1080P Security Cameras Posts

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Update 04/08/24 5:08 pm: According to a contact at Resideo, the available stock of IPCAM-WOC2 cameras without this issue is being held back to use as replacements for any affected units that have already been sold. Stock is limited, and once it is depleted, the camera will likely be discontinued permanently.

As an alternative, Resideo recommends the First Alert CAMWE-WO, also known as the VX3 HD Camera. This is an outdoor, 1080p camera with Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). With its intelligent event detection, the CAMWE-WO can distinguish between vehicles, animals, and people.

Original Post: If you have purchased a new Resideo IPCAM-WOC2 recently, but have not yet tried to register it, there is a good chance it will not register. A manufacturing issue has been identified, and a fix is in the works. However, you will need to warranty replace the existing camera if affected


Resideo released this notice today regarding the issue. The notice is a bit confusing. It states that because of this issue they have decided to stop selling the IPCAM-WOC2, but it also states that a resolution has been identified and that new product is available in their warehouse and that affected units can be returned for exchange or refund.

What we know currently:

  • Installed, registered, and working units are not affected. There is no reason to believe they will have future issues related to this announcement.
  • Units that have been purchased but not registered may have the issue. If you attempt to register an IPCAM-WOC2 and it fails, return it to the vendor you purchased it from for an exchange or refund.
  • Currently, you can't purchase a new IPCAM-WOC2. Presumably, current stock of working units is being used for warranty replacement.

We've reached out to Resideo to try and get clarification on a few of our questions. When we hear back, we'll update this blog post. In the meantime, if you have purchased an IPCAM-WOC2 and you haven't tried to register it yet, it is recommended that you do so now. If you encounter an issue, contact the distributor or dealer you purchased the unit from and proceed from there.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer, or you purchased an IPCAM-WOC2 from Alarm Grid recently, you can contact us regarding a warranty replacement. Send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. If the email you use to contact support is different from the email you used when ordering your product, please provide us with the ordering email. That is the easiest way for us to look up and confirm your recent order.

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Update 04/08/24 5:08 pm: According to a contact at Resideo, the available stock of IPCAM-WOC2 cameras without this issue is being held back to use as replacements for any affected units that have already been sold. Stock is limited, and once it is depleted, the camera will likely be discontinued permanently.

As an alternative, Resideo recommends the First Alert CAMWE-WO, also known as the VX3 HD Camera. This is an outdoor, 1080p camera with Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). With its intelligent event detection, the CAMWE-WO can distinguish between vehicles, animals, and people.

Original Post: If you have purchased a new Resideo IPCAM-WOC2 recently, but have not yet tried to register it, there is a good chance it will not register. A manufacturing issue has been identified, and a fix is in the works. However, you will need to warranty replace the existing camera if affected


Resideo released this notice today regarding the issue. The notice is a bit confusing. It states that because of this issue they have decided to stop selling the IPCAM-WOC2, but it also states that a resolution has been identified and that new product is available in their warehouse and that affected units can be returned for exchange or refund.

What we know currently:

  • Installed, registered, and working units are not affected. There is no reason to believe they will have future issues related to this announcement.
  • Units that have been purchased but not registered may have the issue. If you attempt to register an IPCAM-WOC2 and it fails, return it to the vendor you purchased it from for an exchange or refund.
  • Currently, you can't purchase a new IPCAM-WOC2. Presumably, current stock of working units is being used for warranty replacement.

We've reached out to Resideo to try and get clarification on a few of our questions. When we hear back, we'll update this blog post. In the meantime, if you have purchased an IPCAM-WOC2 and you haven't tried to register it yet, it is recommended that you do so now. If you encounter an issue, contact the distributor or dealer you purchased the unit from and proceed from there.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer, or you purchased an IPCAM-WOC2 from Alarm Grid recently, you can contact us regarding a warranty replacement. Send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. If the email you use to contact support is different from the email you used when ordering your product, please provide us with the ordering email. That is the easiest way for us to look up and confirm your recent order.

