Intercom: Types, characteristics and functions 2026

Goalkeepers are elementsfundamental in any home, whether a house or an apartment.For pure convenience, they all have a doorman who allows anyone who wants to pass through to open the door.

However,In addition to being comfortable, having a doorman is a security elementwhose choice should not be disregarded. It is true that, on many occasions, when you buy a home it already comes with a built-in intercom.

But sometimes you have the opportunity to install it yourself, either because the neighborhood association wants to change it or because you are buying or building an individual house. In that case, do not hesitate toTake into account the types of intercoms that exist.

On the market you can find a basic and conventional intercom, whose functions are limited to connecting the entrance door to the home via voice.

However, there are even smart video intercoms with the possibility of night vision and other innovative elements.

Do you want to know what types there are and what their main characteristics are?Keep reading and discover the main keys to choosing the best quality-price intercom or, better yet, the one that offers greater security guarantees.

Automatic intercoms: which one to choose?

There arevarious typesof automatic "phones" thatWe can divide it into three: conventional intercom, digital intercom and video intercom.Within each of these categories there are various types with multiple features.

It is not the same to put an intercom ina big house in a town than in a ten-story buildingand four doors for each floor. In the same way that an installation for a garage is not the same as for an office.

What type of intercom to install in each case?Well, it depends on the use you are going to give it. Take into account the frequency of visits, the nature of the building (offices or homes), the place where it is located (downtown, town, outskirts, urbanization...).

The important thing is that we are clearWhat needs do we want to cover?with your installation and what our security requirements and budget are.

As you will see, there is the possibility of installing an intercom with video, Wi-Fi, call recording, night vision, hands-free, etc.

Technology has allowedIntercoms have become a key element for home securityand, furthermore, a perfect instrument to gain comfort, efficiency and sophistication in your home.

Types of intercoms and characteristics

Conventional

Goalkeepers have been around for many decades,At first it was a job position for many.In fact, there are still many neighborhood communities and homes with a doorman or a doorman.

ButThe conventional intercom that we are going to talk about is, of course, an automatic intercom.The most basic and the most used for many years.

A system that allows electronic calls and whose operation is so simple that it stands out for avoiding technical problems.

The conventional intercom is based ona 4+n wire system, where n is the number of neighbors in the building.Installation is usually simpler compared to other types such as video intercoms with a greater number of wires.

This type of intercom, the oldest,It is usually used in medium-sized buildings.It is also possible to find it in individual houses or larger buildings.

digital intercom

The digital gatekeeper, however,It is more recommended for large buildings and developments with many homesand many tenants. It guarantees greater capacity and ease of installation, given that it only uses 2 wires.

They are the typical doormen that we find in large blocks of flats andThey work through codes numeric. In this way, each home is assigned a code and the intercom connects with the interior through the code that is activated in each case.

Although there are still thousands in Spain,The trend has been, for years, to replace these with video intercoms.The reason is that they have a more complex system and many more features, as we will explain below.

Video intercom

The video intercomsinclude communications, not just voice,to control access to your home,but also by image.It is something key on occasions when you may be waiting for someone.

Just as they told us all when we were children, “don't open up to any strangers.””, these devicesThey have managed to ensure that neither children nor adults open the door of our house to someone we do not knowor whose intentions we doubt.

From a security point of viewthe image is an important plus. Almost all new buildings and homes already incorporate the video intercom system that helps identify the caller.

The development of these devices has allowed their costs and current price to fall. Although it ismore expensive than digital intercoms no video, is lower than a few years ago.

Nowadays, it is probably worth it to install a video intercom in the building, since the cost difference is not that high. In any case, yourtechnical system is more complex and so is its installation,given the number of threads for its installation.

Furthermore, theVideo intercoms win (by a landslide) in functionality.Seeing the person or people trying to enter your home, or your guests, in color and high resolution is a fundamental security extra.

With these devices, increase the security of your home or office. You can see the guests who arrive in case you have a business, allowCheck check-in and check-out times.Furthermore, they are adeterrent against crimeand vandalism.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the extra features that currently have the best intercoms on the market.

There are multimedia video intercoms that play files and videos in delayed color, memory and call log, night vision, adjustable camera...

Depending on your needs you can add one or other extras. The important thing ismaintain the comfort and security of your home, which allows you to enjoy your home and your family. About what really matters.

Video intercoms are, as we have seen, some elements that increase the security of your home , but it is good that you install other devices such as cameras, alarms and sensors to completely protect your home.

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