Burglar alarm monitoring via the internet

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graemeh

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#61707 21-May-2010 16:02

We currently have a TelstraClear landline and an Xnet naked broadband connection (two physically separate lines).

I am planning to get rid of the TelstraClear landline because their service is poor and Telecom is no better.

The only thing holding me back is that we have a monitored burglar/fire alarm. This uses a modem to dial up the monitoring station.

WorldXChange/Xnet recommend an IP alarm. This can be either an alarm panel IP built in or an adapter box that attaches to your existing alarm.

Does anyone here have experience with these? My concern is I don't want to be stuck with one monitoring company because of the type of alarm monitoring. Xnet only have one recommended supplier and this makes me a little nervous.

chiefie

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#333029 21-May-2010 16:30

Where about are you? Last weekend at Christchurch's Home Idea Expo (at Home Idea Centre) there was an alarm company that have Internet IP module for their alarm unit. I'd say there are more alarm companies that can do that or provide monitoring via Internet.

Steve Biddle mentioned this before.

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graemeh

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#333035 21-May-2010 16:39

I am in Wellington.

I'll check out the "home ideas centre here". I also plan to visit the electrical wholesalers. I don't expect most of them will be able to give sensible answers but at least I can find out what products they have and go do some research.

I'll also have a better look through geekzone to see if I can find any threads on this. I couldn't find them today but it doesn't mean they are not there!

chiefie

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#333043 21-May-2010 16:46

It is definitely there as I had asked some question in regards to burglar alarm with VoIP solution... it's somewhere.. just need to dig it deep.

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cyril7

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#333071 21-May-2010 17:19

Hi, check out these guys they have both IP Alarm panels and IP servers that will connect to the POTS port of your current alarm panel and do a bridge to IP.

http://www.alarmnz.com/PRODUCTS/Broadband/Broadband.htm

If you go with their products they will require that you use them for monitoring, they are Auckland based but have contracts with all the usual thugs in cars in all areas.

If you need it installed or a quote to supply and install then PM me

Cheers
Cyril

sbiddle

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#333421 22-May-2010 23:25

AlarmNZ are still the only provider I know of doing IP monitoring. There are apparently others (so everybody keeps saying) but nobody seems to be able to ever name any.

Certainly bigger players like Armourguard are stuck in the old days with no plans to move.

All these alarm guys are going to be screwed once the FTTH deployments start, I hope somebody told them..

graemeh

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#333640 23-May-2010 16:54

Sbiddle - Thanks, I guess it looks like I'm stuck with the one monitoring company.

Cyril - Thanks but I'm OK with installing a replacement alarm system or an adaptor as I installed the last one and that included programming the stupid thing in binary (much to the surprise of the monitoring company).

I might get in touch if I have any trouble buying the necessary parts though.

maverick

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#333644 23-May-2010 17:14

sbiddle: AlarmNZ are still the only provider I know of doing IP monitoring. There are apparently others (so everybody keeps saying) but nobody seems to be able to ever name any.

Certainly bigger players like Armourguard are stuck in the old days with no plans to move.

All these alarm guys are going to be screwed once the FTTH deployments start, I hope somebody told them..

We tried NZAlarm seem to be the only ones taking it seriously , tried Sky as well

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

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richms

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#333698 23-May-2010 20:14

Apparantly in AU the lines companies are doing monitoring via their smart meters so that may be something that happens here soon as well.

Richard rich.ms

nate

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#333699 23-May-2010 20:14

maverick: We tried NZAlarm seem to be the only ones taking it seriously , tried Sky as well

I think it's time for WxC Security, don't you?

richms

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#333702 23-May-2010 20:19

And GSM monitoring via a security company is a "very high end service" according to the vendors I asked.

Stupid idea relying on a wire on the outside of a house to detect breakins to that house. The attitude of the alarm installers is that "its good enough for insurance" means that they dont need to do any better. Its like those crap car alarm installers that dont bother to put a fuse and relay on the supply to the indicators. Still gets you your discount with the insurance so thats all that matters in their eyes.

Richard rich.ms

Stryfe

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#336238 30-May-2010 11:18

LOL IP monitoring is all well and good, but what happens if your internet connection is down at the time (much the same as if your phone line is down, or some twat cuts the fibre feed into your area...)?

Edit: And more to the point, does the IP conversion unit offer failover to the standard modem based connection? If it did you would still need a splitter.

maverick

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#336246 30-May-2010 12:12

Like SNMP network Monitoring they are always "phoning" home, keep alive so to speak, the Security company will know if it goes offline,

LOL...How would a splitter help in a FTTH deployment and what back up modem ????

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stuzzo

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#336270 30-May-2010 13:34

sbiddle: AlarmNZ are still the only provider I know of doing IP monitoring. There are apparently others (so everybody keeps saying) but nobody seems to be able to ever name any.

Certainly bigger players like Armourguard are stuck in the old days with no plans to move.

All these alarm guys are going to be screwed once the FTTH deployments start, I hope somebody told them..

I don't think Armourguard does alarm monitoring. They are the manned services division of ADT which is the biggest electronic security concern in the world and the brand the NZ monitoring is done under.

They'll react when they need too. Large companies tend to move slower.

Until they sold off the division, Tyco (owner of the ADT brand) was one of the major manufacturers of fibre cable so they have heard of it!