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The First Alert VX3 HD (CAMWE-WO) is the newest camera offering from Resideo and Honeywell Home using the First Alert brand name. It offers full HD viewing and recording and supports Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Its built-in speaker and microphone support 2-way audio through the TC2 app.

Resideo completed the purchase of First Alert in 2022 and is now beginning to roll out products using the First Alert name. So far, we've seen the First Alert VX1 HD (CAMW-WDB) HD doorbell camera, and now the VX3 HD. First Alert brings with it end-user brand recognition, as well as manufacturing capabilities for life safety and other devices.

The newly introduced VX3 HD boasts a sleek, modern design and a compact form factor. A notable advancement in this camera, compared to earlier TC2-compatible models, is its intelligent event detection capability. This sophisticated AI-driven feature distinguishes between people, vehicles, animals, and packages effectively reducing unnecessary alerts. This functionality is present in both the VX3 HD camera and its counterpart, the VX1 HD video doorbell.

Another exciting feature of this new outdoor camera is the ability to use Power over Ethernet (PoE). Because the VX3 HD also supports WIFI, it can be powered by a 12VDC, 1A power supply. But, if you plan to use an ethernet connection for networking, you may as well take advantage of its PoE capabilities. The VX3 HD is an 802.3 af PoE class 3 PD. The maximum cable length when using PoE is 300' (100m).

The First Alert VX3 HD offers many impressive specifications. You can read the full spec sheet here. One thing we haven't discussed yet is Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). You may be wondering what the difference between High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) is.

Both HDR and WDR have to do with the contrast and resolution in images that have both very dark and very light areas. HDR uses processing power and software to take these images and perfect them, as much as possible, so that the viewer can get the most detail possible from the image. With HDR, it's all software-based.

WDR uses both hardware and software to achieve the same goal. One example of how this occurs is that shutter speed is controlled by the camera, so that in areas where there is an abundance of light, shutter speed is faster, allowing less light into the camera, and in darker areas, shutter speed is slower, to take in more light. In many cases, multiple images are taken with different exposure levels and then combined to provide you with the best possible image.

A custom back box is available for installations where in-wall wiring is not possible, or for anyone who needs additional space to protect cables. The CAMWE-WOBB replaces the standard mounting bracket and is installed behind or beneath the camera. It can support up to three (3) 1/2" (1.27cm) conduits. It has rubber grommets that can be used to protect any conduit space that is not being used. With an IP66 rating, the back box is dust-proof and water-resistant.


Alarm Grid customers who want to take advantage of all the advanced features of the VX3 HD will need to sign up for either a Platinum Plan (Self or Full) or a Stand-alone Video Plan. This camera is compatible with Total Connect 2.0, and can also be viewed through the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS or Resideo PROA7PLUSC touchscreen. As long as the panel is on version 03 or higher. It can also be viewed on the PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC secondary keypad when used with one of these panels.

Up to eight (8) cameras can be added to each monitoring plan that supports cameras, and each First Alert VX3 HD counts as one (1) camera. Full access to the camera, including the 2-way audio feature, is accessible through the TC2 app. The website does not support 2-way audio, and will only allow you to view the camera's live feed and captured video.

The 2-way audio feature allows the user to listen in to ambient sound in the vicinity of the camera, and to speak through the camera to anyone within view. This feature can be used to deter potential burglaries, scare away stray animals, or play tricks on your friends. There is also an LED spotlight and siren feature that can be deployed manually by the end-user to deter intruders in the vicinity of the camera.

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The First Alert VX3 HD (CAMWE-WO) is the newest camera offering from Resideo and Honeywell Home using the First Alert brand name. It offers full HD viewing and recording and supports Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Its built-in speaker and microphone support 2-way audio through the TC2 app.

Resideo completed the purchase of First Alert in 2022 and is now beginning to roll out products using the First Alert name. So far, we've seen the First Alert VX1 HD (CAMW-WDB) HD doorbell camera, and now the VX3 HD. First Alert brings with it end-user brand recognition, as well as manufacturing capabilities for life safety and other devices.

