sixwheeledbeast

I fail to see the difference between a remote and app for controlling the TV. In fact I would say it's more convenient to have an IR remote that can stay in the room and not have to jump through account registration, privacy policy and biometrics tripe to setup a new TV. As for the lights, I see point in having different themes and modes for a large house so something like Lutron makes sense. In reality you need lights for occupancy and lights for presence either of these can be done without a Smart app as I posted above. In using OpenHAB you have no concerns of privacy leakage via third parties, I would say that's worth the setup time, I agree that many of the public would disagree however that's up to them. It's supply and demand with these smart devices, if Amazon/Google/Whoever make a product that is easy and anyone can use, then that is a larger consumer base to obtain and sell analytical data from. This allows them to make new product to keep demand thriving. Lazy is the wrong way to look at it IMO. Automation should be a network suite of tools for efficiency, not the height of laziness. At this point the term "smart-*" is far from smart.

Be a good idea to have it checked over if it's hasn't been looked at in years. Battery and possibly PSU will be shot if it's never been serviced. Don't want it waking all the neighbours up at 3am. You can change the user code yourself if you can enter the code to get into the menu.

Kinda makes me think this isn't UK. I'd say smoke screen system is a good way forward.

More expensive than a half decent sounder from SW?

Point being, I think you need to look at the bigger picture.

Consider the security exploits found in these smart devices on a daily basis, then consider they are connected to your security system... Consumer grade boxes that plug into the internet shouldn't be trusted with the keys to your security systems, it proves a single point of failure. Security is about layers. CCTV stuff I fit is from trade only wholesalers. Being able to have a look at your house is of little use when your nowhere near site. Are you going to watch this app 24/7, or just show people down the pub? Good quality reliable and correctly installed CCTV can be nice to have, but not worth cutting the budget on the other security first is my point here. This is where a risk assessment done by someone knowledgable is worth it's salt. Any decent installer can look at the property and assess what you need, rather than just chuck tat boxes on the wall which serve at best as a mild deterrent.

When was the alarm last serviced? Have you replaced the standby battery in the control panel recently? It may seem to arm/disarm fine but without operational checks you may not know until it fails to operate.

I have explained the best way forward. Replacing your bell would be a waste of time and energy even if you can find a like for like replacement.

That type of bell hasn't been manufactured in many decades. Replace for an SAB of your choosing you may find a model with the aesthetics your looking for. If you need help with the wiring upload a picture of the panel end terminals and we can try and point you in the right direction. https://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/intruder-alarm-c-36/sounders-c-36_45/

Forget all that keyfob and Google Home rubbish, have yourself some quotes for a decent wired alarm fitted properly. You could potentially wire it yourself to keep cost down if you approve this with the installer first. Consider the deterrent factor of a external sounder with an approved company on. As for CCTV I personally avoid both Dahua and Hik, very often CCTV is not fit for purpose on many domestics, better to spend more on the intruder and physical security first IMO.

Wouldn't provide me with much confidence. NVM could be on the way out. I am all for maintaining a fully working system but if your getting problems at that age it's time to consider controls replacement.

Seems odd to have an error on Z12 if you have no expander cards on the system (4 zones)

You can fit G3 gear but you can't make it conform to G3.

If it doesn't charge the battery I would consider the panel as not operational, it's one of the main functions that would be checked on a annual service. The panel has done it's job, proping it up with another supply will only create more issues down the line. Have the controls replaced and a full system check while your at it. SLA standby batteries last around 4 years and the external sounder battery may likely be shot if not replaced since installation.

Cisco HP Netgear Draytek... I'd expect to be looking around 230 for a Netgear without fibre ports more for the others. If it doesn't need any features then Netgear would do, most are managed at that size.

It's all relative. I went out to someone last week with a 2 year old Yale thing fitted by a spark that now will not support it for her. I explained the pros and cons, it's booked in for fitting a wired system after Christmas.

Most Pyronix boxes of all eras have the need some tweaking with the box tamper spring/leaf somehow.

If it sounded outside the lid opened.

If it's a "Texecom" box one solid light indicates a fault. It may not be a Texecom one, however possibly a good idea to have your system checked over if it hasn't been done.

Not very helpful posting a picture of something that's not yours when asking for help... Good luck with your Agility certainly not something I would fit, if the above system was yours i probably keep it instead.

Yes to fully decommission a system you will have to get up to the external sounder. Looks like like the panel and possibly bell has been recently swapped, going from the colour of the plastic, the iconic keys, the hold-off working and the paint over where the original panel was. Does the current system work? What would you replace it with?

So you need only one Area and one Part Set within that Area. Hall will be Access Zone Type. Quick Arm is in keypad Options and you press Area.

Why do I want something listening to everything I say to offer a reaction? People have lost the idea of automation. Devices should know what to do automatically, I don't need a pet.

North American market AFAIK. I still see most of this stuff as a gimmick, with the potential for security issues. Most automation I would use can be done either via custom outputs on an alarm or simple relays, contactors, photocells and timers. Anything more fancy I would consider looking at GPIO on a SBC, at least you can ensure the thing you connect to the internet is up to date with the latest security patches.

...or just over saturated with other brands of voice activated tat. https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/18/11/28/0332219/lowes-to-sell-off-its-under-performing-iris-smart-home-automation-business