GeoArm's DIY Security Blog

With Every new Wireless Security System Kit sold, GeoArm provides free customized programming. For anybody who has purchased a Do-it-Yourself Security System, you know that programming the system can be quite time consuming. With the expertise of trained and experienced alarm technicians, GeoArm has removed one of the more frustrating aspects of purchasing a DIY Home Security System. Simply customize your system online, and then let the technicians do the security system programming for you, absolutely free! No matter how many sensors and devices you add to the kit, GeoArm will program all of them.

For additional resources about programming your alarm system, check out GeoArm’s security system manuals section. You can access hundreds of security and alarm system manuals free of charge for assitance in programming and installation. If you can’t find the manual you are looking for, GeoArm is always looking to update their database, so be sure to speak up!

Check out Videofied’s new “music video” featuring thier Motion Viewer, whcih combines a motion detector and video camera.

We have seen success amongst our own Videofied customers in apprehending criminals and preventing theft. Police do truely “prioritize a video alarm” and “come faster in their car!” And the beauty of the videofied system is, being completely wireless, with no A/C power required, and a cellular connection for transmitting videoes, you can really put it anywhere. Check us out on GeoArm for more info about Videofied and Video Verification.

Read on down below for FAQ’s and other great info on Alarm.com’s Interactive Video Suveillance Service.

Alarm.com Video FAQ’s

1. What are the core video features?

• View live video through web, PDA and cell phone
• Motion-triggered recording and notifications
• Alarm-triggered recording and notifications
• Recordings can be attached to email/mms notifications for immediate review on computers and compatible PDAs and cell phones.
• Recorded clips can be played back through the web, and on the Alarm.com PDA site through compatible PDA’s and cell phones.
• Connects to customer Local Area Network through Ethernet or 802.11

2. Does the video feature work with all types of panels and gateway modules?
Video is compatible with Simon 3, Simon XT, Concord and NetworX Alarm.com accounts. An interactive service plan is required.*
*Note: GeoArm and Alarm.com now also offer the Video Surveillance Service in a standalone option, which does not require the presence or interactivity of a security system.
3. Will the video feature work with any IP camera or webcam?
No, only Alarm.com cameras and video servers are supported. Compatible models include the Alarm.com ADC-V510 wireless network camera, ADC-V610PT Pan/Tilt wireless network camera, ADC-V700X day/night outdoor network camera and ADC-VS1 single-camera video server.
4. What kinds of cell phones support Live Video?
Any web-enabled cell phone with an HTML browser can view real-time live images on the Alarm.com PDA site. Streaming video is also available for phones that support JavaScript. Video-enabled cell phones can also view recorded clips and recieve video-clip email attachments of new video events if their service provider allows video emails. Note that the data charges by the cellular carrier can be significant for using video features on cell phones.
5. Which web browsers can be used to see video?
Cameras can be installed and operated using Windows Internet Explorer. Cameras can be operated but not installed on Firefox (Windows and Macintosh) and Safari (Macintosh) browsers.
6. Do I need to install any software on my PC to see the video?
An ActiveX control is required on Internet Explorer and a Java Applet is required on Firefox and Safari to view live video and manage cameras. (Users are automatically prompted to accept the necessary downloads.) A Flash plug-in is required on all browsers to view recorded video clips. No plug-ins or applications are needed for the PDA site.
7. How is my privacy ensured?
The Alarm.com account owner can see all cameras associated with the account, and additional logins created for the account can be assigned permission to see the cameras as required. The cameras employ password protection to prevent access from outside the Alarm.com website, with the Alarm.com cameras employing advanced MD5-based “digest authentication” for user authentication.
8. How much video can I record?
A standard account provides 50 MB of online storage (shared by all cameras), which is enough for up to 90 minutes of recording depending on the recording resolution and quality settings of each camera. Extra video storage (up to 500 MB total) is available as an add-on.
9. How long is each recording?
Motion triggered recordings can be configured for 15 second, 25 second or 35 second duration, each of which includes ~5 seconds of pre-trigger recording. Each alarm triggered recording is 35 to 55 seconds long depending on record quality settings.
10. What happens when my video storage is full?
After the storage is full, the system will delete the oldest recordings as required to make room for the newest recordings.
11. What if I want to save a recorded clip?
A user can save any particular clip by downloading it to their PC and/or marking it “Protected” on their account to prevent it from being automatically deleted when the storage limit is met.
12. How many days will my recorded clips last before they are over-written?
This depends on the recording frequency and video quality settings and can range from a few hours to a few weeks. Careful camera placement and Video Motion Detection configuration will reduce unwanted recordings and thereby optimize use of online storage capacity.
13. What is the resolution of the video?
The ADC-V510, ADC-V610PT and ADC-V700X support 640×480, 320×240 or 176×144 resolution for Live viewing and Recording on a camera-by-camera basis. The ADC-VS1 video server offers 704×480, 352×240 and 176×120 options.

For an overview of the service, check out this Alarm.com Video Tour. For additional information, or to purchase the cameras or service, vising GeoArm’s section on Alarm.com Video Surveillance Service.

DSC’s new Alexor Wireless Security System has arrived. The new design separates the Alexor Control Panel from the Keypad, allowing the user to mount them in separate locations. Mounting a keypad near the access door and the control panel in a closet, bedroom, or more remote area prevents a potential intruder from destroying the Control Panel upon breaking in so that it can not send a signal to the Alarm Monitoring Central Station. This helps address a potential security risk of all-in-one wireless alarm systems. Check out the new DSC Alexor DIY Wireless Security System Kit at GeoArm for more product information.

Alarm.com’s rugged new Outdoor Day/Night IP camera (ADC-V700X) makes it easy for GeoArm’s Alarm.com Video customers to view and record important activity outside their homes or businesses, day and night.

