Has anyone been able to use Magic Jack with a home security system? If so, how did you go about doing so?
Thank you
Home Security System
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Re: Home Security System
Well if your hosting MJ on a computer which is available 24/7 along with it's internet connection then you would use MJ just like any other regular landline if your talking about a dialout type security system. If it is a loop type then you'd have a problem.jschultz2 wrote:Has anyone been able to use Magic Jack with a home security system? If so, how did you go about doing so?
Thank you
One very nice way is to use a dialout type security system along with one of the BLUETOOTH CELLPHONE INTERFACES. That system first attempts to make out going calls using it "landline" port which can be the MJ. If the call is unsuccessful (i.e.) MJ is down for some reason then the outgoing call is placed using any one of up to three cellphones which have been paired with the docking system and are of coarse in range. It works very nicely! Once paired any time the cellphone is within range it is automatically connected to it.
Even if your using it with a real landline and say the phone line was cut the cellphone call out would still work.
As a side benefit incoming cell calls can be received and routed to your house phone system which is also plugged into the interface.
There are other uses as well which you may want to explore.
Just an after thought after reading this,If your alarm box only dials a 7 digit local number it won't work cause MJ needs 10 digit dialing.
Other than that it could work,My DirecTV box makes successful modem calls once in awhile.
Good Luck and report back if it functions,also tell us what alarm Co. the box is from.
Other than that it could work,My DirecTV box makes successful modem calls once in awhile.
Good Luck and report back if it functions,also tell us what alarm Co. the box is from.
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strndedinalska
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:39 am
- Location: Alaska
My number one concern with security systems is very simple. If there is a fire or a savvy burglar who flips the breaker or somehow disables power, the jack is worthless. With a regular line and the system's backup power, you still have a security system. I'm not saying burglars turn off power, but more concerned over a fire that could interrupt power to your pc rather quickly if it's in the electrical system. If I were running a security system, I'd definitely vote for a laptop with a strong backup battery.
Windows Vista and Laptop with XP SP2 on the road. Occasionally, a Mac if my Windows machine isn't working.
A loop type system would typically be installed for professional monitoring. In addition to monitoring the security system it also monitors the loop; so that if a phone line is cut that too alerts the company that something is wrong. Most DIY security systems simply place regular telephone calls to one or more numbers in the event of an alarm system activation.jschultz2 wrote:Thank you for your help. I am not extremely knowledgeable about different types of security systems. How can I tell if it is a loop type system or a dial out type?
Agreed and as usual I failed to state the obvious that all parts of an alarm system should be run from a UPS so that they would still function in case of main power failures whether by nature or cut by bad guys.strndedinalska wrote:My number one concern with security systems is very simple. If there is a fire or a savvy burglar who flips the breaker or somehow disables power, the jack is worthless. With a regular line and the system's backup power, you still have a security system. I'm not saying burglars turn off power, but more concerned over a fire that could interrupt power to your pc rather quickly if it's in the electrical system. If I were running a security system, I'd definitely vote for a laptop with a strong backup battery.
Note that even if the internet connection failed for any reason the call would be sent via cell phone. So the backup to either a traditional land line (which could also be cut) or a MJ (which could have it's internet connect severed by cutting DSL or Cable line) fails over to a cell phone dial out. This is why the device I mentioned above is so important security systems.
Burglar Alarm
Depending on the level of security you desire, a MJ connection to your security system would be the lowest level of security available.
There are far too many dependencies on MJ for a security system to render a reliable service. (power, PC availability, modem, internet connectivity etc)
In addition, your security system is manufactured to work with a POTS (Plain old telephone line system), meaning that the ring/tip voltages must be reliable and always present, and digital communications of the FSK (Frequency shift keying) is understood by the majicjack codec.
While your security system MAY work with MagicJack, or any other VOIP service, there is no way to have an assurance that it will.
Should you need your alarm to communicate to your monitoring centre, and considering that you have no POTS line, there are cellular backup communicators available for your security system which will send alarms to your monitoring centre via the cellular GSM network.
These transmitters are powered from your existing security system (with backup power) and communicate accurately with your monitoring center receivers for alarm events. Standard daily tests can also be enabled to ensure that your system communications are tested every 24 hours.
Secondly, there are a number of 'manufacturer dependent' IP modules which connect to specific alarm control panels (DSC t-link/GE Networx, etc). These IP communicators will connect directly to your router via ethernet and signal to your monitoring station. These are highly reliable devices which can communicate encrypted messages to your monitoring center and polled for status every minute or less to ensure communication is always on.
There are far too many dependencies on MJ for a security system to render a reliable service. (power, PC availability, modem, internet connectivity etc)
In addition, your security system is manufactured to work with a POTS (Plain old telephone line system), meaning that the ring/tip voltages must be reliable and always present, and digital communications of the FSK (Frequency shift keying) is understood by the majicjack codec.
While your security system MAY work with MagicJack, or any other VOIP service, there is no way to have an assurance that it will.
Should you need your alarm to communicate to your monitoring centre, and considering that you have no POTS line, there are cellular backup communicators available for your security system which will send alarms to your monitoring centre via the cellular GSM network.
These transmitters are powered from your existing security system (with backup power) and communicate accurately with your monitoring center receivers for alarm events. Standard daily tests can also be enabled to ensure that your system communications are tested every 24 hours.
Secondly, there are a number of 'manufacturer dependent' IP modules which connect to specific alarm control panels (DSC t-link/GE Networx, etc). These IP communicators will connect directly to your router via ethernet and signal to your monitoring station. These are highly reliable devices which can communicate encrypted messages to your monitoring center and polled for status every minute or less to ensure communication is always on.
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lifeofbean
- MagicJack Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:26 pm
For what it's worth, I've been trying all day to get my alarm system to work with MagicJack.
If you're using the popular ContactID reporting format - which is the standard these days, and uses DTMF tones - good luck. Mine dials nonstop, connects, and keeps sending DTMF tones nonstop until the central station hangs up or the softphone application crashes. Seems it doesn't like so many DTMF tones coming at it so fast. The alarm company doesn't pick up the report, and my alarm gives a Communications Failure error.
Other reporting formats do work, but don't give nearly as much information to the monitoring company.
I'm using a DSC 5010 alarm system - not the newest, but hardly an old system (my particular system is about 2 years old).
If you're using the popular ContactID reporting format - which is the standard these days, and uses DTMF tones - good luck. Mine dials nonstop, connects, and keeps sending DTMF tones nonstop until the central station hangs up or the softphone application crashes. Seems it doesn't like so many DTMF tones coming at it so fast. The alarm company doesn't pick up the report, and my alarm gives a Communications Failure error.
Other reporting formats do work, but don't give nearly as much information to the monitoring company.
I'm using a DSC 5010 alarm system - not the newest, but hardly an old system (my particular system is about 2 years old).