Testing DMP XTLPlus / Virtual Keypad Vs Alarm.com & Honeywell

By Brian Rhodes, Published Dec 13, 2017, 12:00pm EST

DMP has a strong presence in commercial intrusion alarms, but not in residential. However, the company's XTLPLus wireless combo panel and Virtual Keypad system aims to address the gap, and is DMP's competition to smart home platforms like Honeywell Lynx, 2Gig, and Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0.

We bought and tested an XTLPlus system and remote Virtual Keypad management app to see how well it works. For the test, we connected the DMP alarm panel with a Securecom cloud camera, and several Z-Wave devices together to see how well it works:

The tested system included:

This adds to our existing Alarm.com Test and Total Connect 2.0 Test in our ongoing smarthome testing. Inside, we detail our findings on how well the system operates, where it is weak, and how it compares to other connected systems.

Key **** ********

*** **** ******* **** DMP's ********* ***** *** service ** * **** performer ** ******* *** areas, *********:

  • ** **** ************* ******: **** ** ***, being **** *** ** a ****** ********* ******. After *** ****** ** initially *********, ***** ** not **** ** ********* or **-********* ******* ** connected *******. **** *****, devices **** ***** **** if *********** ********* ** moved, ****** ***** '********* hub' *******.
  • ***** ******** ****** *******: *** **** *** same ******** ******* ** XTLPlus **** *** ********** panels ***, *** ****** most ******** *******, **** 10 ***** *** ********* for * ******* ** applications ********* ******** ******** and ******* *** ****** models.
  • ***** *** *** ******* Controls: ********** ** ******* on *** *** ** the *** ******, ****** management ** *** ****** included *** **** ******** and ********** *****.  ****** some ********* ********* **** include **** ******** **** in *** *** ** only ** *** *******, DMP's ******* ****** ** the **** *******-**** *** both. ***** ********** ******* cosmetically, ********* ******** *** easy ** ****, ******* are ** ******* *****, and **** * *** minutes ** *********** ** needed ****** ***** *********** with *** ******.
  • ** ****** ***** *** Event *************: *** **** ***** at *** **** ***** level, **** *** ******* hardware *** ** ******** is ************* ******** ******** and ******** ***** ********. At ** ***** ** our ******* *** * local ***** **** ** notify ***** '*** *** cloud' ** **'* *** or *******.

*******, *** **** ****** repeated ********** **** ***** be *** ******** *** prospective *********:

  • *** ********** *****: *** ** *** biggest ********** *****'* ********* ***** ** 720P *** **********, ***** focal ******* (****: ** ** ***** is ********* ** *** 2018) *** ***** *********** video **** *******. ******** to *****-***** ***** ************ kits **** ****** ***** management ********, ****** **** identification, *** ****** ********** models, ***'* ********* ***** is ****.
  • *********** *-**** '*******' ********** Process: ****** *-**** ******* to *** ********/***** ***** takes **** **** *** attempt.  ** ******* ****-**** **** / *** Generation *-****, ********** ** ********* reliable, *** **** *** newest *** ************** *** devices ******* ** ******** to ******** *-**** '*******' standards. ** *** ****, we ***** ***** ******* have ********** ******* *** panel ** ********* ****, sometimes ****** ******* *****, unlike ***** ********* ****.
  • ** ***** ********: *** **** ***** the '****** ***' ***** doorbell ****** ********* **** *** ********* ** Total *******, *****.***, *** Vivint.***** *** ******* *** announced ** **** ******* a ********, *** ************ **** is *** ******** *** *** the ******* ******** **** not ******* *** ***** devices.

Solid *** *** ****** ****** ** *****.*** ** ***** *******

*** ** *** **** interesting ****** ** ***'* offering ** '**** ********' supervision *** ********** ** the ******'* ******** *******. In ***** ** *************,*** **** * *-*** wireless ******************* ** *********** ***** systems **** ***** **** vulnerable ** ******* ** described ** *** ** **** ** ADT ***** ******.

*******, ****** *********, *** is ******** ****** ********* typically ******* ** ********** markets *** *** ****** is *** ********* ******* distribution.  *** ** ** compatible **** *** *****, non-DMP ******, **** *****.***.  Additionally, *** ***** *** consumer ***** *********** ** either, ********** *********. 

*** *********** ** ******* dealer ********, ********** ***** name, *** *** '***********' use ***** **** ******* and *** ** ****** app **** **** ******* uptake ** *** ****** residential ****** ******.  *** recognizes **** *** *** repackaged *** ******* ****** for *********** ******* ******* as ******. *** *** section ***** ** **** for **** *******.

