app assuming you sign up for the Interactive-Enhanced plan which adds home automation control.
From a panel configuration/programming point of view the Qolsys IQ2+ has the most straightforward navigation. Definitely the easiest for DIY homeowners. Of course SafeHomeCentral offers free remote programming as well but Qolsys has always been the quickest and easiest to setup. The panel can be mounted on a wall or you can use the included “kickstand” allowing you to just place the keypad on your kitchen countertop or desk and plug the panel into a nearby AC outlet. The panel has a 24hour backup battery included.
The classic IQ Panel 2 could use Alarm.com Image Sensors which are motion detectors with a built-in camera which can take several snaps when an alarm is triggered at the motion detector. However the PowerG daughter card uses the same slot as the optional Image Sensor daughter card in the IQ Panel 2 Plus. But DSC offers a PowerG Image Sensor that works with Alarm.com so all is not lost! And speaking of cameras the Qolsys IQ2+ has a built-in 5MP camera on the keypad which can take pictures upon disarming or during an alarm. There is also a software driven motion sensor that can use the keypad camera to detect pixel changes (movement) when either armed or disarmed. The latter is useful for presense detection for older users so love-one can check to make sure they are up and about. There is also a software driven Glassbreak Detector as well which utilizes the microphone in the keypad as part of the two-way voice feature. This is used to talk with a central station dispatcher directly via the keypad since the keypad has both a speaker and microphone.
Because legacy wireless devices can be used, depending on which model you purchase, there are hundreds of potential security devices that can be used with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. This includes wireless security sensors from Qolsys (319.5Mhz), GE/Interlogix (319.5Mhz), DSC (433Mhz), DSC PowerG (915Mhz), Honeywell 5800 (345Mhz) or 2GIG (345Mhz).
Qolsys also sells the IQ Remote which is a WIFI connected 7″ secondary touchscreen. You can add up to three IQ Remote keypads to your system giving four total keypads when including the actual IQ Panel 2 Plus. They look just like the main panel, also have an integrated camera on the front and will chime/talk as zones open (when chime mode active). Frankly we find them pricey but they are the best looking remote keypads out there. Just need to supply power to the included AC transformer. Can be wall mounted or use the included kickstand just like the IQ2+ main panel. Oh and also has its own rechargable backup battery inside.
Overall the new Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is a great panel. If not upgrading from an existing wireless panel you can order the Qolsys 319.5Mhz model since it comes in kit form with two encrypted wireless door/window sensors and an encrypted wireless motion sensor. While the panel in the kit includes the PowerG daughter card the sensors with the kit are not PowerG transmitters rather they are Qolsys S-Line 319.5Mhz sensors. Just add on any addition al sensors you need and you have one advanced, but easy to install professional grade alarm system!
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The Best Smart Security Cameras for 2020
When everyone claims to make the best home security camera, how do you choose?
There are HD cameras. Wide-angle cameras. 1080p cameras with night vision. Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras. Do you look for the latest features, the biggest discounts, or the best security camera reviews?
With so much to consider, it’s easy to miss a very important detail.
It’s not all about the camera. Look at the platform first.
While a smart security camera’s components, design and engineering make a big difference, the software platform is where the “smart” part happens. Your camera’s app and its features, your video alerts and your customization options are all determined by this layer of digital technology.
It’s why we think the best home security cameras are powered by Alarm.com.
Alarm.com-powered cameras come fully integrated into our platform and app through your smart home security system. As well as best-in-class hardware, they give you advanced video features, extra home security benefits, and an easy, professionally-supported experience.
1: See what’s going on from anywhere, anytime.
Whether you’re investigating a strange noise outside, or just saying hello to your kids from the office, the Alarm.com app makes things easy.You can view a live stream from any camera with your smartphone, tablet, desktop, Apple Watch or even your TV. You can be at work and still talk to a visitor at your door. If you get an alert that your alarm is going off, you can open a camera feed, zoom in to see what’s going on, then verify or cancel the alarm signal—all from the same screen.
Viewing recorded footage is just as easy. Alarm.com stores your video clips securely on our cloud servers for you to watch, download and share whenever you need it.
2: Stay in the know with intelligent clips and alerts.
All smart security cameras have motion detectors that trigger video recordings and smartphone alerts. Got a busy home? You can look forward to a lot of alerts—or you can take the Alarm.com route instead.
