Intercom

An intercom, also known as a telephone entry system, provides audio and sometimes video communication between two parties. One person is typically on the secured side, while the other person is calling from the non-secured side outside requesting access to be "buzzed in." The person requesting access usually does not have a key/card/fob to have permanent or temporary access through this door or gate. The person requesting access typically either presses a button on the intercom or scrolls through a menu of names and dials a code to ring the tenant's phone. The tenant typically receives calls on either a stationary indoor monitor and/or a mobile app. At that point, the tenant can grant access upon seeing the video and/or having a conversation with the audio.

The most common differentiators of intercoms include:

- Weather-resistance and impact-resistance rating of the outdoor unit. IP54 or better can be used for covered areas, and IK07 or better can be used when there may be concerns of vandalizing the intercom.
- Housing material of the intercom, typically stainless steel or tempered glass.
- Mounting area outdoor unit, typically surface mount and flush mount. Pedestal mounts are another less common option. Additionally, note the available surface area.
- Connection options of the outdoor station and indoor monitors typically include network cable (Cat5e/Cat6), 2-wire (replaces existing doorbell), or Wi-Fi (requires at least 3 bars for an uninterrupted, reliable signal).
- Ringing into single units or single-family homes from one call button on the intercom vs. the option of pressing one of many buttons or scrolling through a digital menu to select one unit inside a multi-tenant office or apartment building.
- Answering the call from an indoor telephone, monitor, and/or mobile app.
- Most Dahua and Dahua-OEM intercoms are almost always in stock, while some other brands may have a lead time of up to 2 months.
- All Dahua and OEM intercoms require zero monthly fee for operation of intercom or mobile app, while other brands may charge both.

For more information on intercoms, please see our blog posts on single-family/office intercoms and multi-tenant/apartment building intercoms.

Please note that as of November 2018, the single-family/office VTO2000A-C-OEM supports the optional modules for fingerprint, prox card reader, PIN keypad, and additional unit/tenant buzzers, but the genuine/USA version does not.