Video Peephole For The Front Door: Varieties With A Description, Features Of Selection And Installation

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Video peepers for entrance doors: principle of operation and varieties

We are all familiar with the usual eyes on the front doors, which allow us to see visitors in advance and make it possible to prevent unwanted guests from entering the house. But progress does not stand still and modern technologies offer real estate owners to protect themselves and their homes with the help of an improved device with a similar purpose. Such a device is a video eye. It will successfully replace an expensive video surveillance system or video intercom, while being much cheaper.

Content

• 1 Varieties of video eyes

  • 1.1 Design features and principle of operation
  • 1.2 Main functions

  • 1.3 Views

    • 1.3.1 Wired Video Peephole
    • 1.3.2 Wireless models
    • 1.3.3 Video peephole with motion sensor and recording
    • 1.3.4 Video: device and principle of operation of the video door peephole
  • 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of video eyes

• 2 Things to consider when choosing a video eyelet

  2.1 Table: comparative characteristics of models

• 3 Installing the video eyelet

  3.1 Video: editing the video eyelet

• 4 Reviews

Varieties of video eyes

The need to control the situation from the outside of the door has been of interest to humanity since ancient times. For a long time, for this purpose, a small window was simply made in the door leaf, which was covered with a shutter. And only at the beginning of the 20th century, the American experimental physicist Robert Williams Wood invented a special lens called a fisheye, which later began to be used as an optical door peephole. Modern technologies have made it possible to significantly improve this design, it has become better and more comfortable.

Previously, to see the visitor, a special window was made in the door

Design features and operating principle

Any video door peephole consists of the following main parts:

1. Outdoor. A filming device, which is used as a miniature video camera. Most often it is installed in the place intended for a regular peephole, but sometimes it is attached under it in a special hole.

   

   The outer part of the video eye is a miniature video camera

2. Internal. The means for displaying information is a display. Installed on the inner surface of the door or anywhere else.

   

   A small monitor is installed on the inside of the door

The video peephole consists of an external device with a video camera and an internal monitor on which the image is displayed

Outside, on the front door, a steel or carbide panel is installed with a built-in camera lens, microphone, speaker and bell button . The lens eye is protected by a very thick and durable glass, which prevents attempts to damage it mechanically. When a visitor comes to the door and presses the doorbell, a melody sounds, which can be selected to your taste from the proposed set, and the display turns on. Before opening the door, you can talk to the guest through the microphone, while seeing it on the monitor screen. The entire system is powered by batteries or accumulators. There are models that connect to the internet.

Pressing the bell button turns on the monitor

Main functions

Different models of video eyes may have some (or all) of the functions from the following list:

• visual observation of incoming visitors who are outside the door;
• constant or periodic covert observation and control of what is happening on the landing next to the entrance;
• video recording or photographing of visitors, as well as the situation outside the doors during the absence of the owners;
• notifying the owner by SMS or in another way about the appearance of visitors in front of the door;
• turning on the video camera in automatic mode when someone appears on the staircase and / or pressing the bell button;
• automatic switching on of infrared illumination in the dark;
• turning on the answering machine function when no one is at home;

• negotiations with visitors through the built-in intercom.

  

  Some models of video eyes have a built-in speaker and are used as an intercom

There are times when a video eyelet with the possibility of photographing would be very useful. At one time, our youngest daughter had a secret admirer. He was distinguished by the fact that every morning he left a small bunch of flowers at the door. We never found out who it was, and we did not see this romantic person. Although, perhaps, the culprit of the events herself guessed.

Views

All video eyes are classified according to several criteria.

1. Depending on the method of transmission and recording of the device signal, the following groups are divided:

   • analog - low-priced products that allow you to get a high-quality image, but you have to convert it into digital format to work with the footage;
   • digital - more expensive equipment. The resulting picture is of good quality, easy to work with;
   • mixed - devices that combine the positive qualities of both options, when recording to the built-in media, independently convert the original analog signal to digital.