With security system intelligence, our cameras understand what’s going on. It means you can customize and filter your alerts for a better experience. For example, you can have Alarm.com turn off all alerts from indoor cameras when your security system is disarmed.
You can also set up triggered video alerts for specific events. If you want to see your kids arrive home after school, for example, you can have Alarm.com send you a video clip from your hallway camera when they unlock the front door every day.
3: Get better crime prevention features.
When it comes to crime prevention, our cameras are more than a deterrent. As part of your smart security system, Alarm.com-powered cameras “team up” with other security devices, like your smart locks, to help you solve challenges like this:
4: Invest in security cameras that keep getting smarter.
Security camera technology gets better every year. Some manufacturers expect you to replace your cameras frequently to keep up. We don’t: instead, we release new features and services digitally, using our platform to keep your cameras up-to-date for longer.
Take the new Alarm.com video analytics service. It uses artificial intelligence to make sense of what your cameras see, in real time. It can tell whether an object in your driveway is a person, an animal or a vehicle. It can ignore a person who visits your front door and then leaves (the mailman), but alert you when a visitor lingers too long on your porch.
Industry experts praised it not just for its smarter video alerts, but also for working with our most popular indoor and outdoor cameras. If you’re interested in activating video analytics, contact your Alarm.com service provider to learn about camera compatibility and service plan options.
5: DIY installation and SafeHomeCentral support makes it easy.
Have you ever installed security cameras?
Our expert online service technicians make this part easy. They can help you choose the best cameras for each area of your home, then walk you through DIY installation to connect your cameras quickly and cleanly. Should anything go wrong with a camera after installation, SafeHomeCentral will be on hand with the tools and know-how to fix the issue.
Want Alarm.com-powered security cameras for your home?
The best home security cameras can be part of the package when you choose smart home security powered by Alarm.com. Delivered by SafeHomeCentral it’s the easy way to enjoy smart home technology and keep your family protected.
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Worry Less This School Year With Alarm.com Security Monitoring
That’s especially true when children reach home-alone age and begin arriving home while you’re still at work. While your kids will quickly adapt, your concerns for their safety and wellbeing won’t be going anywhere.However, new technology can help. With smartphone alerts, connected video cameras and remote-controlled door security, an Alarm.com-powered security system can quickly become an essential tool for managing your weekday worries. And keep in mind SafeHomeCentral has the most feature rich, lowest cost Alarm.com plans in the industry!
Worry 1: Are my kids safely home?
Your biggest after-school concern is to know that your kids are home. It’s a worry that comes in many flavors: How long do you wait to text or call if they forget to check in? What if they lose their keys? If they’re home, are they alone – or did their friends invite themselves over?
We’ve got this one covered. Take a look.
Worry 2: Are my kids behaving responsibly at home?
Letting your kids manage their own after-school time helps to build their sense of responsibility. However, you need a way to know that they’re doing the right thing. Alarm.com’s indoor video technology can help.
For example, our own research indicates that parents expect kids to take responsibility for their own homework at around the age of 12.) Our indoor cameras give you a discreet way to quickly confirm that things are getting done. You can even help them out with a tricky math equation via two-way voice conversation.
Worry 3: Is the house secure during the daytime?
Weekday mornings are busy and kids are forgetful. If they’re the last to leave the house, you may be concerned about potential security lapses. After all, there’s nothing like coming home to discover that your garage has remained invitingly open all day.
Alarm.com alerts let you take a “trust but verify” approach, with the ability to lock up remotely if your kids forget.
PS: If it’s you who’s the forgetful one, check out our Geo-Services reminders and what they can do for you.
Want to worry less this year with Alarm.com? Protecting your family and home with Alarm.com technology is easy. Just give us a call and we can walk you through the powerful options!
267-961-6353
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2GIG GC2 Firmware Update Files
The new 4G LTE cellular communicator needed for Alarm.com service requires a firmware version of at least 1.19.3 or higher just to recognize the new cell card. If you have purchased the 2GIG-UPCBL2 cable needed to flash the GC2 firmware yourself without incurring an Over-The-Air (OTA) cellular charge from Alarm.com below is the instructions and Windows PC software needed to update your GC2 firmware. Inside the zip file is the firmware for the GC2 itself as well as firmware for the TS1 keypad if you are using one. Your current GC2 firmware MUST be at least V1.9 to use this update.
Firmware Update files (V1.19.3)
Need an update cable? 2GIG-UPCBL2.