DMP *** **** ***** ***** ********

** ***** ** ********, the ******* **** * small (~*" * *" X *") ****** ***** that ** ********** ********* to * *********** *********** keypad *** ****** *******. *** image ***** ***** *** system.  *** ****** *** either ** ********* ** a **** ** *** an ****** ** ** desk ********* ** ***** legs *** ******* *** Mini-USB **** ***********:

*** ****** ****** ** smaller **** *********** **** Honeywell ** **** ***** panels. ****** **** *********, DMP ********* *** **** control ***** *** *** keypad **** ********* ******* that *** ********** ******, but *** ** **** mounted ** *** **** footprint ** ******** ***** keypads.

*** ***** ***** ***** these ***** ******* ** a **** **********:

Uses ********** *** *******

****** **** *********** ******* that *** ******** ********, limited ******** *******, *** uses *** **** ********** wireless ******* **** **'* high-end ** ****** ****.**** **** ** ****** types*** **********, ********* ******, multiple *** ****** ******, and ******** ******* ******. 

** ****** ******** ******* mount *****, ***-****** ***, and ******** ****** *** experienced ** ****** ** malfunctions ** *********:

Home ********** **********

***** **** *** ********* system, *** ***** *** XTLPlus ** ** '********** hub' **** ********** *-**** radio, **** ** ********* to *** ******* ***-******** devices **** ***********, ******, Freeze *********, *** *****/ Heat *******. ***** ******* are ********** ********* ******* the *****'* ********* **** like *** ***** ******.

***** ********** ***** *-**** 'Classic' ******* ********* ******** two ** ***** ********, our ******* ****** *** Z-Wave *** ** ** reliable *** ********** ** control ** ********* ******* with ** ******** **** or ******* *********** ** end ******.

Virtual ****** ********

*** ******** **** ** control *** ********** *** remote ********** ****** ** the ****** ** ****** "******* ******". *** *** ** ********* for ***, ***** **, *** *******. ***** the *** ******** * cellular ************ ****** *** monthly ******* ****, ******* at $**-$** *** *****, but ****** ****** *** and ********** ** *** DMP ***** ******, *** any ********** '*********' * Wave ******* *** ***'* ***** ***** *******.

*** ****** ** **** available ** *** ******, including *** **** *********, features, *** ******* ****** of *** ***. *** app *** ****** ** 'white *******' ********* *** the ********* ******, ** despite ******** ****** ***** (Dealer **** ******** ****), this ** *** ******** DMP ******:

Limited ****** *********

*** ******** ***** **** specific*** ****************, ****, *** ********. The ********* ** ***** by ********* *** *** camera ****** *** ******* to **** ********** *** fixed ***** *******.  

****** ****** *** ******* to ** ** ********, IR ******, ****** **** IR **** *** *** models.***** ****** *** *** supplied** **********, *** **** are *** **** ***, short ******* ******* ** fixed ******** ******.

** ****** *** ** Indoor **** *****. ** ****** *** camera ***** **** **** and ***** *********** ** * local ******, ********* **' - **' **** **** a ***.**/*/* ****** ******* through ******** *****. *** connected ****** ********* **** no ********** *********** ** either *************.

***** *** ****** **** camera ******** ** ****, performance ** **** *** generally ******* *' - 7' **** *** ****** but **** ** *** FoV *****. *******, *** combination ** *** **********, fixed ******, *** ********** cube **** ****** ***** the ****** **** ** place ***** ** ******* in *********** ***** ********* indoors.

*** ******* ***** ***** that ***** ***** ** displayed ** * ***** thumbnail ** *** ******* or ***, ***** ********** of ******** ***** ** limited ** *** **** at * **** *** clips *** ********* *************** in ******* *** *** not ******** ** ********** by *****:

****** **********, ******* ** 20 ****** *****, *** be ********* *** ****** in *** '*******' *** but *** *** ********* specially ***** ** **********.

*** ****** **** ***** illustrates ******* ********** *** video ******* ** ***'* Securecom ****** ****:

Central ******* ********** ***** ********

*** ******* ****** ** ** add-on ******* ******** ******* to ** ******** ********** on *********** *** ***, but **** *** ******* requirements *** ******* ******* monitoring. The ******** ******** ****** management *** ********* *** home ********** ** ******* **** lightbulbs, ***********, *** **** locks.

*******, ***** ********** ** usually ******** *** ********* aspect ** * *** dealer ********* ******. *** station *** ***** ** monitoring *** *** *********** of *** ********** ******. VK is *** * ******* station ********** ******. 

