What is a video intercom?
A video intercom system allows you to see who is at the front door before you open it. A small camera and microphone attached to a unit that sits discreetly near the door, usually incorporating the doorbell and these send a sound and video pictures back to a monitoring station in the house where you can see who is calling. Strictly speaking a video intercom system is way for two people to talk directly to each other, using a closed system. That is, without using any public communication channels such as the cell network or the landline telephone network. However what most people think of when they see the words video intercom is actually a door entry system, the type that is commonly found in apartments that are becoming increasingly popular for types of properties.
If you do want to open the door remotely using video intercom you need to purchase an extra component called a door strike. The door strike is an electrically controlled lock which you can release by pressing a button once you know who is on the other side of the door. This is particularly useful for people who are not very mobile as they don't have to get up and is usually used to control entry to apartments. The installation of a door strike is more involved because you have to remove the old lock and provide power to the new lock because of this you need to have some DIY smarts or know someone who does to use one.
Some monitoring stations contain a camera meaning if you start to get really serious you can even connect multiple monitors and use them as an intercom system inside your house before most people this level of implementation is usually unnecessary. It is possible to use a video intercom system in conjunction with fake security cameras to make the caller think they are also being recorded. This is only really a requirement for the very paranoid but a fake security camera can be a deterrent for burglars to.
Tags: video intercom system, fake security camera, home security
August 19, 2010
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