Choosing the best intercom to control access to the house

Despite the fact that intercoms have become very common, many users still do not know what criteria they should use to select this practical device. Let's try to figure out what you should pay attention to when choosing and buying an intercom, so as not to regret a hasty decision later.

Design

It is clear that you want to choose an intercom that is perfect for the interior. However, it is better to address the choice of the appearance of the intercom after you decide on the necessary set of its functional characteristics. In other words, when choosing an intercom, it is advisable to look for a design for the desired capabilities of the intercom device, and not vice versa. Fortunately, in any price range, the choice is quite wide in taste and colour.

Speaks and shows the intercom

It is better to pay attention to the intercom design after how to decide on the necessary set of functions

First things first, decide on the basic functionality of the intercom. Do you just need to hear the visitor, or do you still need the opportunity to see him? Simple voice intercoms, allowing only to hear the visitor, are much simpler and cheaper than video models. If the benchmark is the most economical option, then the choice is definitely for an audio intercom, such as Commax DP-4VHP , Kocom KDP-601A , Kenwei KW-110 SET , portable model Slinex RD-20 etc.

However, for all its price advantages, a purely voice model has an important drawback: the user cannot see the interlocutor. In turn, the voice quality of audio intercoms, especially the cheaper ones, does not always allow you to accurately identify even a familiar visitor by voice. And such voice communication turns out to be very “deceptive”. If there are gullible children or elderly people in the house, and there is simply a desire to equip the house with a modern device, it is better to prefer a video intercom that shows the image of the interlocutor.

Analogue or digital

IP intercoms allow you to send notifications from the intercom to your mobile gadget owner, transmit image and even sound from the camera

Most intercoms on the market are analogue. There is nothing wrong with that. At the same time, there are digital IP intercoms that can be connected to a local network. The disadvantage of IP solutions is that when the network does not work for some reason, the intercom does not work either, and this is a significant disadvantage. The advantage of such systems is the ability to send notifications from the intercom via the Internet to anywhere in the world to the same mobile gadget of the owner, transfer the image from the camera there, and even two-way voice communication. That is, while on a business trip, you can see who is ringing the doorbell to his wife. And even exchange a few words with him. IP intercoms are available in different price segments - from inexpensive ARNY AVD-720M Wi-Fi , Dahua DH-VTH1560B to highly functional BAS-IP systems that make wallets much easier: BAS-IP AP-07 v3 , BAS-IP AL-09 , BAS-IP AQ-10 v3 and others.

In fairness, we note that analogue intercoms also provide the possibility of remote communication via a wired telephone line, but this already slightly does not correspond to the trends of the times.

Tube, to be or not to be

The handset in the intercom looks a little old-fashioned and in the most modern models, the installation of the handset is not practiced - hands-free mode is used. Audio intercoms without a tube in reality are much more convenient to use than tube ones. At the same time, if the intercom is installed in a place where increased secrecy conditions are observed (security institution, security service, company departments with increased security requirements, etc.) - here the use of an intercom with a handset may be relevant, so that through a speakerphone accidentally or intentionally withholding confidential information. In the latter case, you can purchase a handset intercom or a hands-free intercom model, which provides the optional connection of a handset.

Colour or black and white

It makes no sense to stop the choice on a black and white intercom. These relatives of black-and-white TVs are devices from the past and are perceived as dinosaurs, and they don’t win much in price either. But since there is demand, there is also a good supply: Kocom KVM-301EV , Atis AD-4HP2 , Viatec V-4HP , Kenwei KW-4LT etc.

The cost of a colour video intercom strongly depends on: the size and resolution of the display used, the body materials, the technical capabilities of the model.

Video intercom screen size - large or small

Modern intercoms are additionally capable of playing the role electronic calendar, photo frame, audio player, etc.

A small intercom screen in the region of 3.5-4.5" is relevant for decisions when the selection criterion is a low price. These are models Commax CDV-35A , ARNY AVD-410M , Nous NV4U , Kocom KCV-A374 , Slinex MS-04 and others.

