DMP Intrusion Tested (XR Series)

Published Mar 09, 2017 17:23 PM

DMP is a major provider of intrusion systems, but lacks the global brand recognition of some of its rivals (such as Bosch, Honeywell, DSC, or 2Gig). How does it compare to competitor systems that have been in widespread use for decades?  

We bought the X150 XR series panel plus 2 keypads and wireless receiver to test and examine the platform.

In this test, we examine DMP on this criteria:

  • Physical Overview
  • PC Programming
  • Keypad Programming
  • Wireless Integration
  • The Alarming Process
  • Access Control Onboard
  • System Price
  • Video Surveillance Integration
  • Monitoring Options

Inside, we detail our results that contrasting DMP's system to other typical residential and small business intrusion alarm systems.

Strengths

DMP's XR150 has some advantages over the competition, especially compared to other those common in the residential market:

  • Commercial Grade Design: Despite being a 'small system' panel, the XR150 includes high-end features like access control, commercial fire, home automation, and remote app support in the base platform with no additional modules needed. DMP also employs rugged, heavy gauge locking enclosures, full size screw terminals, high power outputs, and supervised zone support. DMP systems are able to use a broad arrangement of standard wired sensors and integrates with multiple wired formats, including DMP's own proprietary line of two-way wireless.
  • Multiple Programming Options: DMP offers several different methods of programming systems, through use of local keypads, cell connected smartphones, or via PC based software.  Regardless of keypad model, programming and operation process is consistent and the same, verified by our tests using multiple methods. Remote programming a DMP system is possible after a local installer physically places it at a site, and remote commissioning a DMP XR series system usually takes less than five minutes.
  • Two-Way Wireless: While wireless intrusion sensors are nothing unique, DMP uses 900 MHz Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum, bi-directional wireless that is resistant to common jamming or exploits in contrast to unprotected other systems vulnerable as detailed widely published hacks. In our test, two way communication was evidenced both by keypad notifications and by receiver confirmation status LEDs.

Weaknesses

However, DMP's offering has some drawbacks that are routinely minimized or avoided by competitors in the intrusion market:

  • Installation Intensive: Putting together a DMP system, even a small one, takes care and attention in both ordering and install. The range of options, connections, and configurations needed are rather complex and 'plug & play' installations will not be typical.
  • Pricing: In the ultra-competitive intrusion market, DMP is often at the high-end of pricing for intrusion systems, and DMP's panel cost alone often exceeds the entire system cost of common residential 'move-in specials' from national alarm companies. DMP pricing is set by dealers, but unlike national alarm companies that heavily amortize hardware costs with long mandatory contracts, DMP is much more likely to be sold on with hardware quoted and bought up front, easily in the $500 - $750 range for smaller systems.
  • Power Hungry: Due to the standard, power-hungry options needed when using DMP for access control or connecting other hardware based options, installing secondary power supplies may be needed.  Moreover, trouble caused by under-powered options may be difficult to troubleshoot without advanced tech support.
  • High Skill Required: In general, a high-volume installer looking for a 'blow and go' system to quickly install and move to the next job is likely going to be intimidated by the number of configuration options and potential adjustments needed to fully configure a DMP system.

Competitive Comparison

In terms of features and hardware design, DMP is at the high-end of intrusion platforms, matching the features of Bosch G-Series or Ademco. Unlike platforms optimized for residential installs, like 2Gig, a DMP system requires additional wireless modules, but the platform includes management apps for home automation at no additional cost.

DMP is priced comparatively high to entry level residential systems, and given the basic features needed from most intrusion platforms, less expensive and equally capable offerings from providers like DSC and 2Gig kits offered by alarm companies will be more appealing for basic intrusion systems.

However, for many commercial applications, DMP's higher cost is competitive considering 'power features' like access control are included in the base price.

Sensor support and institutional certifications for DMP matches commercial standards, and can use most central station monitoring companies.

DMP's XTLPlus "Small" System

A member noted that DMP's XTLPlus platform is a better offset to compare against 2Gig self-contained GC2 platforms. A quick overview of the XTLPlus system shows:

  • 48 Pre-integrated wireless zones
  • 230+ ZWave device support
  • Battery Backup
  • Graphic Keypad support/auto enrollment
  • Uses DMP's Remote Apps

In contrast to the 'commercial grade' XR series, the XTLPlus cuts out hardwired options, commercial rate fire, access control, and commercial grade certifications. 

