Thursday, July 26, 2018

Part 1: Here are Two Alternatives for A simple Doorbell With Video Intercoms

An advanced solution (that of Panasonic, about 600 €, excluding installation), and a more accessible and more modern (the Ring, about 300 €, to install yourself): make your choice but think about if you have to replace your bell. As much to make it a little more "smart".

You must have noticed that any small everyday electronic device could now connect to the network and suddenly become "smart". By this we mean that it becomes intelligent because it is connected and therefore remotely controllable, often using a smartphone.

This rule also fits the doorbell of houses, called "carillon" in good French. And it would be a shame not to take advantage of it, not to make more intelligent one of the objects that we use almost every day, whether we are the one who rings or the one who hears the bell.

Two examples - very different from each other in terms of form, but not at the level of the bottom - will allow you to see more clearly.

wifi doorbell

The Rolls of the video intercom
You probably do not know, but the Japanese manufacturer Panasonic is one of the most famous brands in video intercom. And this is normal, its range is primarily for professionals, electricians/electronics, home automation specialists.

That said, it seemed important to us to mention one of the latest models, the VL-SVN511. This is a traditional video intercom system (wired, so), to which Panasonic has added a touch of connectivity.

The installation is not necessarily within the reach of everyone, but with the explicit documentation in French, a few meters of cables (not supplied, because it depends on the distance between your door/barrier and your stay, but that we cost 5 € for 20 meters), a plug and a screwdriver, it will only take a few hours to install everything: the intercom, the monitor, the transformer and the relay.

This is also why Panasonic does not address individuals directly. However, do not hesitate to do it yourself or ask your electrician to install the models of the Japanese manufacturer, because they are known for their reliability and long life. An alarm installer has confirmed that 20 years later, Panasonic cameras and intercoms still work ...

Panasonic's video intercom works ... like a video intercom. We press the single button of the doorkeeper and it sounds the main monitor, where we can see who is at the door with the camera (very, very) wide angle: 170 ° horizontally, and 130 ° vertically. The image is good and even if your interlocutor is on the side, you will see it clearly. You are free to ignore the bell or press the 'TALK' button to chat. It is also possible to open the door remotely if you have an electric strike that also connects to the main monitor (via the relay).


Traditional, but with options
If we talk about this interphone, it's because it has some significant additional options. First, it systematically records multiple images each time someone presses the wifi doorbell. This allows knowing, the evening for example, if people rang your door, if indeed the factor tried to make you sign the recommended or if it slipped it directly in the mailbox, etc. These images are searchable on the main monitor, whose screen is not tactile, alas, and navigation a little archaic. Once again, Panasonic relies on reliability and durability, more than on special features or a trendy interface.


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