New Construction Alarm/Camera

I moved into a newly built home that I need security and camera complete coverage on. There is approximately 4300 square feet of area that needs to be covered in the physical house, and then of course full exterior coverage.

The house was pre-wired with contacts on every window/door, CO and smoke alarms, and it all comes to a panel built into a wall centrally located. Right now the wires are just hanging there.

I want to avoid all scams such as ADT and Vivent. I have had Ring before while renting, and I know for a fact that various people have unrestricted access to your videos. My wife, however, prefers notifications on her phone to see our kids/pets, and to know when someone approaches the property immediately. Same for a doorbell camera to answer remotely, but I want nothing to do with companies that allow unfettered access to employees/contractors/law enforcement such as Ring.

I have no idea what to do for a central brain to plug all the contacts and sensors into, although reading this board I see DSC mentioned a lot. If that's the best brand, or what model I need from them, I'm unsure of.

I was looking at Lorex cameras after reading various threads here, but I'm concerned it may not be the best quality and software. It's also fairly inexpensive at roughly $2000 for 16 cameras at 4k quality, and that kind of seems like a red flag. I then read about Axis, but shopping for a full system is, so far, confusing and complex.

I'd prefer not to pay subscription fees, but for the right software on an NVR or alarm system I would consider it.

I'm familiar with networking, and I'd like to install everything myself POE avoiding wifi. However I still would like to add jammer detection into my alarm system, though I'm unfamiliar with that. On a similar note, I'd also like suggestions on anything else that would be useful.

So to sum it up: New alarm system to attach to existing contacts Phone app notifications on zones Large house coverage Indoor Cameras Outdoor Cameras Reliable software for the cameras Wife wants phone app access to NVR Doorbell remote answering PoE and self install Jammer detection recommendations Misc. security recommendations

My budget is preferrably anywhere from $0-10,000. I'd consider going higher if there's a massive jump in quality for something slightly over budget.

If there's good options well below $10k, please don't just jump to the $10k. I'm willing to pay a lot for security in a permanent residence, but that's still going to sting.

I've read many threads, but I keep running across my situation with a budget of like $300. I apologize if this has been answered before, and thank you in advance to everyone who can provide advice.

Posted Jul 30, 2023, 5:05 AM UTC

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tflil•

As far as alarms I would look at alarm.com and purchase a Qolsys IQ Pro -PowerG System w/ DSC 433 MHz Best of both worlds. If you don’t have the technical background you might wasn’t to hire someone to help. But being prewired will make it pretty easy

Doorbell-Reolink POE. Cameras-Dahua cameras. Make sure you understand the importance of image sensor size and don’t get tricked by high mp game. Spend some time reading ipcamtalk dot com for in-depth information

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johnpatrickoOP•

Thank you for the recommendations.

Best of both worlds.

Would you mind elaborating on that?

Cameras-Dahua cameras

I noticed Lorex is owned by Dahua. Is there a significant different between them anymore?

1
tflil•

It all comes down to specs of the cameras and compatibility and value for your money. Go with a 1/1.8" sensor for a 4mp cam for low light activities. I believe Lorex is a little more money and decent cam but it really comes down to spec especially when low light situations

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johnpatrickoOP•

Go with a 1/1.8" sensor for a 4mp cam for low light activities

I see, okay.

What are the benefits of the Qolsys IQ Pro -PowerG System w/ DSC 433 MHz you mentioned earlier? I appreciate the specific recommendation. I'm new to these products and I'm not sure what the features it has are that you feel are better than the other products specifically. It seems to get a DSC alarm system I'm going to have to talk to a dealer, and if they try to sell me something different it's good to know how this is the right move.

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tflil•

You can purchase the system though a company like alarmgrid. What is nice is you can expand the system via zwave or powerg or wired. Nice to have options down the road.

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Total_Counter_6556•

Is it wired for cameras already?

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johnpatrickoOP•

No, everything except cameras is pre-wired. I'll have to run the cameras myself.

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Total_Counter_6556•

Single story or two?

