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Ring's Video Doorbell Pro is a sleeker, more powerful home portal
Ring's Video Doorbell is helpful if you want to know who's gracing your door, but it has its limitations: it streams in 720p, its motion detection isn't fine-grained, and its boxy design can stick out like a sore thumb. That's where the just-announced Video Doorbell Pro might save the day. The upgraded ringer not only captures footage in 1080p (helping you read that salesperson's name tag), but lets you specify motion zones that alert you when there's activity in a specific area, like your front porch or the mailbox. And as you may have noticed, the Pro is much smaller and slicker than its precursor -- it won't look quite so out of place at the front of a vintage home.
Ring branches out from doorbells, creates a WiFi security camera
One of the ways that Ring likes to sell its smart, WiFi-connected doorbell is that it, apparently, helps to reduce burglaries. In order to capitalize upon this trend, the firm is launching the Ring Stick Up Cam, an outdoor security camera that'll help people monitor their homes when they're out and about. On paper, the Stick Up Cam is effectively the same as the original Ring hardware, albeit with an adjustable mount and no button.
Ring's video doorbell now works like an old fashioned bell
The great thing about a smartphone-connected doorbell is that you're able to see and talk to the people standing on your porch. Never again will you miss the UPS courier because they've turned up just as you've settled down in the restroom. The downside, of course, is that only people whose mobile device is in their pocket will be alerted to the visitor. That's why the folks at Ring have cooked up a remote speaker that'll compensate for your lack of a doorbell in your hallway. Called the, uh, Ring Chime, the hardware plugs into a standard wall outlet, connects to your home network and away you go. Priced at $19.95, pre-orders for the gear will begin on June 1st, with shipping expected to kick off at some point afterward.
iDoorCam shows you who's at your door, helps you hide from unwanted visitors
If you've ever gone on a long vacation (or hidden from someone at least once in your life) there's a chance you'll find high-tech doorbells useful. A new device called iDoorCam, in particular, claims to be able to notify you via iPhone or iPad whenever there's someone at your door -- even if you're not at home. Sound familiar? That's because we've seen a similar technology called DoorBot in 2012. Like DoorBot, iDoorCam's camera-equipped device connects to your home internet through WiFi and attaches to your existing doorbell power wires. It beams a video of your visitors to all connected iOS gadgets, and you can even talk with them, assuming it's not a crazy ex or a pushy solicitor. iDoorCam's website has yet accept preorders for the $165 system, but those first in line could get their devices as soon as October.
DoorBot lets you see and talk with who's at the door from the comfort of your smartphone (video)
If funding is successful, you'll be able to wave hello to Edison Junior's DoorBot -- an app-enabled, WiFi-connected video doorbell. Sure, it's not exactly the first time we've seen such an idea, but the "weather-resistant," aluminium enclosure makes it one of the best looking concepts we've seen. Better yet, the system is set to work in unison with the Lockitron (a smartphone-controlled keyless door lock that was recently crowd-funded, albeit still yet to ship) allowing you to let welcome visitors inside your abode at the tap of your iOS or Android Device's app screen. The DoorBot installs with four screws, but it'll have you running through four AA batteries once a year for power (which, based on the video, seem easily removable by strangers, unfortunately). There's no word on the quality of the camera onboard, however, its infared-equipped, so you'll be able to see who's there at night. Lastly, the actual doorbell button is wrapped with an LED light, and, as you'd expect, it alerts you via the app when pressed to see and speak with whomever is at the door. In total, Edison Junior hopes to raise a lofty $250,000 to make the DoorBot more than a concept video, with 45 days to reach the goal. If you're willing to take the gamble as backer, $169 is what'll cost to secure a pre-order, and $319 snags you one bundled with the Lockitron. We're told that we'll see a working prototype in the flesh at CES, but until then, you can catch the full sales pitch at the source link and video demo after the break.
Swann's MP3 DJ Doorbell has only one question for you...
"When ya gonna ring it? When ya gonna ring it? Dah. Dah. Daaah."
