You heard about DSC as the forefront of security and monitoring technology but what you might not know is the humble origins of DSC as a Telegraph Messenger Service. If you heard about DSC as the forefront of security and monitoring technology for over 125 years, then you should know as well that their security systems are highly sophisticated, and that DSC offer unparalleled service and their superior DSC alarm systems are what you’ve come to expect. But what you might not know is the humble origins of DSC as a Telegraph Messenger Service. So how would a DSC alarm system fit in the picture? Read on and follow the path the DSC alarm system took in history.

Though the American District Telegraph (ADT) is formed through the affiliation of 57 district telegraph delivery companies in around 1874, it is with the advent of advanced Call Boxes and multisignal electric protection system in the early 1890s that DSC became a preeminent security protection company. Before, DSC function much as their name implies, telegraph service. These call boxes (electric signal devices) allow interactive communication between customers and ADT. And as an outcrop of the business and to further the development of the call boxes innovation, DSC started providing security and protection services to a varied clientele. Therefore, you can safely assume that the parent of DSC alarm system would be the call boxes.

These multisignal Call Boxes allowed watchmen at businesses to do more than just signal for police or fire department assistance, they also allow watchmen to send a specific signal to the DSC office, at designated times, to let the monitoring office know that all was well. And if a district office didn’t receive its scheduled signal, DSC protocol was always to assume something is amiss, and help was promptly dispatched.

It was in 1910 to 1930, under the leadership of AT&T that DSC began to really shed its telegraph messenger service roots to concentrate fully on signal, security and protection service. In a very short time, DSC became synonymous with emergency call systems. It was also this time when the respected line of DSC alarm systems went out of production.

When war broke out, the resulting domestic manpower shortage drove the demand for better DSC alarm systems that would not only detect problems, but signal an alarm automatically. In essence, a cry for an automated DSC alarm system was made. Because DSC provided a unique integration of systems and services, it was a logical step for the company to create these automatic systems. As a result, automated DSC alarm systems such ass the Teletherm automatic fire detections system, the Telewave automatic intrusion system surfaced.

The following decades DSC continued the technological breakthroughs of the century, introducing a whole slew DSC alarm systems such as the wireless Safewatch systems, including the Plus RF and the Custom RF models; the state-of-the-art integrated Focus system line, and a variety of access control and closed circuit television (CCTV) products.

DSC Power 832 Security Alarm
Being New to Home Alarm installation/programming, this was a feat in itself for me. Programming was a pain, the DLS software is a must. Thank goodness I have a friend who knows the DSC system well, or I'd still be tried to program the thing. Added the wireless module to it chose it over the wireless all in one setup, didn't like the idea of yanking the unit out of the wall to kill it. Anyways, love the sleek look, functions and expandability.

If you were hoping for a big update from the previous DSC Power 832, prepare to be disappointed. Sure you can plod through programming from the more expensive keypads, but the computer interface is still good-old 1980's serial port. I had to look high and low for a computer old enough to support DSC's outdated system to load their 'newest' 2002 DLS software. USB would have been a thoughtful (if not competitive) upgrade for the 'new' models.

For the price we are very pleased with all the features and versatility of this unit. Fairly easy to install. Programming instructions are a bit pretty difficult to follow at first- But no problem after you get the hang of it. We highly recommend going to the DSC website and downloading all the manuals- there are 3 in total- It helps with the programming.

Replaced my old system with this one and I'm very pleased with it. I will add that I'm a do-it-yourselfer, not an alarm tech, and found the programming instructions to be somewhat confusing. So, I had to call tech support for help. The Home Security Store Tech Support people were great! They were pleasant, knowledgeable and easy to work with. They had me up and running in no time. I'd recommend the Home Security Store to friends.

This works great, there were no normally open contacts in the sensor that came with it. The unit does program easily if you follow the steps. I would have no problem buying another one for my house.

DSC 832 Systems Are Great
I installed the DCS system in my son's home about a year ago. It was so easy to hard wire and program that I purchased the same system for my own home. My wife loves it and feels very safe at night.......The customer support at THE HOME SECURITY STORE was a blessing. I you’re just a little bit handy, you can install this system....

The DSC 1832 is an upgraded version of the DSC POWER 832 system. I think that the system itself is just fabulous... especially considering the cost. However, I must protest the replacement of the Programming Manuals that accompanied the 832 System with Huge Sheets of paper.. The Manuals at least had a FLOW which made it easier to follow as compared to the large difficult to navigate Programming Sheets that replaced the Manuals. For the infrequent user (My 8th system over a 3.5 year period) I think that the bulky Sheets in multi language format are at best difficult to use in the field. I suppose that a tabletop programming session prior to installing the panel would simplify the final programming. That however seems like an unnecessary and time consuming task. In addition the print size was made painfully small to fit on a 16 by 24 inch sheet. It is so small that for those of us with eyesight of lesser than 10/20 need a magnifying glass further adding to the inconvenience. It should be noted however that The Home Security Store still runs a First Class Tech Service and is still great in helping to overcome the confusion as it is encountered in the field. I would, and will continue to purchase and install DSC Security Systems from the Home Security Store!

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The only good side to this system is the price. Other than that, this system is very difficult to program, and the keypad is not ideal for first time users. Keypad is very difficult to understand that they mean with unfriendly signs and lights. Rather get basic led lighted keypad... should be much easier to use. It takes good 2-3 evenings to figure out how to program this system fully. Be sure to keep this manual handy because you'll need them to reprogram for any other reason. I recommend GE NX series instead...much easier to program and use.