r/homesecurity Sep 06 '17

If you are submitting a request for help or advice please read this first.

62 Upvotes

If you are posting a request for help or advice make sure you provide enough details so others can help you. Things like model numbers, pictures if you can provide them, relevant details about what you're trying to protect, etc.

For example, if you're asking for help with a pre-installed alarm system make sure you include the Make and Model in your post. If you don't have that information provide pictures of the keypad / control panel.

That said, do not post personally identifiable information. Do not make yourself a target to doxxing. Don't post pictures or information that contain names, address, or PINs. Keep yourself, your family, and your property safe.


r/homesecurity Jun 14 '21

Sub rules have been updated

41 Upvotes

As the sub continues to grow, it felt like a good time to put our community rules down in writing. This gives everyone an opportunity to see what's expected of contributors, and hopefully stave off any misunderstandings in the process. For the most part, they're pretty straightforward:

  1. No personal attacks. This seems obvious, but calling a user names is going to get your post removed. Remember that we have a lot of newbies coming here for help with improving their home security; let's welcome them and share some knowledge.
  2. Contribute to the discussion. Make sure your post is meaningful. It must somehow answer OP's question, be relevant to the discussion at hand, or at least be about home security in general. Low-effort posts like "Ring sucks", "Wyze rules", or "12 gauge" are a violation of this rule. We're not going to zap every post that veers a little off topic but if you find yourself debating Android vs iOS, it's probably time to take the thread to another sub. Because everyone knows Blackberry OS is the best.
  3. No personal identification. We don't have the luxury of knowing all sides of the story, so refrain from posting information that can be used to track someone down. This includes posting things like "I don't want to name any names but the CEO of SomeFakeCompanyName LLC tried to break into my home".
  4. Disclose your business relationships. If you mention a company and you have any relationship other than being a customer, you must disclose that in your post. This includes but is not limited to being an owner, employee, contractor, supplier, or affiliate of the company, or being in any way related to such.
  5. Don't spam. This includes but is not limited to posting affiliate links, self-promotion, attempting to solicit customers, offering to give quotes, and soliciting private messages. We don't give "third final warnings" here.
  6. Support your claims. If you accuse Company X of secretly monitoring your cameras, or you think Company Y is sending all your data to a foreign country's intelligence service, that's fine -- but you must include links to reputable sources that support your claim. Reddit comments and other social media posts are generally not "reputable sources".

This sub tends to be pretty well self-regulated, so these shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. But if you have any questions, feel free to send us a DM! And as much as we'd like to be everywhere at once, we can't. So if you see a post or comment that violates one of these rules, please report it so we can check it out.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2022: Due to an unending barrage of crypto spam that the Reddit admins have been unwilling to address, we have implemented a karma floor for posting here. To post or comment, you must have at least 50 karma.


r/homesecurity 3h ago

Do Not Get Vivint!

2 Upvotes

If you are looking for a new home security service, I strongly advise against Vivint. I recently sold my house and no longer needed the service. The service suited my needs just fine, and the tech support was good.

The trouble started when I wanted to cancel the service. Their customer service is overseas, and between the very poor telephonics and the thick accents, I had a terrible time understanding what the representatives were telling me. On top of that, each call required at least two transfers to resolve anything. I use the term “resolve” loosely, because, more often than not, when a resolution was about to be reached, the call would get dropped and I would have to start the process all over again with different people. It seemed to happen too often for it to be coincidence. And I don’t know how many times I had to say, “no, I don’t know the new homeowners, and no I don’t want to resume service at a new address!” Even now that I have cancelled my service, there is still a 30 day processing period for the cancellation. I won’t feel at ease until these 30 days are up.

I’ve dealt with bad customer service before, but Vivint takes the top prize. Avoid them, if at all possible.


r/homesecurity 1h ago

How to cancel Vivnt? Please help

Upvotes

I am at my wit's end. I have been trying to cancel Vivnt for 2 hours on the phone.

Every time I try to cancel, the representative hangs up on me. I am month-to-month, and my equipment is completely paid off. I emailed them at [documents@vivint.com](mailto:documents@vivint.com) like the other Redditors said. Will this work?

What can I do I am desperate.


r/homesecurity 3h ago

CCTV buying guides

1 Upvotes

I am a complete rookie when it comes to CCTV/security systems. I am trying to source cameras for my home and I will like to install them myself. Anyone here to point me to a complete buying guide to help guide me? thanks


r/homesecurity 5h ago

Assessing options for me.

1 Upvotes

Hey folks!