The newly introduced VX3 HD boasts a sleek, modern design and a compact form factor. A notable advancement in this camera, compared to earlier TC2-compatible models, is its intelligent event detection capability. This sophisticated AI-driven feature distinguishes between people, vehicles, animals, and packages effectively reducing unnecessary alerts. This functionality is present in both the VX3 HD camera and its counterpart, the VX1 HD video doorbell.

Another exciting feature of this new outdoor camera is the ability to use Power over Ethernet (PoE). Because the VX3 HD also supports WIFI, it can be powered by a 12VDC, 1A power supply. But, if you plan to use an ethernet connection for networking, you may as well take advantage of its PoE capabilities. The VX3 HD is an 802.3 af PoE class 3 PD. The maximum cable length when using PoE is 300' (100m).

The First Alert VX3 HD offers many impressive specifications. You can read the full spec sheet here. One thing we haven't discussed yet is Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). You may be wondering what the difference between High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) is.

Both HDR and WDR have to do with the contrast and resolution in images that have both very dark and very light areas. HDR uses processing power and software to take these images and perfect them, as much as possible, so that the viewer can get the most detail possible from the image. With HDR, it's all software-based.

WDR uses both hardware and software to achieve the same goal. One example of how this occurs is that shutter speed is controlled by the camera, so that in areas where there is an abundance of light, shutter speed is faster, allowing less light into the camera, and in darker areas, shutter speed is slower, to take in more light. In many cases, multiple images are taken with different exposure levels and then combined to provide you with the best possible image.

A custom back box is available for installations where in-wall wiring is not possible, or for anyone who needs additional space to protect cables. The CAMWE-WOBB replaces the standard mounting bracket and is installed behind or beneath the camera. It can support up to three (3) 1/2" (1.27cm) conduits. It has rubber grommets that can be used to protect any conduit space that is not being used. With an IP66 rating, the back box is dust-proof and water-resistant.


Alarm Grid customers who want to take advantage of all the advanced features of the VX3 HD will need to sign up for either a Platinum Plan (Self or Full) or a Stand-alone Video Plan. This camera is compatible with Total Connect 2.0, and can also be viewed through the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS or Resideo PROA7PLUSC touchscreen. As long as the panel is on version 03 or higher. It can also be viewed on the PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC secondary keypad when used with one of these panels.

Up to eight (8) cameras can be added to each monitoring plan that supports cameras, and each First Alert VX3 HD counts as one (1) camera. Full access to the camera, including the 2-way audio feature, is accessible through the TC2 app. The website does not support 2-way audio, and will only allow you to view the camera's live feed and captured video.

The 2-way audio feature allows the user to listen in to ambient sound in the vicinity of the camera, and to speak through the camera to anyone within view. This feature can be used to deter potential burglaries, scare away stray animals, or play tricks on your friends. There is also an LED spotlight and siren feature that can be deployed manually by the end-user to deter intruders in the vicinity of the camera.

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Recently Alarm.com announced the release of several new cameras for their Pro Series Video Camera collection. With a dome, bullet, and turret option available, there is sure to be an Alarm.com camera to meet your needs. All offer 1080P resolution, are Indoor/Outdoor, with many more features.

Alarm.com ADC-VC847PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC847PF is a 1080P, Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Dome Camera. A unique feature of nearly all of these new cameras is that they offer a motorized varifocal lens. This feature allows the user to remotely adjust the cameras field of view (FoV) as well as focus, without sacrificing video quality. The VC847PF comes with the option of installing with a white or dark gray (shown above) mounting base. It has an IP66 rating, which means it is waterproof and dust-tight, perfect for use outdoors or in industrial environments.

The ADC-VC847PF supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is not a WIFI capable camera, it must have a wired connection to a network. But, with PoE, you can run both network and power through a single Cat5e cable. Some routers and/or switches support PoE, but others do not. If your current networking equipment doesn't support PoE, you can use a PoE injector instead. The power requirement is 12 VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af), 10 W.