D-Link DWM-351 turns the doorbell into a 3G video intercom
In lieu of a cost-effective, consumer-friendly home automation standard being available, products like the D-Link 3G Door Phone have emerged to address ad hoc automation needs. This suped-up, waterproof doorbell allows home owners to monitor the front door over a 3G cellphone or PC via the unit's integrated 0.1 megapixel camera, SIM card, speaker, and mic. Home owners can then see the visitor as a snapshot or over one-way 3G video while interacting over a two-way voice call. Unfortunately, it won't allow you to remotely unlock your door; for that you'll need something like a Schlage lock and a fussy Z-Wave network to go with it. Alternatively, devices like the Siemens Gigaset HC450 intercom has the option to control your electronic door lock from your home landline (accessible via your mobile phone) but lacks video and direct 3G data access. Hey, nobody said home automation was going to be easy.
eKey's biometric entry system converts your fingers into keys
Biometric door locks are far from new, but eKey's Biometric Entry System ups the ante over traditional iterations by putting more than just one of your digits to work. The Bio-View biometric access system enables your various fingers to control different tasks, meaning that swiping your index finger could open or lock a door, while your middle finger controls the security system. Additionally, the unit includes "an adjustable camera and intercom," and it can be configured "with a wide range of options and colors." The device is said to even be compatible with several third-party apparatus, and while you can certainly hit the read link for more details on eKey's latest, we'll hopefully be getting a much closer look ourselves when it debuts at CEDIA.
Sony constructs two sets of whole-house HD video distribution products
If you're inclined to go big and multi-room with audio and video, Sony has unveiled some distribution products for you at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, with two sets of high-definition video distribution products -- one for new construction, and one using existing Cat5 cabling. The NHS-3040 rack system is for new homes, and combines various Sony products for a whole-house distribution network: a home theater, XM Radio tuner, Blu-ray player, 400-disc DVD changer, and 80GB music storage and management server, along with support for 13 different audio/video zones. The NHS-2040 model drops you down to six zones, while the NHS-1040 removes the changer as well. For existing wiring, Sony offers up the CAV-CVS12ES HD switching system, which uses a single Cat5e per zone to route your video into up to 12 zones, and supports eight 1080p-capable component inputs. The system supports IR and RS-232 control, and pairs up with Sony's CAV-M1000 line of audio distro systems. As long as you're wiring up your house anyway, why not throw in Sony's WS-ADP4 doorbell intercom adapter with electronic door release, so you don't have to bother the butler to open the door for you while you're both in the third-floor bedroom watching Desperate Housewives in HD.Read - Sony NHS series distro systemRead - Sony CAV-CVS12ES Cat5e systemRead - WS-ADP4 doorbell intercom
BioLife kicks out TAP-01 biometric doorbell
If a few unexpected (and uninvited) guests somehow made it into your crib last night to celebrate and mooch off your now-depleted food / beverage stash, you might want to take action in making sure your future parties don't sport a theoretical revolving door. In case Waleli's GSM-doorbell is a little too, um, colorful, for your tastes, BioLife has a more sophisticated-looking alternative to keep intruders at bay. The TAP-01 Fingerprint Access Control with Doorbell sports the obligatory fingerprint scanner, voice / name display, internet / intranet management capabilities, arbitrary time zone and grouping access control, and also a keypad password feature for an added level of security. While we're not certain when this biometric lock / doorbell will be available to grace the outside of your front entrance nor how much it'll cost, it could very well pay for itself by safeguarding your perishable goods.[Via TRFJ]
NetStream's DoorLinX: assign an MP3 to your doorbell
You can fall asleep and wake up to them, use 'em for ringtones, voice encoding, or to enlarge your breasts. And you'll entice the RIAA into suing your little girl if you abuse them. We're talking of course, about MP3s. Only thing they can't do is replace the ding-dong of the ol' doorbell. Oh wait... Tejas-based NetStreams is due to launch DoorLinX any day making it the world's first IP-based doorbell / intercom system. It features an amplified 4-W speaker and embedded microphone integrated into the wall unit (pictured above) and a door latch activation relay to automatically open the door or gate from any NetStream TouchLinX interface. The magic though, comes when deployed along side NetStream's DigiLinX audio-distribution system so that you (the dealer anyway) can map any MP3 audio file (up to 500KB) to the door chime. When someone hits the button, the MP3 plays in any assigned speaker, anywhere in the house. Great start, now if NetStream would just open up the MP3 assignments to the homeowner, then we'll all know just how bad your taste in music really is. [Via HiddenWires]
Waleli GSM-doorbell hits version 2.0
When you're already using your cellphone to track your wild domesticated animals, keep your family safe, and even buy gadgetry, you might as well use it to let the butler in too, right? Waleli has revamped its GSM-doorbell apparatus, which allows pedestrians to "ring your mobile," so that a simple doorbell press phones the owner and allows for a full-fledged conversation to occur. After you've determined that the mystery caller should gain entry, you simply "enter a pincode" which triggers the system to unlock the house or open a garage door. New to version 2.0 is the ability to access the device remotely in order to create a virtual remote control; if you (or your significant other) gets locked out of the crib, the machine will recognize your phone number and release the latches for its master on command. While we aren't sure how much this incredulous convenience will cost you (or save you over the long haul), at least the GSM-doorbell allows for more important keys to occupy that overstuffed keyring.[Via Textually]
