Security System Tips Blog

Comcast Digital Voice – VOIP Service…Any Users?

admin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:49:25 +0000

Well, I’m thinking of doing the unthinkable. I’m getting lured by Comcast’s bundle package pricing. It’s only missing their local phone service; Comcast Digital Voice. Since it’s a managed system, it will have less problems transmitting alarm signals from my GE Networx NX-8 security system than an unmanaged service like Vonage. Even if it does, [...]

Finally Purchased The X10 ActiveHome Professional CM15A, With The USB Interface

admin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:27:47 +0000

Well I broke-down and purchased the X10 ActiveHome Professional software & hardware package that has the USB interface. Hopefully it will solve my DST gripes that my old ActiveHome, version 1.42, with the CM11A interface (serial connection) used to give me. You can read about it here: http://securitysystemtips.com/blog/wp-trackback.php?p=5. I also did a basic review of [...]

Interesting Alarm Industry Statistics

Security Staff — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:48:18 +0000

These are some statistics that you may find useful. As stated in Security Sales & Integration magazine, the Most Common Customer Causes of False Alarms are: 72% Improper Disarming Upon Entry 62% Improper Arming Upon Exit 36% Lack of End-User Training 29% weather Related 23% Pets 22% Equipment Failure 18% Installation Issues They also state that 10-25% of all calls to the police [...]

Digital TV (DTV) – Are You Ready?

Security Staff — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:22:09 +0000

As of today, there are now 344 days until the end of all analog television broadcasts. I know everyone’s heard about it, but what does that actually mean? Well, if you use an external antenna on your TV (on your roof or maybe a set of rabbit ears) you will not be able to receive [...]

x10 ActiveHome (1.42), DST, & Windows XP

Security Staff — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:46:50 +0000

What do ActiveHome version 1.42, daylight savings time, and Windows XP spell? Problems for me! Everytime we have a DST change (like today), my ActiveHome automation system simply stops working. I have to manually re-download to the x10 CM11A controller to get the system to start working again. I could never really understand why, because the [...]

Daylight Savings Time Changes

Security Staff — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:33:19 +0000

Well, if you follow DST, don’t forget to Spring forward today! Yes, we have lost an hour of sleep, and I know I can feel it! Besides your clocks and watches, check the time on your security system keypad, ourdoor security lighting, landscape lighting, and home automation controllers. Will we keep this new DST schedule, or go [...]

Welcome To Our New Blog!

admin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:11:01 +0000

We’re very excited to have added a blog to our site. We can now keep you up to date on industry news, tips, and products that we feel you may find intersting. If you haven’t already done so, please sign-up for our Free Newsletter and subscribe to our RSS Feed!