New: Axis Video Intercom

By Brian Rhodes, Published May 12, 2015, 12:00am EDT

A suicide resistant camera, an IP horn and now a video intercom.

Axis might be getting pushed out of the low end of the market, but they are building out high-end speciality niches.

In this note, we examine the new Axis video intercom, the A8004-VE, look its key strengths and weaknesses, comparing it to analog units and offerings from Aiphone and Mobotix.

Product *******

********-********** ** ********, ** camera, *** **** ********** into * ****** ******* rated ****. **** ****** both *** ******** ******* and ********** ********** *** 'better' than *** **** ********* integrated **** ** *******. Two-way, **** ****** ***** paired **** ****** **** lock ********* *** * standard ***** *********** ***** the **** **** ****** be * ****-** **** intercom ********* **** **** VMS *********.

**********, *** **** ******** an ******** ******* ******** ** be ******* ******** **** a **** **** * standard US ******-**** ********** *** [link ** ****** *********] ** flush onto a ****:

**** ****** ********* ***** *** the ***** ********.

Major ******

  • **** ****** **** * ***** *.***, 97 ****** *** ****.
  • ***** ********** ***: *** ******* ********** claims ** **** ******** loud ********** ****** ** that ********* *** **** user's ***** *******.
  • ** ** *******: ** ********, *** unit's ******* ** ******* of ********* ***** ** to ** *** ** operators *** ** ******* heard.
  • **** *******: *** **** ******** four */* ***** *** directly ********** **** ******* locks ** ******** **** can ** ******** ********* by ********* *** *** interface ** *** ***** app ** ***.
  • *** *******: ********* ** *** PoE ***** ** *** supplying ****** (***), *** A8004-VE **** ****-******* ***** (Class *) ** ***** (Class *) ** ** VDC ** ******** *****. **** is ********** ** ***** strikes, *** ******** **** generally ******* ***** * supplies ** ******** ****** *****.
  • ****: ** ******** ** water *** ********* ******* for ******* ***, *** A8004-VE **** ****** ********* and *** ****************** *****************.
  • *** *******: *** ***** ** VoIP ******* **** ******* SIP, *** **** ******* can ** ******** * standard ***** ****** *** routing *** ******* ******* standard **** ********.

*****

**** ** **** ** $1249, ****** ******* *** the **** **** ****** be ~$****. ************ ** slated ** ***** ** US ************ ** ** 2015.

Dynamic *******

**** ********* ** **** the *****-**'* ********** ****** features '******* *******', ***** is '****' ********-******** ***. We ******** *** *********** in *** **** *** ** ***? ****, **********:

"*** ****** ‘********’ ******* images ** **** ******** with ********* ******** ****** between ****. ***** ****** are **** *** ******** to * *********, ***** both *** ******** *** the ******* ***** *** kept. **** ***** *** a **** ****** *** depth, ****** **** * computer ****** *** ******. Therefore, * **** ******* is **** – ** downsize *** *****."

***** ** *** ********** ******** challenges * ******* ***** intercom **** **** **** due ** * *****/**** exposed ********* ****** *** unshielded ***** **** *** sun, **** *** ** likely ** ********* ******* ** a ***** ****** ** installs.

**********

***** **** ******* ** gets **** ****** '*****' with **** *******, ** does *** **** ******* potential ************ ** **********.

*** *** **** ******: ***** ** ******* is **** *** ******* surveillance ****** ************, ** is ****** *** ***** intercoms ** **** *** or **** *** **** to ******** ********* ***** and ** *** ***** no ****** ***** **** are ********** ** *** door.  *** *****-** *** a *** ******** *** most ****** **** ********, but * ****** **** or **** ******** *** not ** ***** **** by *** ******.

** ****** ***********: ***** *** **** supports ********* ******** '******* in' ********, ** **** support * ****** ******* to * **** ****** or **** **** *** '***** *******' ********.  ** *** door ** **** ********* to ** ****** ******* system, *** *****-** **** be ********* ** ********** separate with ** ****** ********** and **** ****** ******** manually ** *** ***.

