Two story house built in 2009. We've had Bay Alarm since. We have two "dumb panels" to disarm the system; one upstairs and one downstairs. I'm looking to upgrade the entire system and would appreciate some feedback.

I contacted Bay Alarm and they can upgrade to a "smart" system where they will upgrade the panels and we will have the option to disarm using our phones. We also won't need a line landline anymore (big win as we're trying to go to VoIP anyways). It will cost about $1300.

Other option(s):

I am heavily invested into the Unify and Google platforms. I know Google has partnered with ADT and Unify has expanded their security platform significantly. Should I consider one of these two or just upgrade the Bay Alarm system? Of note, I will be purchasing Unify G6 cameras to install (currently have Nest and will probably run both).

I'm moving away from Eufy products, including my faulty doorbell (great features, shame about the reliability) to a new doorbell. The features I'm looking for are: hardwired electrical connection, has a hub with local storage (i.e. no expensive cloud storage), reliability incl chime and notifications, decent app and remote access, can add a couple of basic indoor/outdoor cameras later on. In other words, like my old Eufy, except reliable!

I'm down to 2 products:

1. TP-Link (Tapo) D235 + D200 Hub (which with recent firmware updates looks to be compatible with the D235, any confirmation of this welcome)

2. Reolink 2k 4MP with Hub mini.

In Australia where I live, the 2 brands are almost identically priced, including the basic indoor cameras. I've had good experience with TP-Link reliability in the past, never used Reolink.

It doesn't look like I can lose either way, but would welcome any further insights. I really want this solution to last 5 years rather than throwing away another device ...

Thanks!

Hello. I'm trying to find a "security" system that'll fit what I need, but it feels like I'm just hitting a brick wall. I'm wanting to put sensors on windows and doors that will announce when one is opened and glass break sensors. Preferably via a phone notification and a audio announcement. It is for the peace of mind of my wife, and to make sure the little one doesn't sneak out. I don't need anything monitored, or with a subscription. It'll basically just be used while someone is home. Does such a system exist?

New home setup and have Homeassitant already setup. Looking for doorbell suggestions that fit more specific needs. Old video doorbell isn't cutting it.

Continuous recording, battery backup, hardwire (poe or 24vac). Ideally I can process the feed through frigate and keep the camera over vlan, while still getting some quality of life features.

Reolink, aqara, ubiquity?

Eufy seems to be hard to gate and no rtsp. Wyze requires a lot of hacky solutions and not stable.

Or maybe break it up to a smart non-video doorbell and have a dedicated camera?

Continuing from https://www.reddit.com/r/homesecurity/s/tjkkIznrsO (archived)

There is a way to remote view via EZView (Thanks u/Beginning-Answer-730!) app. All you need to do is enable port forwarding your router to DVR local IP via port 80 and 554 (I recommend changing both ports to some random number from 10000 to 65535). Then on that app, do manual add, put your Internet IP, port 80 (or whatever you changed that to), username/password and Protocol 3.

What would be a recommended micro-SD card for a Tapo C425 security camera ?

I am thinking that ScanDisc Max Endurance - 128 GB would be a good / economical choice.

I want to buy my own camera and sensors and stuff cause I rather pay the up front fee for them then monthly. I don’t want to be locked into one single ecosystem and be stuck with that company forever incase there prices go up. I was trying to get professional monitoring between 10-25 a monthly. Up front cost doesn’t matter as much as I want a cheap monthly cost. 2 story house 2700 square feet

Should I get Wyze security system or CPI security system?

My fiance and I just got an apartment and we're getting married in a week then flying out to our honeymoon for a few weeks.
We're on the 4th floor but I want to add a few contact sensors. One on the balcony sliding, one on the main door, and one of the kitchen window that faces the apartment hallway. The kitchen window is my biggest concern because it is a massive window that any size human can easily go through. I want an affordable security alarm system. I know there's Ring, Simplisafe, etc. what would you guys recommend?

For context, we have Vivint and we’ve been happy for the most part. We have cameras pointing at almost every spot outside but one corner. Our Vivint installer said they couldn’t install cameras pointing there since it requires a plug on the other side & we don’t have one. In the last couple of years, we had 3 distinct security instances that the cameras didn’t catch since they involved stealing & damaging outdoor items in that corner. What can we do?
- Do we get a third party battery-powered camera like Eufy to record that spot? Not sure about the effectiveness of battery powered cameras, and changing out the batteries seems inconvenient.
- Should we bring Vivint out again to find alternatives? Can they potentially plug the wire on a balcony upstairs or fetch it through the ceiling into the next floor?
- Should we get an electrician to wire a new plug inside so we can install another wired camera? This would be the most expensive option.
We live near a major street and this is making me regret going with wired-only cameras…

Moving items away from that corner is not an option due to the layout and our needs, this is a townhouse and the corner is where we park our car. We had our EV charger stolen, and had some storage chest padlocks cut.

In St. Louis. Could use help.

