Where Drill Through Manufactured House Wall To Install Cameras
When you lot're looking for a abode security system, the commencement step is choosing the kind you lot desire to secure your biggest investment, your abode. At that place are three principal types of home security systems: professionally installed and monitored, do-it-yourself (DIY) installed and monitored, and systems that are hybrids of the offset 2 options. Vivint Smart Home falls in the get-go range: a professionally installed and monitored domicile security system. Vivint gave us a test install, a chance to try its robust home automation platform. This is the outset part of a three-segment review — the installation — then you can run across, step-past-step, what to await when Vivint installs the monitoring network into your own habitation.
Inflow of Vivint Team
GearBrain scheduled a prepare time for Vivint to run our test house installation, and the team of four installers who arrived right on time. Stephen Scott, Bamidela Babaloia, Thomas Salamonowicz and Jordan Laguerre all wore Vivint apparel, making it was like shooting fish in a barrel for u.s.a. to identify them. They fifty-fifty put on slippers over their shoes to help prevent tracking of any dirt into the home — a overnice touch.
Meet our Vivint installaers: Bamidela Babaloia, Thomas Salamonowicz, Stephen Scott, and Jordan Laguerre GearBrain
Scott start walked me through a game plan of how the day would become, standard to Vivint'southward installation process, and fabricated a point not to talk over my caput. He and his team explained in detail every detail — from how each sensor worked, to where to place the devices for optimal operation. We as well discussed the pros and cons of the placements in each room.
Ane of his first questions was where nosotros wanted to cease a burglar from getting into the home: the inside of the business firm or the outside. Many people say the exterior, noted Scott, so he described how installing window sensors on each of our double-hung windows on the offset floor, brand it possible to track unwanted visitors. These sensors have magnets, then they sit very nicely on the windows, and piece of work via a wireless connexion to their panel. A 2d sensor would also be installed within each of the get-go flooring rooms on the first floor, picking up the sound of cleaved glass and setting off the warning.
To acquire more well-nigh their gratis installation from Vivint, click here.
In the examination home'due south living room, we have four windows, where Scott also suggested installing sensors and a glass break sensor. When it came to the control panel, Vivint recommends a central location with access to Wi-Fi, that'southward also like shooting fish in a barrel to arm and disarm. The team had a special app to measure the strength of the Wi-Fi signal in the home, and the location of our previous panel placement was perfect for the new one.
We then discussed camera placements, every bit we were installing i within camera, one video doorbell and 1 exterior camera. All of Vivint'south outside cameras are wired using CAT five cables, and so connected to a powerline adapter, or PLC, via an Ethernet connexion. A powerline adapter is a Thou.hn-based device that provides another way to connect devices to a home or business network. Using the existing electric wiring in your dwelling, the PLC tin can send a wireless signal to devices at speeds equal to a wired connection. Vivint uses this applied science to help go a better wireless indicate between their devices (especially between security cameras) in your home, without having to rewire.
Vivint PLC (Powerline Converter) used to send wireless signal between security cameras and Smart Hub panel (formerly called SkyControl panel). PLCs sends bespeak through your domicile's wires. GearBraiin
For Vivint'south indoor security cameras, these devices connect via wireless signal (no PLC needed) and tin be moved to any room you lot want to proceed an heart on when y'all're not domicile. Its doorbell is very like to the other types of wired doorbells GearBrain has tested (i.e. Skybell and Ring). The device requires a 12V wired connection to piece of work properly, and connects to the panel via a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection. We decided on the placement of the cameras, and the team got to work.
Installation of Your Vivint Console
According to the squad, the new Vivint Smart Hub panel (formerly called SkyControl console) is a vii-inch color LCD touchscreen, and was designed past a former Nike marketing executive who joined the company in contempo years. It looks a fleck like a tablet mounted on the wall. Many of the panels we've tested for domicile security systems take a boxy look, and quite a number of buttons. Vivint's panel stood out as cleaner, better designed, and it fit nicely on the wall. The panel includes a speaker, a microphone and LED lights underneath that change colors depending on whether the organization is armed or disarmed.
Vivint installing Smart Hub panel in optimal location in our test firm. GearBrain
The Vivint Smart Hub requires ii wires for ability, using PLC plugs to transfer the wireless signal to a wired point beyond your dwelling's own electrical wires. Scott mentioned the signals sent from the devices are large, and crave two PLCs to work correctly. Video from the security cameras, for example, take upward a lot of data — and it's much easier to ship them over a wired connection versus a wireless one. The new Smart Hub panel, expected to launch sometime this year, volition only require 1 PLC plug for power, said Scott, which will brand its installation easier.
