Alarm & CCTV options
Discussion
Hi all, we recently moved from a flat into a house where the alarm has been decommissioned for some time, and naturally need to think about the security - would like to get the alarm system replaced, and in the near future hopefully put CCTV in as well.
I've spoken to a couple of suppliers, one guy who specialises in home security has quoted for a Pyronix Enforcer system, which for a small subscription fee gives you notifications, status and control through an app.
Another supplier, a local electrician who does quite a few alarms locally on the estate, has quoted for a Texecom Premier Elite.
From what I can tell, there's very little choose between the two systems, but I'm wondering which is the most flexible in terms of configuration and control, for arming certain parts of the system, reliability of alerts and remote access etc.
What I want to do is get the most out of any future CCTV options. The guy that supplies Pyronix is a Dahua reseller. But I realised that Pyronix is now owned by HikVision and it looks as though the two systems can be integrated within the app (if you get a notification that the alarm has gone off, you can go into the Pyronix ProControl app and immediately view video feeds from a HikVision NVR). It seems like I would be missing a trick by combining Pyronix and Dahua - plus I've seen excellent comments and feedback about the HikVision ColorVu cameras (but I presume Dahua is cheaper than HikVision).
The electrician who quoted for Texecom, normally fits HikVision - but I'm not aware of any integration between the two systems. Still waiting on a quote for the CCTV to compare costs.
Any thoughts on the pros and cons of these systems, either alarm or CCTV? Seen lots of good comments around HikVision ColorVu, but have no idea whether any systems have downsides, or what grade of NVR is sensible. I certainly don't want to have to have a separate monitor and control for the NVR, but rather for it to be fully accessible and configurable over the network. My thinking is that combining Pyronix alarm and HikVision CCTV is the best option, but welcome advice or challenges. I've yet to find the time to discover the right communities to discuss in more detail, I'd love to be able to play with an online recreation of NVR controls and features!
I've spoken to a couple of suppliers, one guy who specialises in home security has quoted for a Pyronix Enforcer system, which for a small subscription fee gives you notifications, status and control through an app.
Another supplier, a local electrician who does quite a few alarms locally on the estate, has quoted for a Texecom Premier Elite.
From what I can tell, there's very little choose between the two systems, but I'm wondering which is the most flexible in terms of configuration and control, for arming certain parts of the system, reliability of alerts and remote access etc.
What I want to do is get the most out of any future CCTV options. The guy that supplies Pyronix is a Dahua reseller. But I realised that Pyronix is now owned by HikVision and it looks as though the two systems can be integrated within the app (if you get a notification that the alarm has gone off, you can go into the Pyronix ProControl app and immediately view video feeds from a HikVision NVR). It seems like I would be missing a trick by combining Pyronix and Dahua - plus I've seen excellent comments and feedback about the HikVision ColorVu cameras (but I presume Dahua is cheaper than HikVision).
The electrician who quoted for Texecom, normally fits HikVision - but I'm not aware of any integration between the two systems. Still waiting on a quote for the CCTV to compare costs.
Any thoughts on the pros and cons of these systems, either alarm or CCTV? Seen lots of good comments around HikVision ColorVu, but have no idea whether any systems have downsides, or what grade of NVR is sensible. I certainly don't want to have to have a separate monitor and control for the NVR, but rather for it to be fully accessible and configurable over the network. My thinking is that combining Pyronix alarm and HikVision CCTV is the best option, but welcome advice or challenges. I've yet to find the time to discover the right communities to discuss in more detail, I'd love to be able to play with an online recreation of NVR controls and features!
I have the Texecom Premier in my house and installed it myself. I would fully recommend a 'dumb' alarm system like this compared to the more fancy advanced ones, because it's tried and tested technology and it just works.
I also installed the Texecom Smartcom so I can control the alarm from an app. Would recommend installing it fully wired if you can.
I also installed the Texecom Smartcom so I can control the alarm from an app. Would recommend installing it fully wired if you can.
Thanks all so far!
As far as I can tell so far, both the Pyronix and Texecom systems are "traditional", tried and tested systems (the house is wired with PIRs and contact sensors for the existing decommissioned alarm), and I'm happy with that, just need wireless capability for our detached garage and remote monitoring / app / alerts.
I'm not looking to achieve full integration between systems, it just seemed logical that *if* the alarm and CCTV could talk to each other, then it would add a layer of convenience. If there was some great feature in Dahua that made it a must-have then losing any integration wouldn't be a deal-breaker as you'd still get access to both via their own apps/services.