This camera supports 24/7 recording using a compatible Micro SD card (not included, 32GB Minimum Capacity, 512GB Maximum) a Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126), or both. This is in addition to any clips that are uploaded to Alarm.com cloud storage. It supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), an IR night vision range of ~95' (30m) and many more features. You can see the full specifications in the Data Sheet or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC838PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC838PF 1080P Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Turret Camera has many of the same features of the VC847PF, but in a turret style. It too has a motorized varifocal lens which allows remote adjustment of FoV and focus by the end-user. The VC838PF is a PoE camera, using a single Cat5e cable to carry both ethernet and power to the camera. The power requirements are listed as 12VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af). The IEEE 802.3af standard is an intelligent standard. This means that the devices that use it actually communicate with one another about power. The device receiving power tells the device supplying power how much is required.

The ADC-VC838PF also supports HDR, and has excellent IR night vision, with a range of ~95' (30m). It offers image adjustments of Flip, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, and Exposure. It also supports 24/7 recording using either a compatible Micro SD card (Minimum Capacity 32GB, Maximum Capacity 512GB), Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126),or both. This is in addition to uploaded clips to Alarm.com cloud storage. You can read the full specifications in the Data Sheet, or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC827P:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC827P is the only one in this group of cameras that doesn't have a motorized varifocal lens. That means there is no remote FoV or focal adjustment capability on this camera. It is a 1080P, Indoor/Outdoor Dome Camera, just like the ADC-VC847PF, and aside from the varifocal lens, their specs are nearly identical. The angle adjustments available on this model are Pan: 0° to 350°; Tilt: 0° to 55°; Rotation: 0° to 180°. The VC827P supports PoE (no WIFI) and the power requirements are listed as 12VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af), 9.5 W. With its IP66 rating, it is waterproof and dust-tight and like the ADC-VC847PF it comes with a white (shown above) or dark gray mounting base. You can read the full specifications in the Data Sheet, or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC728PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC728PF is a 1080P Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Bullet Camera. As you may have gathered by now, when the model number of the camera ends in PF, the camera includes the motorized varifocal lens feature. That is true in this case. Traditionally, bullet cameras have been somewhat unsightly. They often have a metal shroud covering them to protect them from damage. The damage in question could be anything from vandalism to sunlight. They get their name because of their long profile. They are also sometimes called lipstick cameras.

The ADC-VC728PF is an attractive version of a bullet camera. Its dimensions are 6.8" L x 3.0" W x 3.0" H (17.4cm L x 7.5cm W x 7.5cm H). It's almost small enough that it doesn't qualify as a bullet camera. But then, what would you call it? This camera has all the same great features of the rest of the cameras in this list. It has an Ingress Protection rating of IP66, so it's waterproof and dust-tight. The remote varifocal adjustments available are focal length, manual focus adjustment, and autofocus. It supports 24/7 recording via a compatible Micro SD card (32GB Minimum, 512GB Maximum), Alarm.com Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126) or both. And this is in addition to any clips that are uploaded to the Alarm.com cloud.

This is a PoE camera, so it does not support WIFI, only a wired ethernet connection. It also uses the PoE IEEE 802.3af standard, and the power requirements are 12 VDC ± 10% if using a PoE injector. The VC728PF weighs just 19.1 Oz. (540g). For full specifications, you can read the Data Sheet, or click the product link above.

In addition to the cameras above, we've also added two accessories used for mounting the cameras. These mounting bases act as adapters, adapting the camera's base to fit a standard, third-party mounting base. The ADC-VACC-MNT130 fits the ADC-VC847PF and the ADC-VC838PF. The ADC-VACC-MNT110 fits the ADC-VC827P, ADC-VC728PF, and the ADC-V724 1080P Outdoor WIFI Camera w/2-Way Audio.

What do you think about the new camera offerings from Alarm.com? Their camera hardware, as well as their video service offerings just continue to improve. We think it's very impressive. Drop a comment down below and let us know how you feel about them, or anything else security related you might have a burning desire to discuss. We always look forward to hearing from you!.

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Recently Alarm.com announced the release of several new cameras for their Pro Series Video Camera collection. With a dome, bullet, and turret option available, there is sure to be an Alarm.com camera to meet your needs. All offer 1080P resolution, are Indoor/Outdoor, with many more features.

