Latest in Home Security | News, Interviews, Tutorials
Possible $2 billion Sale of Vivint
Update: Blackstone has acquired Vivint in excess of of $2 billion. (Read the press release here)
Utah-based security systems company Vivint is considering a sale to one of three private equity firms which include Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX), Ares Management LLC, or GTCR LLC which could value the company at as much as $2 billion. (Read our review of Vivint)
Bank of America Merrill Lynch (NYSE: BAC) and Citigroup (NYSE: C) are helping Vivint find a buyer through this auction, which is already well into its second round according to Reuters.
Vivint, previously known as APX Alarm Security Solutions when it was formed in 1999 by Todd Pedersen, is based in Canada operating offices all over Canada and the United States. They currently service nearly 500,000 customers and are gaining even more through their concentrated customer service approach.
The Vivint Go!Control panel is a progressive step towards home automation through providing a central hub to control all of your home’s smart systems including: security, HVAC, lighting, (more…)
Born to Burgle | Doris Thompson
When you hear that someone has a 25 aliases, has been imprisoned nine times for burglary, and a 20 page rap sheet that goes all the way back to 1955, the last person you would expect it to belong to is an 82 year old woman by the name of Doris Thompson.
Thompson was recently arrested in an El Segundo, California, hotel and charged with the burglaries of 8 doctors’ offices after a Torrance detective recognized her in the security footage based on a police bulletin from several years previous to this incident.
“That’s her M.O.,” said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paulette Paccione. “What she does is she goes in with her little burglar bag. She takes cash, stamps, whatever she can find.”
Torrance Police Sgt. Robert Watt explained that Thompson would enter a doctor’s office and hide until after closing and then search around the office for keys to the cash box. According to Watt, Thompson stole around (more…)
Cox Breaks Into Home Security Industry
After a successful pilot program for home security in Arizona last year, 2011, cable, internet, and phone provider Cox Communications, subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, has decided to expand its home security product into new markets.
“Customers trust Cox each day to connect them to the things they care about. For most people, home and family are at the top of that list. Cox Home Security is a natural extension of the communications services we deliver.” Asheesh Saksena, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, said.
Cox will be able to bundle their home security offering together with its cable, internet, and phone products to offer savings to the customer. The service includes 24/7 monitoring for intrusion, fire, gas, and floods as well as a remote access capabilities that allow customers to access their system remotely through a secure online site or a Smartphone application.
“Cox Home Security is consistent with our desire to deliver solutions that meet the individual and unique needs of each customer.” Vince Groff, Cox’s new general manager of this project, said. “One home may require a video camera near their (more…)
Caught on Camera | $40,000 in Jewelry Stolen
Four men and one lookout were caught on camera robbing the Roosevelt Gold Exchange in Cicero, IL Monday, August 6th, and made off with over $40,000 worth of jewelry reports the Chicago Tribune. The men arrived in a white van and entered the gold exchange at 1:30 p.m.; two of the suspects distracted an employee through the protective glass while another broke in through the back and attacked the employee, letting the others in.
“They have a crowbar in their hand, and they’re telling him they’re going to kill him. It’s terrible,” Cicero Town Spokesperson Ray Hanania told ABC Chicago. The men put a pillowcase over the employee’s head and bound it with a phone cord and then proceeded to steal over $40,000 in jewelry.
Once they grabbed as much jewelry as they could, they went to grab the security tapes so they didn’t leave behind any incriminating evidence, and were met face-to-face with a large 110-pound (more…)
Burglary Videos | McDonald’s, 3-Timer, and Top Shelf Liquor
McDonald’s Burglar Settles for Dessert
Burglar breaks into McDonalds, attempts to open cash register as well as pull it off the counter and take the entire thing with him. After many attempts to pull to both open and pull the register off the counter, the burglar went to one of the refrigerators and grabbed some food, then left. The convention of the criminal returning to the scene of a crime holds true in this case because the burglar was rounded up the day after, right outside of this McDonalds. (more…)
Lowe’s Push for a Piece of the Smart Home Market
Since Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) January announcement of their upcoming release of a new smart home product, they’ve teamed up with UK based smart home technology company AlertMe to release Iris, an all-in-one solution to integrating household control systems.
“This is an exciting development in the connected home space,” Stuart Sikes, president of Parks Associates, experts in emerging consumer technology products and services, said. “While there have been various simple applications such as remote management of HVAC systems that have delivered significant savings, until now, there have been few comprehensive offerings aimed at the mass market. Lowe’s new Iris product and service platform has the attributes needed to break down these barriers and reach the consumer with a scalable solution at an affordable price, and it should position the company as a formidable leader in this space.”