Maybe the question I should have asked is a simple HikVision vs Dahua one? We have street lamps to the front and side of our house, so I guess there's plenty ambient light and maybe ColorVu isn't needed - hadn't really thought about that, so thanks for mentioning! (Although, if any street lamp failed it would be pretty dark as there aren't any others nearby).
As far as I can tell so far, both the Pyronix and Texecom systems are "traditional", tried and tested systems (the house is wired with PIRs and contact sensors for the existing decommissioned alarm), and I'm happy with that, just need wireless capability for our detached garage and remote monitoring / app / alerts.
I'm not looking to achieve full integration between systems, it just seemed logical that *if* the alarm and CCTV could talk to each other, then it would add a layer of convenience. If there was some great feature in Dahua that made it a must-have then losing any integration wouldn't be a deal-breaker as you'd still get access to both via their own apps/services.
Maybe the question I should have asked is a simple HikVision vs Dahua one? We have street lamps to the front and side of our house, so I guess there's plenty ambient light and maybe ColorVu isn't needed - hadn't really thought about that, so thanks for mentioning! (Although, if any street lamp failed it would be pretty dark as there aren't any others nearby).
s1962a said:
I have the Texecom Premier in my house and installed it myself. I would fully recommend a 'dumb' alarm system like this compared to the more fancy advanced ones, because it's tried and tested technology and it just works.
I also installed the Texecom Smartcom so I can control the alarm from an app. Would recommend installing it fully wired if you can.
As above. A vote for a Texecom wired system.I also installed the Texecom Smartcom so I can control the alarm from an app. Would recommend installing it fully wired if you can.
Our CCTV is not 'integrated' in to the alarm... I actually think it is better not to.
Our Texecom kit does integrate with HomeAssistant though... seems to be the best way to go as you can use pretty well any vendors kit without being locked in or dependant on one manufacturer.
No ideas for a name said:
Our CCTV is not 'integrated' in to the alarm... I actually think it is better not to.
Our Texecom kit does integrate with HomeAssistant though... seems to be the best way to go as you can use pretty well any vendors kit without being locked in or dependant on one manufacturer.
ooh.. how'd you do that? Our Texecom kit does integrate with HomeAssistant though... seems to be the best way to go as you can use pretty well any vendors kit without being locked in or dependant on one manufacturer.
One of the other reasons I think it's better to have a 'dumb' alarm system is that it's much more difficult for intruders to actually mess with it. I'm sure they could disable my cctv somehow by jamming my network or hacking into it somehow, but the only way they can stop my texecom alarm is by either getting physical access to the control panel or disabling it some other way that isn't documented. Most likely if someone did tamper with it the outside bellbox would go off and hopefully cause them to leave the house.
TheConsultant said:
Thanks all so far!
As far as I can tell so far, both the Pyronix and Texecom systems are "traditional", tried and tested systems (the house is wired with PIRs and contact sensors for the existing decommissioned alarm), and I'm happy with that, just need wireless capability for our detached garage and remote monitoring / app / alerts.
I'm not looking to achieve full integration between systems, it just seemed logical that *if* the alarm and CCTV could talk to each other, then it would add a layer of convenience. If there was some great feature in Dahua that made it a must-have then losing any integration wouldn't be a deal-breaker as you'd still get access to both via their own apps/services.
Maybe the question I should have asked is a simple HikVision vs Dahua one? We have street lamps to the front and side of our house, so I guess there's plenty ambient light and maybe ColorVu isn't needed - hadn't really thought about that, so thanks for mentioning! (Although, if any street lamp failed it would be pretty dark as there aren't any others nearby).
My understanding is for ColorVu to work it needs an amount of ambient light, so works ok if you're on a street but not so well in the countryside (that's what our installer told us anyway). As far as I can tell so far, both the Pyronix and Texecom systems are "traditional", tried and tested systems (the house is wired with PIRs and contact sensors for the existing decommissioned alarm), and I'm happy with that, just need wireless capability for our detached garage and remote monitoring / app / alerts.
I'm not looking to achieve full integration between systems, it just seemed logical that *if* the alarm and CCTV could talk to each other, then it would add a layer of convenience. If there was some great feature in Dahua that made it a must-have then losing any integration wouldn't be a deal-breaker as you'd still get access to both via their own apps/services.
Maybe the question I should have asked is a simple HikVision vs Dahua one? We have street lamps to the front and side of our house, so I guess there's plenty ambient light and maybe ColorVu isn't needed - hadn't really thought about that, so thanks for mentioning! (Although, if any street lamp failed it would be pretty dark as there aren't any others nearby).