Alarm.com ADC-VC847PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC847PF is a 1080P, Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Dome Camera. A unique feature of nearly all of these new cameras is that they offer a motorized varifocal lens. This feature allows the user to remotely adjust the cameras field of view (FoV) as well as focus, without sacrificing video quality. The VC847PF comes with the option of installing with a white or dark gray (shown above) mounting base. It has an IP66 rating, which means it is waterproof and dust-tight, perfect for use outdoors or in industrial environments.

The ADC-VC847PF supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is not a WIFI capable camera, it must have a wired connection to a network. But, with PoE, you can run both network and power through a single Cat5e cable. Some routers and/or switches support PoE, but others do not. If your current networking equipment doesn't support PoE, you can use a PoE injector instead. The power requirement is 12 VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af), 10 W.

This camera supports 24/7 recording using a compatible Micro SD card (not included, 32GB Minimum Capacity, 512GB Maximum) a Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126), or both. This is in addition to any clips that are uploaded to Alarm.com cloud storage. It supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), an IR night vision range of ~95' (30m) and many more features. You can see the full specifications in the Data Sheet or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC838PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC838PF 1080P Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Turret Camera has many of the same features of the VC847PF, but in a turret style. It too has a motorized varifocal lens which allows remote adjustment of FoV and focus by the end-user. The VC838PF is a PoE camera, using a single Cat5e cable to carry both ethernet and power to the camera. The power requirements are listed as 12VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af). The IEEE 802.3af standard is an intelligent standard. This means that the devices that use it actually communicate with one another about power. The device receiving power tells the device supplying power how much is required.

The ADC-VC838PF also supports HDR, and has excellent IR night vision, with a range of ~95' (30m). It offers image adjustments of Flip, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, and Exposure. It also supports 24/7 recording using either a compatible Micro SD card (Minimum Capacity 32GB, Maximum Capacity 512GB), Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126),or both. This is in addition to uploaded clips to Alarm.com cloud storage. You can read the full specifications in the Data Sheet, or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC827P:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC827P is the only one in this group of cameras that doesn't have a motorized varifocal lens. That means there is no remote FoV or focal adjustment capability on this camera. It is a 1080P, Indoor/Outdoor Dome Camera, just like the ADC-VC847PF, and aside from the varifocal lens, their specs are nearly identical. The angle adjustments available on this model are Pan: 0° to 350°; Tilt: 0° to 55°; Rotation: 0° to 180°. The VC827P supports PoE (no WIFI) and the power requirements are listed as 12VDC ± 10% or PoE (IEEE 802.3af), 9.5 W. With its IP66 rating, it is waterproof and dust-tight and like the ADC-VC847PF it comes with a white (shown above) or dark gray mounting base. You can read the full specifications in the Data Sheet, or by clicking the product link above.

Alarm.com ADC-VC728PF:


The Alarm.com ADC-VC728PF is a 1080P Indoor/Outdoor Varifocal Bullet Camera. As you may have gathered by now, when the model number of the camera ends in PF, the camera includes the motorized varifocal lens feature. That is true in this case. Traditionally, bullet cameras have been somewhat unsightly. They often have a metal shroud covering them to protect them from damage. The damage in question could be anything from vandalism to sunlight. They get their name because of their long profile. They are also sometimes called lipstick cameras.

The ADC-VC728PF is an attractive version of a bullet camera. Its dimensions are 6.8" L x 3.0" W x 3.0" H (17.4cm L x 7.5cm W x 7.5cm H). It's almost small enough that it doesn't qualify as a bullet camera. But then, what would you call it? This camera has all the same great features of the rest of the cameras in this list. It has an Ingress Protection rating of IP66, so it's waterproof and dust-tight. The remote varifocal adjustments available are focal length, manual focus adjustment, and autofocus. It supports 24/7 recording via a compatible Micro SD card (32GB Minimum, 512GB Maximum), Alarm.com Commercial Stream Video Recorder (CSVR126) or both. And this is in addition to any clips that are uploaded to the Alarm.com cloud.

