I’m a complete newbie to home automation, security, etc. Been reading this and other forums trying to get educated in order to DIY wiring for my 2400SF 2 story house currently under construction.
I’m stuck on what to do for intercom. I’m surprised, because I would think my needs/desires are pretty standard, yet I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. I’m going to try and lay out my plans, and ask appropriate questions. In some cases, I may not know the right questions to ask, so feel free to point out any other issue or suggestions.
Here’s what I’d like to be able to do:
--Answer front door from multiple locations
--(possibly) remotely open front door lock
--(possibly) have camera at front door
--in house intercom between 6 rooms and 2 deck areas plus front door
--“baby monitor†function in 2 bedrooms
Other systems/wiring I am intending to install (all homerun to central location):
--Whole House Audio (wired for multi-zone, cat5 for IR/keypad, speaker wire to
volume control & speakers, probably start w/single zone amp)
--Security System (thinking about Vista20P)
--Data & phone wiring (CAT5 for each)
--No plans for automation controller, but might want to add later
I’ve seen the stand-alone systems (greyfox, M&S, Nutone,etc) and have seen references to PBX phone systems (although I still don’t understand exactly what this is).
I like the Greyfox system, except for:
1) The fact that it’s “another system†(extra $$, installation, complexity)
2) It’s going to require a large number of intercom units to cover all the area I
want
3) It doesn’t integrate with phone system (I think). I have to have phone &
intercom in most locations.
I like the phone type approach, because I can use cordless sets to reduce the number of locations required (i.e. take handset out on deck when desired), and it will have the flexibility of plugging in anywhere I have phone wiring (which will be everywhere). The downsides are:
1) The wife doesn’t like the idea of having phones everywhere (especially in kids
rooms), particularly since these phones all seem to look very commercial. Are
there “intercom-like†panels that connect to phone line/system?
2) I don’t understand the capabilities/equipment/cost requirements of such a
system. Is PBX the only or best way to do this? Can you be continuously
monitoring a room while also using the phone? Any other downsides to this
approach compared to stand-alone intercom? Can anyone recommend a link to
good tutorial on PBX? How about a rough idea on cost for front door + 3
corded phones & 2 cordless?
3) If you wanted to add video camera at front door, how would you monitor?
Other Questions:
--Can intercom be handled over the whole house audio system?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Dan
I’m stuck on what to do for intercom. I’m surprised, because I would think my needs/desires are pretty standard, yet I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for. I’m going to try and lay out my plans, and ask appropriate questions. In some cases, I may not know the right questions to ask, so feel free to point out any other issue or suggestions.
Here’s what I’d like to be able to do:
--Answer front door from multiple locations
--(possibly) remotely open front door lock
--(possibly) have camera at front door
--in house intercom between 6 rooms and 2 deck areas plus front door
--“baby monitor†function in 2 bedrooms
Other systems/wiring I am intending to install (all homerun to central location):
--Whole House Audio (wired for multi-zone, cat5 for IR/keypad, speaker wire to
volume control & speakers, probably start w/single zone amp)
--Security System (thinking about Vista20P)
--Data & phone wiring (CAT5 for each)
--No plans for automation controller, but might want to add later
I’ve seen the stand-alone systems (greyfox, M&S, Nutone,etc) and have seen references to PBX phone systems (although I still don’t understand exactly what this is).
I like the Greyfox system, except for:
1) The fact that it’s “another system†(extra $$, installation, complexity)
2) It’s going to require a large number of intercom units to cover all the area I
want
3) It doesn’t integrate with phone system (I think). I have to have phone &
intercom in most locations.
I like the phone type approach, because I can use cordless sets to reduce the number of locations required (i.e. take handset out on deck when desired), and it will have the flexibility of plugging in anywhere I have phone wiring (which will be everywhere). The downsides are:
1) The wife doesn’t like the idea of having phones everywhere (especially in kids
rooms), particularly since these phones all seem to look very commercial. Are
there “intercom-like†panels that connect to phone line/system?
2) I don’t understand the capabilities/equipment/cost requirements of such a
system. Is PBX the only or best way to do this? Can you be continuously
monitoring a room while also using the phone? Any other downsides to this
approach compared to stand-alone intercom? Can anyone recommend a link to
good tutorial on PBX? How about a rough idea on cost for front door + 3
corded phones & 2 cordless?
3) If you wanted to add video camera at front door, how would you monitor?
Other Questions:
--Can intercom be handled over the whole house audio system?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Dan
