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The Video Intercom
New Technology Adds Pizazzz To The Traditional Home Intercom
A video intercom, by itself or as a part of a home security system, is both very effective and a cost efficient way to add a strong layer of safety to your home.
While a video intercom (you'll also see it referred to as a video door phone or surveillance intercoms) may seem like just another new technology, the ability to identify a visitor before allowing them access to your home is a basic home security need for many individuals and families. And using an inexpensive home intercom to determine the trustworthiness of that visitor can be just as important for your safety as the other elements of your security system.
The real advantage is that a video door intercom system adds a visual element to the traditional voice-only door phone intercom. It enables you to actually see who is at your front door, and communicate with them, before granting access to your home.
In effect, a video intercom works as an audio/visual
security system. Some video entry systems do even more by recording an image of
whoever rings your bell. The integration of a video home intercom with a surveillance
camera system allows the recording of any occurrence or break-in attempt.
This
makes a video intercom system especially valuable to those who might be most vulnerable:
- the elderly
- children who may be alone without parents
for periods of time, such as after school
- women who live alone,
or who may be alone for long periods of time
- the disabled, those
with a debilitating illness
Video Intercom Technology
Video intercoms are not new - they have been around since the 1980's. The early versions were large black & white CRTs used in multi-tenant buildings, and required deep mounting boxes to recess the units into the wall.
Today's video entry systems use surveillance camera technology to give you a clear, wide-angle view of the area around your front door, even in darkness. Compactness is provided by LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology. Color LCD monitors are found in televisions, computer monitors, cell phones, and digital cameras. And its the same technology that lets you watch TV or movies in your car or on an airplane.
The indoor part of the intercom has a built-in 4 - 6 inch LCD monitor (some are color) that automatically turns on when the doorbell button is pressed. The monitor can also be activated by pressing a button on the indoor station, giving you a clear view of your front door area whenever you choose.
The
image is provided by a camera, equipped with night vision, and built into a small
panel located on the outside of your house. In some intercom systems, the camera
viewing angle can be adjusted to compensate for the height of the visitor at your
door.
And as with other security systems, there are both wired and wireless video intercoms on the market. Wireless door phone intercoms avoid the use of dedicated wiring installation, and can be easily moved anywhere in the house. But like other security devices, wireless has its pro and cons.
A video intercom system not only enables an identification of the person at the door, but also serves as a surveillance camera that keeps record of events. The integration of a video home intercom with a surveillance camera system allows the recording of any occurrence or break-in attempt
A video Intercom is very affordable, and offers the tremendous enhancement to your home security system. Imagine the security provided by these folks by never having to open the front door to a total stranger !
Highly Recommended:
There are some
excellent choices in video
door intercoms here
Quality is top-notch, and prices are quite good. You can choose between separate
intercom cameras and monitors, or a complete doorphone packages
For More Information:
For more intercom information, see the section on Home Intercom Systsms.