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Comcast Launches 'Xfinity Home' in Bay Area
About Half of Comcast Markets Now See Security & Home Services
by Karl Bode
Friday Mar 30 2012 09:03 EDT

ISPs like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon have long dreamed about getting into the smart home business, where nearly every service connected to the home (TV, Internet, Voice, Security, home networking) is provided by them. That may not work in an age where customers are looking for ways to save money -- not add new services and prices onto increasingly bloated bills. Still, the carriers continue to try.

Comcast this week expanded their smart home and security service into the Bay Area. From a San Francisco Chronicle adver-story for the service:
quote:
Comcast will charge a $40 monthly fee for the service, which will include 24-hour security monitoring and remote access to lighting and thermostat controls. The company will charge customers who want to record and view video feeds from their home an additional $5-a-month fee. Comcast is requiring customers of the service to sign a three-year contract. To promote the service, Comcast is offering free installation of the related equipment to customers who sign up before the end of May. After that, the company will charge $200 for standard installation. In both cases, the company charges extra to install cameras and additional sensors.
Roughly about half of Comcast's markets now have the service available as an option, but we've yet to see any hard subscriber totals for the service -- so it's not clear if it's appealing to users. Have any readers signed up for the service?

tags: business · alternatives · cable · consumers · Xfinity
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Comcast Launches 'Xfinity Home' in Bay Area

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kerya666
join:2002-12-20
Valrico, FL

kerya666

Member

2012-Mar-30 10:02 am

The new thing?

I believe Bright House started advertising for alike service as well. Honestly I am kind of confused what they mainly push here the security service or house automation and connectivity? I looked through »www.comcast.com/homesecu ··· ect=true and everything seems to be extra so to have a fully functional and complete system you will still spend $$$$.

I personally have bad thoughts about cable company monitoring my house, and storing video feeds of the cameras and having control of my appliances. They should have an option of it being completely removed from Comcast system and controls. Last thing I want to do is trust a sketchy cable company with my security...just IMHO.
They also list no specs on cameras or any of the equipment at that; how do they perform at night? I can go buy cheap "security package" from Costco that's complete garbage too and call it "security".
2012-Mar-30 10:02 am: ·

ctg1701a
join:2008-08-07
Media, PA

ctg1701a

Member

2012-Mar-30 12:55 pm

Re: The new thing?

The monitoring service is actually over broadband with a cellular backup that is included in the costs, and alarms go to a third party security monitoring service that is very good and usually a call back for an alarm is within seconds since it does not use pots lines. I have personally helped develop and I have also used the service for several years in my own home, and it works very well.

As for cameras there are several versions including one that does night vision that is both indoor and outdoor capable. I think you bring up a very good point on specs for these devices, and I will see about having them updated so its more clear for people that are interested.

As for buying a security package at Costco, I guess you get what you pay for.

Thanks
Chris
Comcast
2012-Mar-30 12:55 pm: ·
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
EARTH

BiggA

Premium Member

2012-Mar-30 1:40 pm

Re: The new thing?

For the cameras, Swann security has some pretty nice gear you can get online and install yourself. Get the right baluns, use CAT-5, and you're upgradable to IP when that becomes practical.
2012-Mar-30 1:40 pm: ·

Interested
@comcast.net

Interested to ctg1701a

Anon

2012-Mar-30 2:50 pm

to ctg1701a
Does the monitoring service require a specific Comcast modem/router or can I continue to use the customer owned modem and router that I currently have for Comcast internet? Also, I have a fairly high-end Carrier Infinity thermostat with hybrid heat controls and soft start; does use of the remote thermostat operation require replacement of that thermostat?
2012-Mar-30 2:50 pm: ·
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
EARTH

BiggA

Premium Member

2012-Mar-30 1:38 pm

Long term

This will make no sense. It's like a subsidized phone, but at least there you get a new and shiny one in two years. Here, you just keep paying and paying and paying.

Video can easily be done with no monthly fees with gear on the internet, and security probably can be too.

The 3-year contract alone is $1440. That's pretty insane! You could buy a lot of stuff online for $1440.

Also, I'm not sure I would trust Comcast to be doing security stuff. I'd rather have an actual alarm company who knows what they're doing do it.
2012-Mar-30 1:38 pm: ·
BiggA

BiggA

Premium Member

2012-Mar-30 1:44 pm

Re: Long term

The price looks like it goes up FAST. They include a few sensors. Most houses that would subscribe to a service like this

A) Already have one from an alarm company
B) Need a LOT of sensors, motion detectors, etc.
2012-Mar-30 1:44 pm: ·

IowaCowboy
Iowa native
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA
kudos:1

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

2012-Mar-30 5:32 pm

A little pricy

I was thinking of getting Xfinity home and had an install scheduled for my duplex but I decided to go with a local security company at half the cost since I already have a security system I installed myself and did not need to be tied to a contract. As a matter of fact, the system was activated today. I am also breaking my triple play and going with Verizon landline for home phone to make the system more reliable since the security panel battery lasted through the entire time my power was out (three days last October) whereas the EMTA battery died several hours after the power went out.
2012-Mar-30 5:32 pm: ·

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4

dvd536

Premium Member

2012-Mar-30 10:20 pm

Sorry, we can't. . . . .

call the police as you're over your cap this billing period
2012-Mar-30 10:20 pm: ·


How about ..