This is a PoE camera, so it does not support WIFI, only a wired ethernet connection. It also uses the PoE IEEE 802.3af standard, and the power requirements are 12 VDC ± 10% if using a PoE injector. The VC728PF weighs just 19.1 Oz. (540g). For full specifications, you can read the Data Sheet, or click the product link above.

In addition to the cameras above, we've also added two accessories used for mounting the cameras. These mounting bases act as adapters, adapting the camera's base to fit a standard, third-party mounting base. The ADC-VACC-MNT130 fits the ADC-VC847PF and the ADC-VC838PF. The ADC-VACC-MNT110 fits the ADC-VC827P, ADC-VC728PF, and the ADC-V724 1080P Outdoor WIFI Camera w/2-Way Audio.

What do you think about the new camera offerings from Alarm.com? Their camera hardware, as well as their video service offerings just continue to improve. We think it's very impressive. Drop a comment down below and let us know how you feel about them, or anything else security related you might have a burning desire to discuss. We always look forward to hearing from you!.

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In October Alarm Grid received a limited supply of the new IPCAM-WOC2, which sold out quickly. Since that time, Total Connect has been without an outdoor camera option. We're happy to announce that the Resideo IPCAM-WOC2 is back in stock, ready to ship. If you've been waiting, wait no more.

As we reported in October, the IPCAM-WOC2 is the updated replacement for the discontinued IPCAM-WOC1. The two items look almost identical, with the IPCAM-WOC2 having an internal BlueTooth Antenna, as opposed to an external one on the wire dongle. The reset switch has also been redesigned to be slightly easier to reach once the camera is mounted.

In October, we had ten (10) of these cameras available, and they sold out pretty quickly. Since then, we've been waiting for this, and many other items' stock to be replenished, and today we got the word that the Total Connect 2.0 outdoor camera option is available once again. Hopefully, this will be the first of many items to have their stock replenished.

The IPCAM-WOC2 is an outdoor camera with an IP66 rated housing. It captures video in 1080p HD and can connect to a 2.4 GHz WIFI network. It has a 117.0° diagonal field of view, which provides excellent coverage. It has superior night vision capabilities compared to the IPCAM-WOC1, and also supports audio analytics with intelligent sound detection. It supports a MicroSD card for backup storage in the event the network connection goes down, and comes with a 16 GB card included.

As with the other Resideo HD cameras supported by Total Connect 2.0, the IPCAM-WOC2 uses a QR Code generated on a smart device in order to be associated with the proper Total Connect 2.0 account. For this reason, it is best to configure the camera with the account prior to actually mounting it in its final location. Doing so may prevent a few extra trips up and down a ladder. Pairing the camera with the account prior to installation also allows you to verify the installation location and viewing angle before you permanently tighten everything down in the installation.

What do you think about the IPCAM-WOC2 and its availability? Have you been waiting impatiently to purchase a Total Connect 2.0 compatible outdoor camera? Is there some other product you're waiting for? Leave a comment below and let us know. We always look forward to hearing from you.

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Beginning on December 6, and continuing through December 31, 2021 Alarm Grid customers who subscribe to Alarm.com video service can capture a picture of Santa Clause as he visits their home. Not all cameras have the ability to capture images of Santa, but Alarm.com has a few cameras that do.

The following cameras offered by Alarm.com are capable of capturing Santa's image:

Any Alarm Grid customer with one of the cameras listed above and a monitoring plan that includes video has the ability to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the big man in action. There are limits to this technology, though. The only way you can see Santa is through a still image captured within a screenshot. He moves so quickly, you can't possibly catch him in an actual video clip.

The ability to grab an image of Santa is only available through the Alarm.com Customer App, not through the web page. In order to support this feature, iOS users must be on version 4.17 and higher of the app, while Android users must be on version 4.15.1 and higher. The Alarm.com app is available as a free download through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

To use this feature, log into the app using the proper credentials, completing any two-factor authentication that you may have setup. Once you're logged in, click on the menu icon in the upper left (≡) then tap Video from the list of menu items. Select the live video feed of any of the compatible cameras listed above that you may have associated with your account. Click the Santa icon available near the top of the live stream:


This is when the magic happens! The first time you click on the icon, a pop-up window will show you how to capture the proper image for your situation. For cameras and images in full light, Santa may appear in color. If the image is captured at night, then Santa may appear in black and white. Once you have the image, you can either choose to share it, download it, or both.

