Is anybody here into home intercoms? There was this great little intercom system from legrand that I was planning to use in my new build. It was all self-contained, requiring no internet, and allowing users to call specific rooms, with hands-free answering option, integration with a door unit (voice or video - I was going with the voice option), and the ability to install well over a dozen room units. But they have just discontinued the thing, and I can't find the main components even on eBay. This is the system: Discontinued: Selective Call 4-Room Intercom Kit, Light Almond | Selective Call Intercom | Intercom Video and Voice | Audio/Visual
So, now what? I loved that the legrand did not have a big, bright, glowing touchscreen (I definitely don't want it as a nightlight!), but I could change my plan around a bit and keep it out of bedrooms to make a screen work. I am willing to consider something that is combined with one or more other functions/systems, such as music controls, and/or security. I'd definitely prefer an option that is wired - I have cat6 run from mechanical room to all the locations I had planned (cat5 for the door). Does anybody have any ideas how I could solve this?
Yeah and so much "listening"... sigh.. we have yet to fully understand the ramifications of all this "accepted" surveillance. I use the echo in certain areas of our house but am very uneasy about it.
They only listen locally for the wake word and when heard, then listens for command. There is the rare false positive on hearing "Alexa" ... very rare. I have multiple units and have yet to have an issue. They can always be put on mic mute and unmuted when you want to use them for intercom.
That is my understanding as well..but they are listening all the time and whether or not they actually record/upload that information is based entirely on how honest Amazon is being.. we found out not too long ago that teams of people where listening in / reviewing certain Echo conversations (post wake-word) in order to improve the AI. While I understand technically why they might do this it was still a bit of a shock anyway - I don't want people I don't know listening to my daily life. Side Note: you can opt out of this if it is still going on.
We are reliant on Amazon (or Google, Apple, Samsung etc) tell us the truth about what really goes on and what they collect... except we are the product NOT the customer so what we think we are getting vs what we actually signed up for might in fact be two different things.
I don't mean to "chicken little" too much - the sky is not falling as far as I know and as I said I own and use Amazon Echos but that doesn't lessen the concern any.
I feel (at least in the US) we are far too ambivalent about personal privacy and online data etc.
I did find this option - it looks like it could work, aside from being a big, bright screen. https://www.nubryte.com/touchpoint
Anybody have one, or watching this?
I have been exploring the Home Theater Direct (HTD) Lync whole home audio system, whose touch keypads include an intercom feature similar to the one I was planning on with the Legrand. It's not a perfect solution, but it might work. It leaves me with some other problems to solve, particularly a doorbell solution that can run off the single homerun cat5 cable we have installed. (Unfortunately, the doorbell/door speaker unit they used to make for this system is long since discontinued. ) I'm also trying to figure out how to give kids and visitors access to the music streaming device(s)- perhaps with a tablet in kiosk mode - since the HTD keypads only allow you to choose the source.
I'm frustrated by the limitations of the HTD system to solve my problems. Does anyone have any other intercom ideas, which do not include a "smart speaker" and are not retro-hideous?
I also have noted that the Brilliant single-gang switch appears to have video intercom between units. I suppose that could work, though it would be a damn pricey solution at $300/each.
In case anyone else in this community is interested, or has any further ideas for me, I'm updating as I continue my quest.
It occurred to me that maybe the now-super-cheap Wink units could be pressed into service purely as an intercom system, but it looks those would be "broadcast" only, without the ability to call a specific location.
So then, since I'm already contemplating getting some inexpensive (like $150 or maybe less, used) tablets and adding Fully Kiosk, to use as kid- and guest-accessible music controls (especially for selecting streaming music), maybe I could just put these in more locations and download an intercom app, which apparently exist. Hm.
Any other ideas?? Do you know of a device/system that has intercom capabilities that I might consider? Most of our other systems are still up in the air, so I am really open to ideas. Extra points if it has a way to hook up with/be the doorbell.
Don't laugh at me, but we use our Panasonic cordless phones as intercoms. Cheap solution, but not many have a home phone. The newest models can sync to your cellphone via bluetooth and still work as as intercoms, if you don't have a home phone.
Yes, absolutely. I named my handsets; kitchen, MBR, family room, laundry room, etc.
When you hit intercom , it lists the rooms and you can call that room
) I'm also trying to figure out how to give kids and visitors access to the music streaming device(s)- perhaps with a tablet in kiosk mode - since the HTD keypads only allow you to choose the source.
