The bench test 1: A night at the Ophera

What our experts say…

In what could be described as a fairly crowded access control market, there are actually very few flush-mounted, hands-free audio receivers with a colour video display. In fact, the established, clear leader of this niche happens to be another BPT model, the rather expensive Nova. The Ophera appears, then, to be marketed as a less expensive alternative that is essentially pre-made with a simple two wire connection for ease of installation.

This device from Italian manufacturer BPT is a conventional video entry system component with additional interfacing equipment to allow for a simple 'two wire' installation. The system is designed to give internal annunciation and allow two way speech between the front door panel and each (hands-free) handset, plus give colour video display with the option of sending a trigger back 'down the line' to release the entry door.

For the purposes of the test, BPT supplied a dedicated power supply unit, the VA301, plus a video entry door panel type HEVC/301 - also known as the Targha panel.

The equipment is designed and manufactured in Italy, and is available from the usual security wholesale outlets around the country. It includes a two year warranty and the components are covered by the European CE mark for electrical compliance.

The Ophera/B makes use of BPT's X1 technology - a two wire system using twisted figure-of-eight cable (preferably Cat 5e type) to transmit all data and power along the same pair. Even though Cat 5e is an unshielded cable, its tightly twisted internal structure and rigid specification provides excellent screening for video transmission, and it continues for this reason to gain favour in the CCTV sector.

Power supply unit

The supplied PSU is compact and easy to wall mount, using a European style DIN rail to fix to the wall surface. The device is not boxed within any cabinet as such, but each of the connection terminals are protected by a screw fixed cover plate, though as usual these do not allow for a great deal of spare wiring to be concealed within the unit.

This should not be a problem though, as the two-wire system is compact and easily tucked away under the cover, which similarly protects the mains terminals effectively and safely. A separate low voltage power output pair is provided, rated at 18v AC, though for short cable runs and single monitor systems the power is adequately provided within the X1 twisted-pair network. Each of the connection terminals including the data/power outlets, labelled 'B in' and 'B out', are protected by internal electronic fuses. In the event of overload or short circuit they are able to be reset by clearing the fault condition, followed by down powering for a short period.

There are no on board LEDs to give power output confirmation to users and no battery backup to cater for mains failure.

Entry panel

BPT manufactures a range of front door panel types, including modular construction multiways and vandal resistant finishes. Our supplied kit is called the 'Targha' type, and comprises a single call button, a colour camera module with integral white LEDs for illumination, and a speech unit, all combined and fixed into a brushed aluminium housing frame, finished with grey plastic trim.

The call button has the usual see-through cover to allow a name tag to be inserted, though it was not back-lit as many entry phone panels are. We were not provided with an IP rating for the unit (designed to be seated inside the BPT flush mounted back box) though the speech module does have a downward louvered arrangement of holes to allow for clarity of sound whilst giving some protection from the weather. It looks suitably weather tight.

The onboard camera uses a fixed-focus ¼-inch colour CCD chip giving a medium resolution output of 330 TVL. Though such a resolution would be disappointing in a modern CCTV system, it is quite adequate when viewed on a three-inch access control monitor.

One interesting lapse of security is the provision of the electric release terminals from within the door entry panel. As a rule, the lock release trigger should never be cabled via the front door panel, in order to prevent any possible 'hot-wiring' of the door lock from outside the protected premises.

Video monitor

The audio/visual handset is described as a hands-free type, though strictly speaking users are required to press a button to initiate and hold a conversation with the caller. This is in common with any hands-free equipment and is of course designed to prevent an audible feed back loop during use.

A petty point, you may think, but probably one worth mentioning to the user before installation - it is true to say that a customer prepared to spend a premium on a posh video entry system will have similarly high expectations of its performance ("You're telling me I have to press a button to talk to my visitors!").

The handset is made of cream coloured ABS plastic and is uniquely provided with a selection of contrasting trim colours, in orange, grey and beige - though this being a BPT design, the latter two colours are called Arctic Blue and Vanilla.

Some new thinking has clearly gone into the product design, probably since it competes in the marketplace with its BPT brother the groovy Nova. But whereas the Nova is a modular construction that has to be constructed and connected by a specialist installer using a wiring diagram, the Ophera is very much a pre-made, quick fit two wire kit.

The connection terminals require only two wires to be completed for a simple system of speech, video, access control and annunciation. There are further terminals for the addition of a separate bell push that gives a different call tone, and an alarm input signal to signal to a porter if required.

