Home Security Blog

You may recall us briefly discussing the Alarm.com Camera Onboard Recording feature when it was announced that the ADC-SVR122 was being discontinued. Today, we're taking a closer look at the feature, what it entails, and how you can get started. Let's check out Alarm.com Onboard Recording!

Simply put, Alarm.com Onboard Recording allows a compatible Alarm.com Camera to record captured footage locally to a micro SD card that is on board the camera. As the camera is connected with the Alarm.com servers, the user can access the footage on the Micro SD card remotely using the Alarm.com website or mobile app. Only footage that is still on the Micro SD card can be accessed. As the camera continues to record and store video, older footage on the card is deleted to make space. You must access and save any important footage on the Micro SD card before it is deleted and lost forever. Many Alarm.com users have found that onboard recording is a nice alternative to using a streaming video recorder (SVR) device.

There are many things to keep in mind when thinking about Alarm.com Onboard Recording. The first thing you should consider is which Alarm.com Cameras support the feature. At this time, there are only three (3). These are the ADC-V515, the ADC-V523, and the ADC-V723. It's likely no coincidence that these cameras also happen to be the premier residential video surveillance options offered by Alarm.com. You may also recall that Alarm Grid took an in-depth look at these same cameras not too long ago. Check out that post here. Remember that you will need a monitoring plan that includes both video surveillance and access to Alarm.com to use any of these cameras. Examples of compatible plans include an Alarm Grid Platinum Level Plan (Self or Full) or an Alarm Grid Video Only Plan. Learn about monitoring plans here.

Once you have a compatible camera, you can then start thinking about which Micro SD card you want to use. The Micro SD card you select cannot have a capacity smaller than 32GB and cannot be larger than 512GB in size, and it should be a high-quality card that has been specifically built for video surveillance. Alarm.com lists the following Micro SD cards as compatible:

• Micron Industrial Memory Cards (Available in 128GB and 256GB)
• SanDisk High Endurance
• WD Purple Micro SD Cards

Additionally, you should check out the following FAQs from Alarm Grid that show you how to install the Micro SD card for each of the compatible ADC Cameras:

• Installing the Micro SD for the ADC-V515
• Installing the Micro SD for the ADC-V523
• Installing the Micro SD for the ADC-V723

After selecting the proper plan, a compatible camera, and a recommended Micro SD card, make sure your monitoring company enables the "Onboard Recording with Smart View" feature on your account. You will not be able to set up the feature on your account until this option has been enabled. Once you have the Onboard Recording feature set up and running, accessing the recorded footage is very simple. You can use the Alarm.com website or mobile app for this task. We recommend checking out our FAQ on Viewing Alarm.com Onboard Recorded Video from an SD Card for more information.

What do you think of the Alarm.com Camera Onboard Recording feature? Would you like to see it become available for more Alarm.com Cameras? Leave a comment down below, and share your thoughts. And stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security system news coming soon!

In preparation for the upcoming 2GIG Edge Security System, Alarm Grid has finished building the product pages for both the AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE versions of the 2GIG Edge Alarm Panel. We now have more information than ever on what looks to be a truly state-of-the-art alarm system.

• Check out the 2GIG Edge w/ AT&T LTE here SKU: 2GIG-EDG-NA-AA.
• Check out the 2GIG Edge w/ Verizon LTE here SKU 2GIG-EDG-NA-VA.

If you check the two product pages linked above, you will see that the 2GIG Edge is currently marked "discontinued". It will stay that way on our site until we have it available for purchase. But at least now, you can check out the page and see all of its great specifications and capabilities. Needless to say, it has a ton to offer. You could say that we're on the edge of our seats waiting.

We would like to take a moment and discuss some of the more noteworthy specs of the 2GIG Edge. Just like its 2GIG GC3e predecessor, the 2GIG Edge supports the same sensor lineups, included the encrypted 2GIG eSeries Sensors, the 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors, and the Honeywell 5800 Sensors. It also supports up to 100 zones, which is the same as the GC3e. There is a possibility that 2GIG might release a new sensor lineup of devices built exclusively for use with the Edge, but we have not seen any confirmation one way or another.

