by Gaia Mussi,
Security, convenience and innovation are the watchwords when it comes to home access control and smart intercoms, an “intelligent” evolution of the more traditional models.
Smart intercoms are the most contemporary and innovative version of traditional intercoms, communication devices to allow communication between those inside and those at the entrance to the house, as well as to manage the opening of the door and/or gate . After the transition from the intercom to the video intercom, which also includes video transmission, the next step was to make the video intercoms “smart” by integrating the internet connection.
The connection of smart video intercoms to the network, in fact, expands the functionality of the device, as it is possible to see and control the entrance via the smartphone even while away from home, at any time. The main advantages of a smart video intercom are the increase in security and convenience for the user, thanks to real-time control of the home entrance, even when you are physically elsewhere.
Furthermore, they can be integrated with other smart home devices, such as the lighting system, alarm system, smart locks or voice assistants, creating combined operation scenarios.
WHAT CAN’T BE MISSED
The most basic components of a smart video intercom are the same as traditional models. They are certainly equipped with an activation button corresponding to the component external to the home, a microphone, a speaker and a video camera, as they are essential for two-way communication between homeowners and visitors and to see the entrance. The quality of the microphone, speaker and camera varies from model to model.
For example, they can be distinguished by characteristics such as the width of the shooting angle, the resolution of the video and display or the possibility of night vision. Specific to a smart video intercom, however, are the module for Wi-Fi connectivity, the motion sensors, which automatically detect the presence of people at the entrance and the combination with a smartphone app, necessary for controlling the intercom.
Among the functions that these components guarantee there are, for example, the sending of notifications to the user’s phone whenever someone rings the bell or approaches the entrance and is detected by the sensors, rather than the possibility of opening the door even if you are not at home. Through the Apps, it is generally also possible to activate the camera remotely at any time or review recordings.
Ring smart video intercom, Video Doorbell Pro, from €230 – it-it.ring.com
WHICH MODEL TO BUY
There are various models on the market, which differ in functionality and cost. Among the most popular are the smart Ring intercoms, available both wired and battery-operated. An example of this is the Video Doorbell Pro: it is an advanced video intercom, with HD video, color night vision, motion detection and an aerial map of the property.
The Ezviz company also offers many solutions for the smart home and security, including a smart video intercom system, of which the latest is the HP5 video intercom, with a slim and design profile, manageable via the EZVIZ App, and all the main smart functions.
HP5 Ezviz smart video intercom, from € 200 – ezviz.com
There are manufacturers already known for the more traditional intercoms, who today offer innovative and smart solutions. This is the case of companies like Vimar, with the series of products in the Elvox Citofonia line, made up of elements and plates for indoors and outdoors that can be controlled remotely using the View application, actually designed to manage all the smart home devices installed in house. Predefined kits are also available, ready to be installed and used, with price ranges that vary, rising for two-family solutions.
Elvox video intercom by Vimar, with external panels, intercoms and intelligent video intercoms, from €200 to €800 – vimar.com
BTicino also offers more solutions, with elements for indoors and outdoors, including pre-combined kits, such as the Smart video intercom KIT, which includes the Classe 300EOS video intercom, the 3000 pushbutton panel and the Netatmo external video camera with integrated siren. The device is completely controlled by the Home + Security App.
Smart BTicino video intercom KIT, with Classe 300EOS and integrated Alexa; version with Alexa integrated from €800 – bticino.it