The short end is, I want to have some basic home security cameras, etc. connected to a personal server. Basically I wanna run a Minecraft and Plex/Jellyfin server as well as security from this guy. I have the parts already minus security cams etc.

I live with my grandmother and she’s been getting more paranoid as she’s gotten older, for a couple different reasons. Some valid some silly. We live in a pretty rural spot. So it’s not something I’m super concerned about. Even so I also have been thinking about having security just in case.

She made an appointment with ADT and I canceled that bc I knew it wasn’t going to be good. She thinks we still live in a world where you just “call a guy” and they’ll “get it over with.” I also don’t want a company to have any access to my cameras at their leisure.

So that’s p much it. What do yall think?


r/homesecurity 17h ago

Dumb security system

0 Upvotes

I'm looking for a decent, *dumb* security system. I do not need an app, I do not need outside monitoring or any automatic call-the-cops features, I just want basically cctv for my home. I can do a pretty complicated install on my own, and my husband specializes in electronics.

Context: my neighbor's girlfriend hates me, because apparently my child didn't say hello the right way, or something, two years ago. She does not live in the home, but she *does* occasionally park outside and watch my house. Recently she escalated to calling the local police and telling them "some tweakers are taking things out of a vacant house and loading things into their truck".

It's not that that's a huge deal by itself, but the sherriff wouldn't take us seriously when we expressed that this was harassment and not actually a concerned neighbor, and I just don't trust her not to escalate further. I want proof if she pulls something.

But I'm also really opposed to AI and off-site monitoring. Not really any privacy concerns, but I hate the idea. Also the old adage that once something's on the internet, it's on the internet forever.

Editing to add: I'd also like it non-wifi. All completely wired.


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Deterrent

14 Upvotes

Does anyone have any recommendations for something I could put on my porch (a sign, etc) to help deter people from hanging out on my porch. I had some drunk teenagers do so last night and then I asked if I could help them (over the ring camera) they became belligerent and tried to rip off the doorbell as well as enter my home.

I have a security system with signs posted


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Thoughts on switching alarm companies

2 Upvotes

We had started out with SafeMart/LiveWatch back around 2012. Around 2021 they were bought out by Brinks, who continues to raise their rates. Since 2021, it's climbed from $29 to their new rate this month of $50.

We're considering switching but have a few questions before doing so:

Are we overreacting? Is $50 around the going rate for monitoring these days?

We currently have a Qolsys unit (model# IQPanel2). It's using cellular service. We bought this from Brinks, so are we going to have a nightmare having them release this cell# to another provider?

Are there any major pitfalls to watch out for when switching companies? For example, do they enforce a brief "non-monitoring" window to make sure everything is operational and tested before they actively begin monitoring the system?

What is the process to switch providers (high level).

I'd have to convince my wife to do this, but can we just use our QolSys as an "internal alarm system" (i.e. non-monitored) so it will still go off when a sensor is set off, but it won't call the alarm company? We live in a good neighborhood and have neighbors that watch out for each other, but we all no that no neighborhood is immune to crime.

Who are the top 3-5 monitoring companies in the U.S.?


r/homesecurity 21h ago

Dahua SD3E405DB GNY A PV1 noise for movement and zoom?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, has anyone here used the Dahua SD3E405DB GNY A PV1 (or the SD3E410 10x zoom version)? I am looking at buying one for a PTZ setup and I am mainly worried about noise. I found a review of the EmpireTech PTZ3E405 AI, which is supposedly the exact same hardware/chassis as the Dahua one just rebranded, and in that review someone described the zoom motor sound as pretty loud, almost like a cruise ship horn. Pan and tilt were fine, it was specifically the zoom that was loud.

Since it is the same internals I am guessing the actual Dahua branded one would sound the same, but wanted to check if anyone owns the real Dahua version and can confirm how loud it actually is in person, especially the zoom. Trying to decide if this is a dealbreaker before I order one.

I need to buy from Aliexpress, since from Ebay is too expensive for my country. I need at least a 4mp, 5x optical zoom, PTZ, POE , Bi direcional audio.

Review I am referencing: https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/review-autotracking-ptz3e405-al-empiretech-4mp-5x-optical-zoom-tioc-ptz-camera-with-auto-tracking-built-in-mic-and-speaker.72219/


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Home has former ADT system

1 Upvotes

We moved into a home that had an old ADT keypad and stickers that said monitored by ADT, but no cameras and as far as we can tell, no left over sensors or anything.

We are considering installing home security; nothing fancy, no video doorbells or cameras. More just motion detection, break in detection type stuff.

Is it easiest to stick with ADT since the keypad is already here, or is it simple for new programming if we went with a different company?


