Type
— 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.
Alarm inputs
The number of
alarm inputs provided in the design of the intercom.
Such inputs allow the intercom to receive service signals from other elements of the security system — various sensors (motion, opening, temperature), cameras and video surveillance recorders, etc. This provides additional features for setting up the security system for certain events: for example, you can provide automatic activation of the video intercom camera when an opening sensor on an external wicket or gate is triggered. The specific functionality of alarm inputs for each model should be specified separately; however, anyway, such connectors allow you to increase automation and reduce dependence on the human factor. And the number of such inputs corresponds to the number of control components of the security system, which can be simultaneously connected to the intercom directly, without the use of additional equipment. Most often, it ranges from 3 to 8, and in some models it reaches one and a half dozen.
Operating temperature
The temperature range at which the intercom is able to work normally.
If the device is installed in a residential area or office, you can not pay much attention to this parameter: the temperature in such an environment rarely goes beyond +18 ... +25 °C, such values are normally tolerated by any intercom. But if the device needs to be placed in a "non-standard" microclimate — for example, an unheated warehouse, where conditions do not differ much from outdoor ones, or a production workshop with a high temperature — you should make sure that the chosen model can normally endure such conditions.
Separately, we note that even the most “heat-resistant” intercom cannot be exposed to prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Operating temperature
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.
Horizontal viewing angle
The horizontal viewing angle provided by the camera on the entry panel of the intercom.
This parameter has a double meaning: other things being equal, a wider field of view allows you to cover more space, but reduces the size of individual objects in the frame. So it’s worth choosing according to this indicator, taking into account what is more important for you — good visibility on the sides or an additional degree of increase. As for specific values, in modern outdoor panels they can vary from 50° (directional cameras) to 166° (ultra wide-angle lenses with a minimum of dead zones on the sides).
IR illumination (night shooting)
Possibility of operation of the camera, which is equipped with a video panel (see "Type"), in the night shooting mode, using infrared illumination. Such illumination is invisible to the human eye, but it is perfectly perceived by the camera sensor. It allows you to get a clear picture without using visible light sources and arranging unnecessary "illumination" — except that the colours in such an image are lost, it turns out to be black and white.
