Who's at the door?

Simpler wiring

Aimed at simplifying wiring and reducing installation time and cost, the BTicino 8/2 wire interface from Legrand combines 8-wire and 2-wire technology in the same module, allowing installers to choose the way they configure door entry systems.

The company says the benefit of mixing two cabling technologies is clear.

The flexibility of the 8-wire backbone enables much larger installations to be serviced than 2-wire technology alone, yet each riser still only requires two non-polarised wires rather than a maximum eight.

The BTicino combined system is said to allow for "great savings" as it can be wired into existing door-entry cable systems, meaning upgrading from audio to video systems is quicker and simpler than ever before.

Formerly known in the UK as the Terraneo range, BTicino is available in more than 60 countries around the world and has been part of the Legrand Group since 1989. The system presents developers with innovative and bespoke door entry solutions, which are supported by pre-sales design and enhanced service options.

Reader Service No 143

Wide angle view

Users of the latest video intercom system from Panasonic get a wide angle view to assess who is at the door.

The discreet camera on the VL-GM201A is also said to have an excellent viewing range and in awkward locations it can easily be repositioned to get the maximum viewing range.

Equipped with a rugged metal outer body, the hard-wearing casing of the VL-GM201A is designed to endure weathering; vandalism; and daily wear-and-tear. Developed to withstand use in almost any circumstances the device is waterproof and vandal proof, combining the metal body with special screw fixings to produce a shell that is hard to crack.

Available in gold or silver versions, features include chime button with a blue backlight for low light conditions; hands-free feature or press-to-talk; 2.5 inch integrated LCD monitor with auto brightness compensation and an infra-red LED.

Coupled with a Panasonic DECT phone or telephone exchange, the signal can be transmitted around the office or home for increased flexibility.

Reader Service No 144

Integrated entry panels

BPT Security Systems' System 200 door entry and Impro64+ access control systems have been fitted at Devonshire Court, a luxury residential development overlooking the sea at Eastbourne.

The system was fitted by MR Security across the four blocks that make up the development, using BPT vandal resistant door entry panels on the entrances and white video Nova monitors in the apartments.

The Impro64+ access system was integrated, with entry panels on internal lobby doors and those leading from three of the blocks to the courtyard, as an added security measure and for resident convenience.

Reader Service No 145

Gateway to village

Legrand has supplied Countryside Properties with a high tech door entry solution for its residential village, South @ Didsbury Point.

The gated city village, which comprises one and two bedroom apartments, two and three bedroom duplexes and three and three and four bedroom houses, features Legrand's multi-block eight-wire digital audio door entry system in all apartments, block and home entrances, plus the main gates to the developments.

Featuring hands-free handsets with satin aluminium surround and 'monobloc' stainless steel entrance panels, the Viva Voce Living system has dual-function keypad with both calling and coded door lock facilities, which means that only one keypad is required instead of the regular two. Additional functions, such as staircase lighting, can be operated from Viva Voce handset.

Reader Service No 146

Look, no hands

Urmet Domus supplies a hands-free version of its video door phone.

Both the surface and flush mounted hands-free models come complete with a four-inch TFT colour display to offer bright images from any angle. Both models offer a range of functions to ensure users can effortlessly identify and control the entry of visitors.

There are two speech settings. These are 'push to talk' or 'speech locked', both of which offer clear duplex speech for the duration of the call.

For the flush version, standard fixings are used to make installation simple.

All of the Utopia's functions are adjustable, including colour, contrast and brightness, while LEDs provide a warning if the door is left open or the mute facility is active.

Reader Service No 147

Helping visually impaired

Part of Videx Security's range of special needs door entry equipment for the visually impaired is the vandal-resistant digital door entry panel for its VX2200 system.

Videx says its installation will help organisations comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and believes it will be highly popular with local authorities and housing associations.

A key feature of the new panel is a large backlit, 16-character visitor information LCD display which includes large 9mm high characters. The large stainless steel push buttons feature relief engraved numbers and highly visible yellow halo. Voice annunciation also verifies each stage of a call verbally.

All stainless steel push buttons are IP66 rated and the panel itself is made from tough twelve gauge stainless steel. It is secured to the galvanised flush back plate with a stainless steel bezel with security fixing screws.

Reader Service No 148

Looking good

A video door entry telephone – the bellissimo range – is offered by Bell Systems.

The bellissimo video telephone features among the range of video door entry kits from Bell Systems, distributed through Gardiner Security. Each includes a relevant number of video telephones, surface or flush panels, speech unit, power supply, controllers and rim release. All kits above eight-ways come standard with a vandal-resistant stainless steel flush panel and options include surface vandal-resistant panels, brass panels, trades facility and combining systems with proximity or coded access control.

The bellissimo video telephone has a slimline and curvaceous profile complementing most wall furnishings. The 'soft-touch' silicone rubber push buttons are backlit and have clear operating symbols. The telephone is wall-mounted directly, without additional mounting brackets or connectors and an internal plastic moulding protects the video tube and electronics during installation.

Reader Service No 149

Door entry on show

BPT Security Systems (UK) Ltd will have a permanent exhibition on electronic home automation and door entry system at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre, due to open in Swindon in January 2007.

The company will be displaying a selection from its range of Italian designed door entry systems, including the Nova, said to be the smallest colour video monitor in the industry, and available with a choice of colour surrounds.

Also included are Lynea and Exedra handsets and a selection of entry panels from the slimline Targha range.

Reader Service No 150

Hands free videophone

The Eclipse hands free videophone from Videx Security is said to bring new levels of versatility to the company's range of video door entry systems.

Available in surface or flush mounted, units have a colour monitor and hands-free full duplex speech plus the option to switch into simplex speech when required. It provides users with speech line and tone volume as well as colour and brightness controls. Door open, camera recall privacy and on/off latching relays are also featured.

Using coax or twisted pair, it is said to be an "ideal" complement to the Videx 4000 series of door entry panels.

Reader Service No 151

Supporting DDA

The VK4K Video Phone Kit from Videx Security is suitable for the company's 400 Series of door entry systems.

The VK4K supports up to two outdoor entry panels including a DDA station which will assist organisations in complying with the Disability Discrimination Act. Up to three additional devices such as an extra video handset, audio handset or an extension sounder can also be fitted in parallel to each videophone.

Door panels have both audio and visual status; busy, call in progress, door opening and engaged. A time adjustable privacy facility is also included plus door selectable camera recall and dry contact buttons.

Reader Service No 152