Undeniably, the sensible doorbell is a sizzling class, however you already know what all of those lack? Any type of deep integration with the automation techniques that we’re putting in. Or, as Control4’s senior director of product advertising and marketing Kordon Vaughn mentioned, “Video doorbells allow you to see and speak, however not do.”
Roughly two years in the past, Control4 launched its new DS2 Door Station. This machine screams luxurious all the way in which, with a beautiful wanting faceplate out there in three stable metallic finishes that match proper in outdoors a million-dollar dwelling and presents stable Control4 integration, in addition to the addition of a brand new Control4 function, “Intercom Anyplace.” However, at almost $1200 for the flush-mount model, it may be a troublesome promote for a lot of prospects, particularly when there are many DIY choices out there for underneath $200. And, even at that premium pricing, the DS2 had a fairly meager 1280×960 (1.2 MP) decision digital camera in comparison with many competing merchandise, didn’t seize/report any video clips, and required a hardwired Ethernet cable for PoE energy, that means retrofit was usually out of the query.
Attributable to this, it’s possible you’ve been incorporating different merchandise with third-party drivers (nod to Blackwire Designs!) into your Control4 tasks to get some type of sensible doorbell built-in along with your installs, even when it meant the client bouncing between apps.
Control4 has heard your cries and feels your ache, and higher but, they’re doing one thing about it! Meet the brand new Chime Video Doorbell, which Control4 calls “the primary video doorbell resolution designed to leverage the entire capabilities of the subtle Control4 OS3.”
First Impressions
Let’s get this out of the way in which upfront: Chime is means cheaper than DS2. Whereas not low cost at $400, it’s way more reasonably priced, and comes with the type of seller margin you’d by no means dream of getting with DIY stuff. Chime additionally is available in two variations: PoE for brand new installs and Wi-Fi for retrofits, each supplied in black or nickel metallic finishes.
Taking Chime out of the field, my first thought was, “Man, that is dinky.” Chime measures a scant 5 x 1.5 x 1 inches (H x W x D) — about 60 % the scale of a greenback invoice — and it’s fairly mild. Visually, it’s fashionable and enticing, but it surely undoubtedly doesn’t exude the burden and gravitas of the DS2. (However for those who’ve bought a buyer that’s actually delicate in regards to the take a look at the entrance door, the DS2 continues to be out there!)
Chime’s entrance is mainly divided into two halves, with the digital camera lens on prime and the button on backside. The button is ringed with a soft-lit LED that’s white throughout common operation, making it apparent the place to push. If enabled, two pink LEDs glow on both aspect of the lens at night time to boost darkish viewing. It comes with a easy metallic mounting bracket that attaches to the wall with two screws, after which the Chime clips and secures into the bracket with an Allen-screw into the underside.
Since I used to be changing a DS2 with an present hardwired Cat cable linked to a Pakedge PoE change, I opted for the PoE model. For retrofit installs the place you’re changing an present doorbell, the Wi-Fi model will possible be your go-to because it powers through the prevailing doorbell’s transformer and 2-wire connection. (The PoE model additionally has the power to hook up with an present door chime or contact sensor.)
For those who go together with the PoE model, remember that it has a fairly thick waterproof Ethernet connector hanging off the again that requires some truthful wire administration house behind it, and mounting this to a stable floor like brick or concrete will imply chiseling out a pocket for this wiring to recess into. Control4 will supply a brand new building field that could be a half-gang dimension that accepts the Chime mount, in addition to an adapter plate for single-gang wall packing containers. There isn’t a flush-mount possibility with Chime.
For my set up, I fabricated a chunk of plastic to cowl the prevailing DS2 opening, with a gap for the wiring to tuck by into the DS2 recessed mount, and easily hooked up the Chime mount with a few screws.
With the PoE model, that’s it for the set up. With the Wi-Fi model, as soon as it’s wired and powered up, you have to join it to the house’s Wi-Fi. Chime creates an ad-hoc Wi-Fi community you connect with — navigate an internet browser to 192.168.1.1 and also you’ll enter the default password after which scan and connect with the house’s Wi-Fi. Chime helps each 2.4 and 5 GHz alerts, and Control4 recommends a goal sign of no less than –65 dBm on the door station for dependable efficiency.
As soon as on the community, you open your new model of Composer OS3.2 and Chime broadcasts itself through SDDP. Drag it into your venture, and after it performs any firmware updates, you’re instructed to alter its admin password earlier than you possibly can proceed.