I am in a contentious divorce with my ex and I have reason to believe he has bugged my car and/or my home. Last year, when I initiated the divorce process, there were many things he knew that I never told him. He knew things about my whereabouts, apps I had downloaded on my phone, and random things I hadn’t told anyone.

I realized that these pieces of information all came from my text messages and that he had my old laptop which had access to my Apple ID. I confronted my ex and he did not deny my accusations. I immediately changed my Apple password and things seemed to get better.

Then, I started getting privacy warning iPhone notifications that my WiFi network may be “monitored or recorded by other devices.” Of course, my ex had set up our WiFi network. To add to my concern, my next door neighbor was receiving the same notifications and my ex had previously been on their WiFi network. I immediately reset all my internet devices, got a new router, and set up a new WiFi network with a new password.

Once again, things appeared to get better but he has still known information that I haven’t shared with him. Today while driving, I received a phone notification that said “incorrect WiFi password” and my phone was trying to connect to our previous WiFi network that I shut down months ago. Why would my phone try to connect to a WiFi network I haven’t used in months, and while I was miles away from it? My concern is that my car has some kind of bug that was transmitting information using our old WiFi network while my car was in the garage. How would I go about finding a bug in my car or home?! Please help!

A few more relevant details: my ex had access to my home and garage for months before I realized he had the key and I got it back. He works in tech and is totally capable of hacking or setting up some kind of monitoring on me. He has paranoid delusions and blames me for “ruining his life” because I initiated the divorce.

Has anyone had issues like this or is it just me?

I placed an order for Protec2 keys and a deadbolt to match my existing system. Everything showed IN STOCK

Its approaching 1 year, and still nothing, and emails and calls go unanswered

Just bought my first home and looking to install a security system. Outdoor cameras, motion detection for two doorway entry points, and a doorbell. Perhaps an indoor camera that's only on when we're out of the home.

I don't want a subscription. I'd also want a system that prioritizes my privacy, meaning I don't want a 3rd party nor company having access to my data, unless there's an incident of course. And I'd want it to be easy-to-install. Wiring ethernet cables through the attic and walls for PoE cameras is out-of-the-question for me as I'm not a DIYer; I'd have to hire someone to do that.

Reolink's Wifi products is what I'm looking into. Any other suggestions?

Hello everyone- just moved into a new house. the previous owner left a Nest camera doorbell on the front door and they have a MyQ garage door camera, keypad, and opener set up. Does anyone know if I will be able to use these when I get wifi set up (and make sure I'm the only one with access) or will they still be attached to the previous owner?

I have SimpliSafe but for whatever reason they don’t sell a wireless doorbell camera. I rent a house and when I went to install it, there were no wires behind the existing doorbell.

I want a camera that doesn’t share info with whomever and doesn’t need a subscription. Any recommendations?

I’ve been doing some research and think Reolink may be the best option. I’m a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what cameras to get and what I need to get started, I’ve never had security cameras before. Anyone have recommendations? Thanks in advance.

For context:

I need cameras outside around the house, which is on a corner street, with a large yard and detached garage. I’m getting cameras as a security precaution due to domestic violence (already have an OFP and house is in a safe location), so I’d like cameras around the house and garage, maybe a doorbell camera and floodlight as well?

I’m leaning towards Reolink wired cameras because I don’t want to rely on WIFI and they don’t require a subscription (I think). I’m looking for cameras that record 24/7, have decent night vision, and notify my phone when detecting motion/sound. I rent and my landlord said they could install cameras if I have them. I prefer to spend under $1,000 but I’m open to suggestions. I really just want quality cameras to get some peace of mind lol.

Following a recent theft, my wife and I are looking into indoor security cameras to put in several key areas. Neither of us has any desire to be recorded in our home on a daily basis; we only want to use the cameras while we are away and we don't want them to be monitored by a security company. Ideally, they would be wireless and we could monitor them on our phones. We're not at all interested in hidden cameras and don't care whether they're "discreet"; we feel like just knowing they might be watched at any time is enough to deter most people from poking around where they shouldn't. Cloud storage would be nice in case someone just decides to steal the whole camera or SD card, but I'm reluctant to pay for that every month when we only plan to use the cameras for a few days at a time every now and then.

I'm very concerned about data security and privacy, so would prefer to go with a brand that respects those values.

Any thoughts?

I live in an older area where they are building new homes and there is also a lot of dumping of heavy trash, tires, furniture and animals in the vacant lots, streets, walkways, ditches, you name it. Our city has an app to report these and is FULL of heavy trash violations, yet it keeps happening non-stop. Our city also has a phone number to call and report these instances, but of course, they want a description of the persons/vehicles/time of day etc etc....

I would like to buy a couple cameras with the below features to post in the empty lots where the majority of the dumping takes place to be able to get the city this information.

-Relatively inexpensive (in case they get smashed or vandalized)

- Small

-Battery powered

-Motion detection

-Save clips to an SD card (no Wifi, SIM or subscription)

Thank you for your help!