Thoughts on good diy wifi home security sytems ?

Trying to find, online, a good diy home wifi (independent of local wifi network) security (camera, motion, siren, fire, etc) system.
Any recommendations on specific model/s and/or good place to get opinions ?

 

I've been looking into this also.

While companies like ADT, AT&T and Comcast are starting to offer such services, the cost adds up quickly. Basic (police/fire only) monitoring usually starts at around $35/month and requires a two or three year contract; add at least $20/month for one camera.

I would check your local BBB ratings and get quotes from local companies. In Texas, there's a company called Smith-Thompson that charges you upfront for the equipment and uses cellular-based technology to send in an alarm call. At $17/month (police/fire/carbon monoxide, no video) monitoring fee with no contract, the cost of install will pay for itself in about two years.

As for video, you can get a stand-alone 4 channel DVR and four cameras now for as low as $300. Cameras wired to a DVR usually give better resolution and most DVRs come with an Ethernet port and software so you can view live and recorded video from your smart phone or any PC. Best of all, there are usually no monthly fees.

 

My friends have camera they use to check on their kids via their iphones. I think those cameras are free, I'll check it out and get back to ya.

 

Thank you for the reply !
Actually we probably dont need outside company monitoring.
Figuring on web connection 'monitoring' and onsite siren (loud), so at least the neighbors (and perpetrator) will know something is out of whack
Have feeling, from some experience, that the outside monitoring may be good only for followup insurance paperwork, and usually the police get there after the deed is done, and then document the deed
Thoughts ?

 

Thanks much.
Also, in this case, I think we are looking for an alert via phone... to check the cameras etc.

 

here you go
Cameras that run on your home wifi
the cameras arent free, but
its not an alarm or anything, but its a way to watch your home without an ongoing expense
http://www.lorextechnology.com/store/index.jsp

this shows how it works and it can tell you if something changes(sound/motion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzOl1ORilkA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbHSMmBuXBs
guy shows how to set it up from opening the box

I only point this out cause I have seen my friends and family use with great success

 

if you're looking for a 'good' one independent of your 802.11 wifi, give up. Those 900 Mghz and 2.4Mghz cameras have real issues with static. So what? Well, if you want to use motion capture to alert you on your phone, you'll get alerted every time there is static interference. I use wired or 802.11 (which also is 2.4). I've been looking at more monitoring (besides cameras) and found http://ninjablocks.com/pages/home & http://canary.is/

If you go wired ,with its own DVR they usually have an app for Android and Iphones now days.With motion capture and email alerts, some even FTP, what if they break in and steal the DVR? If you upload the pics to an offsite FTP you're good.
If you go wireless, most cameras have everything built in, email alerts, FTP, if not you can run software on a local PC to add those features (make it a Security DVR).

 

Thanks for the spec info.
Took a quick look at 'Ninja Blocks' but didnt find a camera ?
'Canary' is one device that does all (except maybe door opening alert devices) and looks like needs to be in a pretty open space environment (and not sure about exterior, like alley back yard monitoring)... and kinda pricey, but will do some more looking there.

 

Home alarm sirens are getting the same "cry wolf" stigma car alarms have - instead of taking action, most people hear them as an annoyance and ignore them.

An all-in-one keypad/brains unit can be disabled with one blow from a hammer or the butt of a gun. Ideally, the brains of the system should be as hidden as possible.

A reasonable monitoring fee is worth it. If you face a fire while you're away or a home invasion, having someone who will notify 911 for you could easily save your home or your life.

This isn't "my" advice - it comes from a friend who has been in the Harris County (Houston), TX Sheriff's Office for 20 years.

 

The monitoring is free, so you set the system to alert you via phone when a camera sees someone/change in temperature.

plus it records on the cloud, so even if a dude breaks in and sees the small/wireless camera and eats it, you can look at what was recorded.
seems pretty ideal
I'd get it if I was worried about fires or breakins.

