Suggestions on setup?

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

So I ordered a veralite and am setting up my automation. So far I’ve got a trane thermostat and a Yale deadbolt. I’d like to add a security camera to the front door and contact sensors to the outside doors.

  • Are the zwave contact sensors worthwhile, or should I go for the DCS 1832 and the network module. I don’t really see using much motion sensing that I don’t already have built in wall switches for.

  • Should I go for something like a swann d1 nvr system, or just a single cam on the door. Seems a D1 nvr system would be more flexible, but I want to make sure these types of systems integrate okay. The single cam would be limited to mailing snapshots/motion detect/live viewing.

2

Similar question regarding door sensors here:
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,14737.0.html

3

Yah I saw that, thread. It said that for good motion sensors you should get one. I don’t really care about motion. Just the contact sensors. It is substantially more expensive to get an alarm panel just to use it for contact sensors however. If its a matter of cost, its not a winner for me even if the per sensor cost is less. However if zwave contact sensors (not motion) aren’t reliable it may be worth looking into.

4

See my post in the thread:
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,14737.msg112027.html#msg112027