Video Intercoms
No other system compares to a video intercom system for improving both convenience and security at residential or commercial property entrances. This technology allows you to monitor visitors at your entrance visually and audibly from anywhere on your property. Recent technological progress allows you to keep an eye on your entrance from any location outside your home. The available technologies vary according to your particular requirements and application needs. Below is an image that summarizes these options which is followed by detailed text. These products are listed at the page's bottom.
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| Video Intercom Type | How It Works | Best For | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Video Intercom | Wired connection between outdoor station and monitor with Wi-Fi support for smartphones and tablets. | Homes and businesses wanting both reliability and remote access. | Reliable wired video plus mobile app access from anywhere. | Requires wiring between the outdoor station and indoor monitor. |
| Wi-Fi Video Intercom | Connects through a Wi-Fi network and mobile app. | Residential homes, offices, gates, and commercial entrances. | Remote access, keypad options for commercial models, easy installation. | Performance depends on Wi-Fi signal strength. |
| Wired Video Intercom | Hardwired connection between camera and monitor. | Locations where maximum reliability is required. | Stable connection, no wireless interference. | Requires cable installation; monitor is fixed in place; typical maximum distance is about 330 ft. |
| Cellular Video Intercom | Uses AT&T or T-Mobile cellular data network to transmit video. | Remote gates and entrances without nearby Wi-Fi. | Unlimited practical range wherever cellular service is available; smartphone access. | Requires cellular coverage and a monthly service plan. |
| Wireless Video Intercom | Uses Wi-Fi or cellular networks instead of traditional RF radio. | Long-distance installations. | Reliable wireless communication; Wi-Fi bridges can extend range for miles. | Traditional RF wireless models are no longer recommended due to poor range. |
| Doorbell Video Intercom | Wi-Fi connected video doorbell communicating through the Internet. | Residential and light-duty applications. | Low cost, simple installation, smartphone notifications. | Not designed for heavy commercial use; depends on home Internet quality. |
| Commercial Video Intercom | Heavy-duty wired or wireless system designed for frequent use. | Offices, warehouses, factories, security gates, and industrial facilities. | Durable construction, weather-resistant, supports high traffic and keypad access. | Higher cost than residential systems. |
| Installation Type | Description | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Intercom | Designed for mounting on pedestal poles with standard mounting patterns. | Driveway gates and vehicle access. |
| Vertical Intercom | Designed for wall mounting. Pole installation requires an adapter panel or hood. | Walk-up doors and building entrances. |
| Multi-Tenant Video Intercom | Supports multiple apartments or offices with tenant selection. | Apartment buildings and multi-tenant commercial properties. |
To purchase a video intercom system you need to learn about the different technologies that exist. Recognizing the distinct applications of these intercoms holds equal importance. The primary application of video intercom systems includes single-family homes that require a drive-up gate for fenced yards. In these cases choose an intercom system that mounts onto a pedestal pole to enable driver accessibility. These intercom models exhibit a horizontal design and include hole patterns that enable easy pole mounting.
Vertical intercom models exist specifically for wall installation above walk-up entrance doors. Vertical intercom models need extra installation steps for driveway gates because their hole patterns require mounting a panel or hood first to the pole. Commercial intercom systems fit commercial properties but they cannot serve buildings with multiple tenants since they don't offer buttons to choose particular receivers.
Our apartment intercoms page should be consulted if your property includes multiple tenants within an apartment building or commercial space. Multi-tenant applications can't use all of the listed technologies because they are not compatible with such applications. Users can find both vertical and horizontal versions of these video intercom systems which follow identical regulations. Multi-tenant video intercoms require an Internet connection or cell phone service to operate.
Hybrid Video Intercom
A hybrid system is wired between the outdoor station and the indoor video monitor just like a standard wired video system. But it also has Wi-Fi capability so you can add tablet PCs and smartphones with an app. This gives you the best of both worlds. It has the fast reliable connection between the camera and monitor that a wired system gives you, plus you can still take calls no matter where you are as long as you have a data connection on your device.
Wi-Fi Video Intercom
There are a couple of types of Wi-Fi intercoms. The really low cost ones are called doorbell intercoms. Those doorbell units are not commercial quality but can be good for residential or light-commercial use. Then there are the commercial kind that can be used at security doors and gates and they include a keypad that can be used to enter codes to open a door or gate. This is what we call a Wi-Fi Video Intercom.Wired Video Intercom
A wired intercom requires running wire between the monitor and camera, which can be expensive or impossible to do in some situations. However, once the cable is run then installation is very easy and you have an always reliable connection. One of the downsides is that you don't have any mobility on the monitor side so you always have to walk over to a monitor to answer a call.Cell Phone Network Video Intercom
If you want some of the benefits of wireless video but your gate is too far away, you can use the AT&T or T-Mobile cell network to give you wireless benefits. It transmits video over a data connection for a low monthly fee. So no matter where you are, as long as you have an Internet connection on your phone, you can see and talk to visitors.Wireless Video Intercom
We no longer carry radio frequency wireless video intercoms due to their poor range. However, the cell phone network and Wi-Fi intercoms are basically wireless and these are very reliable. The cell phone intercoms essentially have an infinite range as long as you have cell service at the location you want to install an intercom. For Wi-Fi intercoms, you can use long distance wireless bridging equipment to extend Wi-Fi over a distance of miles if they are installed properly. See this article for more information: How to Do Long-Range Wireless Video TransmissionDoorbell Video Intercom
These are the lowest cost and most widely used systems that you'll see sold everywhere. These are light-duty units that connect to your home's Wi-Fi router and do all of there communication through your Wi-Fi router or over the Internet. They are very dependent on having a good Internet connection in your house. Commercial Video Intercom System
Light-duty video doorbell systems sell widely in the market as inexpensive options for consumers. Commercial settings require more robust equipment such as a commercial video intercom system. Offices and industrial plants along with warehouses and manufacturing facilities experience significant foot traffic that demands the use of highly durable equipment. These commercial video intercom systems find use at security gates where they face extreme weather conditions.
Both wired and wireless systems are available. The distance between the video intercom and monitor has limitations that users need to consider. The typical maximum range for wired systems is around 330 feet. Wireless systems can achieve longer transmission distances with proper setup.
The maximum range of a Wi-Fi video intercom system relies on the Wi-Fi signal strength where the camera intercom is positioned. Under perfect circumstances extenders enable video intercom systems to reach distances of several miles. Camera intercoms connect to mobile apps which permit viewing of visitors through smartphones or tablets. You can choose to install a touch screen monitor that attaches to the wall.
Wireless video intercoms exist which operate using cell phone technology. A strong cell phone signal at your camera intercom's location means distance doesn't affect monitor connectivity. Smartphone apps receive communication from these units so you can view visitors with ease.
Both wired and wireless systems are available. The distance between the video intercom and monitor has limitations that users need to consider. The typical maximum range for wired systems is around 330 feet. Wireless systems can achieve longer transmission distances with proper setup.
The maximum range of a Wi-Fi video intercom system relies on the Wi-Fi signal strength where the camera intercom is positioned. Under perfect circumstances extenders enable video intercom systems to reach distances of several miles. Camera intercoms connect to mobile apps which permit viewing of visitors through smartphones or tablets. You can choose to install a touch screen monitor that attaches to the wall.
Wireless video intercoms exist which operate using cell phone technology. A strong cell phone signal at your camera intercom's location means distance doesn't affect monitor connectivity. Smartphone apps receive communication from these units so you can view visitors with ease.