It's that simple! This magic "Santa Filter" is only available until the end of December. After that, we'll have to wait until next year to see if this particular Holiday Magic will be available again then. Alarm Grid customers with a Platinum Plan (Self or Full) or with a Stand-alone video plan can take advantage of this opportunity.

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Alarm.com video customers have another great weapon in their defensive arsenal. It's called Perimeter Guard™ and it works like this. Customers with video analytics enabled and using compatible cameras can program those cameras to flash their LEDs and make noise when an intruder is detected.

All that is required in order to enable this feature is an Alarm.com monitoring plan with Video Analytics enabled. Any Alarm Grid customer who subscribes to a monitoring plan that supports video can have this feature enabled. We don't enable Video Analytics by default because we pay more for it, but we don't charge more for it. But if you want to utilize this feature we're happy to enable it for you. Both of our Platinum plans, as well as our stand-alone video plan support this feature.

The list of cameras that can be used with this feature is always growing. Basically, the camera needs to have either a visible LED or a speaker with which to make noise on. Currently, the cameras that support Perimeter Guard™ are (updated 4/23):

  • ADC-V724 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-V523 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-V723 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC727P all versions (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-VC827P all versions (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC847PF all versions (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC728PF on firmware version 0.6.3.601+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-VC838PF (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VDB770 on firmware version 02199+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)

With Video Analytics enabled and a compatible camera, the only other thing required is to set up a Video Analytics rule for each compatible camera. This is one of those features that you set, then forget. Get the setup correct, and then it'll take care of itself!

To set this feature up through the Alarm.com Customer Website, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the website. Go to www.alarm.com/login and using your Alarm.com credentials log in, completing any 2-factor authentication required.
  2. Click Video
  3. Click Recording Rules
  4. Create or Edit Rule. You can either click the pencil icon to add this feature to an existing Video Analytics rule for a compatible camera, or you can Add a new rule. To see how to create a rule using Video Analytics, check out this informative FAQ. Verify that the initial Video Analytics settings are properly configured, then click Next.
  5. Choose response. In the Activates section choose the audible and visible response desired:
    • Camera LED response. Click to toggle the Camera Status LED to Enabled if you want the LED to respond when activity is detected. There is a Duration drop-down, select how long you want the LED response to last.
    • Camera Audio Alert. This option is only available on cameras using the 2-Way Audio feature. Click the Camera Audio Alert toggle to enable an Audio Alert. There is an Audio Sound dropdown menu. Select the type of sound you want the camera to make.
  6. Click Save

To set this feature up through the Alarm.com App, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the App. Open the Alarm.com app and using your Alarm.com credentials log in, completing any 2-factor authentication required. Click the Menu icon in the upper left.
  2. Tap Video from the available menu. Then tap the Gear icon.
  3. Tap Recording Rules
  4. Create or Edit Rule. You can either click the pencil icon to add this feature to an existing Video Analytics rule for a compatible camera, or you can Add a new rule. To see how to create a rule using Video Analytics, check out this informative FAQ. Verify that the initial Video Analytics settings are properly configured, then click Next.
  5. Choose response. In the Activates section choose the audible and visible response desired:
    • Camera LED response. Click to toggle the Camera Status LED to Enabled if you want the LED to respond when activity is detected. There is a Duration drop-down, select how long you want the LED response to last.
    • Camera Audio Alert. This option is only available on cameras using the 2-Way Audio feature. Click the Camera Audio Alert toggle to enable an Audio Alert. There is an Audio Sound dropdown menu. Select the type of sound you want the camera to make.
  6. Tap Save

It's that simple! Once you have this configured, using the advanced video analytics available through Alarm.com, the rule will take care of itself. The idea is that the flashing LED and the audible sounder will scare away an intruder before they ever make it to your home. It's a pound of prevention to ward off a ton of regret.

