News Posts

We have learned that there is a new firmware update available for Alarm.com Honeywell VISTA SEM Communicators. Firmware Upgrade Version 1.61 is a free over-the-air (OTA) upgrade to ensure that SEM VISTA Panels running 187h or 187i firmware and 1.60 gateway firmware have the newest features.

In order to receive Firmware Upgrade Version 1.61, it must be pushed down manually by your alarm monitoring company. Your Honeywell VISTA Alarm System must be in a disarmed state in order for the update to go through. It is recommended that the system be kept in a disarmed state while the upgrade is completed. The entire process should take roughly 20 to 40 minutes. No action is needed while the update is being performed.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with a Honeywell VISTA System using an Alarm.com SEM Communicator, then you should email us to request the update. The best email to contact us at is support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a good email to use if you have a Honeywell VISTA Security System or any other alarm system that you are hoping to get monitored. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Verizon has confirmed the sunset date for their CDMA Network for December 31, 2022. This is Verizon's equivalent of the 3G Sunset. Anyone with a security system using a Verizon CDMA Communicator is urged to upgrade to LTE ASAP to avoid monitoring service disruptions.

The 3G Sunset has been covered extensively on the Alarm Grid Blog. It refers to the phasing-out of old 3G and equivalent communicators, in favor of newer technology, specifically LTE. The Verizon CDMA Network is the Verizon equivalent of a 3G Network. While AT&T is known to be shutting down their 3G Network after January 31, 2022, the Verizon CDMA Sunset date it a bit later at December 31, 2022. While there was earlier confirmation by Resideo for the CDMA shutdown date, this time the confirmation is directly from Verizon themselves.

In preparation for this major event, Alarm Grid has been encouraging users to replace their old 3G and CDMA Communicators with newer LTE communicators. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to LTE as soon as they can. While it's understandable to wait until the last minute, especially if money is tight, you should realize that many other users will also try to wait until the final opportunity. Our support staff is limited, and we cannot upgrade everyone all at once. If you put-off the required upgrade as long as possible, then there's a chance you might get left behind at the deadline. Our goal is to prevent that from happening and ensure that all Alarm Grid customers with cellular monitoring service make a seamless and undisrupted transition.

We know that the 3G Sunset might still be a bit confusing, and you might still have some questions. That's okay, because we're here to help you. If you aren't sure about the LTE communicator replacement options available for your system, then you may want to check this post for some further assistance. If you have recently purchased a new LTE communicator for your system, and you need us to activate the unit, then head on over to the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal so that you can choose a time that works for you. And if you have any other questions, or if you are still confused about the 3G and CDMA Sunset, please email our support team and security system experts at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to answer your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

DSC PowerSeries NEO users should be pleased to learn that a new firmware update is available for their system communicators. Firmware Upgrade Version 191a offers improvements for Over-The-Air (OTA) connectivity and stability improvements. It also corrects some minor issues that were present.

Firmware Upgrade Version 191a is applicable to both DSC PowerSeries NEO and DSC PowerSeries PRO Systems. For DSC PowerSeries NEO users, the firmware update is technically optional, but still recommended. In order to receive the update, you must have it pushed down manually to your alarm panel from the Alarm.com servers. Assuming that you have internet connectivity set up for your PowerSeries NEO Alarm System, you should not incur any fees as part of the updating process.

Alarm Grid monitored customers with PowerSeries NEO Security Systems can request the update by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We will work on pushing the update down to your panel at our earliest convenience upon receiving your request. This is also a great email to use if you have any further questions about alarm systems, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service with Alarm Grid. Remember that we are here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

A day after announcing the impending discontinuation of the ADC-SVR122, we bring more news of a product being discontinued without a replacement. This time, it's the 2GIG SP1 Touchscreen Keypad for the 2GIG GC3 and 2GIG GC3e. This leaves the GC3 and GC3e with no touchscreen keypad option.

This time, Nortek, the parent company of 2GIG, declined to give a reason for the discontinuation of the 2GIG SP1. All we know is that it's gone. It was very sudden and unexpected. And since the other touchscreen keypad option for the GC3 and GC3e, the 2GIG SP2 was discontinued late last year, users of the GC3 and GC3e are now left without an ideal secondary touchscreen keypad option.

With the highly anticipated 2GIG Edge set to release soon, it's possible that 2GIG will release a fancy new cutting-edge keypad for that system. Interestingly, a look at the 2GIG Edge Website, shows that its release has been pushed by roughly three (3) weeks. We're now anticipating a release date of mid-to-late March for the 2GIG Edge. No word on how the 2GIG Edge release will affect the existing 2GIG GC3e, but given that Nortek isn't bothering to provide the system with a secondary touchscreen keypad option, our guess is that the days for the 2GIG GC3e are numbered. Again, total speculation, but that's our best guess.

As for existing 2GIG GC3 and GC3e users who want a viable alarm keypad for their systems, the 2GIG PAD1-345 remains on the market. The 2GIG PAD1-345 is a numeric touchpad keypad without a display screen. While primitive, it is a good keypad for basic arming and disarming functionality. If you want to set up a dedicated secondary keypad by a back door, a garage door, a master bedroom, or any other location where you want to control your security system, the 2GIG PAD1-345 is currently the best option for GC3 and GC3e users.

If you have any questions about the discontinuation of the 2GIG SP1, the impending 2GIG Edge release, or if you are interested in starting new Alarm Grid monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Alarm.com is planning to discontinue their popular residential streaming video recorder device, the Alarm.com ADC-SVR122. This device is used to store security camera footage so that it can be accessed locally at the ADC-SVR122 or remotely through the Alarm.com servers.

For now, Alarm.com recommends using their Onboard Recording feature as an alternative to using a dedicated streaming video recorder (SVR) device. The Alarm.com Onboard Recording feature allows you to store encrypted 24/7 recording footage locally onto a MicroSD card. It requires a compatible Alarm.com Camera, which includes the ADC-V515, ADC-V523, and ADC-V723. You may recall that these three (3) cameras also represent our current Top Picks for Alarm.com Security Cameras. You will also need the feature added to your Alarm.com account, as well as a compatible SD card. So make sure to your alarm monitoring company enables this feature. The SD card can be 256 GB maximum, and we have some compatible options listed below.

• Micron Industrial Memory Cards
• SanDisk High Endurance
• WD Purple Micro SD Cards

Alarm.com will also still offer the Alarm.com ADC-CSVR126 Streaming Video Recorder. This product, while being built to handle the needs of a commercial location, accomplishes essentially the same thing as the ADC-SVR122. It supports up to sixteen (16) total cameras, and it comes in 2 TB and 12 TB storage options, with the possibility of being upgradable to 16 TB storage. While this is honestly a bit of overkill for most residential applications, it does represent an option if you require a streaming video recorder for your Alarm.com Cameras.

For now, the Alarm.com ADC-SVR122 will remain available for purchase in the 500 GB storage variant only while supplies last. Once we run out of stock, it will no longer be available. If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer wanting to set up the Onboard Recording feature, or if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service with Alarm Grid, send us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We are here to receive your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have been covering the 2GIG Edge quite a bit recently, but only just now have we gotten a look at what features we expect the panel to bring. The award-winning, yet still unreleased, alarm panel promises to be the cutting-edge system that we have been wanting from Nortek for years.

This list of features comes from an informative PDF regarding the 2GIG Edge Beta Test. While we cannot show the actual document quite yet, we can go through the list and give our thoughts as to what they likely mean. Again, none of these features are promised or guaranteed to be supported by the 2GIG Edge in its official release.

When looking at the list of features, there's nothing in here that sounds unreasonable. In fact, most of this is pretty standard stuff that we would expect out of any capable system in 2021. But it does help confirm our expectations for the 2GIG Edge as a feature-filled, high-end alarm system. And if the panel delivers in terms of intangibles like build-quality and user interface, then the Edge can still go down as an all-time great security system.

Here's what the 2GIG Edge looks to bring:

• Face Recognition: The integrated camera is used to recognize faces. This may involve receiving alerts regarding an "unexpected face" disarming the system. But the documentation suggests that the feature may be used to activate personalized smart home features based upon the detected face.
• Data Privacy: The 2GIG Edge will use "on-the-edge analytics" to process facial recognition without sending it to "the cloud". Other data will also be kept protected. Really, this is just 2GIG's way of saying "we won't expose you". Still, it's good to see that 2GIG is doing what they can to protect end-users and their personal data.
• Bluetooth Disarm: This will involve pairing your phone with the system for automatic disarming upon detecting the return of your phone (and presumably you along with it). Some timer settings will likely be involved to prevent the feature from being abused. It will likely be optional, as some users may not feel comfortable using it.
  
• Geofencing: The panel can arm/disarm and have scenes activate automatically based upon the location of the user. This will likely involve tracking the user's phone to determine their probable location. It is also likely that Alarm.com will be used in this feature, though that has not been confirmed.
  
• Smart Home Controls & Scenes: This is likely a cover-all for the smart home automation features of the system. Again, it is likely that Alarm.com will play a role in this feature. It is fair to expect that scenes will be able to be performed both locally at the panel and remotely using the Alarm.com Mobile App.
  
• Slideshow & Video Playback: This is a feature seen on many wireless panels. You can have the screen default to show images and have the system operate as a digital picture frame when it is not in use. Our hope is that the 2GIG Edge makes it easy to add photos, as other panels tend to make this simple feature absurdly difficult to use.
  
• Video Live View: Up to eight (8) cameras and video doorbells can be live-streamed from the panel. You can stream up to four (4) camera feeds at once. Again, our hunch is that Alarm.com will be used to facilitate this feature. This has been one of the best features for the IQ Panel 2 Plus, so we're very excited to see it available on the Edge.
  
• Photo Snapshot: The onboard camera will take disarm photos. No word on whether these photos will be available on Alarm.com for quick and easy access on the go. We have seen this feature on other panels, and it can be fairly useful when set up well. A photo to go along with a notice that your panel has been disarmed can come in handy.
  
• Encrypted and Non-Encrypted Sensors: The 2GIG Edge will support encrypted sensors, and also be backward compatible with older 2GIG Sensors. No word on whether the encrypted sensors refer to the existing 2GIG eSeries Sensors, a new lineup of encrypted 2GIG Sensors, or both.
• Smart Area: This refers to the return of Smart Area Partitioning for the system. Users can section off the system into different partitions for greater flexibility and control. It's a great feature for multi-family homes, businesses, and households with "secure" rooms. Up to four (4) Smart Areas will be supported. It's no surprise to see this return.
  
• Built-In Glassbreak: The 2GIG Edge will operate as a glassbreak detector for detecting broken windows. This is a really cool feature that we have seen work great when configured on other panels. The feature will likely require that the panel be installed with a direct line-of-sight to a window in order to function properly.
• LTE Communication: Both AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE options will be available. No surprise here, as virtually every current security system has LTE connectivity. We were almost expecting a 5G option here, but it seems like that technology just hasn't arrived yet. Still, LTE is excellent for future-proofing a security system.
• Dual-Path: You can use both WIFI and LTE cellular connectivity with the 2GIG Edge. Alarm.com will most likely require that cellular connectivity is used. WIFI connectivity will likely be optional, but it's also fair to assume the features like camera streaming will require a WIFI setup. Again, no surprise here. Dual-path connectivity is expected.
• WIFI Access Point: You can use the 2GIG Edge as a wireless access point for other WIFI devices. As Nortek puts it, the Edge Panel "becomes a router". Again this is a fairly common feature. Most users will not need to bother setting their alarm panel as an access point, but it can help you overcome WIFI range issues in certain situations. It can also be helpful when the panel is used in a secondary home where a constant internet connection is not available, but some WIFI capability is needed, such as for secondary keypads.
• Mobile System Control: This refers to the ability to control the 2GIG Edge System remotely using an interactive platform. We assume that the feature is referring to the Alarm.com platform, but we do not see specific mention of ADC. Being able to control a system remotely through Alarm.com is standard for any system that uses ADC.

And there you have it, the features specifically mentioned by 2GIG and Nortek in the 2GIG Edge Beta documentation. We honestly expect all of these features to make their way over to the final release. Nothing is too surprising, but it's still really cool to see some features like local panel camera streaming, optional automatic Bluetooth disarm, and an integrated glassbreak detector. And the facial recognition feature should also not be overlooked, as it could really offer some cool options if set up properly. Just imagine being able to arm your system by simply staring at it, rather than entering a command. That's about as close as we can get to just using mind control to operate a system!

If you have any questions about the 2GIG Edge, please email our support team at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check email questions from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We still have a little over three (3) weeks to go until the 2GIG Edge is released, so stay tuned to our blog for more content. We look forward to hearing from you!

As a friendly reminder, we are now just over a year away from the AT&T 3G Network shutdown. The date for the shutdown is January 31, 2022. If you haven't upgraded to an LTE communicator yet, then now is the time. Avoid the inevitable last minute rush, and future-proof your security system!

If your security system is using an AT&T 3G Communicator, then you must upgrade to LTE before January 31, 2022 to avoid a loss of monitoring service. If your system is using a Verizon CDMA Communicator, then you need to act before December 31, 2022. You may also want to check out our communicator replacement guide for more information. That guide will help you decide whether to keep your existing panel and just get a new communicator, or to upgrade your system entirely.

If you are just upgrading the communicator, then you can sign-up for an appointment using our communicator replacement portal. You will need to have your new communicator installed inside your system before your appointment. Remember to always power down your system completely before removing an old communicator or installing a new one. Failing to power down your system before making hardware changes could result in permanent damage.

Please direct any questions about communicator upgrades or system upgrades to support@alarmgrid.com. If you are currently monitored through Alarm Grid, and you aren't sure if you need to upgrade, then you can reach out to us for help. We can check your system, let you know if an upgrade is needed, and provide you with some possible options for moving forward. Please use our support email for all questions regarding communicator upgrades and system replacements. Our staff is here to check and respond to your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F.

There is still time before the 3G and CDMA Sunset. You can still make the switch to LTE and ensure that your home or business continues receiving reliable monitoring service. Avoid any service disruptions, and make the move now! Our support team appreciates you being proactive and ahead of the game. There will undoubtedly be a big rush of people trying to make the move at the last minute, with a limited number of appointments available. By starting early, you will save yourself a lot of stress and worry down the road. And remember, we're here to help! Email us at support@alarmgrid.com to get started, and we look forward to working with you!

Important Update: Alarm Grid has opted out of the two-factor authentication (2FA) requirement for Alarm.com. The post below was written before Alarm Grid opted out, and it was believed that 2FA would soon be required for all Alarm Grid monitored customers who receive access to Alarm.com.

Alarm Grid has received notice from Alarm.com that two-factor authentication (2FA) will soon be required for all Alarm.com users. Alarm.com is making this requirement to protect user accounts against unauthorized access. Users can set up 2FA for Alarm.com through email or text message.

At the time of this writing in late January 2021, 2FA for Alarm.com is optional, but it is recommended for keeping accounts as secure as possible. However, starting on Monday, February 15, 2021, any user who has not yet set up 2FA will be required to do so upon logging into their Alarm.com account. According to Alarm.com, the goal is to have every Alarm.com user set up with 2FA by Spring of this year.

When setting up 2FA for Alarm.com, you can choose to have codes sent via text message or email. Once the feature has been set up, you will need to perform 2FA upon logging into Alarm.com on an unsaved device. After you provide your ADC username and password, Alarm.com will send you a secret code via text or email. You must provide this secret code to verify your identity. Only then will you gain access to your Alarm.com account. Alarm.com will then allow your to "save" that device so that you don't need to perform 2FA the next time you use that device.

For most users, this will only mean performing 2FA when logging into Alarm.com through the mobile app on a new phone or through the Alarm.com website after clearing cookies. It's good that Alarm.com allows you to "save" trusted devices, as it would be very inconvenient to be required to perform 2FA every single time you go to access the Alarm.com service. However, it's a nice extra layer of protection for those times if you ever access Alarm.com through a public computer or some other computer that you don't normally use. While we are a bit surprised to see Alarm.com requiring 2FA for every user, we understand their rationale in wanting to keep accounts as secure as possible. Remember, anyone who is able to access your Alarm.com account and disarm your security system basically has full access to your property. Therefore, any extra protection is appreciated!

You can enable 2FA for your Alarm.com account at any time through the website. Simply login to your account through the website, and then select the Settings option on the left-hand side of the screen. From there, choose Login Information, and then Two-Factor Authentication. Then choose to set up the feature through text or email by following the on-screen prompts.

If you have any extra questions, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service for use with Alarm.com, please email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check your emails and provide support from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you get started with Alarm.com.

A recent article indicated that 52 publicly traded companies dealing in smart home automation experienced an average stock price increase of 34.5% in 2020. This is yet another indication that the smart home industry is stronger than ever, as expectations are being set high for 2021.

Of the 52 publicly traded smart home automation companies followed from January 2020 to January 2021, 38 saw their stock price increase, compared with only 14 that experienced a decline in stock price across the same time frame. For comparison, a similar study of 52 smart home automation companies from the year prior reported that only 8 companies saw stock price declines in 2019, while the other 44 companies had their stock prices increase. Because of this, we can't say that the smart home industry was stronger in 2020 compared with 2019. But 2020 was still a fairly successful year. And as the economy looks to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect that things will only get better in 2021.

One company in the list that had a particularly strong showing was Alarm.com. They enjoyed a fantastic 141% stock price increase, as their price of $42.97 in January 2020 was up to $103.45 in January 2021. Johnson Controls, the owner of Qolsys and DSC, experienced a more modest gain of 14%, as their stock price rose from $40.71 in January 2020, to $46.59 in January 2021. The same can be said for Silicon Labs, the operator of the Z-Wave Alliance. Their January 2020 stock price was $115.98, and it rose to a January 2021 stock price of $127.34, for a nice 10% increase.

Alarm Grid was happy to see some of the companies and manufacturers we work with have a successful 2020 year, despite all of the global challenges involved. If you are interested in starting alarm monitoring service with Alarm Grid so that you can take full advantage of great equipment from companies like Alarm.com, Johnson Controls, and Silicon Labs, please feel free to email us at support@alarmgrid.com for more information. We're here to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Nortek Control, the parent company of 2GIG, recently won an award for its much-anticipated 2GIG Edge Security Panel. The 2GIG Edge was named the Consumer Technology Association 2021 Security and Surveillance Product of the Year, despite the product not even being available for sale yet.

According to Nortek Control, the 2GIG Edge "incorporates the very latest in smart technologies" and is "built on a more secure platform" than prior offerings. Judges from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) were reportedly impressed with the panel's speed, intuitive UI, and general design. The CTA judges were supposedly working with Beta Test versions of the 2GIG Edge. Needless to say, the reception surrounding these Beta Tests must have been quite positive if awards are already being handed out.

Nortek also reports that the Edge will showcase a "host of unprecedented new features" and offer "a giant leap forward in security system operational ease..." Alarm Grid reached out to Nortek to try to get more insight on how exactly the 2GIG Edge System will accomplish these promises. Unfortunately, the company declined to offer us any new information ahead of the release. We intend to pursue the matter further in the coming weeks, as we work to learn as much as possible about the product to most effectively serve our customers who will most likely be using the system to protect their homes and businesses.

While Alarm Grid certainly offers congratulations to Nortek on the (very) early success of the Edge, we still find it a bit surprising that an unreleased panel still heavily shrouded in mystery is already being praised. Outside of a murky website, information regarding the 2GIG Edge is scarce to say the least. We're not very surprised, as 2GIG has often been more secretive regarding product information and technical specifications, especially when compared with other manufacturers like Resideo and Qolsys. We are very hopeful that Nortek Control becomes a bit more transparent with the 2GIG Edge Panel as its release date inches ever closer. It's hard to believe, but it's now only a month away! Greater insight into the system may make it easier for us to recommend this award-winning panel over its competition.

For now, we are eagerly awaiting the 2GIG Edge and seeing if it can deliver on the rather high expectations being set. Our team intends to follow-up with Nortek Control again in the coming days and weeks to see if they might be willing to share some information. Indeed, everything from the supported sensors, to the automation capabilities to the unique features is still in the dark. But that won't stop us from trying to get the information into your hands as quickly as possible!

If you want to ask us about the 2GIG Edge or any other alarm panel we carry, or if you just want to learn more about our monitoring services, send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to check email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!