Home Security Monitoring (IP) Hardware/Setup

[gknuth]

I am currently looking looking to get a Home Security System with the ability to monitor the house myself via IP

Does anyone have any suggestions on what Hardware/Software to use? DSC has IP hardware/software but just looking to see what other options I have

My goal is to log onto a secured internet site to check the status of the home alarm and have the ability to send alerts via text message, or email.

IF someone has any ideas on current home setups, experiences etc, would be much appreciated.

[oldsnail]

I am currently looking looking to get a Home Security System with the ability to monitor the house myself via IP

Does anyone have any suggestions on what Hardware/Software to use? DSC has IP hardware/software but just looking to see what other options I have

My goal is to log onto a secured internet site to check the status of the home alarm and have the ability to send alerts via text message, or email.

IF someone has any ideas on current home setups, experiences etc, would be much appreciated.

I work in this field.

I think it is depending on how much you are willing to spend.
ALot of systems these days are going from coaxial to IP. IP cameras have a larger span of quality and can record High def.

if you want something economical, an analog system is the best way to go. But you would have to run wire around the place.

Systems you can look at:
more commercial type:
Vigil (www.camacc.com) based in canada. is the only software that can record HD and supports a wide range of IP based cameras. It can also remotely connect with clients and can send alerts of alarms/ inputs/ hardware failure. The keypoint in this is storage, where it is able to utilize the h.264 in recording. with one or 2 cameras and 120gig of storage recording motion @ 1fs, you can get nearly a year of footage.
It is computer based as well.

Costco ones are nice and compact where you do not require a computer, but most of them do have remote functions.

most major brands are just re brand of others. ie. sanyo, samsung, panasonic all have there own unuser friendly line ups

[BuildingHomes]

I don't think the OP said anything about cameras, just an alarm system.

In which case, many of the popular brands just aren't there yet.

DSC does have their TLink modules which will talk via IP, but they are only really designed to work with a monitoring company.

I think HAI has some stuff that might work and may be low cost.

I know you can do it with Crestron hardware and processors, but you are talking many thousands of dollars to get to that point.

[urban1]

Not to hijack this thread any further but I am interested in the camera monitoring.

What about a system like this from Costco:

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....A&Sp=C&topnav=

Is this decent? Any major shortcomings?
Im not too worried about security and this is more of a cool thing to have but Id like something that works well.

Any recommendations on anyother systems, from Costco or not?

I work in this field.

I think it is depending on how much you are willing to spend.
ALot of systems these days are going from coaxial to IP. IP cameras have a larger span of quality and can record High def.

if you want something economical, an analog system is the best way to go. But you would have to run wire around the place.

Systems you can look at:
more commercial type:
Vigil (www.camacc.com) based in canada. is the only software that can record HD and supports a wide range of IP based cameras. It can also remotely connect with clients and can send alerts of alarms/ inputs/ hardware failure. The keypoint in this is storage, where it is able to utilize the h.264 in recording. with one or 2 cameras and 120gig of storage recording motion @ 1fs, you can get nearly a year of footage.
It is computer based as well.

Costco ones are nice and compact where you do not require a computer, but most of them do have remote functions.

most major brands are just re brand of others. ie. sanyo, samsung, panasonic all have there own unuser friendly line ups

[loudsubz]

I am currently looking looking to get a Home Security System with the ability to monitor the house myself via IP

Does anyone have any suggestions on what Hardware/Software to use? DSC has IP hardware/software but just looking to see what other options I have

My goal is to log onto a secured internet site to check the status of the home alarm and have the ability to send alerts via text message, or email.

IF someone has any ideas on current home setups, experiences etc, would be much appreciated.

Paradox is the way to go.

They came out with an IP100 module that allows just that.

Its for local monitoring. Hooks to the network, and has a web interface so you can log in around the world and see the status of the system, and you can have it email you when an area goes into alarm.

Also works with NEware to allow remote programming etc.

[loudsubz]

I work in this field.

I think it is depending on how much you are willing to spend.
ALot of systems these days are going from coaxial to IP. IP cameras have a larger span of quality and can record High def.

if you want something economical, an analog system is the best way to go. But you would have to run wire around the place.

Systems you can look at:
more commercial type:
Vigil (www.camacc.com) based in canada. is the only software that can record HD and supports a wide range of IP based cameras. It can also remotely connect with clients and can send alerts of alarms/ inputs/ hardware failure. The keypoint in this is storage, where it is able to utilize the h.264 in recording. with one or 2 cameras and 120gig of storage recording motion @ 1fs, you can get nearly a year of footage.
It is computer based as well.

Costco ones are nice and compact where you do not require a computer, but most of them do have remote functions.

most major brands are just re brand of others. ie. sanyo, samsung, panasonic all have there own unuser friendly line ups

VCRINC has a USB HD video camera and their PC based recording software allows recording in HD as well.

IP cameras have their drawbacks, they suck allot of bandwidht so if you have a bunch of cameras they should be on their own network which means more $$, so pros and cons to each.

[BuildingHomes]

Is this decent? Any major shortcomings?
Im not too worried about security and this is more of a cool thing to have but Id like something that works well.

QSee is not known for making quality equipment. Think of it like Jobmate in the CCTV field. It may work for the average joe who might play around, but it's not for doing anything serious.

The sky is the limit for doing CCTV, but expect to pay at least $1200 for a moderate quality 4-camera system.

[thesubmitter]

http://www.zoneminder.com/ is a very good sol'n. Requires some computer knowledge though (linux especially)

[lapopal]

Go with HAI, it offers a host of features and to be honest it's not for the DIY'er

[loudsubz]

Go with HAI, it offers a host of features and to be honest it's not for the DIY'er

then why mention it?

[antman59]

QSee is not known for making quality equipment. Think of it like Jobmate in the CCTV field. It may work for the average joe who might play around, but it's not for doing anything serious.

The sky is the limit for doing CCTV, but expect to pay at least $1200 for a moderate quality 4-camera system.

What system would you recomend and where's the best place to buy them?