It ’s no arcanum that you may DIY agood smart home security systemthese days . Amazon is litter with smart security cameras and system option that predict seamless induction , frame-up , and integration . But DIYing something as important as smart home surety and automationis not for everyone — even those of us who regard ourselves super tech savvy .
When we move into our raw telecasting studio apartment and ask to get a security system , I charted out everything I needed and wanted . It quickly became clear that the Vivint smart home security system was the way to go . And I could n’t be happier with how it turned out .
But before we get into why it turn for us , a disavowal : This is not an ad for Vivint , nor is it a buy at post . Everything here is 100 % my opinion and perspective . And full disclosure : Vivint provided the hardware and installation of this system for free so I could make this review , but they have zero influence over its content .
With that in head , here ’s how the Vivint smart family protection system puzzle out for us .
Smart security, smart safety
Our studio apartment is loaded with expensive consumer electronics and professional video cogwheel — hundreds of thousands of dollar deserving . We ’re locate in a trendy , mellow - dealings area just outside of downtown Portland , surrounded by public - facing businesses . Which means folk lean to show up outside our threshold , make themselves at home . But that can get in the way of our video production .
Suffice to say : There ’s a lot to protect here , myself let in .
When I sketched out our needs , it was fundamentally about surety : door sensor , window sensors , and looking glass fall in sensors . But it was also about safety , like torrent , fervency , sens , and C monoxide monitoring .
I also need photographic camera — both to act as a handicap and to monitor our premises — as well as automated mood command and automated lighting . Another item on the wishlist : to be able-bodied to use part command to set in motion the infinite into studio mode for video recording , and to shut down the studio for a more established workplace environment . This mean automate several different operation .
It was a with child ask , but the Vivint system delivered .
All of the window and door sensing element are modest , unobtrusive , electric battery - operated , and wireless — with no telegram for ability — and they connect wirelessly to the Vivint Smart Hub .
The studio ’s indoor andoutdoor camerasoperate via wall power , which was installed by local Vivint professionals . We have an indoor camera with a movement sensor , adoorbell tv camera , and an outdoor photographic camera that monitor the entryway .
The out-of-door photographic camera also has a motion sensing element and provideslighting at night , acting as a deterrent . If anyone hang out for more than 30 seconds , a vainglorious crimson ring lights up on the tv camera and it makes a loud whistling sound ( the sound is chatoyant ) and enter everything . It also follows masses as they move around the region , letting them know they are being watch .
Withsmart bolt locks , I can set up entry codification for guests , which can be enabled or handicapped as need , grant me to make do who has access to the studio apartment and when .
And when the bell rings , I can see who ’s there . And everything is recorded in the cloud , so video footage can be reviewed , saved , and downloaded any fourth dimension ( which really serve me assist a neighbour who had some dimension vandalized a few month ago ) .
Everything is supervise . When an warning gadget go off , Vivint immediately get to out with text notifications and emails , followed by a phone call . If there ’s a trouble , the local authorities are contacted . It give me peacefulness of psyche that all of our expensive geartrain and my personal rubber is well - protected 24/7 . It make me palpate great and it also remove the insurance company feel cracking — enough to give us a better rate .
All of the security and guard options are well managed either through the Vivint app or the rest home hub : consider camera , speak through the tv camera — all of it .
Smart temperature control
The actual genius of this organisation unveil itself in climate dominance . Asmart thermostatallows me to coiffe up temperature ranges for heating and cool according to the season , the fourth dimension of daytime , and whether I ’m in the studio , out unravel errand , or on holiday . These configurations can also be see to it manually and with a timekeeper .
Thanks to the Vivint AI smart help , the system has learned my habits over prison term : when I ’m typically in the studio apartment , when I ’m move , how long I ’m gone for , and when I ’m probable to add up back . The smart supporter has access to the saucy photographic camera , movement sensors , and threshold locks . So , if I leave for a gig in the eve , the temperature adjusts consequently . When I riposte , the scheme automatically switches back into residential manner .
It also detects sleep patterns . So it can correct the thermoregulator automatically at dark and again in the aurora , which saves money . When I compare the heating and cool costs from before we had this system to after , we ’re now saving $ 70-$80 a month .
Vivint also doessmart lightingand chic ability direction too , which has not only save up us money on our electricity flyer ( about $ 20 a calendar month ) , but it has made day - to - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. operation of this studio apartment efficient and even enjoyable .
Smart power faculty take into account double-dyed control condition over when power is feed to gadget . you’re able to automatize schedules and control power remotely , and even make scenes and act . So , even if you have fixtures that are n’t smart , you’re able to make them sassy using wireless power modules .
Smart lighting, but …
Vivint ’s fresh igniter bulbs are amazing , but there is room for expansion and improvement . properly now , they ’re the only pick available — you ca n’t get unlike electric light types for different fixtures or mix third - party smart electric light . And while the gloss temperature is varying , they are n’t RGB , which entail no colorful party vibes .
However , they do everything I need them to : They wirelessly plug in to the system via Wi - Fi and are all individually controllable through the app and hub , and by schematic switch .
The Light can be programmed to come up on and trade off at specific times , and are triggered when the system is armed or disarmed . They come on mechanically when I unlock the threshold and rick off when I lock it . And the lights can be arrange to various scenes , making it potential to automate studio apartment lighting for employment function .
For example , with a voice command throughGoogle Home , all of the theater Light shut down ; all of the studio luminosity , including background prospect , power on ; the thermostat adjusts to downplay HVAC noise ; the door locks close ; and the out-of-door photographic camera turns on . All make it easy , quieter , and dependable to record .
After recording is complete , the studio lights can be automatically powered down , the business firm igniter can be wrench on to a set color temperature , and the thermostat can be adapt — without flipping a undivided switch , which spare clip . An tote up bonus : The automatic inflammation also helps keep our flora active , since we have had to block out all natural light .
Vivint separate me that chic lighting is one of its most useful features , and one that most people do n’t bed is usable . In my impression , it ’s one of their most desirable .
What needs to be smarter
buzz off the saucy light electric light set up , name them , and naming all of them takes a fair amount of work . And it ’s a picayune more complicated than it need to be . Vivint ’s induction tech can deal all of it , but there ’s unquestionably elbow room for improvement when it occur to setup .
Another critique : Sometimes the cloud telecasting playback is a piffling delayed and choppy at first . Ultimately , I get exactly what I ask and need , but this is a bite clunky . ( To be fair , I ’ve had similar clunky experiences with other platforms . )
Overall , I ’ve been thrilled with the Vivint arrangement . Like most DIY system , there is a monthly monitoring fee , but some ethnic music will lay aside more than they pass with this setup . And with Vivint sum up in even more overbold energy direction — like solar and energy storage — in the coming months , there will likely be more savings down the route . That ’s something else I like about Vivint : It does n’t rest on its laurels , and anticipate developments and integrate them in real time .
As far as pricing die , Vivint says that parcel start at $ 599 and go up from there ground on your customization . Monthly monitoring runs $ 40 per month , if you should choose it . When it comes to smart home security , I ’ll take Vivint over Comcast , Brinks , or ADP any day of the week . This system provides peace of mind , savings , wash room , and even fun . When was the last time you could say that about your security department system ?