A very interesting discovery about the 2GIG Edge is that its internal LTE cellular communicator cannot be replaced, much like what we have already seen with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. For us, this is a mixed bag, or a double-edged sword, if you will. On one hand, this means that you don't have to buy a communicator separately, and you will not have to install one inside the panel. But unfortunately, this means that you must replace the entire panel in the event that something goes wrong with the communicator. It also means that we may someday see all the 2GIG Edge Systems go offline at the same time due to a possible "LTE Sunset" that may happen someday in the future. That said, such an LTE Sunset wouldn't happen for a very long time.

Other features for the 2GIG Edge include its built-in WIFI, and its integrated Z-Wave Plus V2 700-Series Z-Wave Controller. That's right, this is the first system we know of to support Z-Wave 700-Series. That in itself is really exciting, as we expect this panel to be an unquestioned champ when it comes to automation. Alarm.com connectivity has also returned with the Edge, and you get all of the benefits of that platform once you get the system monitored with a proper service plan. This includes the ability to interface with smart home voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo, Siri Shortcuts, and so much more!

We won't go too in-depth on every new feature right now, but you can expect facial recognition, optional automatic Bluetooth disarming, Alarm.com Camera streaming, one-touch arming, emergency panic buttons, disarm photos, over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates, and so much more to be available with the 2GIG Edge. This is truly a great system to look forward to, and we hope that waiting doesn't push you over the edge of insanity.

We have some other 2GIG Edge accessories you can check out on our site right now, though none are currently available for purchase. We will be expanding upon these product pages as we learn more. These include:

• 2GIG Edge Cable w/ AC1 Barrel Connection - SKU: 2GIG-EDG-CBL
• 2GIG Edge Backup Battery - SKU: 2GIG-EDG-BATT
• 2GIG Edge Remote Keypad - SKU: 2GIG-EDG-RK
• 2GIG Edge Remote Keypad Battery - SKU: 2GIG-EDG-RK-BATT

Please comment below with any thoughts or questions you have about the 2GIG Edge. Are you excited about this system? Let us know. And stay tuned to our blog for more security news and updates coming real soon!

It has been a busy time for new products. We saw some new IQ Panel 2 Plus PowerG 2-1 Kits yesterday, some new weatherproof mounting boxes for sirens on Monday, and the new PROA7 and PROA7C Panels last week. Today we have several new products to gloss over, so let's jump right into it!

First up is the Honeywell 4142BLK. This is a removable terminal block for Honeywell Polling Loop Panels, such as the Honeywell VISTA-128BPT, the Honeywell VISTA-250BPT, and the Honeywell VISTA-50P. What's great about this removable terminal block is that if you are replacing your wired alarm panel with a new one, you can keep all the existing devices (sensors, keypads, communicators, etc.) connected, and just remove the terminal block from the old panel, and connect it to the new one. This will save you the trouble of having to disconnect and reconnect each individual wire!

Next, we have some new mounting adapters for the Alarm.com ADC-V723 Outdoor Security Camera. If you want to mount your ADC-V723 on the outside of an outlet box, then you need one of these adapters. There is the Alarm.com ADC-OB101 for a single-gang outlet box, as well as the Alarm.com ADC-OB102 for a double-gang outlet box. A gasket and mounting screws come included for a complete installation.

The Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-PM is a replacement power module for the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 Doorbell Camera. Normally the power module comes included with the ADC-VDB770. But if you lose or damage your initial one, then you can get this replacement to power your doorbell camera. Good on Alarm.com for offering this part!

Lastly, we have a pair of new backup batteries for the PROA7 and PROA7PLUS. We have the Honeywell Home PROA7BAT2 and the Honeywell Home PROA7BAT3. Both are listed as 24-hour backup batteries and will reliably keep your system running in the event of an electrical outage. Remember that you will need to replace your system's backup battery every few years, as batteries only have a limited useful life.

Got any questions or comments about these new products? Leave us a comment down below, as we would love to hear from you. As always, stay tuned to the Alarm Grid blog for new announcements and security news coming real soon!

New products keep coming! We have two (2) new Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Kits. There is the Qolsys QK9201-AK2P-840 with Verizon LTE and the Qolsys QK9202-AK2P-840 with AT&T LTE. Both are 2-1 PowerG Kits with a 319.5 MHz IQ2+ System, one (1) PG9914 Motion, and two (2) PG9303 Door/Window Contacts.