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The Best Smart Security Cameras For The Holiday Gift Season – 2019
There are HD cameras. Wide-angle cameras. 1080p cameras with night vision. Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras. How do you chose the best for your situation? Do you look for the latest features, the biggest discounts, or the best security camera reviews? Read on to decide what’s best to sneak into a stocking for your family this holiday season!With so much to consider, it’s easy to miss a very important detail. Frankly it’s not all about the camera. Look at the platform first.
While a smart security camera’s components, design and engineering make a big difference, the software platform is where the “smart” part happens. Your camera’s app and its features, your video alerts and your customization options are all determined by this layer of digital technology.It’s why we think the best home security cameras are powered by Alarm.com.
Alarm.com-powered cameras come fully integrated into their platform and app through your compatible smart home security systems. . Big names in the pro security industry such as Qolsys, 2GIG, DSC, and Honeywell support the Alarm.com platform. As well as best-in-class hardware, Alarm.com give you advanced video features, extra home security benefits, and an easy, professionally-supported experience.
1: See what’s going on from anywhere, anytime.
Whether you’re investigating a strange noise outside, or just saying hello to your kids from the office, the Alarm.com app makes things easy.
You can view a live stream from any camera with your smartphone, tablet, desktop, Apple Watch or even your TV. You can be at work and still talk to a visitor at your door. If you get an alert that your alarm is going off, you can open a camera feed, zoom in to see what’s going on, then verify or cancel the alarm signal—all from the same screen.
Viewing recorded footage is just as easy. Alarm.com stores your video clips securely on their cloud servers for you to watch, download and share whenever you need it.
2: Stay in the know with intelligent clips and alerts.
All smart security cameras have motion detectors that trigger video recordings and smartphone alerts. Got a busy home? You can look forward to a lot of alerts—or you can take the Alarm.com route instead.
With security system intelligence, Alarm.com cameras understand what’s going on. It means you can customize and filter your alerts for a better experience. For example, you can have Alarm.com turn off all alerts from indoor cameras when your security system is disarmed.
You can also set up triggered video alerts for specific events. If you want to see your kids arrive home after school, for example, you can have Alarm.com send you a video clip from your hallway camera when they unlock the front door every day. Yeah smart.
3: Get better crime prevention features.
When it comes to crime prevention, our cameras are more than a deterrent. As part of your smart security system, Alarm.com-powered cameras “team up” with other security devices, like your smart locks, to help you solve challenges like this:
4: Invest in security cameras that keep getting smarter.
Security camera technology keeps getting better each year. Some manufacturers expect you to replace your cameras frequently to keep up. With Alarm.com cameras new features and services are released digitally over tghe air (OTA) using its platform to keep your cameras up-to-date longer.
Take the Alarm.com video analytics service. It uses artificial intelligence to make sense of what your cameras see, in real time. It can tell whether an object in your driveway is a person, an animal or a vehicle. It can ignore a person who visits your front door and then leaves (the mailman), but alert you when a visitor lingers too long on your porch.
If you’re interested in activating video analytics, just contact us to learn more about our Alarm.com video service plan options.
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Why Real Professional Alarm Monitoring Is Essential With Pets
It doesn’t matter how brave or capable or dedicated you are.Take SafeHomeCentral and Alarm.com user Benjamin. He’s all of the above. When his security system alerted him to a fire in his house, he ran inside without hesitation to rescue his two dogs, trapped in an upstairs room.
What he didn’t need to do was stop and call the fire department first. Our professional monitoring service had it covered. As Benjamin sprang into action, firefighters were already on their way to save his and his neighbor’s townhomes. Here’s his story.
Instead of having to hesitate, dial 911 and talk to a dispatcher, Benjamin was able to focus on getting everyone to safety. In an emergency at your home, that’ll be your first instinct too.
That’s why you need professional security monitoring, and why it’s included with every UL central station Alarm.com-powered security system.
In a fire or break-in at your home, an Alarm.com-powered system sends an emergency signal, via dedicated cellular connection, to a monitoring station staffed 24/7 with trained security professionals. They’ll quickly assess the situation and alert your local law enforcement or fire department.
With Alarm.com’s new Smart Signal feature, you can even send an emergency signal to your monitoring station from your phone if you’re in danger. They’ll take care of the rest while you get your family to safety.