2. By the type of built-in camera, there are 2 types of devices:

   • black and white - very good image quality, since the camera's light sensitivity is higher than that of color models, especially in low light;

   • color - the picture most familiar to the human eye; to obtain a clearer image in dim light, infrared illumination can be automatically turned on or the shooting mode can be changed to black and white.

     

     Color video eyes give an image more familiar to the human eye, but the quality of shooting in the dark is worse than that of black and white

3. By the type of signal transmission, video eyes are:

   • wired;
   • wireless.

Wired video peephole

A wired system means there is a loop between the camera and the display, which severely limits the placement of the monitor and makes installation more difficult. One connector of the ribbon cable is used to supply power from the mains, and the other to broadcast the received signal and is connected to a display or recording device. Visitors can be seen only when they are directly near the door or at a short distance from it.

In wired video eyes, there is a cable between the video camera and the monitor

Wireless models

In wireless designs, there is no connecting cable, the signal is transmitted over the radio channel. The range of the device reaches 50-150 m, so they are often used by the owners of cottages and country houses that have an adjacent territory. The camera is installed on the entrance gate or gate, and the information output means is placed inside the room. Wireless devices are in demand in apartments with a large area, when the monitor can be located at a considerable distance from the door. These video systems require separate power supply for the camera and display (outdoor and outdoor unit). It can be completely autonomous and not dependent on the general power grid.

In wireless video eyepieces, the signal is transmitted over the radio channel

Such models are distinguished by a rather high cost, which is justified by a number of advantages:

• simplicity and ease of installation, which eliminates the need to use connecting wires;
• the ability to connect the video peephole to a computer, smartphone or other remote device via the Internet (IP video peephole) or a local network (Wi-Fi video peephole);
• usability, since the image can be viewed anywhere in the living space and even outside it.

The wireless video peephole can connect to a phone, computer or any other remote device over your home Wi-Fi network

Video peephole with motion sensor and recording

Modern models of video eyes are equipped with motion sensors that allow you to save energy when running on batteries or accumulators, as well as save space on the memory card of the recording device. If the camera is operated around the clock, the batteries are quickly discharged and the memory card overflows, so using such a device is not very convenient.

Modern video eye models are equipped with motion sensors

The motion sensor is triggered by movement in the monitored area, while the camera is automatically turned on and the image broadcast or recording begins. In low light conditions, IR illumination starts to work. Video recording and photofixing occurs only when the visitor is within the sensor's coverage area. When using the appropriate software, it is possible to send a message about the arrival of a visitor to the apartment owner's smartphone.

A video monitoring system with a motion sensor is especially convenient for owners of private houses. On our street a whole gang of boys is growing up, who are now in the most difficult adolescent puberty period. Often, not knowing what to do with themselves, they press the doorbell and run away. Strange as it may seem, but modern computerized children are also amused by the displeased look of the owners who have come out onto the street. The neighbors opposite have a video eye and they simply do not react to the pranks of teenagers. We sometimes have to turn off the call.

Video: device and principle of operation of the video door peephole

Advantages and disadvantages of video eyes

The following characteristics are referred to the positive qualities of video eyes:

• ease of installation, which does not require a specific tool and high qualifications;
• the possibility of hidden remote monitoring and control over what is happening in the area of the entrance doors;
• autonomous operation in the event of a power outage through the use of rechargeable batteries;
• data transfer to various remote devices, if necessary;
• placing devices anywhere and using wide-angle optics increases the view and eliminates the formation of blind spots;
• the ability to connect with a general entrance intercom and surveillance cameras, as well as with a general security system;
• good camouflage camcorder and reliable protection from vandals and burglars;
• lower cost compared to video intercoms;

• the ability to use the intercom and the answering machine function.

  

  The main advantage of the video eye is the ability to watch what is happening on the staircase.

The disadvantages of these devices are as follows:

• like any ordinary optical peephole, the device can be painted over or covered up (with plasticine, chewing gum);
• higher price when compared with optical eyes;
• volatility, forcing the installation of additional power sources in the event of a power outage;
• sensitivity to temperature extremes.

