Is anyone using Magic Jack with a home security system? If so, how are you doing so?
Thank you
Home Security System
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Hi,
I'm not sure you want to use MJ for the outgoing call from your security system. Doing so introduces a lot more variables to the reliability of your security system when you need it the most--in an emergency.
Using MJ, you add these dependencies:
- AC power needs to on to your house and not knocked out by a storm (regular land line works even when house power is off)
- Your computer needs to be running and hasn't crashed. Say you are on vacation and Windows has crashed and there is a break-in, but MJ can't dial out. Or the power did go out and is restored, but you need to log back into Windows and restart the MJ.
- MJ is successful on the first try making the outgoing call to the monitoring station. My MJ calls don't always connect on the first try, or the voice quality is poor.
- MJ can successfully pass on the alarm codes to the monitoring station so they can determine if it's fire, break-in, panic button etc. to send the correct response. See threads on MJ being used for faxing (related as your alarm system will pass on digital data on the nature of the alarm)
Check with your alarm company about using VOIP for the outgoing call, they should have an opinion. If you do switch to MJ for your security system outgoing call, I'd do extensive testing to make sure it works reliably.
PS. What's your motivation to use MJ for the alarm system?
I'm not sure you want to use MJ for the outgoing call from your security system. Doing so introduces a lot more variables to the reliability of your security system when you need it the most--in an emergency.
Using MJ, you add these dependencies:
- AC power needs to on to your house and not knocked out by a storm (regular land line works even when house power is off)
- Your computer needs to be running and hasn't crashed. Say you are on vacation and Windows has crashed and there is a break-in, but MJ can't dial out. Or the power did go out and is restored, but you need to log back into Windows and restart the MJ.
- MJ is successful on the first try making the outgoing call to the monitoring station. My MJ calls don't always connect on the first try, or the voice quality is poor.
- MJ can successfully pass on the alarm codes to the monitoring station so they can determine if it's fire, break-in, panic button etc. to send the correct response. See threads on MJ being used for faxing (related as your alarm system will pass on digital data on the nature of the alarm)
Check with your alarm company about using VOIP for the outgoing call, they should have an opinion. If you do switch to MJ for your security system outgoing call, I'd do extensive testing to make sure it works reliably.
PS. What's your motivation to use MJ for the alarm system?
Home Security System
My motivation is to save money. I went to MJ to avoid all of the ridiculous extra fees you get with a land line. Say your phone plan is $20 and when your bill is final it is actually $40 due to extra fees etc.
You might also check with the alarm company to see if they will operate directly over the Internet (some commercial installations will do this). Essentially your alarm box has an RJ-45 ethernet connection that plugs into your router. Might not be as reliable as Ma Bell but probably more reliable than MJ in its present state.