 

Thanks for the followup !
Looked at the site, and talked to an agent.
Cameras can be setup via the NVR box to set off a separate (not by Lorex, but by independent mfr) alarm system, for motion detection alarm from a specific camera (int or ext), as well as monitoring the system via email to a phone, computer, etc
Seems like a reasonable system.
Also available at Best Buy... may go there to look a the actual hdwr.

 

Talked with another Lorex agent and was told there is no way to connect to any kind of fire alarm system.
Guess its only about motion detection & camera record, and, email & alarm alert.
Sounds like need to look into other systems.

 

There are all sorts of brands to choose from including GE, DSC, Honeywell, 2GIG, and more. I like Honeywell because their hardware is second to none .You can turn the Honeywell L5100 into a WIFI enabled panel, you can add an "AlarmNet LYNX Touch WiFi Alarm Monitoring Communicator"

 

glad it helped

 

Thanks for the info !
Took a look at the Honeywell.
Sounds like a good system, but some reviews say not very diy friendly., and the 'AlarmNet' seems like might need a monitoring service ?
Also looks like am going to need to find a system which has good wiring diagram instructions for how to connect all and how to add features like camera, fire, siren, motion, cell ph notice, etc, in sort of a piece-meal fashion.
Would be nice to find a system with ability to include all, but isnt looking to hopeful. :confused
Maybe an online supplier which would also help with the wiring info, add-ons, etc ?

 

What are you trying to use this for?
I thought just basic home protection would be ideal for the Lorex motion activated cameras?
Motion happens, whether a person, or fire, and it bings your phone and you can watch or call the cops etc.

 

Thanks for the followup.
Havent been able to get to BestBuy (only local/physical place they sell Lorex in this area) yet, but will look into it a bit more soon.
When I talked with the Lorex agent (online phone contact), as noted in earlier post, he said 'no fire detection'.
Actually looking for smoke (and fire) detection.
Would the cameras somehow sense (and bing the phone for) smoke movement ?

 

try it(by lighting a match or candle, not burning your home...) and see,
better yet, look at this list and prevent fires from ever happening
(look its a just a joke, I laughed when I added it)

Fire causes
Appliances & equipment Cooking; heating; washing machines & dryers; air conditioners and fans; and more.
Arson and juvenile firesetting Children playing with fire and intentional fires.
Candles Causes and trends in home fires involving candles, candle fire frequency in other occupancies, and selected published incident descriptions
Chemical and gases Natural gas and LP-gas home and non-home fires; spontaneous combustion.
Electrical Includes home structure fires involving electrical distribution or lighting equipment
God Hates You
Fireworks Includes injury patterns and trends, including shares by type of fireworks, based on reports to hospital emergency rooms
Holiday Christmas trees, holiday lights and decorations.
Household products Mattresses, bedding and upholstered furniture
Lightning Fires and Lightning Strikes Information on incident type, and when and where the incidents occurred.
Smoking materials Fires involving smoking materials (i.e., tobacco products), including data from other countries, and what materials are most often ignited

http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/fire-causes

 

Thanks, and yes, we could always add fire sprinklers, and when a candle is lit, we may drown. rolleyes
Not sure what part of the USA you are from but, in the Seattle WA area, BestBuy seems to be the only place with much to look at.
Wish there were more.
Ps: In the meantime keep the ideas coming

 

.
Guess this is an update...
Checked with BestBuy and all could get was that 'I must need a full security system'... ie via Comcast etc.
Maybe so, but here are the diy updated 'specs'...
1. interior & exterior camera/s record & motion detect (phone notification, with live video if have smart phone)
2. interior panic button/s
3. exterior siren (phone notification/deactivation if possible), otherwise give neighbors switch location
4. smoke detection (phone notification, with video if have smart phone)
5. expandable system (can add-on in future)
6. battery backup
7. self monitoring (ie not by a commercial company like Comcast etc)
Think thats it, anyone know of a diy system that comes close ?
:confused