Installing the Vivint Smart Hub panel took a little longer than normal in our exam abode. The team was able to run wiring behind the wall to a power source in the basement subsequently several minutes. I noted the care the team took, and they were cautious well-nigh the holes they made in the wall, cleaning up as soon every bit they installed a device, using a battery powered ShopVac, and a trash bin they filled with empty boxes, wiring ends and wrappings as they opened each device.
Vivint installers wear disposable slippers in order not to runway dirt into your home. GearBrain
Sensor Installations for Doors and Windows
I team fellow member was responsible for installing door sensors, taking the time to place them inside the door frame, for optimal operation. We accept steel frames in our test home, non wood, but Vivint was yet able to drill into them, installing the sensors, and using a silicon sealant to secure them. Vivint'due south door sensors are battery powered and connect over a wireless bespeak.
To learn more about their free installation from Vivint, click here.
Next upwardly, installation of security cameras
As 1 person installed the door and window sensors, 2 worked on the security cameras and video doorbell, a wired device that requires a 12V wired connection. We installed the doorbell next to the dorsum door, putting it closer to the router, and the doorway that gets the most traffic coming and going.
Next upward was the outdoor security photographic camera, which we positioned on the front end porch, as Vivint said it was the best place to comprehend the porch, front walkway and front backyard, and besides because information technology was shut to an indoor power source.
Vivint installing outdoor security camera using PLCs. GearBrain
Vivint's outdoor security photographic camera is Hard disk 1080p with night vision, that needs to exist plugged into a ability source. Many homes don't have outlets on the outside of their house — nor does our examination abode. So nosotros needed to drill a hole through our wall on the exterior of the house to an indoor outlet. Steve suggested a few options, and nosotros picked ane where the Cat five cable would be less noticeable because of a tree on the property. In one case inside, the cable was continued to PLC plug via an ethernet connection and plugged into the wall socket.
The tertiary security photographic camera was the i inside the house, which can be plugged into any wall outlet. This camera is moveable, you can place it in any room you want, and can be screwed on the wall or placed on a shelf, which is where nosotros opted to place it. The Indoor security photographic camera comes with a two-fashion microphone, letting us not but encounter, but talk with anyone in the room.
Vivint installed smoke, carbon minoxide, fire and freeze detectors on every floor of our test house. This is the basement placement. GearBrain
Installation of Fire & Smoke Alarms
All homes crave smoke or fire alarms, particularly with a dwelling house security system that is professionally monitored. Vivint'due south is chosen Smoke 3 Fire, which is battery-powered and can find fume, estrus over 120 degrees and freezing temperatures beneath 40 degrees. I asked the squad where they suggested placing these devices, and they mentioned the placement code for all smoke detectors: 1 goes outside the kitchen, 1 outside your living quarters or in every bedroom, and one goes in the basement. Each alarm was secured into the ceiling in each location.
Integrating Other Smart Home Devices
1 of options Vivint offers is to add together additional smart dwelling house devices to its platform. You can choose Amazon Repeat and Google Banana smart speakers, Nest Thermostats, Philips Hue Lights, Kwikset smart locks and Linear Garage Door Openers. The platform also works with any Z-Wave device. For our installation, we asked Vivint to install Yale Assure Smart Locks (a Z-Moving ridge version), a Nest Thermostat, an Amazon Repeat and Philips Hue smart lights. Everything worked — but there were some challenges during the on boarding process, which we volition run through during the second part of our Vivint review
Vivint systems integrate with other smart home devices like Nest Thermostats, Yale Assure SL Z-Wave smart lockes and others. GearBrain
Last Phase of Installation Process: bank check to make sure everything works
After all the devices are installed, Vivint runs a diagnostic test though the Vivint Smart Hub console, to make sure they're working and are properly connected. Every window is opened and closed, as well equally doors, drinking glass detection sensors are checked, along with cameras, doorbells and any other connected device.
These tests are key to uncovering any installation hiccup, which tin happen. The team found a bad signal coming from the video doorbell, pinpointing the trouble to depression voltage on the wiring. Our wired connexion was only 11V, not 12V, needed to ability the device. The team sliced the wires, and got the ability to 12V, re-connected the doorbell to the console, and everything started working.
Last Step - Training
Once all the devices were upwards and running, Scott walked us through the how to use the arrangement. We started at the Smart Hub panel, going through each screen. He showed me how to arm and disarm the arrangement, access cameras and videos, also equally how the app worked, and where to gear up things up like Rules.
