DOOR ENTRY SYS T EMS

Enter the next generation

By Steve Lucas, Technical Support Engineer at Jung

Y

ears ago, if you lived in an apartment your door entry system would have been at best, basic, and

perhaps even non-existent. But, as developers sold us a lifestyle with every property, the door entry system became ubiquitous across every block of apartments. In new style city living there was no question of having to sprint down three or four flights of stairs to answer the door; the developers were selling convenience and above all modern living, so technology had to be part of the package. The city living gold rush may

be over but, for the developers still committed to delivering high quality schemes, bells and whistles count more than ever. While a complacent approach to the specification of an apartment might not have mattered during the property boom, leaner times call for greater product differentiation and a high spec door entry system can impress from the minute the prospective buyer turns up to view.

Aesthetic appeal

‘Kerb appeal’, as our TV property buying experts will tell us, is always essential and when it comes to door entry systems – a practical rather than decorative item after all – aesthetics is something that has been largely overlooked in the past. In fact, that was the initial driver behind the recently

launched Jung door entry system: architects and designers asked us to consider a door entry system that would complement the other wiring accessories in the range. So that was the starting point of the development process, which then led us on to investigate how we could exploit available technology to take the concept of a door entry system to the next level. Improving the aesthetics of

the product means having something that looks good both as you enter the property outside the building and within the property at the point of use. The Jung Door Entry System exterior units are styled with our signature flat, rectangular design and both the system’s exterior and interior units are visually appealing and unobtrusive with no ugly handset or flex on the internal wall-mounted unit. The units can either be wall mounted or recessed and no screws or fixings are visible following installation, enhancing the product’s clean, contemporary lines. The interior units have been

designed for easy integration with several Jung design ranges, including the AS 500, CD and LS ranges, to ensure it fits with the property’s design style. For the designer, this makes it easy to add functional technology to a property without breaking the design style, and for the end user, it

adds wow factor without ostentatious clutter.

Can anyone hear me?

Of course, while aesthetics can help with first impressions, it is functionality that really sells a system to the discerning specifier – and in the past that’s also been a source of disappointment. Poor sound quality, interference from traffic noise and other background noises were just some of the problems that meant that many door entry systems offered only a basic level of communication. For Jung, development of a

next generation door entry system had to begin with improved communication. After all, these systems are not just about convenience or kudos, they are all also essentially a home security device and if you cannot hear the visitor properly then they are not very effective! A digital signal processor in the Jung Door Entry System provides

echo-free,

simultaneous speech with all interference digitally filtered out. The inclusion of this technology in a door entry system takes the product to the next level and for the end user it means that talking through the door entry system will be as clear and simple as chatting on the telephone. What’s more, the design means that there is no cumbersome handset and no awkward pauses while users wait for the other party to release the talk button.

Take a closer look

The visual appeal of a door entry system is not just about the aesthetics of the unit itself, but about the quality of the picture available to the end user. Advances in digital camera technology mean that a high resolution digital image is now a simple addition to a standard door entry system and Jung has combined a 1.3 megapixel camera in the exterior unit with tilt and zoom functionality to allow the user not only to see the image clearly but to change the viewpoint of the image or examine a detail. This could prove very useful if, for example, the visitor is wearing a pass for identification or if multiple people arrive at the

18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2010

property. It’s important to note too that a quality integral camera is only of value to the end user if the screen is of a high quality too, which is why the Jung system includes a 2.8” TFT colour screen.

A touch of class

From mobile phones to supermarket checkouts, touch screens have become an everyday technology that allows people to focus their attention and their actions in a single place. It seems logical therefore that door entry systems should also use this technology and it is central to the user- friendliness of the Jung system. The TFT colour screen is not simply, therefore, the window to the system’s external unit it is the controls for the system, allowing the user to change the camera angle, alter the volume, brightness or contrast. Users can even use the touch function on the on-screen display (OSD) to select their preferred ring tone from 14 real tone options or to record a voice message on the system’s verbal memo pad.

Fast and fuss-free

While functionality and wow

factor for the end user are important attributes for any door entry system, more practical considerations must also play a part. The aesthetic and sound quality issues discussed have often been exacerbated by the limited range of many door entry

While a complacent approach to the specification of an apartment might not

have mattered during the property boom, leaner times call for greater product differentiation and a high spec door entry system can

impress from the minute the prospective buyer turns up to view

systems, leading to multiple exterior units at a single apartment block or substandard sound quality from some units. The Jung Door Entry System uses a six core cable which ensures that the system has a wider range, ideal for high rise developments and those with a large number of dwellings.

User-friendliness should also

apply to the installer just as it does to the end user. That’s why the Jung system is not only fast and simple to install but can also be commissioned remotely via a laptop linked to the external unit. This means that commissioning and any re- programming required can be completed without having to gain access to individual properties. What’s more, the system configuration is stored on a removable chip (EEPROM) – so there is no need for complete reconfiguration if changes need to be made. Once the preserve of the rich

and famous, door entry systems have become a commodity product thanks to the resurgence of apartment living in the UK. But in a tougher market, customers are not looking for products that tick all the boxes; they are looking for products that raise the bar. In an increasingly security conscious nation, door entry systems are a genuine upselling opportunity and products that combine advanced audio visual technology with stylish design have a clear advantage.

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