What do you think about this Alarm.com feature? Have you used it and had experience with it? Do you think it's something you'd like to give a try? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love to hear from our readers.

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Alarm.com video customers have another great weapon in their defensive arsenal. It's called Perimeter Guard™ and it works like this. Customers with video analytics enabled and using compatible cameras can program those cameras to flash their LEDs and make noise when an intruder is detected.

All that is required in order to enable this feature is an Alarm.com monitoring plan with Video Analytics enabled. Any Alarm Grid customer who subscribes to a monitoring plan that supports video can have this feature enabled. We don't enable Video Analytics by default because we pay more for it, but we don't charge more for it. But if you want to utilize this feature we're happy to enable it for you. Both of our Platinum plans, as well as our stand-alone video plan support this feature.

The list of cameras that can be used with this feature is always growing. Basically, the camera needs to have either a visible LED or a speaker with which to make noise on. Currently, the cameras that support Perimeter Guard™ are (updated 4/23):

  • ADC-V724 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-V523 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-V723 on firmware version 0.6.1.387+ (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC727P all versions (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-VC827P all versions (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC847PF all versions (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VC728PF on firmware version 0.6.3.601+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)
  • ADC-VC838PF (supports LED only)
  • ADC-VDB770 on firmware version 02199+ (supports LED and Audio Alert)

With Video Analytics enabled and a compatible camera, the only other thing required is to set up a Video Analytics rule for each compatible camera. This is one of those features that you set, then forget. Get the setup correct, and then it'll take care of itself!

To set this feature up through the Alarm.com Customer Website, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the website. Go to www.alarm.com/login and using your Alarm.com credentials log in, completing any 2-factor authentication required.
  2. Click Video
  3. Click Recording Rules
  4. Create or Edit Rule. You can either click the pencil icon to add this feature to an existing Video Analytics rule for a compatible camera, or you can Add a new rule. To see how to create a rule using Video Analytics, check out this informative FAQ. Verify that the initial Video Analytics settings are properly configured, then click Next.
  5. Choose response. In the Activates section choose the audible and visible response desired:
    • Camera LED response. Click to toggle the Camera Status LED to Enabled if you want the LED to respond when activity is detected. There is a Duration drop-down, select how long you want the LED response to last.
    • Camera Audio Alert. This option is only available on cameras using the 2-Way Audio feature. Click the Camera Audio Alert toggle to enable an Audio Alert. There is an Audio Sound dropdown menu. Select the type of sound you want the camera to make.
  6. Click Save

To set this feature up through the Alarm.com App, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the App. Open the Alarm.com app and using your Alarm.com credentials log in, completing any 2-factor authentication required. Click the Menu icon in the upper left.
  2. Tap Video from the available menu. Then tap the Gear icon.
  3. Tap Recording Rules
  4. Create or Edit Rule. You can either click the pencil icon to add this feature to an existing Video Analytics rule for a compatible camera, or you can Add a new rule. To see how to create a rule using Video Analytics, check out this informative FAQ. Verify that the initial Video Analytics settings are properly configured, then click Next.
  5. Choose response. In the Activates section choose the audible and visible response desired:
    • Camera LED response. Click to toggle the Camera Status LED to Enabled if you want the LED to respond when activity is detected. There is a Duration drop-down, select how long you want the LED response to last.
    • Camera Audio Alert. This option is only available on cameras using the 2-Way Audio feature. Click the Camera Audio Alert toggle to enable an Audio Alert. There is an Audio Sound dropdown menu. Select the type of sound you want the camera to make.
  6. Tap Save

It's that simple! Once you have this configured, using the advanced video analytics available through Alarm.com, the rule will take care of itself. The idea is that the flashing LED and the audible sounder will scare away an intruder before they ever make it to your home. It's a pound of prevention to ward off a ton of regret.

What do you think about this Alarm.com feature? Have you used it and had experience with it? Do you think it's something you'd like to give a try? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love to hear from our readers.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments