Alarm.com Posts

Fans of the video game franchise Super Smash Bros. are accustomed to the seemingly never-ending stream of rumors and speculation from fans. One of the hottest rumors right now is that Crash Bandicoot may soon be making his series debut. To Alarm.com though, "Crash & Smash" is nothing new.

If you aren't familiar with Super Smash Bros. and/or the speculation that Crash might soon "join" Smash, then let us take a quick second to get you up to speed. Super Smash Bros. is a video game franchise produced by Nintendo. It takes characters from many different series and pits them up against each other in combat. The newest entry in the series is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) for the Nintendo Switch. Although SSBU first became available back in late 2018, Nintendo has offered several downloadable updates since the game's initial release. The updates provide bonus content, such as new characters to play as, and new stages to battle on. More recently, there has been a widespread rumor that Crash Bandicoot, the main character of his own self-titled video game series, will be added as a playable SSBU character in a future update. Many gamers have been getting excited for the possibility of "Crash In Smash", though it is still only a rumor for now.

While seeing the beloved Crash Bandicoot CRASH the Super Smash Bros. party would be a total blast, another company has been offering their own take on "Crash & Smash" for many years now. This company is a lot closer to home for Alarm Grid, as they're actually one of our most favorite security notification and automation platforms. It's none other than Alarm.com!

As you may have guessed, the Alarm.com version of "Crash & Smash" has nothing to do with video games, Crash Bandicoot, or Super Smash Brothers. We're sorry to disappoint you! Regardless, Crash & Smash is still an important feature that provides an extra layer of protection for your monitored home or business. The fact also remains that Alarm.com has been offering Crash & Smash technology since long before any serious "Crash In Smash" rumors began circulating the internet. Consider Alarm.com to be the pioneers of Crash & Smash, while Nintendo is simply playing catchup!

Silliness and wordplay aside, we're going to take the time to talk about Crash & Smash for Alarm.com, including how it works and why it is important. We actually put out a post two years ago on that very subject. Please go check it out if you haven't already seen it. That aside, we're still happy to provide a refresher.

Crash & Smash refers to special technology that helps ensure that a user and/or the central station are properly alerted in the event that an intruder destroys an alarm system and/or its alarm monitoring communicator, during the entry delay or communicator delay period. Without Crash & Smash logic, this could leave the system in a state where it is unable to send signals and communicate the alarm. Not only is Crash & Smash protection crucial in worst-case scenarios with the most persistent and destructive intruders, it also provides end-users with the safety and peace of mind that they deserve.

To understand Crash & Smash for Alarm.com, you must first understand Entry Delay periods and communicator delay periods and how they work. In simplest terms, an Entry Delay refers to a countdown timer that goes into effect after an Entry/Exit Zone (i.e. a door used for coming and going, like a front door or garage door) is faulted, or activated, while the security system is armed. The Entry Delay timer gives the user an opportunity to prove to the system that they are an authorized individual, and not an intruder breaking in. A communicator delay period actually prevents the system from communicating an alarm signal for a designated period of time after the panel begins signaling that an alarm has occurred. Many systems have this type of delay enabled by default as a false alarm reduction feature.

The most common way for a user to prove to a security system that they are an authorized individual is to enter a predetermined secret code that has been set up with the system. An authorized user will know the code, and they will be able to quickly enter it and disarm the system before the Entry Delay period expires. Meanwhile, an intruder who doesn't know the code would be highly unlikely to guess it during this relatively short countdown timer. The probable outcome then is that the timer would expire before a valid code is provided. Once that happens, the system will go into alarm. Assuming that the system is monitored, and no communication delay has been programmed, alerts would be sent to the central station and/or the end-user directly, depending upon the user's monitoring plan.

Some of the newest and most advanced alarm panels available today allow users to verify authorization using other methods besides classic code entry. For example, the 2GIG Edge uses facial recognition technology, and the panel's front camera can scan and identify the user's unique "facial biometrics", thus making it possible to verify authorization without entering a code. In any case, the general principle of an Entry Delay remains the same. A user must verify their authorization with the system within a short period of time, or else an alarm will occur.

Crash & Smash protection addresses the possibility that the security system, or more specifically, the system's communicator, could be destroyed during the Entry Delay period. An uninformed intruder might think that if they destroy the alarm system before the Entry Delay period expires and the system goes into alarm that no alarm signal will be sent out, and the security system will fail. That is not the case with Crash & Smash Protection!

Something else happens when your Alarm.com Security System goes into an Entry Delay countdown. In addition to initiating a countdown timer, the system also transmits an "Entry Delay signal" to the Alarm.com servers. This happens the very instant that the system goes into its Entry Delay mode. Alarm.com then waits patiently for a few minutes, knowing that the system should logically follow-up with either a disarm signal from the user verifying their authorization, OR an alarm signal from the Entry Delay countdown and/or the communication delay expiring and authorization not being verified. If Alarm.com does not receive any follow-up signal from the system, then it concludes that the system must have been destroyed, and it triggers a Crash & Smash event. Alarm.com will then immediately notify the central station and/or the end-user directly, depending on their monitoring plan.

Virtually all Alarm.com Communicators manufactured in 2008 and later support Crash & Smash technology. If you don't have Alarm.com, but you instead have a Honeywell or Resideo Security System that uses AlarmNet with Total Connect 2.0, then don't worry! AlarmNet has a very similar feature called Advanced Protection Logic (APL) that operates in largely the same manner as Crash & Smash. One difference though is that AlarmNet cannot notify users directly regarding an APL event. Instead, APL can only be used to alert the central station. This means that APL is unavailable to any AlarmNet Total Connect 2.0 user with a self-monitoring plan. You must have central station monitoring service to use APL with Total Connect 2.0.

In conclusion, only Nintendo can put the Crash in Smash. However, they're super late to the party, as the Crash & Smash feature from Alarm.com has been keeping homes safe for years. While having Crash & Smash on your security system might not give you the same adrenaline rush as using Crash Bandicoot to beat-up fellow video game mascots, but let the record show - Alarm.com brought us Crash & Smash BEFORE it was cool!

Do you have any thoughts or questions about Crash & Smash from Alarm.com? Leave them in a comment down below. Or you can let us know what you think about the possibility of Crash Bandicoot appearing in Super Smash Bros. We're security system experts, not gaming experts, so we probably won't be able to help you out much with that. Still, we would love to hear what you have to say. Stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security system content coming soon!

We have a quick bit of news today. Certain commercial-grade Alarm.com Security Cameras will receive an automatic firmware update in the coming weeks. Models receiving the update include the ADC-VC726, ADC-VC736, ADC-VC826, and ADC-VC836. No special action is needed to receive the update.

At this time, Alarm.com has not provided much information regarding the update. All we know is that the update is for Firmware Version V5.5.82.210318 and that it includes multiple stability enhancements. Only the aforementioned commercial-grade security cameras from Alarm.com are set to receive the update. These are all Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras that only use hardwired ethernet for network connectivity, and they do not support WIFI connectivity. Although these are commercial-grade cameras designed for commercial or industrial use, they can certainly be used in residential settings as well.

Alarm.com has stated that these cameras will be automatically updated in the coming weeks. The update will occur as part of an automated overnight firmware upgrade process. Again, no special action is required to receive the update. Just make sure that your camera is powered on and connected to the network, and Alarm.com should take care of the reset.

Since this update is only for stability enhancements, it is very likely that you will not receive any direct notification that the update has been performed. However, you can easily check the installed firmware for your camera by accessing Alarm.com through a compatible web browser, logging into your account, clicking Video on the left-hand side, choosing Settings at the top, then choosing the first option of Video Device Info. From there, select the camera (Video Device) you want to view from the dropdown menu and note the Current Firmware Version. This can be seen in the following picture.

As we said, we don't know much about the firmware update that will be coming, and we only have "within the coming weeks" as a general timeframe. But still, feel free to leave your thoughts or start a discussion in the comments down below. We would love to hear what you think, And remember to stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more news coming soon!

We have an important update for all Google Nest Thermostat users who have integrated their Nest devices with Alarm.com. Any user who hasn't moved their Nest device over to a Google account by June 1st will have their Alarm.com/Nest integration reset. Take action now to avoid this!

According to Alarm.com, Google sent out a notice to all users still using Works With Nest accounts back in March 2020. The notice informed users that they needed to switch their Works With Nest accounts over to Google accounts. Now, Alarm.com is preparing to enforce this mandate, as they will reset the Alarm.com/Nest integration for any user who has not switched over to a Google account by June 1st. If this affects you, then you should take action immediately in order to avoid having your Nest integration reset. Alarm Grid previously covered the Nest integration for Alarm.com in late January 2020 when the integration was reintroduced. You can revisit that prior blog post here.

Fortunately, switching your Works With Nest account to a Google account is very easy. If you received an email from Google about this issue, you can click the option Switch to Google from within it to begin the migration. Otherwise, start by making sure you have the latest available version of the Nest App. Open the Nest App on your Android or iOS device. Once you are in the app, press the settings icon, which looks like a gear. Then choose the option for "Migrate to a Google Account". There will be important information that you should review. After reading, press the "Continue with Google" button. You can then select the Google account you want to use. If you use other Google Assistant and/or Google Home products, then it is recommended that you use the same Google account with your Nest Thermostat as you use with your other Google devices. You will also be given the option to create a new Google account if you do not have one already. After you have selected your account, press "Allow" to give the Nest App permission to access data from your Google account. If you have Works With Nest connections and/or the Google Home App, then extra steps may be presented to disconnect those connections and combine your homes into a unified Google Nest Home. Works With Nest connections cannot be used with a Google Account. From there, review the information, and follow the on-screen prompts to finish.

After you have finished moving over to a Google account, you may need to re-link your Nest Thermostat with Alarm.com. This can be done through the Alarm.com website. Login to Alarm.com using a compatible web browser, and then choose Settings on the left-hand side. Then choose Manage Devices, then Add Device, then Thermostat, then Google Nest Thermostat, and then Begin Installation. You will need to provide the Google account information associated with your Nest Thermostat. This is the same account you used when migrating from Works With Nest to Google. It will likely take a few minutes for the integration process to complete. If you are having trouble, you should reach out to your monitoring provider for further assistance. Alarm Grid customers can email support@alarmgrid.com for help. We respond to emails during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm ET M-F.

Have you had a good experience using a Google Nest Thermostat with Alarm.com? Do you have any thoughts on the Alarm.com/Nest integration? Is there anything you particularly like or dislike about the integration or the Nest Thermostat in general? Let us know in a comment down below. We would love to hear what you have to say. And remember to stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security system news coming soon!

If you have Alarm.com Video Surveillance service, then you likely know that the lineup of compatible security cameras is quite deep. It can be a bit daunting to decide which camera is best for you. Today, we're going to present our list of our Top 5 Best Alarm.com Cameras for use at home.

Keep in mind that we're not presenting any "commercial" cameras on the list. Only residential cameras will be considered. You can usually tell the difference based on the name. The Alarm.com Commercial Cameras will have a "VC" somewhere in the title, whereas the Alarm.com Residential Cameras only have a "V" in the title. We also considered Alarm.com Doorbell Cameras for this list, and those can be identified by having "VDB" for "Video Door Bell", in the name. Other than that, there's really not much else to think about. These are just the residential cameras that we think are most useful. We also want to mention that every camera on this list is compatible with Alarm.com Video Analytics, to at least some degree. If you aren't familiar with Alarm.com Video Analytics, we recommend checking out this FAQ to learn more. With that out of the way, let's get started!

5. Alarm.com ADC-V515 Budget Indoor Camera

The ADC-V515 is often seen as the "budget version" for another camera higher on this list. But despite being a low-cost option, the ADC-V515 still packs some impressive features. It offers 1080p recording capabilities, IR night vision of up to 15 feet, a 110° viewing angle, a nice 3.19mm F2.2 lens, and WIFI connectivity (2.4 GHz networks only). If that weren't enough, the ADC-V515 even offers High Dynamic Range (HDR) to make recordings appear deeper and more luminous. The camera might feel a bit more "flimsy" compared with the other models on this list, but still, it has the strong quality to keep your home safe for a very long time. This is a great starter camera for those who want to get into video surveillance, without breaking the bank.