Finally, we electronically signed our agreements via Vivint's app which included a consent form, a PSA (service understanding) and then your finance application, which includes the cost of each devices, along with the monthly service fee and terms. You lot're too going to talk with a Vivint customer service person who will inquire you a serial of questions to confirm that all the devices you purchased were installed, that they are upwardly and running, and that the Vivint installer has explained how the devices, the system and the app work.
Overall, the installation procedure took the team slightly less than five hours to ready the system, from start to finish. I've found on average an installation like this might take three to four hours. We, withal, had several smart home devices to add to the system, had some issues with running the power line for the panel, connecting the doorbell and installing the outdoor security camera, which likely added an actress hr to the installation.
Vivint mobile app for onboarding smart home and security devices. GearBrain
Cost
Vivint'due south system is like a premium car. There are a lot of features, and the system performs very well — only information technology'due south all at a toll. Vivint Starter Kit cost $549, which includes a touchscreen panel, two door or window sensors and one motion sensor. You tin can easily add products a la carte (e.g., smart door locks, thermostats, indoor and outdoor cameras, doorbell camera, vocalisation control through Google Home), paying for them upfront or with a no-interest loan. Also, note that Vivint offers zero-percent financing through its cyberbanking partner, Citizens Bank.
To learn more almost their free installation from Vivint, click here.
Y'all're likewise going to pay a one-time installation price of $199, plus there are split monthly service plans that start at either $39.99 for the Smart Home plan, or $49.99 for Smart Domicile Video, which comes with security cameras. Vivint does offering no-contract choice plans if y'all are interested.
For our exam house, the total cost for our system would have been $2,790. Vivint says customers typically finance the equipment price over a iii to v-year menstruum, and if we had financed the system through Citizens Bank at nothing-percent interest, nosotros would have added $46.51 a month to our service plan, on top of the $49.99, bringing the full monthly toll to $96.50 plus taxes which could be viewed as a rather steep monthly cost for some homeowners.
How does this stack up against the other professionally installed and monitored systems? We institute the range for a monthly fee from a professionally installed and monitored home security company like Vivint tin can range from $29.95 to a high of $79.75. This tin vary depending on the number of security cameras you lot have, how much video y'all store and the length of your contract. Vivint does non crave a contract, while other home security providers, like Xfinity Home and ADT, require a two or 3 year contract.
The other costs to cistron in are the installation, and the renting of the devices. Installation charges can range from $99 up to $499 — Vivint charges $199. A professionally installed and monitored home security organization is also going to charge a monthly fee in the range of $50 to $100, depending on the devices and terms of the contract.
Vivint system is like shooting fish in a barrel to use and effectively secures your domicile. This is the "Armed Away" screen on the Vivint mobile app. GearBrain
Summary
First, I want to thank the squad — Steve, "Bam", Tom and Jordan — for an splendid job installing Vivint's system in our test house. Though it took shut to five hours, I found the feel to be a pleasure, and if all of Vivint's installation teams are as good as these guys, yous're in for a good experience.
You might be saying to yourself, though, that the cost for a professionally installed and monitored dwelling security system is not cheap. Yous are right. Many consumers are going to find this plan too expensive, or may not be able to pass the credit cheque needed to finance the system. If a monthly cost between $50 and $100 is inside your budget, you should then decide which organization you want to install and utilise to secure your dwelling. Are you comfortable with installing connected devices or would you rather phone call someone to practice the work? Do y'all want the authorities to exist notified when in that location is a break-in, or practise you want to be the only i contacted? Do you want to add smart home devices, like a smart thermostat or lights, to help you lot relieve money? All are valid questions worth addressing earlier getting a dwelling security arrangement.
Our recommendation is to recall about the investment you fabricated buying your abode. You're probable paying betwixt $50 and $100 a month for your monthly phone contract — and a dwelling security system may feel every bit necessary to yous equally a smartphone . In part ii of our Vivint review, we'll get through how each device performs, and challenges adding our own smart dwelling devices to the Vivint platform, which we hope will too help inform your decision.
Read More than:
- Hey New Vivint Customers, Google Dwelling Works with Vivint Smart Abode
- Vivint Home Security and Home Automation Part 2: Devices & Onboarding
- Review: Vivint Smart Home Organisation brings a new level of service and automation to secure your smart home
Cheque out The GearBrain, our smart domicile compatibility find engine to run across the other compatible products that work with Vivint Smart Abode Security System, Google Banana and Amazon Alexa enabled devices.
myQ Chamberlain Smart Garage Control - Wireless Garage Hub and Sensor with Wifi & Bluetooth - Smartphone Controlled, New Design, myQ-G0401-ES, White
Source: https://www.gearbrain.com/vivint-home-security-automation-installation-2563020660.html
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