I think Brinks/Broadview security recently got acquired by ADT. I was just in the market for a new alarm system for the house. I had a smaller local company that farms the monitoring out (like a lot of smaller companies). I had a problem with my panel and they wanted to charge me an arm and a leg for a new one. I have a slightly older system that uses screen sensors in addition to the normal entry way sensors. That allows the house to be armed without the need for motion sensors. We have a radio backup (cheaper than cellular backup) in case the lines get cut. Finally the original company gave in and dropped the price (significantly) after we told them to remove their stuff.
In my previous house (which we bought because we got broken into at the house before that), I set up the layout of the house myself. I just told the techs what I wanted and they complied. I had criss-crossing motion sensors, and all entry ways were covered. My akita added an extra layer of protection. We had cellular backup in case the lines were cut.
As for adding your own stuff, I don't believe that any company is going to like that idea. Basically, they are responsible for ensuring your system works properly and they can't guarantee that with stuff that does not belong to them. You could always add web cams or a dvr yourself that is not tied into the system.
ADT offered us a bunch of stuff with one of their packages. It allows remote access from any smart phone or computer connected to the internet. It has the capability to integrate with web cams and can also turn on lights or fixtures. Its seemed pretty cool, but it isn't cheap.
Good luck and good decision going with an alarm company. The noise will scare off most intruders and the advanced warning will allow you to take care of those that aren't scared off by the noise. Be sure to request a panic code and a panic password in the case of a home invasion style break in. This has actually happened in Miami of the past few years and the intruders force the home owners to turn off the alarm system. The panic code and panic password are an indication to send in the calvary.
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The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!
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