What makes these new kits different from our other IQ2+ System Kits is that these are 2-1 Kits (2 Door/Window Sensors + 1 Motion) with PowerG Sensors. Our other 2-1 offerings, the Qolsys QK9201-AK2C and the Qolsys QK9202-AK2C include Qolsys S-Line Sensors, rather than the PowerG Sensors included in these new kits. And all the other Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus PowerG Kits were in 3-1 or 10-1 sizes. But thanks to these new kits, you can now get a new 2-1 IQ2+ Kit with PowerG Sensors! These are fantastic wireless sensors that can work from up to 2,000 feet away from the IQ Panel 2 Plus System in open air, and they utilize 128-bit AES encryption for great security.

Your one choice with these two new kits is whether you want the 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus w/ Verizon LTE or the 319.5 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus w/ AT&T LTE. Other than the cellular carrier, these two kits are exactly the same. When deciding between AT&T and Verizon, just go with whichever network offers more reliable service in the area where the system will be used. Check coverage maps if you are unsure. Please note that we do not have 2-1 Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Kits for the 345 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus or the 433 MHz IQ Panel 2 Plus. Only the 319.5 Mhz version is available in a 2-1 kit.

With the Qolsys QK9201-AK2P-840 or Qolsys QK9202-AK2P-840, you get all of the same great benefits as any other brand-new IQ Panel 2 Plus System. This system supports up to 128 wireless zones, Z-Wave Plus technology, and a plethora of great features like optional automatic Bluetooth disarming, security camera live-streaming, four (4) configurable partitions, and so much more. By activating the system with a cellular monitoring plan that includes access to Alarm.com, you will be able to control the system from anywhere in the world using your phone.

We hope that you find these new 2-1 Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus PowerG Kits useful. They are great for any small home or apartment, where only a few sensors are needed. We also recommend these kits for previous Interlogix System users who are looking to upgrade to a newer 319.5 MHz system. Please comment below with your thoughts on these new kits. Remember to stay tuned to the Alarm Grid blog for more security news coming soon!

We have been made aware of a critical firmware issue affecting Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Systems manufactured between Week 35 of 2020 (or Week 37 for some factory codes) and Week 05 of 2021. The issue causes systems to automatically reboot at times. We apologize for any resulting inconvenience.

According to Qolsys, all IQ panel 2 Plus Systems manufactured with a Date Code of G035 to G105 AND J037 to J105 are affected. This can be seen in digits 6 thru 9 of the system's Serial Number (SN) on the product box, on the back of the system, and in the Hardware portion of the About Menu in Advanced Settings.

If your system is affected, then you can download a special firmware update to correct the problem. In order to download this corrective firmware, your system must be one of the affected models (see above), and you must have the panel on Software Version 2.4.2 or higher (check the About Menu). You may also want to check out our Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Firmware Update Page here if you need to update your system to 2.4.2 before running this patch.

If you meet the criteria, then you can perform the following steps to update the firmware:

1. Prepare IQ2+ System. Make sure your system meets the aforementioned criteria to receive the special update. In addition, have your system connected to WIFI. Your system should be plugged in for AC power, and it should not have a low battery.

Monitoring stations will eventually be able to push this upgrade over-the-air (OTA). If your system is in a location where WIFI is not available, the monitoring station should be able to push the update, but to do so via cellular data may incur a small fee. This will require that the panel is set up for monitoring service, including connectivity with Alarm.com.

2. Access Upgrade Software Menu. From the main system screen, swipe the small grey bar at the top, and choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter the Installer Code (default 1111) > Upgrade Software. You are in the Upgrade Software Menu.

3. Enter Patch Tag. Find the Patch Tag field. Click on it, and enter firmware2. Make sure you enter firmware2 exactly. Press OK to confirm.

4. Apply the update. Choose "Upgrade Using Network". The update should then begin. It should take around five (5) minutes to complete, though it can take a bit longer in some cases. Do not touch the system during the update. The system should reboot once complete.

5. Verify the update. You can verify the update by repeating Step 2, except this time choose About > Software, instead of "Upgrade Software". The build number should display 0210219_sp1 to indicate a successful update.

This update should fix and/or prevent your IQ2+ System from randomly rebooting if it was part of the batch with the critical firmware issue. We hope that this helps any affected users overcome issues with the IQ2+ Systems. Make sure to stay tuned to the Alarm Grid blog for the latest news regarding Qolsys, the IQ Panel 2, and any other important security system news!

Alarm Grid is starting off your week right with a pair of new weatherproof mounting boxes now available on our website. We have the Potter PL-BBK1 and the Cooper Wheelock WBB available for purchase right now. These convenient mounting boxes are great for protecting sirens and strobes.

These so-called "bell boxes" are used to secure and contain sirens and strobe lights and protect them against environmental damage from rain, wind, UV light, dust, and other unfavorable outdoor hazards. You have likely seen them used with fire alarm equipment, and these are typically considered as fire-safety products.

Both of our new offerings provide a tough, rugged plastic construction that will keep any internal sirens, sounders, and strobes active and operational for a very long time. Depending on the jurisdiction your location is in, or the type of system you have, you may be advised to purchase the Potter PL-BBK1, which comes in red. This red color may be required for your installation as part of fire code mandates. Meanwhile, the Cooper Wheelock WBB does not come in red, but rather it is solid in White (WBB-W) and Silver (WBB-S) variants.

Beyond color, the only other difference you will likely notice between these products is their size. The Potter PL-BBK1 measures 5.6"L x 4.3"W x 1.9"D, while the Copper Wheelock WBB has dimensions of 4.1"L x 4.1"W x 2.1"D. The difference isn't that pronounced, but the PL-BBK1 is unmistakably larger. Of course, you should go with whichever one is better-suited for your installation. You may want to check with your local fire marshal if the application involves fire safety.

We have been putting out quite a few new products lately! Remember late last week we announced that the Honeywell Home PROA7 and the Resideo PROA7C are now both available for purchase. Is there any product that you're dying to see on the Alarm Grid site? Or are you wanting to learn more about our monitoring services? Leave a comment down below with your requests. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are happy to announce that the Honeywell Home PROA7 and the Resideo PROA7C are now available. You can consider these as entry level versions of the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS and the Resideo PROA7PLUSC.

The best way to think of the PROA7 and PROA7C is that they are the PROA7PLUS without a Honeywell Home PROWIFIZW, no Bluetooth capabilities, and no front panel camera. It's the same as the PROA7PLUS, just with no WIFI, no Z-Wave, no optional automatic Bluetooth disarming, and no disarm photos. You can always add the PROWIFIZW Module later on to add WIFI and Z-Wave Plus, but Bluetooth and the front camera can never be added. Basically, you will always be working with a lesser version of the PROA7PLUS.

If you want to get a PROA7 or PROA7C monitored, then you will need to add a PROWIFIZW Module and/or one of the compatible LTE cellular communicators, which are the Honeywell Home PROLTE-A AT&T LTE Communicator and the Honeywell Home PROLTE-V Verizon LTE Communicator. Getting the system monitored will also allow you to use Total Connect 2.0 to control the system remotely, provided that access to the service is included with your monitoring plan.

Remember that since the ProSeries System does not yet support local end-user programming, you will not be able to enroll any sensors with the PROA7 or PROA7C until you get it monitored. The Honeywell Home PROSIX and Honeywell SiX Series Sensors return as compatible encrypted peripherals for the systems, and you can also add a Honeywell Home PROTAKEOVER Module for legacy RF sensor support.

Any one of several older manufacturer's sensors can be used with the PROTAKEOVER Module. These include Honeywell 5800 series, 2GIG 345 MHz (non-encrypted), Qolsys/Interlogix 319.5 MHz, DSC, and Bosch which both use a variation of 433 MHz. Up to 250 zones in total can be used with the PROA7 or PROA7C.

As you may have guessed, the only difference between the Honeywell Home PROA7 and the Resideo PROA7C is that the PROA7 says "Honeywell Home" across its front, while the PROA7C says "Resideo" across its front. Other than that, they really are the same panel. Which one do you like more? Let us know in the comments down below. And remember to reach out to us with any questions you might have. As always, we look forward to hearing from you!

Total Connect 2.0 users may have recently noticed some Push Notifications showing that certain events originated from "[External] ApiGee". This is the result of an integration that Resideo is configuring. These alerts usually originate from a third-party integration.

Resideo, also known as Honeywell Home, is constantly working to improve the user's Total Connect 2.0 experience. They're working in the background to implement suggested improvements provided by both customers and alarm dealers. ApiGee appears to be one of those integrations. We don't have any details about what expanded features this may include, but the work they are doing in the backend has caused a few odd Push Notifications to be generated.