Things to consider when choosing a video eyelet

To find the right video eye, you should pay attention to the following specifications:

• mounting method - in place of a conventional optical eye or a separate mount;
• angle of view - it is better to purchase cameras with a view of at least 120 °, but if the wall is flat and nothing interferes, then you can choose a model with an angle of 90 °;
• dimensions and appearance - it is desirable that visually the outer part of the product does not differ from the usual eye;
• type of power supply - mains or autonomous (battery capacity, replaceable set, etc.);
• the type of display and its dimensions - color or black and white, a monitor with a large screen size is more expensive;
• video camera resolution - it must be at least 1.5–2 megapixels, the quality of the picture depends on it;
• illumination level - if there is a lack of lighting, it is recommended to provide infrared illumination or an additional light source;
• the ability to record information and the size of the memory card;
• presence of a motion sensor - such models are distinguished by a higher price;
• the presence of a GSM module or built-in Wi-Fi - the possibility of remote control and management;
• data transfer method - wired or wireless. The parameter is important when there is a need to obtain information, being in any part of the house or outside it;
• additional functions (built-in microphone, automatic alarm in case of a burglary attempt or fire, the number of phone numbers in the memory of the GSM module, etc.).

The greatest degree of protection is provided by devices equipped with a large number of additional features. But the consumer does not always need a full set of functions. The specific conditions of the premises and the individual preferences of the owners should be taken into account.

The following table shows the comparative characteristics of the most popular models based on user reviews and Yandex. Market data.

Table: comparative characteristics of models

Specifications	Tantos TSc-190DV	KPC-190DV	Radio DVR	Falcon Eye FE-VE02	SITITEK Eye	ESCAM QF600	Home lux
Picture	colored	black and white	colored	colored	colored	colored	color
Viewing angle	165 °	170 °	90 °	160 °	120 °	120 °	110 °
Door leaf thickness, mm	60–90	30–70	38-60	35-105	40-110	10-100	35–85
Motion Sensor	no	no	there is	there is	no	there is	there is
IR illumination	no	no	no	there is	there is	there is	there is
Temperature range, ° C	-50 … + 50	-10 … + 50	-20 … + 50	0 … + 40	-25 … + 55	-10 … + 60	-10 … + 55
Display size	no	2.8 ″	5"	2.8 ″	3.5 ″	4.5 ″	2.8 ″
Screen resolution	no	500 * 582	800 * 480	320 * 240	480 * 320	1200 * 720	640 * 480
Information transfer type	wireless	wireless	wireless	wired	wireless	wireless	wired
Speaker	no	no	no	no	no	there is	no

Installing the video eyelet

Installation of the video eyelet is very simple. There are some nuances when installing various models, but they are insignificant. Each device comes with detailed instructions, which you must first familiarize yourself with. All you need to do is a small Phillips screwdriver. In most cases, a video eyelet is inserted in place of a simple optical eyelet. Sometimes the diameter may not match, then you have to enlarge the hole. But it is best to choose a model taking into account the thickness of the door leaf and the diameter of the available seat. In this case, the process of installing the device will not cause any difficulties.

1. After dismantling the old equipment, a new video peephole is inserted into the hole, having previously stretched a cable with wires to the other side of the door.
2. On the inside of the door leaf, using the tightening bolts included in the kit, a metal plate is installed, on which the monitor is then attached.
3. A cable from the video camera is connected to the connector on the display module.

4. They check the operation of the equipment and make the necessary settings.

   

   Each device comes with detailed installation instructions, following which you can quite simply do the work yourself

Large shopping centers that specialize in furniture and renovation products usually have departments where you can buy entrance doors from various manufacturers. Repeatedly I had to observe how fragile girls-managers of these departments, armed with a screwdriver, changed the handles or eyes on the door leaves. Sometimes buyers prefer to take goods directly from the exhibition, and so that there is no ugly hole in the door, sellers have to install the accessories themselves. Simple wireless models of video eyes are easy to mount, and any housewife can handle this.

Video: editing a video eye

Reviews

The video peephole on the front door will be an additional and reliable protection of the home from unwanted intrusion and burglary. You can choose the best option with the necessary functionality that will help you monitor and control the area on the staircase or in front of the gate of the house.