Although the aesthetic quality of the face is debatable, the Ophera has two distinct improvements over the Nova (easier said than done). The colour monitor is larger, at four inches measured diagonally, and the screen can very usefully be inclined upwards for a better viewing angle for taller users. In fact the vertical viewing angle of the LCD screen is around 50 degrees, and inclining the screen upwards gives good flexibility for end users.

A selection of function buttons are sited on the right side panel: these include a mute key, a Porter call and a panic call, as well as the obvious door release, monitor on/off and press-to-speak buttons. There are also adjustments for call tone volume plus colour and brightness controls for the monitor. All the controls do have a disappointingly plasticky, clicky feel to feel to them, and although the unit is by no means large, it does have a crowded look that is not helped by the square shape.

The Ophera hands free colour monitor by BPT works well – but is it too clever?

Being kind, one could describe the Ophera as post-modernist retro chic, though most installers would just say ugly. Which, coming from a company that has made its mark by marketing stylish Italian stuff, is a surprise.

Performance

The camera illuminated the subject matter well enough to a distance of around 1.5 metres, though at low ambient lighting levels the monitor colour saturation fades out dramatically and the resolution similarly diminished to a grainy picture. It is still a useable picture of course.

The speech quality, as you would expect from a quality manufacturer like BPT, is excellent and can be tweaked at the amplifier located on the PSU.

As an experiment, we set up the equipment using short lengths of untwisted eight core alarm cable wiring, even though the installation manual shows a requirement for UTP type.

The system continued to work well, with perhaps a slight lowering of the video quality. We do not recommend deliberately using the wrong type of cable, though it is interesting to know that it works.

Overall, the team felt that the equipment was well conceived and worked adequately but was let down by poor aesthetic design.

Technical literature and back up

BPT distribute their products in (at least) six different European countries and, needless to say, the installation instructions reflect this. The UK version arrives on page 4 in the 20 page A4 sized booklet. All the information is there, with lots of illustrations, but it is necessary to wade back and forth through the whole manual to tie up descriptions to diagrams.

Note to European manufacturers of security equipment : Would it be possible to include only English language information in UK distributed products? It may add slightly to printing costs but that would surely be outweighed by increased customer satisfaction.

It would also be less confusing if a native English speaker wrote the technical copy. In fact these particular instructions are not especially awful compared to some, though when it comes to ham-fisted literal translation, the BPT Ophera promotional brochure does take some beating. Read this:

"Ophera, through its design, its colours and its catering to the demands and tastes of people choosing a technologically qualitatively superior product, has been conceived as the synthesis of video entry control projection into the future according to BPT."

Er…yes. Doesn't anyone at BPT UK have sufficient command of the English language, or indeed the desire, to proof read this stuff before it goes to print?

And of course this being the Euro edition there is no contact telephone number for technical advice. We called the BPT switchboard in Hertfordshire and eventually spoke to a technician. He was keen to help but didn't quite give the correct answers to our two questions, though it should be said the questions were pedantic and slightly off the wall.

What the manufacturer says ...

The Ophera monitor from BPT Security Systems (UK) Ltd - a specialist in door entry and access control - combines the ultimate in modern design with functionality.

Ophera is a brand new colour monitor designed to compliment the already popular, award winning Nova launched several years ago. The key feature of the new Ophera is its larger 3.5-inch LCD screen which can be tilted to provide the perfect view of the visitor for any height of person, even if the monitor has to be positioned quite low due to Building Regulations that have to accommodate the needs of disabled users.

There are two versions of the Ophera monitor; both offer an intercom option, but one has a panic button, a privacy button for when you don't want to be disturbed and a porter call button which will be ideal for use in apartment blocks. The second will come as standard - as with all BPT monitors - with camera call up, lock release, stair light and aux buttons.

One of the key factors in the success of the Nova is its aesthetic appeal to architects and interior designers. Ophera has built on this success by retaining the compact, sleek design and offering a choice of different coloured panels to complement a variety of interiors. What's more, Ophera adopts the same virtually hands free operation for communication that is so popular with the Nova, making it very easy to use.

Ophera forms part of BPT's highly successful X1 and System 300 modular range of video and audio door entry systems.

These systems have been designed to be easy to install and programme, as they allow transmission of all data signals and power supply on a single non-polarized twisted pair, reducing cable costs and installation time.