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Why Your Smart Home Needs an Intercom System

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Home Controls
Published on
March 3, 2020 at 11:00:00 AM PST March 3, 2020 at 11:00:00 AM PSTrd, March 3, 2020 at 11:00:00 AM PST

Improve the way you communicate with your family at home all while adding another layer of security to your smart home with a home intercom system. Installing a home intercom system eliminates the need to yell for family members across your home to get their attention. With the push of a button, you’ll have instant room-to-room communication with other members of your household without having to leave your current room. Additionally, most intercom systems can incorporate a video doorbell unit, giving you the ability to see and speak with visitors at your front door.


There are a wide range of Home Intercom Systems to choose from. Most are offered as kits or complete systems, which includes a master station, several room stations, connection or power cables, and installation hardware. Some kits include outdoor intercom stations, such as patio or video door stations, to talk with people just outside the building. Additionally, newer systems support music distribution which can be controlled from the master station, with sources originating from your smart device via Bluetooth connectivity, built-in radio tuners, or wired connections to a pre-existing audio system. If you’re not interested in an intercom system with music distribution capabilities there are voice only systems available.


If your smart home already has an existing wired intercom system that you are looking to replace but are worried about the cost of new installations, we have some good news! There are a variety of whole-home replacement intercoms that can be retrofitted into existing installations without the need for costly rewiring. This means you’ll be able to use the same wiring, and possibly enclosure specifications, and save time and money that would usually be spent on new installations.


To help you get started, we put together a list of home intercom systems which include whole-home new installation intercoms, whole-home replacement intercoms, and door answering intercoms that are great options to enhance your smart home living.


Whole-Home New Installation Intercoms

Whether you’re purchasing a new home or planning on making renovations to include an intercom system, a complete intercom system package offers all the essential equipment for improving your home, excluding the in-wall wiring.


IST I2000 Music & Intercom System

For those looking to add a brand new intercom system to their smart home that could cover numerous rooms and zones (up to 20), the IST I2000 Music & Intercom System is a great choice. The IST I2000 system is offered in kits, which include a master station, room stations, patio and/or door stations, and a Bluetooth receiver. As the main intercom station and audio hub of the system, the Master Station allows communication and music distribution through any or all stations in the system. With the Bluetooth receiver, you’ll be able to connect a smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled device to the Master Station to play endless streaming music through your speaker system. You can even add voice command with Amazon Alexa by connecting an Amazon Echo or Echo dot to the master station via an auxiliary cable or Bluetooth connection.


Whole-Home Replacement Intercoms

If your home has an existing intercom station, or the in-wall cutouts for where an intercom would be located, finding a replacement system with modern features can be tricky, since the existing wiring may not be compatible with newer devices. Thankfully, our store carries retrofit compatible intercom systems, which can both bring you high quality audio for your communication and audio playing needs and save you money on costly rewiring and installations.


IST RETRO Music & Intercom System


You can update your pre-existing in-wall home intercom system using your existing 3, 4, or 6 wire systems with the IST Retro Music Intercom System. Available in 4 or 5 room kits, this system includes a master station, room stations, a patio station, door station, and Bluetooth receiver. With the master station, you’ll be able to retrofit it into the hole of your pre-existing master intercom unit and connect it to other room stations as well as external speakers. The Master unit also features AM/FM radio with 10 presets, a dock for MP3 players and other audio devices. And, you’ll be able to play music or issue voice commands through your intercom system because it is compatible with Amazon Alexa. You could answer your front door from your bedroom with the included door station, meaning you won’t have to leave your room to speak with a visitor. 


Video & Voice Intercoms

Video intercoms give you the convenience of being able to see the person you’re talking to, a feature most commonly needed when talking to someone outside your door. Video doorbells and video intercoms add another layer of communication to your home, giving you the ability to see your visitors, and for them to also see you if they are also using a video intercom.


MyDoor Wireless IP Video Doorbell


If you would like to minimize break-ins all while adding an easy way to see and speak with visitors at your front door, the MyDoor Wireless IP Video Doorbell is your answer. The MyDoor Video Doorbell allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to see or speak with visitors from a remote location. It features an HD adjustable camera with 160° degree field of view, LED night vision technology, Remote Unlock Technology, and a MicroSD card slot so you can record video and snapshots. It’s also extremely durable because it’s IP 65 Rated, making it vandal proof and weather resistant, plus, it has a nice design and comes in various colors to match and enhance the look of your front door area.

Please note: The MyDoor Video Doorbell is also available as the IST RETRO MyDoor Wireless IP Video Doorbell. The RETRO MyDoor Video Doorbell version is specifically designed to replace the original door station that’s included with the IST RETRO Music & Intercom System Kit. 


Adorne Wireless Video Door Intercom Kit



With crisp, color video you’ll be able to see who is at your front door from another room of your house using the Adorne Wireless Video Door Intercom Kit. This kit includes a Door Unit (doorbell & camera) and a Room Unit. An advantage to installing this system in your smart home is that it can be expanded with additional Room Units to create a room-to-room intercom system. Not only will you be able to see who is at your front door, but also have a live video chat with other household members. The system has a wireless range of 200 feet (between units) and the Door Unit has built-in memory for recording a short voice message that will automatically play when a visitor presses the doorbell button.  


Touchscreen Intercoms

If you’re looking for a device that does more than intercom communication, consider one of these touchscreen panels with intercom capabilities. While communicating with others is not the core feature of these devices, you’ll find that these automation and security panels are able to fulfill more than your audio and communication needs.


Qolsys IQ Panel 4, PowerG + 319.5 MHz (Verizon)


If you’re looking for a reliably connected all-in-one device for your smart home, home security, and home audio needs, theQolsys IQ Panel 4, PowerG + 319.5 MHz (Verizon) is right for you. This touchscreen automation and security hub includes 4x front-facing QuadSound 4W speakers and a built-in microphone to provide clear audio for intercom communication, audio streaming, and alarms. Additionally, if you purchase the IQ Panel 4 Base, the sound quality of the IQ Panel 4 is dramatically improved thanks to the base’s built-in subwoofer. On top of its audio functions, it can also command a smart automation or security system consisting of Z-Wave, 319.5 MHZ, and PowerG devices, and connects to Verizon’s cellular network for near guaranteed wireless connectivity.


2GIG EDGE Security Panel with 7" Touchscreen, AT&T


The 2GIG EDGE Security Panel with 7" Touchscreen, AT&T can help you monitor, communicate, and automate devices across larger properties with multiple entrances or with various automation, security, and communication requirements. This touchscreen security panel comes with a microphone and 2-way voice to monitor and communicate with up to 8 video doorbells or surveillance cameras, and can also accept voice commands with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri. The EDGE Panel can also manage and stay connected to over 100 automation and security devices thanks to its dual Wi-Fi and Verizon LTE wireless communication. The panel’s impressive array of features provide everything you need to stay up to date with the comings and goings at home.

If you would like to add an intercom system to your smart home or retrofit a new intercom system to replace your old system, we can help. Just call us at 858-693-8887 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific, Monday – Friday) for free tech support and product advice. You can also email us at service@homecontrols.com or visit https://www.homecontrols.com.