Best For: Anyone needing a great indoor-only camera on a budget.

4. Alarm.com ADC-V622-WELL Wellness Camera

While it's specifically designed for monitoring an elderly or mobility challenged loved one and helping them live independently, the ADC-V622-WELL, also called the Alarm.com Wellcam, actually boasts some excellent security capabilities as well. This is a camera tower that can be easily mounted to a wall or conveniently placed on a table or desk. In addition to its 1080p recording quality, 1.62mm F2.3 lens, and IR night vision of up to 15 feet, the Wellcam is perhaps best known for its "press to call" feature and its two-way audio capability. This is also the only camera on this list that supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is usually reserved for commercial cameras. However, you might feel a bit silly buying this camera for strictly security purposes, as the packaging really emphasizes the "wellness" aspect.

Best For: Anyone needing to monitor a family member to help them live independently.

3. Alarm.com ADC-VDB770 Doorbell Camera

When it comes to doorbell cameras, Alarm.com has no shortage of options. But few would argue that the ADC-VDB770 isn't the single best doorbell camera offering from Alarm.com. In fact, many would say that it's the single best video doorbell on the market, period. This incredible device offers resolution of up to 1440x1920 Full HD, a Field of View of 150° Vertical and 115° Horizontal, IR night vision of up to 15 feet, and two-way voice for communicating with whomever is at your door. If that weren't enough, the doorbell camera even offers HDR recording, a feature normally reserved for traditional HD cameras. It is worth mentioning that unlike the other cameras on this list that support the full range of Alarm.com Video Analytics, the ADC-VDB770 only supports limited range of Video Analytics, in which only one (1) Ground Zone rule can be configured. But for a video doorbell, that's usually all you will need. Best of all, while this camera still counts towards your total ADC camera limit, you can actually use a single video doorbell device like the ADC-VDB770, on your Alarm.com account, even if you don't have a traditional video monitoring plan. This makes the device fantastic for monitoring your home's primary entrance, without needing to upgrade to a higher-cost monitoring plan.

Best For: Those wanting a top-of-the-line doorbell camera to integrate with Alarm.com.

2. Alarm.com ADC-V523 Premium Indoor Camera

When we said earlier that the ADC-V515 was the "budget" version of another camera on this list, the ADC-V523 is that camera. This is considered the standard "go-to" camera for use with Alarm.com. Any residential user who is just looking for a great, all-around camera for general use should absolutely consider the ADC-V523. It is basically everything that the ADC-V515 offers, but better. The lens is boosted to 3.0mm F2.0, the viewing angle has been increased to 117°, and you can connect with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WIFI networks. Even the build quality is improved, as the ADC-V523 has a heavier feel to it, and you can quickly identify that this is the premium offering from Alarm.com. Also returning to the ADC-V523 is the 1080p Full HD recording quality and HDR recording for deeper-looking footage. The only weakness with regard to this camera is that it cannot be used outside. It's for indoor use only.

Best For: Anyone needing the very best residential Alarm.com Camera for strictly indoor use.

1. Alarm.com ADC-V723 Premium Outdoor Camera

The ADC-V723 eliminates the most glaring drawback of the ADC-V523, as our top Alarm.com Camera pick can be used both indoors and outdoors. For the most part, the ADC-V723 offers the same specifications as the ADC-V523, but there are a few improvements. Returning to the ADC-V723 from the ADC-V523 is the 3.0mm F2.0 Lens, the 117° Viewing Angle, Full HD recording with HDR for more luminous footage, and the full suite of Alarm.com Video Analytics. But the ADC-V723 offers a few unique upgrades in its own right. This camera introduces ingress protection (IP66) for keeping out the harsh outside elements. It also offers further IR night vision of up to 40 feet, so that individuals standing even further away can still be properly identified in nighttime recordings. It's safe to say that the ADC-V723 is basically the same as the ADC-V523, only better. But the "upgrades" really only come in handy if you need an outdoor camera. If you intend on keeping the ADC-V723 tucked inside, then you may as well just get the ADC-V523. When used indoors though, the two cameras have to be considered equal. In this case, we have to give the ADC-V723 the edge for its ability to function as an outdoor camera.

Best For: Anyone needing the very best outdoor camera for use with Alarm.com.

Do you agree with our list? Do you have any of these cameras at your house? Maybe some of these cameras are on your wish list? Let us know in a comment down below. Remember that you need an alarm monitoring plan with video surveillance, such as an Alarm Grid Platinum Plan or Video-Only Plan, to get started with most of these cameras. The only exception is the ADC-VDB770, as you can add a single compatible video doorbell device to an existing Alarm.com account, without a true video surveillance plan. If you need help getting started with any of these cameras, please email our team at suppor@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check incoming emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Also don't forget to comment down below, and stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more content coming real soon!

We're back with another video recap! And this is a rather special video recap, because I have a guest joining me this time! It's someone you have never seen in Alarm Grid videos before, and we hope to have this person back and doing more videos soon. Five (5) new videos await! Let's go!

Alarm com Mobile App: Setting Up Multi System Access

I show you how you can set up multiple system access in Alarm.com. With this feature, you can access Alarm.com using a single username and password to control multiple security systems. There will be a dropdown menu in Alarm.com that you can use to navigate between the different systems linked with your account. This feature is excellent if you own multiple properties, or if you're a business owner with multiple locations. Now you can control all your systems from a single login!

2GIG Edge: Resetting the Master Code

In her triumphant Alarm Grid video debut, Aja shows you how to reset the Master Code on a 2GIG Edge Security System. The Master Code on a 2GIG Edge is used for arming and disarming and changing Master-level settings. The code should almost always be changed for security purposes. To change the Master Code, you can access the Users Menu and manually change the code. Additionally, if you perform a Factory Default of the Users Settings, then the Master Code will revert back to its default of 1111.

2GIG Edge: Resetting the Installer Code

I teach you how to reset the Installer Code on your 2GIG Edge Alarm System. The Installer Code on a 2GIG Edge is used for getting into deep-level programming. We recommend keeping the Installer Code at its default of 1561 so that you do not become locked out of programming. Keeping the Installer Code at the 1561 default does not represent a security risk because you cannot disarm the system with the Installer Code. If you ever forget the default code, you can always look it up later.

2GIG Edge: Factory Resetting

I show you how to factory reset your 2GIG Edge Alarm Panel. In order to perform a factory reset, also called a factory default, you need the system's Installer Code. This is because you must access the Installer Toolbox on the panel. Inside the Installer Toolbox is the Restore Defaults Menu. You can choose from multiple types of defaults to perform. The options include Sensors & Zones, Console, Users, Z-Wave Network, IP Cameras. You cannot "undo" a default after one has been performed.

2GIG Edge: Adding a User Code

I show you how to set up an additional user code on the 2GIG Edge Security Panel. The 2GIG Edge supports up to 100 different user codes. With this feature, you can give everyone who uses the system regularly their very own personalized user code. When you set up a code, you will be asked to provide the numeric code that will be used for disarming the system. If you have slots open for Automatic Bluetooth Disarming and Facial Recognition using personalized Facial Biometrics, then you can also set up those features when you create the new user.

We have a quick post for you today, as we just wanted to tell you about the new "Restrict Camera Access by Login" feature for Alarm.com. With this feature, you can prevent certain users from accessing security camera footage. The feature is available to all ADC users with added cameras.

As you likely know by now, the deep lineup of Alarm.com Security Cameras is quite impressive. But what if you want to make it so that certain users are unable to view security camera footage through Alarm.com, while still being able to access the Alarm.com platform for other tasks, such as arming/disarming and controlling automation devices? That is now possible thanks to the "Restrict Camera Access by Login" feature! You can easily set up the feature through the Alarm.com website using a compatible web browser.

Once the feature has been set up, access to live and recorded camera footage will be restricted for any designated users. It is also possible to restrict access on a camera by camera basis, so that a user can view one or more cameras, while access for one or more other cameras is restricted. The feature can really come in handy in a number of different situations. For example, if you have children or teens in your household, and you want them to be able to arm/disarm from the Alarm.com Mobile App, but you don't want them to view the feed for the camera in the master bedroom, then this is a great option. Another scenario could be that you have employees with access to the Alarm.com account for your business, and you don't want them to view the camera in your private office.

To get started, visit the Alarm.com website, and log in to your customer account. Make sure you are using login credentials with Admin access for the Alarm.com account. Once you are logged in, select Users on the left-hand side. Then choose Manage Logins on the upper bar. Then press the blue "Add A Login" button in the bottom-right corner. You will then follow the steps to create a new login. This will include providing a valid email address, a login name, and setting the language preference. Then press the blue Save button in the bottom-right.

From there, you will be taken to the Manage Login Permissions page. Under "Permission", click the box for Limited Device Access. Make sure to check any boxes for functions that you want the new login to have access to. For example, by checking the box for Remote Arming and choosing the name of the system from the selectable box, you are giving the login the ability to arm/disarm the system from the Alarm.com Mobile App or website. To restrict camera access, do not check the box next to Video Cameras. Alternatively, if you only want to restrict access to certain cameras, then you can check the box next to Video Cameras, and only choose cameras from the dropdown menu that you want to allow the user to view.

Additionally, if you ever want to change the restrictions (i.e. add/remove camera access), then you can simply access the Manage Logins page on the Alarm.com website, click on the underlined login name for the user whose permissions you want to adjust, make the appropriate changes, and press Save in the bottom-right corner. Please note that this feature can only be applied to a single-system login. Group logins cannot be given access to video devices on a per-device basis.

It's nice to see Alarm.com adding a new feature like this. Sure, it's something relatively small, but it's a nice touch that can really come in handy. It's also cool how you can customize access so that certain cameras remain visible, but other cameras, perhaps ones in more private areas (e.g. Master Bedroom, personal offices, etc.), are restricted for access.

If you have any interest in the feature, then we encourage you to test it out. Then after trying it out, leave a comment down below sharing your experience. We would love to hear what you have to say about this new feature. The comments section down below is also a good place to ask any questions you might have.

Or if you have yet to get started with video surveillance from Alarm.com, then we would love to help you out. We offer Alarm.com Video Surveillance on our Platinum Level Plans (Self or Full) and our Video-Only Plan. Don't forget to check out our monitoring page for information on all our available plans. You can also send an email to support@alarmgrid.com to get the ball rolling on new monitoring service a bit more quickly. We check emails during our usual business hours of 9am to 8pm ET M-F. As always, we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Alarm.com has sent the ADC-POE-INJ PoE Injector to the big storage closet in the sky. That's our way of saying that the product has been discontinued. Alarm.com has not named an official replacement for the product. But you should be able to use most PoE Injector devices with ADC Cameras.

Before we get into the significance of the ADC-POE-INJ being discontinued, we should give a quick lesson on what exactly Power over Ethernet (PoE) refers to. Basically, PoE allows a device, in this case a compatible Alarm.com Camera, to receive both power and network connectivity from a single hardwired ethernet connection. That way, you won't need to run both a network wire and a power wire to the device. When it comes to the Alarm.com Cameras, most of their cameras designed for commercial use (with a VC in the SKU or name) support PoE, while most of their residential cameras do not support PoE.

Normally, if you are using an internet network router that supports PoE, then no PoE injector is needed. You will just connect the ethernet wire from the PoE-supported router to the PoE-compatible device. By doing this, both power and network connectivity will be supplied. But if you are using a router or network switch that doesn't already provide power, then you can add a PoE injector to add (inject) electrical power into the ethernet connection. That's where a device like the ADC-POE-INJ really comes in handy. The Alarm.com ADC-POE-INJ has served as the recommended PoE injector for use with PoE-compatible Alarm.com Cameras for quite some time. Now with the product discontinued, users must find another option.

Alarm.com has not yet named a replacement for the discontinued ADC-POE-INJ, nor do they have another option that they officially recommend. But the good news is that most PoE injectors on the market should work fine. If you need a PoE injector for setting up a network of PoE-compatible cameras, then you should be able find one online or at most computer or office supply stores. And we will make sure to let you know if we learn of a good replacement from Alarm.com or another reputable source.

Of course, if you come across a used ADC-POE-INJ, then it should still work just fine. But you are unlikely to find any new models with the product officially discontinued. If you had any prior experience using the ADC-POE-INJ, then please let us know about your personal thoughts on the product down below. Did you find that it was an easy PoE injector to use, or did it present some difficulties? We would love to hear what you have to say. Stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security news and updates coming real soon!

When it comes to determining whether or not an existing Alarm.com SkyBell Doorbell Camera can be used with Alarm Grid Monitoring Services, the answer isn't always clear cut. Today, we're checking out one model in particular and explaining how it can potentially be used with Alarm Grid.

First, we want to be very clear that one particular model sold on our website - the Alarm.com SkyBell ADC-VDB105X Slim Line II - is absolutely compatible with Alarm.com. You may also see this marketed as the TRIM II Doorbell Camera. Either way, this model will work with Alarm.com and Alarm Grid. You can pair a single SkyBell device with your Alarm.com account event if you don't have true video surveillance service, or you can have the device count as an Alarm.com Security Camera. More info can be found in this FAQ outlining Alarm.com Clip Limits.

Where potential confusion arises is from a different, unrelated SkyBell model called the SkyBell TRIM II PRO, which is our main focus today. This "PRO" model is not designed to be used with Alarm.com when service is provided from Alarm Grid. Instead, this PRO model is produced exclusively for use with ADT Alarm Monitoring Services. This PRO model is not usually sold on the open market, and you are only likely to have one if you or your home's previous owner had a doorbell camera installed professionally by ADT.

To make matters a bit more confusing, the compatible non-PRO model that we offer on our website looks exactly the same as the SkyBell TRIM II PRO from the front. You can only see the difference on the product label, which reads "TRIM II PRO", so if you see that, then you have the ADT version. You can refer to the picture below for a reference.

Interestingly, while Alarm.com says that the TRIM II PRO should not work with any non-ADT monitoring account, we have found that some of our monitored customers have been able to successfully set up these devices with our services. But the success rate is not perfect. Sometimes they work, and other times they do not. Unfortunately, we have yet to determine a reliable pattern. But regardless, the main takeaway here is that if you switch from an ADT Dealer to a non-ADT Dealer, such as Alarm Grid, then you may discover that your existing SkyBell Camera will no longer work. This is something you should look out for if you find that you have a TRIM II PRO device.

In any case, if you are switching away from ADT or an ADT authorized dealer to a new alarm company, then you should not immediately toss your existing SkyBell TRIM II PRO Doorbell Camera. There is a chance that you may be able to get it to work with your new monitoring company, even if Alarm.com says that it is for use with ADT only. We cannot guarantee success, as we have seen these models fail to switch over, but we can say that we at Alarm Grid will do everything in our power to make it work before recommending a replacement.

If we do determine that a replacement is needed, then the equivalent model to get is the Alarm.com SkyBell ADC-VDB105X or the ADC-VDB106X Slim Line II. The big thing to note is that this version does not have "PRO" in the title. This is the version that will always work with Alarm Grid Monitoring Services, when it is new out of the box. Remember that the Alarm.com SkyBell devices should never be set up with the native SkyBell App, or a different interactive platform like Total Connect 2.0. They are for use with Alarm.com only.

Anyone needing a new doorbell for use with Alarm Grid Monitoring Services should look for the SkyBell TRIM II Doorbell Camera or the SkyBell Slim Line II Doorbell Camera. Both of those names refer to the same product. You may also see it listed as ADC-VDB105X for the Satin Nickel Model, or ADC-VDB106X for the Bronze Model. It is unlikely that you would ever see the SkyBell TRIM II PRO or the SkyBell Slim Line II PRO for sale, as that model is only installed professionally by ADT. But if you do come across one, you should keep in mind that it isn't intended for use outside of ADT Monitoring Service, and it may not work with Alarm Grid. Also, if you are still exploring your doorbell camera options, then you may also consider the Alarm.com ADC-VDB770, which many consider as being the best doorbell camera currently on the market.

