Comparison intercoms

— Internal Panel (Intercom). A device installed inside the premises for communication with visitors through the intercom system. Designed to ensure security, allowing communication with guests and controlling access to the building or apartment without the need to open the door.

— Call Panel. An outdoor device of the intercom system installed at the entrance to the building or apartment. The call panel is intended for visitors to call the hosts or owners of the premises and, if equipped with a camera, provide an exterior image, enhancing the level of security and access control.

— Kit (Panel + Intercom). Having both devices in the kit provides a complete communication and access control system right out of the box. This solution can be advantageous at the initial installation stage because the devices are maximally compatible with each other. However, when upgrading or due to personal preferences in certain functions, it may be easier to choose a call panel separately from the intercom.

Ways to connect devices.

— Wired. Connecting intercom system components through cables ensures stable and reliable signal transmission. In such a connection, a regular wire is used to connect the outdoor call panel with the indoor panel located inside the building. Wired connections provide high-quality sound and image, minimizing interference, and are ideal for stable system operation over long distances. This also enhances security, as wired connections are less susceptible to external influences compared to wireless solutions.

— LAN (RJ-45). Connection via RJ-45 port using an Ethernet-type network cable ("twisted pair"). This option is convenient as devices can be connected to a local computer network, providing several advantages. First, access can be configured on any computer or gadget within the network. Second, many such models can operate without intercoms and other specialized equipment — through an application on a computer/gadget. Third, laying the network cable from the panel to the router/switch is often easier than organizing an analog connection. Fourth, the number of panels and other specialized equipment within the "local network" can be almost unlimited — for example, all the call panels of an apartment building or a large office center can be connected into one network. Additionally, access to the call panel can even be set up via the Internet if desired, providing...

— Wi-Fi. Connection via the wireless Wi-Fi standard. This opti...on provides nearly all the capabilities of the aforementioned LAN (RJ-45), but has certain differences. The most noticeable is the lack of cables, significantly simplifying installation and connection. Even relatively modest Wi-Fi devices are powerful enough to operate confidently over distances of a couple dozen meters or through 1-2 medium-thickness walls. The most functional and thus the most popular type of analog wired connection. Suitable even for high-end video panels, though it actually appears in all categories of devices — from budget to top-tier.

— RJ-45. Connection via RJ-45 port using an Ethernet-type network cable ("twisted pair"). This option is convenient as the call panel can be connected to a local computer network, providing several advantages. First, access to the panel can be configured on any computer or gadget within the network. Second, many similar models can operate without intercoms and other special equipment — through an application on a computer/gadget. Third, laying the network cable from the panel to the router/switch is often easier than organizing an analog connection (e.g., using 4 wires — see above). Fourth, the number of panels and other special equipment within the "local network" can be almost unlimited — for example, all call panels of an apartment building or large office center can be connected into one network. Furthermore, access to the call panel can even be configured via the Internet, allowing you to communicate with visitors and manage access to the premises even when you're not present.

— Wi-Fi. Connection via the wireless Wi-Fi standard. This option provides nearly all the capabilities of the above-mentioned RJ-45 but with certain differences. The most noticeable is the absence of wires, which significantly simplifies installation and connection. Moreover, even relatively modest Wi-Fi devices are powerful enough to operate confidently over distances of a couple dozen meters or through 1-2 medium-thickness walls. The second nuance is the possibility of direct connection with smartphones, tablets, etc., without using computer networks; this possibility should be confirmed separately, but it is in this format, for example, that video calls operate (see "Type").

— RJ-45 / Wi-Fi. Supports both of the above-described connection methods. Such panels are maximally versatile; however, in practice, the ability to freely choose between LAN and Wi-Fi is rarely required, yet it significantly affects the cost. Therefore, this option has not gained much popularity.

The number of subscribers that can be simultaneously connected to the call panel.

Call panel installation method.

— Mounted. Installation by hanging from fixtures placed on a wall, door frame, or other suitable location. This method is quite simple, besides, it allows you to relatively easily change the location of the device. On the other hand, it is less reliable than embedding, and it is easier for hooligans or thieves to rip such a panel from its attachment point.

— Embedded. Installation in a niche in a wall or other surface — in such a way that only the front side of the device is outside. and any movement of the device is also fraught with serious difficulties. Nevertheless, it also has advantages: it is almost impossible to remove the call panel from a niche without a special tool, and even with tools, this task takes time and effort.

— Mounted / built-in. This category includes outdoor panels that allow both of the installation options described above. Thus, the user can independently choose a method, depending on what is more important in this case: ease of installation or its reliability.

The design of the calling panel includes buttons backlight. The function allows to see the keyboard normally even in low light conditions – in the evening, at night, in cloudy weather, when placing the panel in a dark place, etc. Note that the backlight usually covers other significant elements of the panel - for example, the location of the sensor for a smart card or key.

— Plastic. Plastic is characterized by low cost with good performance; besides, it can take on almost any colour. On the other hand, its strength is relatively low: it is enough for most everyday situations, but plastic resists hooliganism and vandalism poorly. Therefore, this material has not received wide popularity in calling panels.

— Metal (anti-vandal). The main advantage of the metal is its high strength, and, accordingly, resistance to damage, which made it possible to call this material "anti-vandal"; in addition, it is resistant to temperature extremes and ultraviolet, and it looks solid. The only drawback of metal in the case of outdoor panels is a higher cost than plastic; however, the price difference is small and most often completely offset by the advantages of metal cases.

The range of air temperatures in which the call panel maintains normal performance.

Outdoor panels installed outdoors and in unheated rooms are subject to the greatest temperature fluctuations, therefore, it is with this installation that this parameter should be paid special attention. At the same time, we note that even the most “heat-resistant” models must be protected from sunlight. If the conditions in the room are comfortable for people all year round, then they will be quite normal for the call panel, in such cases you can not look at the operating temperature at all.

Camera sensor resolution in megapixels (millions of pixels).

The higher the resolution of the matrix, the higher the video resolution can be, the more detailed the image is capable of providing the camera. At the same time, note that as the number of megapixels increases (without changing the size of the matrix), the size of each individual pixel decreases, which increases the likelihood of noise and deterioration in the overall image quality. Therefore, in itself, high resolution is not necessarily a sign of high quality — a lot depends on other points, in particular, on the size of the matrix.

The maximum video resolution that the camera can record.

The higher the video resolution, the more details you can see on it, the fewer little details will be blurred. On the other hand, high resolution means large volumes of video materials, which, accordingly, requires capacious media for storing them and fast communication channels for broadcasting video in real time. One of the popular resolutions in calling panel cameras is Full HD (1920x1080 pixels).