I'd happily recommend the HiVision system though Works well
s1962a said:
ooh.. how'd you do that?
One of the other reasons I think it's better to have a 'dumb' alarm system is that it's much more difficult for intruders to actually mess with it. I'm sure they could disable my cctv somehow by jamming my network or hacking into it somehow, but the only way they can stop my texecom alarm is by either getting physical access to the control panel or disabling it some other way that isn't documented. Most likely if someone did tamper with it the outside bellbox would go off and hopefully cause them to leave the house.
I used this... https://hub.docker.com/r/dchesterton/texecom2mqttOne of the other reasons I think it's better to have a 'dumb' alarm system is that it's much more difficult for intruders to actually mess with it. I'm sure they could disable my cctv somehow by jamming my network or hacking into it somehow, but the only way they can stop my texecom alarm is by either getting physical access to the control panel or disabling it some other way that isn't documented. Most likely if someone did tamper with it the outside bellbox would go off and hopefully cause them to leave the house.
A bit of a learning curve - depends if you know about docker etc... I didn't so had to learn - but had a head start as I am an IT/networking specialist.
Feels free to ask any questions if you need any help getting it going.
TheConsultant said:
As far as I can tell so far, both the Pyronix and Texecom systems are "traditional", tried and tested systems (the house is wired with PIRs and contact sensors for the existing decommissioned alarm), and I'm happy with that, just need wireless capability for our detached garage and remote monitoring / app / alerts.
Texecom have their Ricochet system which is wireless. I haven't used it myself, but I belive it allows adding remote devices to the normal wired system.I think a Premier Elite 8XP-W whould allow a seperately wired garage to connect to a wired house wirelessly if that makes sense.
No ideas for a name said:
I think a Premier Elite 8XP-W whould allow a seperately wired garage to connect to a wired house wirelessly if that makes sense.
Yes, makes sense, cheers. That's similar to how I was told the Pyronix system worked - at it's core it's a very conventional wired alarm, but with add-on modules for WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring and control, and also an add-on wireless module which adds extra zones and facilitates the use of wireless detectors for the garage. So just one control box, as it's not practical to run extra signal wires to the garage which currently has no alarm.pmanson said:
My understanding is for ColorVu to work it needs an amount of ambient light, so works ok if you're on a street but not so well in the countryside (that's what our installer told us anyway).
I'd happily recommend the HiVision system though Works well
ColouVu cameras have a built in led not much brighter then a phones camera led that provides enough ambient light. I use it on my driveway which is pitch black and have the led limited to 50% output. I'd happily recommend the HiVision system though Works well
We also have a wireless Pyronix Enforcer system which can be linked with the HikVision/HiLook system. They can also use the same app but I keep them separate.
un1eash said:
We also have a wireless Pyronix Enforcer system which can be linked with the HikVision/HiLook system. They can also use the same app but I keep them separate.
That's the same combination I'm tempted by, pending some further research into Dahua vs HikVision.There's been plenty recommendations for Texecom; how do you find the Pyronix? Any issues, problems (or vice versa) with it, or does it just sit there in the background and do it's job as you'd hope?
I've been quoted for an Enforcer v10 panel + Wireless + WiFi module, although I've yet to determine if there's a reason for that instead of supplying an Enforcer v11 which seems to have the functionality built-in (no extra modules required) for a similar price.
Ours is the Enforcer V11, no issues over the past year. Easy to use and does the job. I plan to add another PIR to the garage and the installer set me up with admin logins to do so. It just works I guess, we have a basic system which includes front door sensor which we set to chime when the door opens. Then have PIR in the downstairs living room, Zoning off the kitchen for the dog when out in the day. Can use the app or key fobs to arm/disarm.
un1eash said:
Ours is the Enforcer V11, no issues over the past year. Easy to use and does the job. I plan to add another PIR to the garage and the installer set me up with admin logins to do so. It just works I guess, we have a basic system which includes front door sensor which we set to chime when the door opens. Then have PIR in the downstairs living room, Zoning off the kitchen for the dog when out in the day. Can use the app or key fobs to arm/disarm.
Thanks, that's useful, and it's little things like the bolded that are great to know can be done (not that we have a dog - not yet anyway). Unfortunately all the Pyronix manuals are hidden behind a registration wall for resellers and installers so it's hard to find out the details of the capabilities.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff