Can I Use Vivint's Security Cameras w/o Service?

No, you cannot use Vivint's security cameras without service. The cameras that Vivint provides are designed exclusively for use with their own monitoring service. They will be rejected by any other video surveillance platform. They cannot be taken over by another alarm monitoring company.

Most security cameras are designed to connect with some type of interactive service platform. Once a camera is online, an alarm monitoring company will use the MAC address or some other identifying information from the camera to connect the camera with the user's interactive service. The user will then be able to login to their interactive service account to view the live feed of the camera and configure its settings.

However, Vivint built their cameras so that they will not work with other companies. Instead, they will only work with Vivint's in-house service. If you try to bring a Vivint Camera over to another platform, then it will be rejected. This means that the cameras cannot be taken to other monitoring companies. In order to use these cameras, the user must have active monitoring service with Vivint.

This is not the case for security cameras provided from most other companies. For example, the security cameras from Alarm Grid are non-proprietary, and they can be used with service from other companies. The cameras on our site all connect with either Alarm.com or Total Connect. Even if the user leaves Alarm Grid, the cameras will still function with one of these platforms, all while monitoring service is provided from another alarm company.

If you decide to purchase a security camera from Alarm Grid, there are many great options to choose from. If you have a 2GIG or Qolsys Panel, then you will want a camera that connects with Alarm.com. We offer some HD indoor cameras that connect with Alarm.com. These include the CAM-HD100 and the ADC-V522IR. Both of those cameras provide crystal clear recording and night vision. If you are looking for an Alarm.com Camera for outdoor use, then we recommend the ADC-V722W. The camera features a weatherproof design, and it can capture video in 1080p quality.

If you have a Honeywell System, then you will want a camera that connects with Total Connect. The Lyric C1 and the Lyric C2 are both outstanding Total Connect cameras that will provide you with clear HD recordings in an indoor setting. If outdoor use is needed, then we recommend the Honeywell Lyric OC1. This is a brand-new camera from Honeywell. It features a weatherproof design and 1080p recording, making it ideal for use in an outdoor location.

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Laura, we understand how frustrating that is. Contact us to see how we can help design a system that will be yours to keep, no matter who you want to monitor it. https://www.alarmgrid.com/contact-us
I agree the service is faulty and yet when I chatted with them just tonight, with Darwin R, and he said I wouldn't even be able to unlock my door without paying for their outrageously priced service that DOES NOT WORK!!!!!! The monitoring service never works anyway. Tired of calling.
Same here, I got my service from Vivint to 360 reprogrammed and working great, no issues here, only reason I didn’t go with Vivint is because they didn’t knock on my door first , bought this house 4 months ago , love the live feeds !!
Yes. The system would work as a local noise maker, but if the person who buys it wants to get monitoring they'll need to contact Vivint.
Is it possible to sell my Vivint equipment? I feel ripped off and want to switch to another company with bigger capacity.
I have 2 controllers - door sensors on every door, windows sensors on every down-stairs window. Smoke and CO2 sensors. Glass break sensors. 3 inside camera and one door camera. I also have some outlet sensors. Other than replace the batteries, they all work fine.
There was a time, when Vivint was new, when they didn't have all proprietary equipment. I assume they installed your system during this time. Current Vivint equipment is proprietary.
I plan on switching to Ring from Vivint. I was hoping that I could use the equipment being that I paid for it. Doorbell, smoke detector, lock
What equipment do you have installed currently ?
I used to have Vivint installed in my house. After my contract was over, a 3rd party provider stepped in and reprogram my system with no new hardware added or replaced. I have been using them for 3 years. I do not wish to get into a debate. I am merely stating a fact. I do hope that you refrain from not giving out incorrect information to users. Thanks
Vivint equipment is proprietary. Only Vivint can activate it. If you leave Vivint as a service provider, you will have to replace any proprietary equipment. Several providers have made the switch from long-term contracts to proprietary equipment. They no longer need you to sign a long-term contract, instead they install proprietary equipment and you then stay with them because if you leave, you will have to purchase new equipment.
This article is not correct. If you have a 3rd party vendor like 360Alarm, they can come in and reprogram everything. Same system, different provider, a lot less.
That means it is not the MAC address. It is a deliberate rejection of the device by the server. That means an open platform has no such limitation. It also means if you could spoof the MAC (NAT for layer 2) with a router that has ebtables or similar.
They are proprietary. The server will know when a Vivint camera is being used based on the MAC address, and will not allow it to be added to an account that is not associated with Vivint. ADT does something similar with their communicators that are manufactured by Honeywell/Resideo.
I do not see how it could possibly be the MAC address that limits control.
Hi, I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience with your previous monitoring company. We have low cost no contract monitoring plans and are experts with the alarm.com and Honeywell systems. Please review our plans https://www.alarmgrid.com/monitoring or you can email us referring to this email to speak to one of our planners
Vivint is garbage service way over priced and they will gouge you when you cancel their service that never works anyways. Sales man that go door to door will feed you a bunch of lies and discounts that will never hold true. Vivint will tell you if anything is not in writing officially by Vivint to pound sand. Steer way clear. Protection 1 was great. My new home has ADT so hopefully they are better then Vivint. The bar is not high.
As a rule, Vivint equipment is completely proprietary, which means that for the most part, you have to purchase from them, and if you decide you no longer want their service, then your equipment becomes obsolete. You have to completely replace everything in order to move to another company. This is why Vivint has been relaxing their stance on long-term contracts. They keep their customers by making it so expensive to switch to another company that they choose not to do it. All of the equipment we sell is non-proprietary, which means you can use it with nearly any alarm dealer (except the ones like Vivint, who use proprietary equipment). We do offer contract-free alarm monitoring, but we keep our customers by providing good service at an affordable price.
When I posed my question I didn't realize this page was a competitor. My apologies. When you say "non' proprietary" do you mean it can be used with an existing Vivint system or with any system that isn't proprietary?
I don't blame you, but since Vivint's entire business model is proprietary, I simply can't provide an answer to your question. I don't know if they would allow that or not. You'll have to ask them. And if you ever get tired of being locked into using them because you can't use their equipment with any other company, we sell non-proprietary equipment and contract-free monitoring for a reasonable price.
I have a monitoring plan with them already. I just don't want to spend $400 on an outdoor camera when I can buy a used one for a fraction of that.
That would be a question for Vivint. We don't support their equipment. I will say I would be very surprised if you could use them without a monitoring plan.
Can I buy used camera equipment, like outdoor camera or doorbell camera, and connect it to my existing Vivint monitoring system?

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