App **. *******

**** *** *** *** smartphone ********** *** *******, differing ********* ** ***** scheme. *********** ** * user ** ******** **** one *********, **** **** find ***** ******** *******, simplifying ****** **********. ****** shots ** **** *** included *****, ***** *** phone ***:

*** **** *** ******* portal. **** ************ *** button ******** ** *** app *** *** **** for ****:

Z-Wave ********** & ****** ***********

** **** *** '*********' connectivity, ** ********* * ** ******* *-**** **** *** ********* ** ** an *******. *** *********** and ********** ** *** thermostat **** ** *** reliable, *** ******* * command **** *** **********, even ***** **** ******* of **********:

*** ***** ***** ***** the ********* ** *** thermostat ** *** *** portal:

** *******, ********** *********** of *********** *** *-**** lights *** ******** *** equal ** ****** *** and *** **** ******* interface ******* '******' **** the *****:

System *******

*********, ******* ** **** marginal ****** *** ******* competitive **** ********** **** offerings *************, **** ******* ********* costing **% - **% more. *******, *** ** a ******-******* *****, *** channel ******** *** *** fairly ***** **** *** factory ******** ****** ** the '****' ****** ** online. ****** *** ******** using ** ********** ******, and **** ******* ** limited ***** ** **** channel. 

******* *** ******* ********* do *** ***** **************** '$** **** ** specials', ***'* ****** ** mostly ******* ** ******-*** residential *** ********** ********* rather **** *** ***-*** 'door *******' ******* **** by **** ******** ***** companies.

* **** ** ********** systems *** ****** ***:

Competitor ********* ********

**** * ********* **** perspective, *** ** ********* systems (~$** - $** per *****) *** **** expensive **** *********** **** *****.*** ******** ******* *.*, **** * ******* average **** ** $** - $** *** *****. For **** *****.*** *** DMP **, ***** ******* may ******* ********** ******* station ********** ***** ** dealer, *** ******** ******* $15 - $** *******.

******** ************ ** ** include *** ****** *******:

  • *****.***: **** * ************* ***** of ****, *** *** operate **** * ****** of *** ***** ******, and ******** ****** ********** cameras *** ***** ******** support.  *******, *** ****** more ******** ****** *****, partition *******, **** ***** points,  *** **** *-*** supervision ** ******* **** ADC ******* ********* ****.
  • ***** ******* *.*: *********'* *********** ********* over *** ** ************* with **+ ********* ****** models ******* ** *** residential ****** *** ********** distribution ******* *** *** online, ********* **** ********* of ********** ********* *******. Given *********'* *********** *********** in **** ********, ***** recognition ** ****** *** perceived ******** **** ** lower **** ***.

XTLPlus **. ******

***** ******* ** ******* / ******** / ******** at *********** ********* *** small ********, ***'* *********** market *********** *** **** modest.  ** ********, *** has ************ ******* *** the ** *** **** a ******* ****** ****** *** *** ***********-**** ******* dealer *******.

*** ***** ** * response ** *** ********** focus ** ******* (**********) DMP *******, *** ***** limited *********** ****** ********. The ****** ******** ** ********** ******** *** *** *********** market, *** ****** ******* are ******* ******** **** selling ** ** ********** customers:

***** *** ******** ** the '**** ***** ** different **** ****** ******* and **** * ********* Secura-styled ***', *** ******* and ***** ***********/********* *** essentially *** **** **** roughly ********** *******.

******* ****** ******** * residential ******* *** *******, with * ********* ***** app *** *** ****** ** a *********** ***** & Marketing ****** *******, ******* geared ****** ***** ******** and **** ** **** sales, ******** ** *********** commercial *** *******.

Comments (4)

Avatar

Mark Hillenburg

12/14/17 01:37pm

[Poster works for DMP]

John: Another very thorough review. You guys really do a nice job and put in lots of work into these.

I have two comments:

1. "users must work through the dealer for motion changes and lack the ability to mask or change motion sensitivity from their own interfaces." .
..this is actually not the case, the end user has control of the motion detection regions, sensitivity...etc.

2. "Central Station Monitoring Still Required"

DMP Virtual Keypad is an add-on service allowing systems to be remotely accessible on smartphones and web, but does not replace requirements for central station monitoring."
...Typically this is the case, but we actually pioneered the concept of "On Demand Monitoring" where the dealer can choose to offer a non-monitored account...or one that is monitored in an uber like fashion...just when the subscriber wants. More information located here: Digital Monitoring Products | DMP OnDemand Monitoring

Hope this clarifies those two points...

Thanks

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Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Mark Hillenburg | 12/14/17 07:16pm

Thanks Mark:

1) I took that out, and confirmed those features are there. Here's an app screenshot and a short explanation of my confusion:

In order to access the features, it is a two-step process.

Users hit the button adjacent to camera name. (arrow #1)

Then an option to 'Edit' is shown. I wrongly assumed this was to edit the camera name, but after hitting it, a gear is shown. (arrow #2)

From there, options are available to change VMD or motion field settings.

2) Our post: Fighting Back Against DIY, DMP Opens OnDemand Monitoring and Company Store may help readers get bearings on the options a DMP may offer for monitoring.

In a general sense, what percentage of accounts use central station versus self-monitoring?

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Mark Hillenburg

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 12/16/17 03:04am

99% are monitored now. But we have options. :-) 

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Christopher Freeman

12/14/17 02:36pm

camera looks like Hik 3 mpxl i installed months ago 

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