Hopefully, this provides you with some good insight on what to do if you find that you have an existing Alarm.com SkyBell Video Doorbell. It's possible that you may be able to continue using your existing model with Alarm Grid. It never hurts to at least try. If you have any thoughts of experiences on the SkyBell Doorbell Cameras, please feel free to share them down below in a comment. We would love to hear your thoughts. And remember to stay tuned to the Alarm Grid Blog for more security system news and stories coming real soon!

If you have one or more Alarm.com Cameras set up for onboard recording using an installed SD card, then there is a new Alarm.com webpage you may want to check out when accessing ADC from a web browser. The new SD Card Information Page will show details about the SD card inside your camera.

For those unfamiliar with Alarm.com Onboard Recording, it basically allows a compatible Alarm.com Security Camera to store its captured video footage to a Micro SD card that is on-board the camera device. You can then access the footage remotely from the Alarm.com website or mobile app. The feature really became popular after the Alarm.com ADC-SVR122 Streaming Video Recorder was discontinued. At this time, the cameras that support the feature include the ADC-V515, the ADC-V523, and the ADC-V723.

The new SD Card Information Page can be very useful for anyone using the Alarm.com Onboard Recording feature. The page shows all of the critical details for the SD card that is installed inside one of the compatible Alarm.com Cameras. This may include how much storage space is available for footage. You can also use the page to reformat an SD card, which you might need to do if the SD card was previously used inside a different device.

You can only access the SD Card Information Page if you have the Onboard Recording Feature enabled for your Alarm.com account and you have at least one compatible camera set up to use the feature, with a Micro SD card installed. Also note that you can only access the page from the Alarm.com website. It is not found within the Alarm.com Mobile App. To access the page, login to the Alarm.com website, and choose Video, followed by Settings, and then SD Card Information.

Have you tried out the Alarm.com Onboard Recording Feature yet? If you have, please leave a comment down below to let us know what you think of the feature. Also, do you think the SD Card Information Page will come in handy? Let us know in a comment down below. We will be back with more security system news soon, so keep checking the Alarm Grid Blog!

There is going to be scheduled maintenance occurring on Alarm.com tonight, specifically focusing on the Verizon infrastructure. The maintenance period will run from 12:00 am Midnight to 2:00 am Eastern Time. According to Alarm.com, no impact is expected with regard to monitoring service.

The purpose of the scheduled maintenance is to enhance platform stability and improve redundancy moving forward. We have heard reports that a small number of Alarm.com Verizon LTE Communicators have been experiencing some relatively minor technical issues. Alarm.com has been aware of these issues since at least last Saturday, and they have been actively working to troubleshoot affected units to prevent any disruptions in service. The scheduled maintenance tonight should fix these issues and help to ensure that all Alarm.com Verizon Communicators function as intended, with exceptional reliability.

During the scheduled maintenance period tonight, Alarm.com says that service outages are unlikely to occur. You should not experience any problems if your security system uses a Verizon Communicator for connecting with Alarm.com. However, Alarm.com is not ruling out the possibility, and they want to keep users informed, just in case. Remember that if you have an IP (WIFI or Ethernet) communication path set up, then that can serve as a valuable backup option tonight during the maintenance period. If your system is cellular only with Verizon connectivity, then just be careful if you need to arm your system tonight between 12:00 am Midnight and 2 am Eastern Time. Again, no issues should occur, but Alarm.com is performing due diligence by making the maintenance period known in advance.

Once again, all maintenance taking place is on the Verizon infrastructure for Alarm.com. Your monitoring service will not be affected in any way if your system uses a different carrier, such as AT&T, for connecting with Alarm.com, or if your system is set up with a different network, such as AlarmNet for Total Connect 2.0, or Telguard for HomeControl Flex. If your system does use Verizon connectivity for communicating with Alarm.com, then check and make sure your WIFI or Ethernet path is working as an important backup plan for tonight. If you have been using your system with cell-only on Verizon with ADC, but you have the option to add WIFI or Ethernet, now may be a good time to do so. Your system should still be fine, but, it never hurts to use redundancy when it is available. Stay tuned to our blog for more security system news and updates coming soon.

Note: If you are reading this after 2:00am on April 14th, or on any future date, then it is assumed that the scheduled maintenance has been concluded, and all Alarm.com Verizon Service should be operating as intended, now with improved infrastructure.