In most cases, we've seen these push notifications associated with using Alexa in conjunction with the Total Connect 2.0 skill. You probably noticed if you are using Alexa to access and control your system that when you enabled the TC2 Skill you had to provide your Total Connect 2.0 Login and Password. This creates what's called a server-to-server integration. Once the skill is enabled and proper login credentials have been entered, you'll see an option to enable the skill for the alarm panel and automation devices and then the skill is ready to go. If you have multiple locations being used with a single TC2 login you'll only be able to select one location to access using this particular Alexa account.

When you ask Alexa, for example, "Alexa, ask Total Connect 2 what the status of my alarm system is." The server at Amazon uses the credentials you provided at the time you set up the skill to actually log into Total Connect 2.0 and query the system status. This, of course, happens very quickly. Currently, this log-in appears to sometimes be viewed as a user logging in and is therefore triggering a push notification. This will only happen if you have Administration type notifications enabled. Administration notifications include Login, Logout, Login Instlr-Read Only, and so on. However, rather than Alexa's access being logged as the person whose credentials were used for the integration, it is instead being logged as [External] ApiGee.

At the time of this writing, March 3, 2021 at around 6:00 pm, it appears the issue with push notifications may have been resolved. We attempted to cause one of these notifications so that we could obtain a screenshot, but we were unable to do so. It appears that in the Activity screen if you select the icon to Show Admin Logs at the top, you will still be able to see these events being logged. The Admin Logs is the screenshot shown at the top of this post. It's probable that these events are meant to show up here, but were never meant to produce a push notification. Hopefully, this relatively minor issue has been resolved, and whatever this new feature may be, it will be available soon.

If you have been keeping up with the Alarm Grid blog, then you have likely seen us discussing Alarm.com Doorbell Cameras at some point or another. Today, we're breaking down the three (3) most popular options of doorbell cameras for Alarm.com to help you determine which one is best for you.

The three Alarm.com Doorbell Cameras we will be discussing today include the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 Video Analytics Doorbell Camera, the SkyBell Slim Line II 720p Doorbell Camera, and the SkyBell Round 1080p WIFI Doorbell Camera. While we can straight away say that the ADC-VDB770 is the premium option here and offers the most impressive features, some users might not need such a loaded device, and they might instead prefer one of the other options. But if you want a quick and dirty answer as to which doorbell camera is the "best", then most security experts are going to steer you towards the ADC-VDB770. Still, there are so many avenues to explore here, that it's really worth looking at the devices from an in-depth perspective.

Before diving into the specifics of each Alarm.com Doorbell Camera, it important to understand one key aspect. Unlike regular Alarm.com Security Cameras, you do not need a true video monitoring service plan to use one single Alarm.com Doorbell Camera device on your Alarm.com account. This is great news for Alarm Grid Gold Plan members with access to Alarm.com, because you can add a single doorbell camera to your account, without having to upgrade your monitoring plan. There are some video "clip limits" to keep in mind, but most users rarely find them to be an issue.

If you go with the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770, you will get 1,200 monthly and 1,200 total clips. For the other doorbell options, it's just 400 monthly and 400 total clips. Most users find 400 to be plenty and they are rarely in danger of reaching their limit. But getting 1,200 clips with the ADC-VDB770 can be a nice bonus. For more information on Alarm.com Clip Limits, please review this FAQ. Please note that if you do use doorbell devices in conjunction with a true video monitoring plan, then each doorbell will count as a full Alarm.com Camera, with its clips counting towards the monthly limit.

One last thing we want to say is that each of the three (3) doorbell cameras we will be discussing today has its own omni-directional microphone, and you will be able to use the device for two-way audio when configured with Alarm.com. This is universal across all three (3) devices, as is getting push notifications to your phone, so we figured we would address that aspect before getting into the individual specifications.

Now, with that out of the way, let's start actually discussing the devices in-depth. We will start with the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770.

If we're looking purely at recording capabilities, the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 is the clear winner here today, It offers a live recording resolution of up to 1440x1920, though the resolution will often be turned down to prevent any lags or disruptions on a live camera stream due to upload bandwidth requirements. Recorded clips are also available in 1440x1920 resolution. The camera's field of view (FoV) is also quite impressive, at 150° Vertical, 115° Horizontal. It's also the only Alarm.com Doorbell Camera with High Dynamic Range (HDR). Alarm.com also says that it offers "rapid people detection" and a "premium build quality". Infrared (IR) Night Vision ensures that the camera works well in the dark.