DMP is Dealer Only

While many intrusion platforms are available from distributors, DMP is only sold and serviced by factory trained dealers. DMP requires a $10,000 dealer buy-in, with sales commitments every month.  While dealers are not geographically limited where they are allowed to sell, the lofty commitments keeps overall dealer counts low, avoiding market over-saturation but limiting potential end-user dealer choice.

Test System Details

The DMP system IPVM tested was composed of an XR150 panel, both an alphanumeric keypad and touchscreen keypad equipped with prox readers, and an 1100X wireless receiver with wireless PIR sensor.

Of note, this assortment was not sold like traditional intrusion kits, and the siren, sensors, keypad(s), and batteries.  Users and installers will need to specify and buy them from DMP separately.  

Physical Overview

The DMP alarm panel we tested is an 10-zone master board installed inside a steel can enclosure. The XR150 we tested is expandable up to 142 hardwired zones and 100 wireless zones, although larger panel models like the XR350 and XR550 can be expanded up to 550+ zones.

The printed circuit board is equipped with a standard size CR-2032 clock battery and a hard-soldiered RJ45 ethernet jack.

The standard enclosure furnished with the panel we test includes room for two 16 hardwired zone expanders, and space for three 12 VDC 4 - 5 AH batteries. However, enclosures are available in six+ sizes, and the larger cabinet-sized enclosure can be configured to hold multiple shelves of batteries and many expanders.

The video below overviews the panel:

Additionally, the main panel memory stores 12k events, 10k user codes, and includes access control and home automation management support without additional licensing. The base door count supported by the XR150 is for eight doors, but this can be expanded to 96 doors in bigger versions.

System Programming

The XR Series supports several programming methods:

  • Keypad: The most manual programming methods are based on entering codes and changing system settings via locally connected keypad. We tested two keypads, DMP's LCD alphanumeric and graphic touchscreen units. Process flow, display labels, and prompts are generally 'plain language' codes that are easy to understand and follow.
  • RemoteLink Software: A dealer-only PC configuration tool, free software using a mouse driven utility to create or duplicate configurations and downloaded to panels
  • Programming App: A third method typically uncommon in intrusion is using a smartphone or tablet based programming app that communicates with the panel via cell communication module typically used to connect the system to a central station.

The video below describes and shows programming via RemoteLink, which is organized for dealers to create, duplicate, and store all the DMP panel programs a dealer commissions:

Even when using the keypad, a typical 4 - 16 zone residential system will take less than one hour to fully program, label, and test. This is a sharp contrast to similar commercial systems like Vista that make heavy use of numerical codes and messages via limited alpha keypad displays.

The screenshot below details the spartan-looking, basic remote app:

Despite the plain and ragged appearance, the app includes the controls needed to fully commission a panel.

Keypad Options

We tested both of DMP's basic keypad options. The image below shows them both side-by-side:

The older, less expensive, yet physically larger 'Thinline [link no longer available]' LCD keypad is a multi-color alphanumeric keypad, with alarms and system notifications given in 32-digit messages. The overall performance and appearance of the keypad is on-par, and not significantly different than other similar alarm keypads.

The smaller, more expensive graphic touchscreen offers an app-like interface familiar to most modern users. A rotating menu of options scrolls on the right half of the screen, with the primary 'arm/disarm' function largely available on the left.  An option to emulate the traditional keypad layout is an option, that essentially recreates the LCD keypad layout on screen.

The following video overviews the touchscreen keypad:

Integrated Access Control

The XR series also includes basic electronic access control support. The keypads we tested both include an integrated 125 kHz HID or DMP format card reader. Even if not used for door access, the reader input option permits users to flash a card to arm/disarm a system, although the system keypads also include output connections for integrating door strikes or maglock contacts. 

With a DMP based access system, the keypad serves the functions of a door controller, and the typical installation close and on the secured side of the door closely resembles edge-based access.