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johnpatrickoOP•

Two

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Total_Counter_6556•

I’d strongly consider hiring a company to install the CCTV then.

1
ropa_dope1•

Go with a DSC Neo for the alarm, on the Alarm.com backbone. This will take care of all your hardwired points with app access. Add on ADC cameras which can be wifi. Recording will be clip based on motion unless you add a CSVR. Your biggest issue will be your home wifi. Despite what you think, your consumer products suck. Find a mesh based system that allows you to separate the 2.4 and 5g streams and avoid band steering. Your security devices don’t like the 5g stream and compete poorly with you phones etc in band steering applications.

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johnpatrickoOP•

Add on ADC cameras which can be wifi

Are these as good as other cameras, or is it recommended to stay on the same management software from alarm dot come for the house alarm? If that's the case I can get behind that for a good reason as well. I would absolutely be buying local storage also.

Find a mesh based system that allows you to separate the 2.4 and 5g streams and avoid band steering.

I actually just installed Netgear AX1800 WiFi 6 PoE+ Access Points. I changed the settings to mirror my home wifi name and password, and it seems to be working flawlessly, retransmitting my wifi seamlessly throughout the upstairs and back yard in both 2.4 and 5. Is that something that sufficiently upgrades?

1
ropa_dope1•

It is nice to have everything on the same ecosystem. Alarm.com is the leading platform in the world and probably the most secure, used by most of the top security companies in NA. The only issue is you can’t just sign up, you have to go through a dealer. Either find a good local company or use someone like Surety.

As for your wifi, as long as you have separated your bands, log your phones, tablets, and laptops onto the 5g and your security devices and cameras onto the 2.4g stream. Bonus is if you can have a third “Guest” stream so you don’t ever have to give out your password.

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Yeah really lot SQ ft. So probably best call a few local alarm Companies, get quotes. Honeywell ( Ademco) , Bosch ( Radionics) DSC, are all Major manufacturers, for Panel equipment ,TouchPad devices etc. These manufacturers are used by many Alarm Companies in States and worldwide. If get motion sensors ,only get Dual Tech type motion sensors,hardwired, don't do it if have Cats,lol. You can get a few POE cameras ,very inexpensive ,like Reolink etc comes with free app, there are lots of options with cameras,without paying for monthly subscription. If get Alarm monitoring ,be sure and READ every line of Contract,forget verbal promises,many companies will sell your Contract to a bigger Company to cash out,so be vigilant. Most monitor by Cell service ,some by ethernet or Long range Radio,good luck

1
zipzag•

Look at Ubiquiti for LAN/wifi and cameras. Two of the three Unifi routers have a disk drive that can run their NVR application. So all the security footage stays in your house.

Consider how the alarm panel you choose can be later interfaced with a home automation system. Generally the older panels interface well, nut the newer panels try to keep you locked up in their system.

If you want to DIY the alarm, Ring can use the wired sensors you have.

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johnpatrickoOP•

How about this setup I selected from Ubiquiti?

Shopping Cart Screenshot

I chose the POE++ because I may want PTZ cameras, and I chose the 48 over the 24 because it's expansion-proof if I want to add various things later on without worrying about space.

That is only the outdoor cameras, and no doorbell camera selected. I just wanted to see what you thought on the initial setup here.

I think I've got all the necessities covered, although I'm going to have no idea how to set them up initially.

1
zipzag•

What is your router?

Do you have neighbors? PTZ cameras are not normally used in residential neighborhoods. In most places you can not place security cameras that can view other peoples houses in ways that are not in public view.

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johnpatrickoOP•

I use an ATT modem for fiber optic internet, and I'm using access points to distribute it over the property.

I have neighbors, but I'm at the end of a road and surrounded by a forested area.

1
zipzag•

You would not use Protect without a unifi router and access points. A UDM Pro would replace the cloud key you have in your order.

At your budget you will probably want to bring in a company to advise on the setup and to pull wire. I would not rely on an alarm vendor to get good advice. A company that installs networks and security cameras is more appropriate.

Protect does a good job of flagging humans on the property. This is useful information, unlike motion detection. The problem is how to use this information.

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