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jonnykane

33 posts

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#249480 12-May-2019 23:05
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Hi everyone, looking for alternatives to upgrade an existing street-front gate video intercom at our house. The current one is not IP based and just links to the panel in the house. It has access control with keypad entry and via the panel in the house, using what I think is an electro-magnetic lock on the gate.

I've looked at Doorbird and had a quote to install, seems pretty good but fairly pricey for the model that would have the keypad entry etc. We don't have ethernet run to the gate, could probably be done but ideally a system that can use wifi like Doorbird would be good. We've also been shown some much cheaper Chinese versions similar to Doorbird but I'm just not convinced the remote access/communication will be good enough and the generic looking 'Controlcam' app looks really clunky and has terrible reviews from what I can see.

 

There seems to be very limited options in this space, just wish there was something like the 'Ring' system but with a keypad and ability to open the gate from the app built in too. 

Is there even a Z-wave/Zigbee option for this type of exterior electro-magnetic gate anyway? I know there's plenty of digital deadbolts but that's probably not right for a gate.

 

I see Fibaro have an amazing looking video doorbell with lock controls etc, but as nobody is selling it here I'm guessing it's using incompatible z-wave too. It looks just as pricey as Doorbird but if we do have to spend that much would be good to know if that's actually an option we might have in NZ sometime.
  
Any ideas much appreciated ;)


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billgates
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  #2235700 12-May-2019 23:45
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Doorbird camera quality is very average even for their 720P specs. At night even with some illumination, they are even horrible. Doorbird cloud recording are stored in Germany and you can only update the firmware if the device is connected online. Their server maintainence window is often and unannounced.

There are 3 options available. All expensive but they are quality from Axis. The A8004-VE and A8105-E will require external keypad and RFID hardware. They do both support multiple input and output relays and powered via PoE. The firmware is user accessible to be downloaded from the internet and full control over the device. SIP + ONVIF along with RTSP. Both also take internal micro SD card.

A8004-VE. This one is heavy and built like a tank. 720P camera but a quality camera. It is not fish eye lens though. USD$1200

A8105-E. This one is best suite to go with its flush mounting kit. 1080P 2MP camera and quite good at night recording as well. USD$750

The new model is A8207-VE. This is what I am waiting to be released in NZ. It was only announced last month. You can buy it from US for USD$1399

The new model has 6MP camera with an excellent low light camera with PIR, RFID and keypad also built into the same unit. It is not as heavy as A8004-VE or as quite as wide.

All three models come with 3 year warranty. Wifi doorbells are unreliable. PoE is the way to go just like with IP cameras for CCTV.





Do whatever you want to do man.

  



jonnykane

33 posts

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  #2236020 13-May-2019 14:45
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Hey thanks for the recommendations billgates! Axis does look good... couldn't tell from the site but do you know if their app allows answering the intercom via push notifications or is it using a SIP call?

Came across these two others today which seem to be well used and available here in NZ too... would be interested to know peoples experience/thoughts on these. Seems to do much of what Doorbird could do however they appear to be answered by SIP calls but then offer gate unlock from within the call/app etc.

Grandstream:
https://www.gowifi.co.nz/ipnetworkvideocameras/gds3710.html 

Fermax:
https://www.fermaxaus.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/2-wire-ip-app-video-intercom-w-keypad-kit-fvi-6020app 

I like the small rfid keychain fobs shown for the Grandstream system (rather than cards).

Any advantages or disadvantages to Axis, Fermax, Grandstream? Such as ability to integrate with other home automations i.e. someone pushes the doorbell and front porch light goes on.


billgates
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  #2236078 13-May-2019 16:01
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Yes you can answer the calls via push notifications using their free app on the smartphone. The Axis software is pretty cool. You can enable either push notification or push notification + SIP or just SIP. The intercoms also support HTTP requests which is great to integrate into home automation software and various ONVIF standards.

 

In regards to the Grandstream unit, there is a bad review from one of the main contributors of Blue Iris software. Firmware updates possibly could have fixed the problem so maybe worth asking whether there is a return policy incase issues with RTSP still exists. 

 

 

 

https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/grandstream-doorbell-video-intercom-gds3710-do-not-buy.34754/

 

 





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