Don’t get us wrong: smartphone alerts and real-time awareness are home security essentials too. Just ask Benjamin’s dogs. For complete protection for your family and home, however, professional security is always the smartest choice.
How do I get professional monitoring?
Getting the best protection for your family is easy with SafeHomeCentral and Alarm.com. We’re authorized home security experts who can quickly design, install and configure a complete smart security system for your home. Professional monitoring is always included.
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Do Fake Security Cameras Really Work?
Some people have funny ideas about home security.
Certain homeowners, for example, boast about preventing burglaries with nothing more than a large Beware of the Doberman sign. Others park a pair of muddy size 14 boots outside the front door as a crime deterrent. Some will tell you to entrust your security to a fake security cameras – an empty camera body designed to mimic a video monitoring solution.When a burglar spots your dummy camera – complete with blinking, battery-powered red light if you spring for the high-end $20 model – they’ll quickly beat a retreat…or so the story goes.
But does it work?
It’s a home security urban legend with a grain of truth. A novice burglar might be fooled (maybe), although experienced crooks can quickly spot a fake.
When this cheap trick fails though, what’s left to protect your home? After all, there’s a whole lot that a fake camera can’t do.
1: Fake cameras can’t show you important activity
Take this everyday scenario: While you’re at work, someone walks up to your front porch. Here’s how it might go with a real camera, and with a fake one.
Real camera: With a true security camera, powered by Alarm.com, you’ll be notified. The visitor’s motion triggers your camera to record a clip, and Alarm.com sends you a smartphone alert. On opening the alert, you can pull up a live feed from your camera on your Alarm.com app and see what’s happening.
Now, you can take action. You can call your spouse if they’re home and let them know. You can zoom in on the video feed for a better look at the visitor’s face. If your camera is a doorbell camera, you can address them directly through the camera’s speaker and ask them: hey, what’s up? If it’s someone you’re expecting, you can unlock your door for them.
Fake camera: With a fake camera, none of the above applies.
2: Fake cameras can’t help you catch a crook
Let’s say that your suspicious visitor really is up to no good. In fact, they’re a package thief, and they make off with a parcel you just had delivered to your porch.
Real camera: We’re sorry about your missing package. Your Alarm.com-powered camera supplies a silver lining for you and your neighbors: a clear video clip of the thief in action. It’s easy to download to your phone and email it to your local police department or newspaper. You can even post it directly to Facebook to share with your neighborhood groups.
Your video clip can quickly become a crime-fighting asset that gives police the breakthrough they need to recognize and catch the thief.
PS: we have great solutions to fight package theft.
Fake camera: You’ll still realize your package went missing—after a couple of days, at least.
3: Fake cameras aren’t connected to a security system
Let’s look at the worst-case scenario. Your suspicious visitor is a daytime burglar intent on forcing your front door open, camera or no.
Real camera: This burglar quickly discovers that your camera is connected to your smart security system. As well as recording them, your Alarm.com technology is simultaneously sounding a loud alarm, sending alarm notifications to you and your family, and delivering an emergency signal to our 24-hour UL central station monitoring station.
Fake camera: You’re going to have a terrible surprise when you get home.
4: Fake cameras can’t show you anything at all
Not everything that happens on your porch is an attempted burglary. On any given day, you’re far more likely to have a package delivered, to have a neighbor visit, or to have your kids arrive home from school. Being able to see what’s going on makes everything easier and reduces everyday worries.
This is how millions of Alarm.com-powered cameras are used every day, and it’s what many users love most about their smart security systems. With a fake camera, you don’t get any of this.
Ready to keep it real?
Our Alarm.com-powered security cameras can be part of a smart home security system that makes your home safer, smarter and more convenient. Give us a call to find out more.
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Comparing Alarm Interactive Services Apps: Alarm.com, Total Connect 2, SecureNet, Alula, Telguard
Interactive Services is the component that adds remote control capability to a home security and automation platform. The days of just remotely arming and disarming your alarm system from a smartphone have given way to controlling lights, locks, and thermostats as well. And don’t forget about video whether a video doorbell or interior or exterior cameras. Everything can now easily be controlled by a single app from essentially anywhere you have cell service or WIFI coverage.
The Interactive Services company chosen must match with the cellular or Internet communicator installed in your alarm panel. For example, if you have a SecureNet cell card you must use SecureNet’s interactive service. If using an Alarm.com cell card (whether built-in to the panel of external) it can only talk to Alarm.com’s data centers.