Remote ******* *** *********

***** *** *****-** *** not **** ******** *** sale, *** ***** *** development *** ******* ***** a **********/****** ******* ********* via ****' ****: 

*** *********** ****** **** it ******* *** ***, Android, ** ******* */* based ****** ** ** a ********** ****** ****** station. ******* ** ********* operators ** ******** ****** ** to an ********** *** ** website, *** *** ******** all **** ******** **** cellular *********** *** *** user **** *** **** app *** ******** **** users ** *** **** and ******* ********* *****.

********* ***** ***** $*** for three **** ********, *** *** app ** * **** download ** *** ****** devices.

Compared ** ****** ***** *********

*** **** ****** ***** video ******** ******* *** widely ********* *** **** than $***, ********* ********* from ******* (**:** ******), ****** (**: *-** [link ** ****** *********]) , *** ********* (**: H-BUS [**** ** ****** available]). *******, *********** ***** offerings ********* ******** ****** configurations, ***** ********, *** are ********* ** ******* remotely ***** *** ***** claims ** *** **** A8004-VE.

Compared ** ** ***** *********

*******: *****-***** *** ********* ****** *** **** or ****** ********, *** comes **** * ***** tag ******** ** ~$*** per ****. *** *** offers * *.* ** 5MP ******, *** **** offers ********** **** **** reader *** ****** ******* for ****** *********** **** an ****** ****** - a ******* *** *****-** does *** *****. 

*******, *** *********** **** the *** ** **** limited *** ** ******* lack ** ***** ****** support (***** ******* **** they *** ** *** process ** ********** / rectifying).

*******: *** ****** ******** manufacturer **** ****** **-***** systems, **** ***** *********** **** ******. *** IS ****** ****** * wider *** ** ***° with *** *** **** functions ******** *** *****'* 97°. *******, ******* ** not ******** ********* ** VMS *********, *** ****** is **** **** **** resolution, *** ** **-***** single **** ****** ***** over $**** *** ** a ********* **** ****** being ***** ** *** required ********.

Comments (27)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

05/12/15 05:01pm

Good move into this area. My only concern is why have they loaded the control electronics outside - Not sure I would want £750 sat at door level IK8 or not. Should have split it. There are other offering at a lower price point the cyberdata being one of them.

:)

Undisclosed End User #2

05/12/15 05:17pm

Most Axis gear is, but any word on if it's UL rated?

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed End User #2 | 05/12/15 06:15pm

I will ask Axis for specific feedback on this question.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/12/15 06:17pm

IEC/EN/UL 60950-1, IEC/EN/UL 60950-22

per the specsheet

Chris Dearing

IPVMU Certified | 05/12/15 06:30pm

Depending on the PoE Class of the supplying device (PSE), the A8004-VE will pass-through 160mA (Class 3) or 750mA (Class 4) at 12 VDC to attached locks. This is sufficient to power strikes, but maglocks will generally require Class 4 supplies or separate linear power.

Are you saying that 802.3at (PoE+) is necessary to use maglocks? PD's have classes, PSE's are either 802.3at or 802.3af.

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Chris Dearing | 05/12/15 06:59pm

The PSE negotiates class supply with the PD at startup. 'PoE Class supply rating' seemed redundant and needless to write, but there you have it.

Chris Dearing

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/12/15 08:31pm

Don't do that. :) It's just that, IMHO, people are more familiar with terms like POE+ and 802.3af, than PoE power classes.

The A8004-VE will pass-through 160mA (PoE) or 750mA (PoE+), at 12V to attached locks.

But that was just an aside. My real question was 'is PoE+ sufficient to power maglocks?

Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified | 05/12/15 09:33pm

Is it IP67 or IP66? Casing says IP66.

Yet in the approvals section it says IP66/IP67

Maybe its IP66 for the flush mount and IP67 for the recessed mount?