ADC-V700X Key Features:
Rugged – The camera is weatherproof and can operate from +4 to +122 degrees Fahrenheit
Night Vision – 12 Integrated Infa-Red (IR) LEDs allow the camera to see up to 30 feet in total darkness
Easy Installation – Supports Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE) configuration for simplified installation using a single cable for both video and power (requires PoE power injector, sold separately)

Alarm.com's Outdoor Day/Night Video Surveillance Camera ADC-V700X

The Outdoor Camera is ideal for monitoring any outdoor areas on the perimiter of a property such as a driveway, yard, patio, porch, doorways, swimming pool or shed. The ADC-V700X fully supports the Alarm.com Video Surveillance technology, which includes live web based video monitoring as well as event triggered video clip recording and alerts. The camera is also fully integrated with the Alarm.com Interactive alarm monitoring service from GeoArm, allowing you to integrate the management of your sercurity system with your video surveillance services. You can combine the outdoor camera with Alarm.com’s Indoor Standard, and Pan/Tilt cameras to provide for full video surveillance of any property. Ther service is available for the same $17 rate at which GeoArm initially introduced Alarm.com Video surveillance monitoring. For more information on the camera and the Video Monitoring Service, be sure to visit GeoArm’s Alarm.com Outdoor Video Surveillance Solution.

The new website for Alarmclub has been redesigned and is now running, allowing residents in Palm Beach County, Florida to purchase alarm monitoring services and professional security system installation. Alarmclub offers the benefit of industry experts installing your security system or fire alarm system in the Palm Beach County area, as well as technician house calls. Purchases for alarm monitoring and new security systems can now be made right on the website.

For nationwide alarm montioring service and wireless security systems, visit us at GeoArm!

With Videofied, real time Video Verification means that a trained operator is watching video of your location as soon as the motion sensors are tripped. Check out this story from Portland:

One of our clients had a similar experience once he bought the Videofied system from GeoArm.

I am Brian Bishop with Ervin Bishop Construction; we are general contractors out of Tampa, Florida. As everyone in the construction field knows there is a serious problem with theft and vandalism on jobsites. Over a three-month span we had been robbed three times for over thirty thousand dollars in tools, material and damage. Initially, we had thought that connex boxes with internal cam locks would provide a safe place for our tools but we soon found out that it was clearly not enough protection. The thieves hot wired one of our rough terrain telescopic forklifts and used the forks to ram through five connex boxes and pry the doors open. They wiped us out of twenty thousand dollars in tools and equipment. Not to mention, all of the hours that were lost replacing and dealing with the insurance claim.
I felt helpless after the robbery. I knew the only way to stop them was to have real time security and the only method that I knew at the time was a security guard. For this particular job a security guard would have been a huge investment. Ideally I wanted a product that I could take from job to job that had live monitoring and was user friendly. I searched many hours for the most cost effective way to provide real time security to my job site and I finally came across RSI Videofied through GeoArm. Videofied seemed to have all of the answers to my concerns, so I went ahead and ordered it. Installation was easy and the GeoArm staff answered all of my questions over the phone. Within a month after installing the system with the outdoor cameras caught a thief in that act. The staff at GeoArm did an excellent job in identifying the thief and dispatching the Pasco County Sheriffs Department. I am completely satisfied with the Videofied system and the service from GeoArm.

Brian Bishop
Ervin Bishop Construction

And the best news is, this system is completely wireless and mobile. Get protected today with Videofied Verification from GeoArm.

Across the country, the same story plays out time and time again. A high pressure alarm system salesperson going door to door offers a frightened customer a deal that is too good to be true. Sometimes its a free system in exchange for displaying a yard sign, others its just a special deal or time sensitive offer.

Local authorities concerned citizens are trying to warn potential alarm consumers about the scams. Usually, these offers are also accompanied by a high priced and lengthly monitoring contract for the alarm monitoring service. Sometimes these salespeople are even freelance independent contractors for brand name security companies.

Most reputable alarm system dealers do not agree with the door to door sales model, even when it is done without the deceptive tactics and terrible deals of the most unethical salespeople. The alarm dealer poll from Security System News reinforces the need for greater scrutiny and control of dealers who practice high pressure door to door sales tactics.

If you have been decieved into signing up with a door to door salesperson, know your rights! There are laws in every state that permit a customer who has signed a contract with a door to door salesperson to cancel the contract within three days. If you have fallen victim to this kind of sales tactic by a security system company, make sure you cancel the contract right away.

Make sure that any alarm system salesperson is licensed and from a reputable company. We also advise to never buy a system or sign a contract with a person who has just come to your home for the first time. And of course, shop around! GeoArm offers alarm monitoring services from our state of the art UL central station for as low as $10 per month. Get protected, and know what to look out for!

You can get Alarm.com Video Monitoring service now from GeoArm for as low as $17 per month!

Alarm.com Launches Video Monitoring Solution Enabling Consumers To Monitor Their Homes and Small Businesses From Mobile Device

Alarm.com Incorporated provides wireless and web-enabled security and activity monitoring technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com’s Operations Center processes over 25 Million security events every month, reported by Alarm.com systems that are used to monitor and protect houses, vacation properties, apartments, professional offices, restaurants, retail chains, model homes, boats, trailers, data centers, and more. Alarm.com-enabled security systems are offered through a network of over 800 licensed Security Dealers. Alarm.com technology is compatible with GE Security equipment and has been tested by ETL to comply with UL 985, UL 1023, and UL 1635 (ULC S545 and ULC 1023 in Canada) for residential security installations. The company is headquartered in McLean, VA, a subrb of Washington, DC.

GeoArm is offering Alarm.com Interactive Video Surveillance service, or Standalone Video Surveillance Service with Standard or Pan/Tilt Cameras.