Which video intercom to choose?.
Which video intercom to choose?
Video intercom in a city apartment
The optimal option for installing an individual video intercom in a city apartment involves the presence of space on the landing, fenced off by an additional metal door. In this case, the main call unit is installed behind the additional door. The door is equipped with a remotely controlled electromagnetic latch or a magnetic lock. When installing a magnetic lock, it is advisable to install a door closer. Depending on the configuration of the landing, either an additional call unit or a miniature video camera is installed inside the fenced space, providing visibility inside the fenced space.
If there is an agreement between the neighbors on the floor, it is much more convenient to install a special low-subscriber call block with a separate call button for each apartment. Unlike multi-subscriber (entrance) systems, standard monitors of an individual video intercom are used here, which allows for partial use of already installed equipment in such a system. All other components are the same as in the previous example.
Of course, in all cases, in order to reduce costs, you can refuse to install an electric lock and (or) an additional video camera. In my opinion, with this approach, the video intercom loses most of its useful qualities as a security element and turns into a toy.
Video intercom in a country house
In most cases, the optimal composition of video intercom equipment for a country house will be almost the same as in the case of a single-apartment video intercom. But there are some features. In order for a video intercom in a country house to become a full-fledged part of an electronic security system, additional conditions must be met. For example, steel bars or roller shutters/blinds on the windows provide the owner of the house with additional time to take protective measures if an intruder tries to break in. Without these simple elements, the video intercom simply turns into a toy.
The main calling device is installed near the entrance gate of the garden plot, equipped with a remote-controlled lock. In most cases, due to the lack of a more or less serious fence, this lock serves mainly as protection from drafts and stray dogs. Therefore, this part of the system serves rather as a service device, relieving the owner of the need to leave the house in bad weather to open the gate for a visitor.
Even in specialized sources, one can come across the opinion that intercom call units and electric locks do not work reliably in outdoor conditions. In this regard, some «experts» even suggest abandoning the use of these devices altogether. I will allow myself to categorically disagree with such views. Indeed, we do not refuse, for example, to use a car, scooter, snowmobile or jet ski just because these mechanisms require periodic refueling with consumables and maintenance.
Many years of experience in outdoor installation of video intercoms allows us to conclude that the reliability of an outdoor video intercom with a controlled lock is 80% determined by professional installation and 20% by timely maintenance. And the user must decide how necessary these costs are.
Additional features and non-standard options
In a small city apartment or a small country house, there is usually no need for any extensions. A large garden plot with several buildings on it or a multi-level apartment is another matter. In these cases, it is common practice to install one or more additional monitors to control the call device and the lock from different points of the house or apartment.
If there are two entrance doors or wickets, dual-input monitors provide control of two locks at the user's choice. If a multi-apartment digital audio intercom is installed in the house, the video intercom monitor can be used instead of the audio intercom handset. To do this, you need to install a special interface device. There are monitor models that already have such a device built in.
Another addition can be a memory block that stores from 16 to 64 frames of images of visitors when pressing the call button. It is necessary to take into account that when the mains voltage is disconnected, the memory is erased. Therefore, in order for the video memory block to be not just a toy, but an element of the security system, it is necessary to provide an uninterruptible power supply in the system. We are talking about standard memory devices built into the video intercom monitor or purchased as an attachment to it. You can also use separate storage devices with non-volatile flash memory. Currently, such devices are produced with a memory capacity of up to 170 frames. Sometimes customers ask to duplicate the image from the door video camera on the TV screen. This problem is easily solved by installing a special device — a TV signal modulator. The video signal, transferred to a high frequency, is mixed into the house or apartment distribution network together with the signal from the TV antenna.
In the case of a country house, a significant part of the cost can be underground connecting lines between the elements of the system.