But there are a few intangible considerations with the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 that aren't necessarily factors with the other doorbell cameras shown here. First, the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 is often marketed for its ability to be used as a "touchless doorbell". You can add on accessories like a "Do Not Touch" Cover, and a "Stand On Mat To Ring Doorbell" Door Mat. It really changes your experience in using and interacting with the device. Of course, you don't have to set up the device this way, you can keep its doorbell button exposed and fully functional. But in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the need for a "touchless" product makes sense.

The ADC-VDB770 is also the only Alarm.com Doorbell Camera at the time of this writing in March 2021 that supports any form of Alarm.com Video Analytics. To be clear, the ADC-VDB770 is compatible with a very limited form of Video Analytics, in which there can only be one Video Analytics recording rule per device. There can only be one (1) Ground Zone recording rule, and only "People" can be set as the trigger. The camera does not have a motion detector, and you are required to set up Video Analytics to get the camera to function how you want. This is where the "rapid people detection" feature comes from.

One interesting "quirk" for the ADC-VDB770 is that it actually has a noticeably more narrow operating temperature than the other doorbell camera devices we will soon be discussing. For cold weather, the ADC-VDB770 is only safe down to -22°F, unless you obtain the "cold weather collar" accessory (sold separately), which will bring the low-end operating temperature down to -40°F. We've never heard of a "temperature collar" for any security system equipment before, but sure enough, the Alarm.com ADC-VDBA-TC is a real thing. The other doorbell cameras do not have an equivalent "collar". They just work in the colder -40°F without an add-on. Meanwhile, on the other end for "hot" temperatures, the ADC-VDB770 Doorbell Camera is listed at a surprisingly low 104°F. We know that many users live in areas where it regularly gets hotter than that. For that reason, you may want to be a bit wary of the device's operating temperature. Meanwhile, the other two doorbell cameras have "higher" operating temperatures of 122°F and 140°F, respectively. You shouldn't run into many issues there. But 104°F may have you sweating as you wonder if your doorbell camera investment can withstand the heat of a hot summer day.

In our experience, we have seen most customers who get the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 ultimately have good success setting up the Video Analytics feature, and they are highly satisfied with the device's overall performance. But there are some users out there who simply don't care for the fine-tuning and precision setup that comes with Alarm.com Video Analytics.

These users just want a simple doorbell camera that interfaces nicely with their smartphone. Visitors can press the button to ring the doorbell or it also has a passive infrared motion detector that, if enabled, tells the camera when to start recording because someone has walked into the viewing area. If that is the case for you, then we're sure you will be very happy with one of these two (2) alternative options to the leading ADC-VDB770.

The SkyBell Alarm.com Slim Line II Doorbell Camera, also known as the ADC-VDB105X (Satin Nickel) or ADC-VDB106X (Bronze), certainly makes a compelling argument if you are just wanting something slightly more basic but effective as a doorbell camera. We often see this with Alarm.com equipment. Their premium line is fantastic, but then one step below it they have a more "entry-level" option that is actually quite excellent in its own right. And that's really the case with the SkyBell Slim Line II Doorbell Camera. It's a great entry-level doorbell camera, overshadowed by the flashy, high-tech offerings of the ADC-VDB770.

With the SkyBell Alarm.com Slim Line II, you only get 720p live-streaming, and 720p recorded footage. Again, the live-streaming quality can be toned down to adjust for low-bandwidth and whatnot, but 720p is where it maxes out. This is still very clear footage, and you can pair it with the camera's wide field of view (170° Horizontal, 110° Vertical) for some truly excellent results. And you still get features and functions like push notifications on your phone regarding doorbell camera activity. Plus, you get the same great IR night vision capabilities. Overall, you aren't losing out on too much by going with the Slim Line II, so certainly consider it as a viable option. And you can't go wrong with that simple, yet modern rectangular slim design.

Last up, we'll discuss the Alarm.com Round SkyBell, also known as the ADC-VDB101 (Satin Nickel) and the ADC-VDB102 (Bronze). Honestly, there's not much reason to choose this model over the Slim Line II, unless you're particularly fond of the round design. The round model can also achieve a higher live video resolution (1080p vs 720p), though it is still limited to 720p for recorded clips. The camera of the round model offers an impressive 180° Field of View, and the night vision recording range is still about 15 feet in full color. This one doesn't use IR for night vision, so the more ambient light in the area, the better the nighttime images will be. Just like before, you can get push notification doorbell camera alerts on your phone, which is the main benefit of these devices.