Undisclosed Integrator #1

05/12/15 09:40pm
Still going with the price as an issue.. It's a external camera in a square box with an small Amp, speaker and a mic . The Paxton unit does all this and more including multi tenancy via the display.
Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 05/12/15 09:43pm

Does the Paxton integrate the video, audio, and I/O to VMS systems?

Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Ethan Ace | 05/12/15 10:06pm

They are claiming Avigilon ACC and NUUO integration, with what appears to be video as well, although I wouldn't swear to it:

In addition the video integration software component enables users to view video associated with access control events within the Net2 system, providing valuable video verification in emergency situations and helping users reduce false alarms and related costs

Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 05/12/15 09:45pm

Doesn't the Paxton require an external controller/panel?

Undisclosed Integrator #1

05/12/15 09:49pm
The Paxton I believe can be integrated to a number of vms's I do know the video cannot be intergrated though. Audio can be sip. Supports IPv6 and auto sets up. It will need a controller to open the door.

Vlad Craciunescu

05/13/15 12:12pm

There is also 2N.cz on the ( European ? ) market with a number of models. They are Onvif and SIP for sure, they do work in Milestone and other VMSs. And some of them are cheaper.

Tomas Vystavel

2N Telekomunikace a.s.
In reply to Vlad Craciunescu | 05/18/15 09:30am

2n is present worldwide ......

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Tomas Vystavel | 05/18/15 01:49pm

2N Communications might be available worldwide, but the company is not well known outside the European market.

They list one employee for American sales and do not have relationships with any major distributors.

Tomas Vystavel

2N Telekomunikace a.s.
In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/21/15 08:13am

2N is listed at Anixter, Teledynamics, ABP and Gentec in Canada ...... so I beleive it is well available on the market

Chris Hammond

05/13/15 06:37pm

When I saw this demonstrated at ISC there was significant latency on the audio. Having a solution that can be used for remote access is a real benefit but it can be challenging to have a conversation with someone who on the oustide of a door is expecting a traditional voice communication. If they have to wait 5-10 seconds for the other end of the converstation, it is likely they will start talking again and the result can be a confusing exchange of dialog. Anyone else have experience with this or any other IP intercom solution related to latency of audio?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Chris Hammond | 05/13/15 10:03pm

Hey Chris, did you see the demo in the Axis booth itself or one of the partner booths? I didn't see substantial latency when I was looking at the door station demo, so curious if we were looking at the same one.

Chris Hammond

In reply to Ethan Ace | 05/18/15 04:18pm

Ethan,

Yes, I was at the Axis booth. Specifically, I was standing on the "outside" and the Axis rep was talking on the phone asking me if I can hear him. I said I didn't hear anything and walked over to the other side and by the time I walked back to where he was we could hear his voice coming through the intercom unit.

Avatar

Gert Molkens

IPVMU Certified | 05/17/15 01:08pm

Paxton needs an external controller to open the door. Watch out with Paxton 'integrations', in my experience these are seldom hasle free to say the least. Support wil first point the finger at the integrator or integrated third party product. They support SIP but, as far as inknow, only SIP INFO. If you're using Rfc2833 for instance it won't work

Undisclosed

05/18/15 09:26pm

sorry but I disagree with "building out high-end speciality niches." for a me-too product that yet again re-invents the voip phone.

Michael Miller

09/20/15 08:47pm

Anyone using these yet? I am finding there is some extreme latency using SIP when connected to our phone system to the point were it is basically unusable. I speak on my phone and audio comes out a couple seconds later on the intercom. We also have Stentofon SIP stations on the same system and the audio is instant. Anyone else seeing this with the Axis unit?

Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Michael Miller | 09/20/15 08:57pm

Just this.

Michael Miller

In reply to Undisclosed #3 | 09/20/15 09:09pm

Yea saw that..... Basicly the samething I am seeing

Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Michael Miller | 09/20/15 09:47pm

Makes you wonder who makes the call to release or not release a product over there.

Undisclosed Integrator #4

03/31/16 03:32pm

Are there still latency issues with this product? I'm looking at quoting this or the Aiphone IX series for a door intercom to record an ONVIF stream when they open the door.

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