Undeniably, the good doorbell is a sizzling class, however you realize 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 Kordon Vaughn stated, “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 system screams luxurious all the best way, with a beautiful wanting faceplate out there in three stable steel finishes that match proper in exterior a million-dollar residence and presents stable Control4 integration, in addition to the addition of a brand new Control4 characteristic, “Intercom Wherever.” However, at almost $1200 for the flush-mount model, it may be a troublesome promote for a lot of clients, particularly when there are many DIY choices out there for below $200. And, even at that premium pricing, the DS2 had a reasonably meager 1280×960 (1.2 MP) decision digicam in comparison with many competing merchandise, didn’t seize/file any video clips, and required a hardwired Ethernet cable for PoE energy, which means retrofit was usually out of the query.
On account of this, it’s seemingly you’ve been incorporating different merchandise with third-party drivers (nod to Blackwire Designs!) into your Control4 initiatives to get some type of good doorbell built-in together with your installs, even when it meant the shopper 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 all the capabilities of the delicate Control4 OS3.”
First Impressions
Let’s get this out of the best way upfront: Chime is method cheaper than DS2. Whereas not low-cost at $400, it’s way more inexpensive, and comes with the type of vendor 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 provided 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 positively doesn’t exude the load and gravitas of the DS2. (However for those who’ve acquired 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 digicam lens on high 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 reinforce darkish viewing. It comes with a easy steel 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 current hardwired Cat cable related to a Pakedge PoE swap, I opted for the PoE model. For retrofit installs the place you’re changing an current doorbell, the Wi-Fi model will seemingly be your go-to because it powers by way of the prevailing doorbell’s transformer and 2-wire connection. (The PoE model additionally has the flexibility to hook up with an current door chime or contact sensor.)
If you happen to go together with the PoE model, bear in mind that it has a reasonably thick waterproof Ethernet connector hanging off the again that requires some honest wire administration area 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 provide a brand new development field that may 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 choice with Chime.
For my set up, I fabricated a bit of plastic to cowl the prevailing DS2 opening, with a gap for the wiring to tuck via 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 might want to join it to the house’s Wi-Fi. Chime creates an ad-hoc Wi-Fi community you connect with — navigate an online 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 indicators, and Control4 recommends a goal sign of a minimum of –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 pronounces itself by way of SDDP. Drag it into your undertaking, and after it performs any firmware updates, you’re instructed to alter its admin password earlier than you possibly can proceed.
