Gate and Door Control

[SHRemote]

I hope I'm posting in the correct forum. I'm embarking on a home renovation project and (fortunately or unfortunately) have been bitten by the home automation bug. Part of what I'd like to do is control three important access points to my home: the driveway gate (which is being installed); the front door (which is installed and part of the home that is not undergoing any major renovation); and, the gate to the back yard (which is not yet installed).

I'm not sure what's optimal here, but I think what I'd like to have in each situation is a way for a guest to announce their presence (e.g. a press buzzer or bell), a way for me or my wife to interact with the guest (by intercom/phone), and a way to grant them access (e.g. open the driveway gate, unlock the door). For my family I'd love to have a "pass key/card" or biometric access to each.

I've seen some products from Channel Vision which seem to integrate the intercom with an existing phone system. This seems like a good idea in my case because, I don't think I want to wire a separate intercom system in the existing part of the home (which is where we spend most of the time and therefor is where we'll likely be when a guest arrives).

I would also like to have security camera's at these access points, but it doesn't seem necessary to have those directly tied to the door/gate intercom control system. In fact, I think I'd get better images if I handle that separately. And, I suppose I can trigger the cameras with the same device that announces the guest?

Lastly, my security system is a Napco Gemini. Can I (should I) try to tie the door/gate intercom control system into this somehow?

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. If I'm totally off the mark please tell me.

 

[SHRemote]

Oh, I should add that I'd like a way to be able to keep track of (record) who accesses the gates/door with cards or codes. So, for example, if I give my yard man a code or card to access the back yard gate, I'd like to be have a record of when he does that.

 

[electron]

Welcome to CocoonTech!
My 'top of the line' suggestion would be to replace your Napco with a HAI OmniPro system. They offer VoIP intercom integration, and recently announced support for the really nice 2N Helios VoIP intercom, which also includes a video camera. You can see the HAI VoIP interface in action in the CEDIA video.

Channel Vision does offer some nice intercoms, including models which include a hidden video camera.

 

[SHRemote]

Welcome to CocoonTech!
My 'top of the line' suggestion would be to replace your Napco with a HAI OmniPro system. They offer VoIP intercom integration, and recently announced support for the really nice 2N Helios VoIP intercom, which also includes a video camera. You can see the HAI VoIP interface in action in the CEDIA video.



Dan:
Thanks for the quick response.  I will look into replacing the Napco.  However, I'm betting that I won't be able to if I want to keep my existing monitoring service - which I do.  (They're by the best in town with respect to the service  side of things.  Unfortunately, they aren't up to date on the latest tech).
Assuming, I've got to stick with Napco, what are my best options?

 

[mikejrc]

just curious why wouldn't they monitor any panel other than napco?

 

[electron]

If you are willing to buy the panel yourself, I am sure they are more than willing to monitor your system, since that's where the money is made. Obviously this isn't going to be a cheap solution, but it will work really well.

 

[up2late]

Sometimes the alarm companies have issues programming alarms they are not familiar with. In our case it is not worth the time to learn new complex panels for one account. Have an HAI dealer in your area program it to their monitoring. Most alarm companies (our case at least) will then do general service on the system after that.

 

[SHRemote]

OK. Let's assume I can install an HAI OmniPro II. I see some great door control equipment. How about driveway gate control? Do they have anything that will ring the phone system like Channel Vision or DoorKing, etc.? I do really like HAI's capabilities and the fact that I know I can integrate it with my RadioRa 2 system and HVAC.

EDIT:
Dan - I've taken a closer look at the Helios. It seems really slick. Do you know whether a stand alone NVR (such as the Qnap) or the one available through the WL3 add-in can record the video from this device? It seems as though it should be able to, but I want to be sure.

 

[Ranger Digital]

I will bet a dime to a dollar your monitoring service will GLADLY continue to bill you for their services. YOU may have have to be the one to set up the programming for it to communicate with your provider. Super simple. Just ask them, the answer will be yes, of course. IMO

 

[SHRemote]

Well, it looks like I'll be installing the HAI. Turns out that another very, very good local security company is also a Five Star HAI partner. At the same time, the company that I've been with for 8 years has been dropping the ball on the remodel. (We had to call them back 3 or 4 times to un-install the sensors and turn off the zones that were located in the part of the house to be demolished. Also the rep was trying to bad-mouth HAI's product and wasn't being very accurate about what it can and cannot do.)

I'm still struggling to figure out whether the 2n Helios IP will work. I want to be able to record video from the unit's camera and still see the person on the OmniTouch 5.7e. I can't figure out if it can do both. HAI couldn't tell me and I'm still trying to figure it out from 2n's US distributor.