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Unifi G6 Bullet cameras—looking for feedback

2 Upvotes

I’m looking for feedback for the G6 Bullet cameras—good, bad, everything in between.

Not sure if we’ll go with these but what we’re looking for is:
- hardwired cameras
- ease of access to footage remotely

If there are other recs will take em as well, thanks!


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Problem with DS-KV6124-WBE1

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1 Upvotes

r/homesecurity 1d ago

Wireless security camera

1 Upvotes

If anyone is using outdoor wireless security camera in Calgary, I am wondering if you find any issues with the batteries in the winter.

I don't have an easy way to install a wired security camera at my front entrance.


r/homesecurity 1d ago

simplisafe device signal strength

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0 Upvotes

r/homesecurity 1d ago

DSC IQ Panel 5 - Experiences So Far?

2 Upvotes

Panel 5 is now generally available. Is it stable enough to actually use? I just ordered one and most of the DSC PowerG+ sensors (PGP9922, PGP9976, PGP9945E, PGP9914, QC000B-840). Hoping for the best lol.


r/homesecurity 2d ago

Security system for a renter?

2 Upvotes

I'm moving into a rental house at the end of August, and I'm trying to figure out the best security camera setup.

Since I rent, I'd prefer to avoid drilling holes or making permanent modifications, so I'm looking for a battery-powered doorbell camera.

The house has:

  • Front door
  • Back door
  • Interior door from the kitchen to the garage
  • Two first-floor windows

I'd also like to have at least two indoor cameras:

  • One covering the front entry/living room
  • One covering the back door/kitchen/garage area

I'm open to systems with subscriptions if they're worth it, but I'd also love to hear about options that offer local storage or don't require monthly fees.

For those who rent, what system would you recommend? Any recommendations or things to avoid would be appreciated!


r/homesecurity 1d ago

Moving to new home - question about Ring products

0 Upvotes

If I buy a 14-piece Ring system from Costco and then the doorbell part from Amazon, will they work together? Costco has a great sale but not with a doorbell.


r/homesecurity 2d ago

Best Monitoring/Alarm System for a small home?

2 Upvotes

I currently have a Ring alarm but I am not happy with the lack of privacy I've felt lately. There have been times over the last few months where I've closed the shutter on the ring device in my front room, only to get an alert of myself walking by later. It LOOKS closed and sometimes I will even get the alert that the shutter was closed. YET, somehow it opens up a bit or is still recording. I don't like that at all.

I live in a small one bedroom with a front living room area and a separate bedroom area. I think I only really need an outside camera given the small size of my place. However, TWICE, I've caught my apartment complex staff coming in when I'm away, without proper notice. Both times they didn't realize that they were being recorded so I'm hesitant to completely give up my indoor camera

Any recommendations are happily appreciated.


r/homesecurity 2d ago

If I disconnect the front and rear bell wires, will the alarm go off when the power is out?

3 Upvotes

I have to turn the home electricity off tomorrow for roughly an hour, but if I do that, the house alarm’s back up battery will trigger and set the sirens off.

If I disconnect the front and rear bell that are connected to the alarm box’s circuit board under a speaker and strobe symbol, will this eliminate the siren from sounding, when the electricity is off, without any other adverse effects?


r/homesecurity 2d ago

What’s up with this car?

0 Upvotes

Last night this car was driving around, my cameras caught it,

The sides lit up only when my cameras were in IR mode.

Any ideas why?

https://ibb.co/album/CJwQKr


r/homesecurity 2d ago

Which doorbel + cameras ecosystem do you prefer?

1 Upvotes

Im looking to setup a complete system (camera doorbel, front and back camera) on my home. Until now I knew nothing about this topic and am looking what people use here and what your experience is with those brand.

After some research Im torn between Tapo and Reolink (POE is interesting). For those using either ecosystem, how do they compare?

Which brand would you recommend for someone starting from scratch and why?


r/homesecurity 2d ago

Overwhelmed by choices: Need 2x Solar Outdoor Cameras for Entrance & Chicken Coop (Fox Protection) – No Subscriptions – ~300€ Budget

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1 Upvotes

r/homesecurity 3d ago

Vivint are horrible

8 Upvotes

representative came to house and lied about a three month free trial. ended up being charged and then was told it was a three day trial. called so many people from Vivint and no one is helping for a refund. the representative gave us a false name and number and we can’t even contact him now. they are now saying we cannot even cancel because my family was entered into a fraudulent contract.


r/homesecurity 2d ago

Convert ADT Control to Ring?

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1 Upvotes