The recommended option is an intercom with a screen of 7-10". Such screens, usually, have not only a larger image area, but also a higher resolution (800x480, 1024x768 and higher). Video intercoms with large screens are presented in a very wide range and price range (depending on functionality): Kocom KCV-504 , ARNY AVD-710M NEW , Kenwei KW-128C , Atis AD-806RO/AT305C , NeoLight Alpha Price from 9 290 up to 20 190 ₴ etc.

In addition, modern models of intercoms also offer LCD touch screens(or install touch buttons) with the most intuitive control and user-friendly graphical interface. If possible, give preference to them, because the convenience and ease of using the intercom is not the last thing in importance. Especially for children and the elderly. Among the available models with touch controls, Slinex XS-07M , ARNY AVD-NG1091 , NeoLight Largo analogue devices. If you are going to use an intercom with support for several cameras, make sure that the model supports the quad mode(or similar) - and then you can see the image from all cameras on the screen at the same time, which is very convenient.

Fixing visitors

Many intercoms allow you to fix visitors. For example, a vigilant intercom will take a picture of everyone who approached the call panel during the absence of the owners of the house. Not too much data is usually placed on the internal memory of the intercom (about 40-150 photos), so many models support the installation of memory cards(usually SD cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB), which take photos or even video recording of visitors. Intercoms with memory card support: DIOS DS-107 , Slinex XS-07M , Commax CDV-70UM Price from 5 542 up to 6 678 ₴, Slinex SL-07IP Price from 8 500 ₴ etc.

Compatibility

Parallel connected intercoms can work in intercom mode

Sometimes it is necessary to purchase a separate intercom for an apartment, but there is a desire to integrate it with the intercom system of an apartment building in order to open the door in the entrance from the device. In this case, you need to be very careful - not every model is suitable, and you need to look for an option compatible with a common house system, usually from the same manufacturer. But separately sold call panels are usually compatible with any intercoms. By the way, sometimes the intercom is equipped with a calling panel, and if one is enough for you, then you won’t have to spend money on additional devices.

Possibility of parallel connection of several intercoms

This feature is relevant for a large private house or apartment. In this case, when you hear the doorbell, you don't have to run headlong to the only intercom panel at the door. To talk to the visitor, you can use any of the nearest parallel connected intercom panels. Often, even in not very expensive models, up to 2 to 4 intercoms can be connected in parallel. Parallel connection allows you to implement another interesting feature - intercom.

Intercom communication

If the intercom function is supported, then connected in parallel intercoms can be used by households or service personnel as intercoms for internal communication within the home. Owners of large multi-room cottages and apartments, especially those with housekeeping staff, will find the intercom function very useful. Intercoms with intercom: Commax CDV-35A , NeoLight Delta , ARNY AVD-709 , Kocom KCV-504 etc.

Connecting additional cameras and outdoor panels

It is possible to connect additional cameras to more expensive models of colour intercoms. What for? Well, for example, if you want to see the situation from the intercom not only near the door, but also in the stairwell, near the elevator, or even look after the car in the parking lot. Additional cameras can be connected to intercoms: Slinex XR-07 , NeoLight Gamma , Kenwei S701 , Atis AD-806RO/AT305C etc.

A video intercom that supports the connection of additional cameras is not much more expensive, but it provides a rather useful opportunity to expand the “horizon” of video monitoring and improve the level of security where necessary.

The option of connecting additional outdoor panels is relevant if there are several entrances in the yard, house or apartment. In this case, the call can be made by the visitor as conveniently as possible - from the calling panel at any entrance. Additional calling panels can be connected to intercoms: Viatec V-4HP , Tantos LILU , NeoLight Kappa Price from 3 699 up to 4 986 ₴, Nous NV8 etc.

Additional functionality

In modern intercoms, various additional features are implemented that expand the functionality of the intercom beyond the usual limits. For example, some video intercoms can play the role of an electronic calendar, photo frame and audio player - NeoLight Alpha Plus. Others - to control home automation like a real "Smart Home": adjust the light, curtains and blinds, maintain the microclimate by controlling the air conditioner, etc. - BAS-IP AL-09 . If you need something more than just an intercom system, pay attention to the additional features of the devices.

We hope that our recommendations will help in choosing the intercom that best meets your needs.