Journal
Notes from the field
Know your systems.
7 articles ยท Home and commercial
Practical writing on home and commercial technology, from the basics to the details that make a real difference. Written by the people who install it.
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6 articles
What your security panel can do that you are not using
Chime mode, user codes, text alerts and phone control. Most homeowners use a fraction of what their alarm panel already offers.
Hardwired or Wi-Fi cameras: how to choose
Wi-Fi cameras are easy to buy and easy to regret. Where each type works, and why we wire cameras whenever we can.
Why every system we install talks over cellular
Copper phone lines are disappearing and internet phone service is inconsistent. How a cellular radio keeps an alarm connected when it counts.
Smart locks and the leak you fix from three states away
Remote entry is the feature you forget about until you need it. Real scenarios, the two types of lock, and what happens when the batteries die.
NVR or server: the hidden cost of camera licenses
Server-based camera systems can carry per-camera license fees that add up to thousands at each renewal. What to ask before you buy.
Projector or 85-inch panel? Planning a home theater
Very large flat panels have changed the math on dedicated theaters. How we decide between a projector and a panel, and where the sound comes in.
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