However, compared to most dedicated access platforms, DMP's onboard management tools are basic and difficult to navigate. Adding users is often a multi-step process requiring several different elements to be managed including codes, profiles, individual doors, and schedules. Activity is not displayed in a graphic/map form, and real-time events must be polled before they can be seen.

DMP access will appeal most to small system users seeking basic 'keycard' support on a few perimeter doors, but those seeking more powerful management and heavy integration will need to use other platforms.

Alarming Process

Notification of tripped alarms is audible via connected siren and keypad sounders, but DMP keypads also change to a 'red' color to indicate trouble.  The animation below is an example of the color shift from green to red:

With any DMP keypad, disarming is only possible when a user code is entered (which is then logged by the system), but arming is possible with single keypad strokes.

DMP keypads include an optional user verification delay prompt, where if an alarm is triggered, a delay and prompt is activated by entering a user's code and cancelling the alarm before it is sent to the monitoring central station.  That process looks like the flow below:

If no 'cancel' command is issued, the system sends the alarm to the central station without user intervention.  If used, the feature could be used to mitigate false alarms and errant police dispatches, and is a feature not supported by other intrusion systems.

Secure Wireless

We tested a panel-bus integrated wireless receiver and a motion PIR to see if DMP's 2-way wireless lagged or was delayed compared to the typical single-traffic direction methods used in other platforms. Our test did not turn up a significant delay in triggering events, nor did coverage distances typical to a single-story house or small office have any issue. Our test covered up to 250', however the 1100X spec sheet claims up to 1000'.  For longer ranges, DMP recommends a more expensive but 'high power' model.

The video below provides a quick overview of these findings:

The physical size of the receiver is quite large, especially the length of the fixed dual antennas.  The overall length mandates mounting external of enclosures and on open wall spaces, or otherwise selecting the panel based card version.  The unit itself is not gasketed or seal and must be hung in a protected area.

In terms of wireless security, DMP flatly rejects their wireless is vulnerable to common jamming attacks. While not part of our testing, DMP claims if the receiver detects jamming tampering, it sends alarm notifications to the keypad and is treated similarly to a break-in event.

System Pricing 

DMP is a dealer-limited brand, and channel controls are are fairly tight with few factory products listed even the 'grey' market or online.  Buying DMP requires using an installing dealer, and tech support is limited those the channel.

Pricing is typically at the upper end of intrusion offerings. The XR150 panel alone has a street price of ~$350, which does not include other standard features like keypads, door/window contacts, horn, and motion sensor parts. Total 'all-in' price for a small 4 zone, ten device system could exceed $700, especially if wired devices or home automation is integrated.

Contrasted with offerings like Vista or DSC, whose general cost is 35% - 50% less than DMP, the system is mostly appealing in higher-end residential and commercial customers rather than the low-end 'door knocker' systems sold by many national alarm companies.

Remote App

DMP provides a free, app-based remote control for the XR series called "Virtual Keypad" that is available for iOS, Apple TV, and Android. Using the app requires a cellular communicator module and monthly service fees, usually at $10-$15 per month, but offers remote use and visibility of the DMP alarm system, and any associated 'smarthome' Z Wave devices and DMP's cloud video service.

 

Integration Options

In the commercial space, DMP lists ~20 mainstream commercial integration partners, including VMS and Access Platform vendors like Genetec, SoftwareHouse, Verint, S2, and AMAG.

However, DMP offers their own 'PSIM-lite' platform named Entre' that combines DMP with a number of vendors in a custom API-based map layout based application.  Overall, supported vendors in Entre' are fewer than for DMP in other platforms listed as 'integration partners'.

Central Station Monitoring Options

DMP panels can be centrally monitored by the majority of central stations, as they use common Contact ID [link no longer available] formats for POTS phone line connections.  These formats are widely supported by central station providers, with no major coverage gaps in monitoring in any portion of North America and in most of the globe.

However, if networked or cellular connections are used for monitoring, central stations must purchase the DMP-specific SCS-1 receiver. Many DMP dealers prefer using central stations with those receivers regardless, because the receiver supports proprietary DMP formats, to avoid transmission discrepancies that may require multiple manual entry of each zone during commissioning.

While central station support of DMP format is not universal, it is not uncommon, and most geographic areas contain multiple monitoring options supporting it.

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