In the past few years, smart video door products, such as smart video doorbells, smart video door phones and smart peephole cameras, have gradually come under the spotlight and gained increasing importance as part of smart home security. The North American market of smart video door products has seen much activity.
In the past few years, smart video door products, such as smart video doorbells, smart video door phones and smart peephole cameras, have gradually come under the spotlight and gained increasing importance as part of smart home security. The North American market of smart video door products has seen much activity. There were early entrants like the Ring and SkyBell, which have certainly made a name for themselves, followed by others like August, Vivint, and Yale.
Asian companies are not falling behind either. Driven by demand from mainly Europe and North America, Asian companies who used to provide intercom systems, security cameras or wireless doorbells are all rushing to show off their latest smart video door products.
While smart video door phones, smart video doorbell and smart peephole cameras may all look different, they are essentially the same function-wise. There is a button for the visitor to initiate a call, a camera for the homeowner to see who is outside and what is happening, a microphone and speaker for two-way talk and a mobile app as the user interface. The only difference between the two is perhaps that smart video doorbells are usually standalone, whereas some smart video door phones and most smart peephole cameras require an indoor controller/monitor.
On the whole, Asian manufacturers are yet to come up with technologically disruptive smart video door products that can speak for themselves. The market is now seeing an influx of smart video door products, and there is no short of look-alikes. Despite so, products with unique design, whether in terms of appearance or function, can still be found as companies are exploring ways to differentiate their products from others. Cross product category hybrids have emerged as part of the effort. For example, a smart lock can be embedded with a camera so it can be used not just for access control but also surveillance. For another example, a smart video doorbell can be equipped with a keypad for door unlock.
In this feature, we have picked 7 noteworthy smart video door products from Asian manufacturers.
1.
Dongguan Tianluo Electronic Technology
Wifi/IP Wireless Video Door Bell
Besides Wi-Fi, the Wifi/IP Wireless Video Door Bell can also connect to the Internet using an Ethernet cable. The biggest highlight of this doorbell is that it comes with a keypad for door unlock. Using RF 433 MHz technology, the device can connect with a wireless receiver which can connect to an electronic lock using wire. When unlocking the door, users can enter up to 20 numbers followed by a # key, and as long as the sequence contains the passcode, the door will be unlocked. The doorbell will start video recording after two failed attempts, and after five failed attempts, users have to wait ten minutes before they can enter the code again. The doorbell also works with the company’s wireless indoor chime using the same RF 433 MHz technology, so that homeowners know can be notified even when their smartphones are out of reach. The chime has 25 ringtones for users to choose from.
Other features include IP55 weatherproof and that visitors can record a one-minute video message if their call has been missed.
Photo courtesy of Tianluo
Photo courtesy of Tianluo
Schematic diagram showing how the WiFi Door Bell can connect to an electric lock Photo courtesy of Tianluo
2.
Wulian (Nanjing IoT Sensor Technology)
Smart Retina Doorlock
Made of aluminum alloy, the Smart Retina Doorlock is an interesting hybrid that actually makes sense – it combines a smart door lock with a smart video doorbell. The device supports both Wi-Fi and ZigBee, andworks with other devices in Wulian's ecosystem through the company's Smart Gateway.
As a smart door lock, the Smart Retina Doorlock offers multiple entry methods: NFC, fingerprint, password, card and mobile app; as a smart video doorbell, it supports two-way video talk with its built-in 720p camera, microphone and speaker.
Photo courtesy of Wulian
3.
GVS (Guangzhou Video-Star Electronics Industrial)
i-Mer Video Door Bell
The i-Mer Video Door Bell comes in two parts – the peephole detector and the master – that have a wired connection with each other through the door’s peephole. The master can connect to Wi-Fi and is battery-powered. It also supplies power to the peephole detector. The system features a 60-day standby time according to the company.
The i-Mer Video Door Bell will be released in July/Aug this year.
Photo courtesy of GVS
4.
Sumpple
S710
The S710 supports Wi-Fi and has a built-in 1MP camera and PIR sensor. It is weatherproof with a rating of IP64. The device uses AC for power but can also operate on backup batteries. Door unlock function is available upon request.
S710
5.
VStarcam
C95 Doorcam
With a compact look, the C95 Doorcam offers all the basic functions one would look for in a smart video doorbell. During a call, up to four users can view the video simultaneously while only one user is able to speak at a time.
The C95 Doorcam is already available for sale.
Photo courtesy of VStarcam
6.
Zhuhai Taichuan Cloud Technology
WIFI DOOR BELL TC-X4DB-A
The WIFI DOOR BELL can support up to 8 devices for receiving the call. Motion detection is supported with adjustable sensitivity. Users can add an optional battery-operated indoor chime that has the simple functions of ringing and door unlock.
The model will be released in May 2016.
Photo courtesy of Taichuan
7.
GOSCAM (Shenzhen Gospell Smarthome Electronic.)
POE Video Door Phone U5805Y
The U5805Y comes in two parts – the video door phone and the power junction box. The power junction box is used as a PoE switch and a speaker while enabling door unlock. The schematic diagram below shows how the U5805Y connects with the Internet, power source and optionally a lock.
Photo courtesy of GOSCAM
Schematic diagram showing how the U5805Y connects to the Internet, power source and optionally a lock