Here is a breakdown of the doorbell cameras:

	ADC-VDB770	Slim Line II	Round
Image(s)
Video Analytics	- (1) Ground Zone Recording Rule. - Only "People" Set As Trigger.	None	None
Motion Detection	From Video Analytics	PIR	PIR
Touchless Functionality	Yes (Cover & Mat Sold Separately)	No	No
Streaming Video Resolution	Up to 1440x1920	Up to 720p	Up to 1080p
Recorded Video Resolution	Up to 1440x1920	Up to 720p	Up to 720p
Horizontal Field of View	115°	170°	180° w/ auto-scaling
Vertical Field of View	150°	110°	180° w/ auto-scaling
High Dynamic Range (HDR)	Yes	No	No
Night Vision	Infrared (IR) ~15 Feet	Infrared (IR) ~15 Feet	Full Color ~15 Feet
Microphone for Two-Way Audio	Omni-Directional	Omni-Directional	Omni-Directional
Power Requirements	16-30VAC, 10VA 15VDC, 8W (533mA)	10-36VAC, 10VA 12VDC, 0.5-1A	10-36VAC, 10VA 12VDC, 0.5-1A
Operating Temperature	-22°F to 104°F -40°F to 104°F (w/ Temperature Collar)	-40°F to 122°F	-40°F to 140°F
Operating Humidity	Less than 95% RH, Non-Condensing	10% to 80% RH	0% to 100% Condensing
Clip Limits w/o Video Monitoring Plan	1 Video Doorbell Device Per Account. 1,200 Monthly Clips 1,200 Total Clips Cannot Increase w/o Video Plan.	1 Video Doorbell Device Per Account. 400 Monthly Clips 400 Total Clips Cannot Increase w/o Video Plan.	1 Video Doorbell Device Per Account. 400 Monthly Clips 400 Total Clips Cannot Increase w/o Video Plan.

Have you used any of these doorbell cameras with Alarm.com? Please let us know about your experiences in the comments section below. Also, let us know if there are any other Alarm.com features you would like us to cover in a future blog post. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have added some new products to the Alarm Grid website. These include two (2) additional polycarbonate plastic enclosures for safely storing and protecting alarm system equipment, plus a convenient mini piezo electric sounder for boosting keypad volume. Let's check out these products!

First up we have two (2) new polycarbonate protective enclosures from Mier, including the Mier BW-BWL1086 (10"L x 8"W x 6"D) and the Mier BW-SL14126C (14"L x 12"W x 6"D). You may recall the two (2) similar polycarbonate enclosures from STI that we discussed last week. These new offerings from Mier essentially accomplish the same thing, but we wanted to give our customers even more great options to choose from. Polycarbonate enclosures are great for protecting any wired to wireless converter modules and wireless receivers that may not function properly in a traditional metal enclosure. Polycarbonate enclosures are also safe to use outdoors, and they are a great option if you need to set up equipment in an area where it will need to withstand outside elements. This includes protection against harmful UV rays. Please note that the Mier BW-SL14126C is translucent and see-through for easy monitoring of interior LED lights. But the Mier BW-BWL1086 is opaque and not see-through. Keep that in mind if you decide to purchase.

Alarm Grid also now offers the Amseco PAL-328N. This is a small, but very versatile piezo-electric sounder that can be used with an operating voltage ranging from 3VDC to 28VDC, while only drawing 20mA of current. Applying more voltage will increase the maximum volume of the unit. If you only provide the minimum 3VDC, then the volume will be about 68 dB. But as you increase the voltage up to 28VDC, then the max volume raises to beyond 100 dB. While you probably won't use the Amseco PAL-328N as a siren, you can configure it on many panels to mimic some keypad sounds to increase the volume of those sounds. This can be very helpful for ensuring that you hear any Entry and Exit Delay sounds produced by your system's keypad. This can also be good for increasing the volume of system zone faults and chimes. We have seen the Amseco PAL-328N work great with wired systems, and it can also be used very nicely with many wireless all-in-one alarm panels, including the Honeywell LYNX Touch Systems. If you have been looking for an easy way to increase the sound of certain keypad sounds, then this might be the solution you need.

Do you have any products you want to see added to the Alarm Grid website? Please comment below and let us know. You might just see it in a future update. Stay tuned to our blog for more security news and updates from Alarm Grid, and we'll see you next time!