Interactive services which gives end-users the ability to remote control functions of their security and home automation from their panel must attach to the backend servers by cellular, Internet, or both for redundancy. Landline connectivity direct to a central station does not have the ability to control your system.
Honeywell Total Connect 2
Honeywell security systems traditionally use AlarmNet (owned by Honeywell) for interactive services. Total Connect 2 is the interactive services app that controls a compatible Honeywell residential or commercial panel from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This includes the Vista series hardwired alarm controls as well as wireless Lynx Plus, Lynx Touch, and Lyric systems. ADT SafeWatch Pro 3000 panels are just Honeywell Vista-20P with special firmware loaded and can easily be converted to a generic Honeywell panel with a pop-in PROM change on the motherboard (kits available).
AlarmNet has been around the longest because Honeywell has been the leader in the residential and commercial security arena for almost 50 years and was first to market. Their latest generation app (TC2) is very simple to use, easy to understand, and works on both iOS and Android phones/tablets and any PC with a browser. There are tabs setup for the different alarm monitoring plans purchased. For example, if you sign-up for “Smart Security” only the Security tab will work, if using “Smart Home” then there also is an Automation tab for controlling lights, locks, and thermostats. Add video and the Video Doorbell and Camera tabs appear.
Alarm.com
Alarm.com is a newer interactive services company on the market but already 17 years old now and arguably the best app for remote control of compatible alarm systems. ADC does not actually make hardware though does market communicators and other accessories specifically for use with their data centers. They have partnered with multiple alarm manufacturers such as Qolsys, 2GIG, and Interlogix to provide superior interactive capabilities to their panels well above what was already on the market. Qolsys for example uses cell modules embedded on their motherboard and went all-in with Alarm.com whereas 2GIG, which uses a plugin cell communicator strategy, can use cell cards from Alarm.com, Telguard, or SecureNet.
What has set the Alarm.com service apart is the number of included features when compared to their competitors. Daily supervision of the connection to Alarm.com is standard with options for 6-hour and hourly check-in, activity monitoring of sensors even when the alarm system is not armed, Crash and Smash protection is included for capable systems (sends a signal before a wireless control panel can be ripped off the wall and smashed), and Image Capture on Alarm. This last feature applies to Alarm.com Image Sensors which combines an interior PIR motion detector with a high-quality video camera enabling snapshots to be sent to the app when the motion detector goes into alarm.
Telguard
Telguard’s focus in the residential security market is has been “telephone-capture” cell communicators. These devices connect to the landline connection on hardwired panels and essentially trick the alarm panel into thinking it still has an active landline for dialing out to the central station. These capture devices such as their popular TG1 Express are universal in nature and work with any alarm hardwired alarm system with dial-out capability.
Telguard introduced their Flex Interactive Services to augment their cellular connectivity so end-users could remotely arm and disarm their security system as well. While the TG1 is a great universal cellular communicator getting end-users migrated off expensive landlines and over to cellular which will save money while reducing risk, it is not a very good interactive services device because not all control panels can easily be setup for remote control. Keyswitch arming or at least a way to configure a zone and output trigger to arm and disarm is needed. The TG1 Express models are not very DIY friendly when interactive services is needed and better suited for a dealer to setup locally.
Alula
When two well known names in the security industry merged in early 2018, ipDatatel and Resolution Products, Alula emerged on the scene. ipDatatel already had a solid interactive services platform that serviced their popular product line of cell and Internet communicators. When the name changed to Alula so did their app though it also came with some cleaning up. It can certainly remotely arm and disarm compatible security systems, control Z-Wave home automation devices, and integrate Alula video cameras but its frankly still “basic” in its overall feature list when compared to Alarm.com or Total Connect 2. Because Alula (ipDatatel) makes so many communicators their Interactive Services platform is compatible with many different alarm system brands and models.
SecureNet
SecureNet Technologies is a small Florida based interactive services service formed in 2003. They have a good all-purpose app (SmartLink+) for controlling various alarm panels using a SecureNet compatible cell card. In some cases they are the only available remote control service (example the 2GIG Rely) but in other cases such as Resolution’s Helix and DSC’s iOtega they have lost ground and not the only available interactive services choice. Their customer support is excellent, and the app is clear and easy to use, albeit somewhat basic in functionality. They do not have the range of compatible video cameras and video doorbells as some of their competitors such as TC2 or ADC.