Starting at $179, Iris is essentially a (more…)
Top Picks | Bullet Security Cameras
Bullet cameras are a common type of camera accompanying a surveillance system. The camera is coined as a bullet camera due to its shape that resembles a gun’s bullet. These camera types are compact and can be easily used when discretion is necessary but bullet cameras are available in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of a business or a residential setting.
The image produced by bullet cameras are high quality and video recording is possible. Cameras are available for both color monitoring or in black and white. For those who rely on security at night when darkness is prominent, there are infrared bullet cameras which make imaging still clear without much light present. Recording of the activities can be saved and presented as evidence in the event of criminal activity.
HSS.net has put together a comprehensive list of our Top Bullet Security Camera picks based both on each offering’s features as compared to its price. (more…)
Top Picks | IP Security Cameras
Internet protocol cameras, known as IP cameras, are used in the digital recording of surveillance footage. This type of camera can send and receive video data using computer technologies and the Internet. Cameras used for the purpose of surveillance are called IP cameras to differentiate from typical webcams.
IP cameras are available in two different types. A centralized IP camera feeds digital data to a central network video recorder (NVR) for the purposes of recording and surveillance monitoring. A decentralized OP camera does not require an NVR. The recording capability is built into the camera itself and has the capacity to record and store digital media through the use of a hard drive, flash drive, or USB storage device.
HSS.net has put together a comprehensive list of our Top IP Security Camera picks based both on each offering’s features as compared to its price. (See our Top Home Security System Picks)
| Rank | System | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  IQeye SD480p Network IP Box Camera |
|
459.00 View |
| 2. |  Sony Network 1080p HD Box Security Camera |
|
1048.00 View |
| 3. |  DIGIOP Black True Day/Night H.264 Network IP Camera |
|
579.99 View |
| 4. | IQeye H.264 HD1080p Network IP Camera |
|
559.00 View |
| 5. | DIGIOP Black 2.0 Megapixel Network IP CS-Mount Box Security Camera |
|
429.99 View |
Top Picks | PTZ Security Cameras
PTZ cameras enable businesses to take their security to a greater distance. The PTZ stands for pan/tilt/zoom and that is exactly what the camera is designed to do. The ability to move the camera around extends the viewing coverage area for extra protection. Image details can be increased with the zoom features during video monitoring in real time.
Many PTZ cameras available are suitable for indoor surveillance or for outdoor monitoring and can operate 24/7. These cameras offer high quality resolution so images being captured are clear and reliable. PTZ cameras can be mounted in multiple locations including walls or in ceilings when a PTZ dome camera is selected.
HSS.net has put together a comprehensive list of our Top PTZ Security Camera picks based both on each offering’s features as compared to its price. (See our Top Home Security System Picks)
| Rank | System | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  DIGIOP Black 30x Zoom Speed Dome PTZ Camera |
|
1349.99 View |
| 2. |  Sony 26X Zoom IP Day/Night PTZ Camera |
|
1963.00 View |
| 3. |  18x Zoom Industrial Outdoor IR PTZ Camera |
|
1699.99 View |
| 4. |  18X Zoom Industrial Outdoor PTZ Camera |
|
999.99 View |
| 5. |  2.1 Megapixel 12x Zoom Mini WDR PTZ Security Camera |
|
1299.99 View |
Top Picks | Dome Security Cameras
Dome cameras are a highly recognizable measure of security. Many businesses utilize dome cameras to keep tabs on different locations and activities taking place each day. Dome cameras are installed in the ceilings of a location and are visible to the public. However, the dome covers of the camera are tinted to make it impossible to determine in which direction the camera is pointing.
In many cases, installing dome cameras can be effective at deterring criminal activity. The public at large is often able to recognize the presence of dome camera security systems as they are a familiar sight. This can deter unwanted activity by those who know they are on camera, being monitored. In the event crimes are committed, the dome cameras can capture footage to be used as evidence for prosecution.
HSS.net has put together a comprehensive list of our Top Dome Security Camera picks based both on each offering’s features as compared to its price. (See our Top Home Security System Picks)
| Rank | System | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  DIGIOP Black Network IP Indoor Mini Dome Security Camera |
|
399.99 View |
| 2. |  IQeye Alliance-Pro Outdoor 480p Day/Night Vandalproof Dome Security Camera |
|
839.00 View |
| 3. |  LG 650 TVL Vandal-Proof ICR Day/Night Dome Security Camera |
|
230.00 View |
| 4. | DIGIOP Black 690 TVL 0.1 Lux Dome Security Camera |
|
289.99 View |
| 5. |  Hi-Res Day/Night Wide Dynamic Indoor Dome Security Camera |
|
99.99 View |
Interviews
