Video intercom or audio intercom: which to choose

This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.

A visiophone is an intercom with image: the street plate has a camera and the indoor monitor shows the visitor before opening. An audio intercom transmits only voice. For a building, office or clinic, the visiophone lets you identify the person before opening; an audio intercom suffices when voice and context identify the visitor. The price depends on the number of units, brand and cabling as well as image quality: in store, the Videx audio kit for four calls (32,500 DA HT) costs more than the Dahua DHI-KIT02 visiophone kit (18,000 DA HT). This guide helps choose between visiophone and intercom.

Video intercom: technology and benefits

A visiophone connects a street plate (camera, microphone, speaker and call button) to one or more indoor monitors. The visitor presses the button: the monitor rings and shows live image. Conversation is simultaneous. From the monitor, you command the door latch or lock.

Advantages :

• Security: you see who rings before opening.
• Comfort : no need to go down to check.
• Image memory: depends on monitor model. The Commax CDV-70QT shop sheet mentions memory, which is not the case for all monitors.
• Multi‑unit building: a panel with one button per unit serves several monitors.

Limitations :

• Wiring has more conductors than audio, or it uses a network cable (IP system) or a pair (2‑wire system). For example, the Commax DRC-40K panel manual specifies 4 conductors between panel and monitor, plus 2 for the latch;
• one monitor per unit is required: equipment cost multiplies by the number of units;
• each monitor must be powered (sector or PoE depending on system).

Audio intercom: the lightweight solution

An audio intercom connects a street panel (button, microphone and speaker) to a handset or an indoor unit in each unit. No image is shown. Voice alone suffices to recognize a regular visitor, give instructions or ask someone to identify themselves.

Videx 8K series kits sold in store are available in 1, 2 or 4‑call versions (references 8K-1, 8K-2 and 8K-4). According to Videx 8000 series documentation, their wiring is of type “3+n”: three common conductors and one per unit.

Advantages :

• Cost: with the same number of units, audio equipment is generally cheaper, as it has no camera or display.
• Simple installation: few conductors, no display to mount or power per unit.
• Maintenance: fewer elements to maintain per unit, since there is no display.

Limitations :

• no visual reference: identification is by voice or context;
• less deterrent for an unauthorized visitor than a system with camera.

Price comparison and kit composition

The table lists store products, with their ex‑tax price shown as of 06/11/2026, according to availability.

Compatibility between a panel and a monitor is checked before ordering: same brand, same cable family (4‑wire, 2‑wire or IP).

Order of magnitude observed on our quotes (confirmed orders): Commax DRC‑40K panel from 17,000 to 19,000 DA HT, median 19,000 DA HT (11 orders); Commax CDV‑70H monitor from 32,000 to 34,000 DA HT, median 34,000 DA HT (8 orders); Dahua DHI‑KIT02 video phone kit from 15,400 to 18,000 DA HT, median 16,000 DA HT (4 orders); Videx ART‑8K‑2/A audio kit from 12,000 to 21,000 DA HT, median 19,000 DA HT (6 orders). These are reference points from our quotes, not prices. Quote prices and shop prices differ: do not add them together.

Network architectures

IP video intercom (Dahua)

An IP plate connects to the local network via an Ethernet cable, up to 100 m. Depending on the model, it is powered by PoE: the store sheet for VTO3211D-2P indicates this. Indoor IP monitors, or a smartphone app, connect to the same network. Each device receives an IP address, fixed or reserved by the DHCP server.

Advantages :

• one Ethernet cable per device;
• simple extension: one more housing equals one more monitor and one switch port;
• possible response on smartphone with systems that provide it;
• some IP plates can register on an SIP IPBX or connect to a network video recorder: depends on the model, read the manufacturer sheet;

Limitations :

• the system depends on the network: PoE switch, sufficient PoE budget (see IP or analog telephone system for the calculation), UPS;
• configuration requires planning IP addresses and sometimes a VLAN (see VLAN: segment your enterprise network);
• without power, nothing works if the switch is not powered;

2-wire visio-phone (Dahua)

The store references a 2-wire street plate Dahua VTOB108 / VTO2000A-2, listed at 24,000 DA HT (in stock on 06/11/2026). In a 2-wire system, power, audio and video travel on one pair. This can replace an old intercom whose conductors are in good condition. 2-wire equipment from one brand does not mix with that of another. The maximum distance and cable gauge are specified in the system’s manual.

Conventional wired video intercom (Commax)

The basic Commax monitors listed here are wired point-to-point, without a network. For the DRC-40K plate and CDV-70H monitor pair, Commax documentation states:

• 4 polarized conductors between the plate and monitor: voice, ground, +12 V and video;
• 2 unpolarized conductors for the latch;
• a 12 V power supply provided to the plate by the monitor;
• a maximum distance that depends on conductor diameter: 28 m at 0.5 mm, 50 m at 0.65 mm and 70 m at 0.8 mm.

Advantages: the system is independent of the IT network and suitable for buildings without network infrastructure.

Limitations: point-to-point wiring per unit, no smartphone access with the basic models. The store lists two Wi‑Fi Commax monitors, the CMV-70MX-H at 45,000 DA HT and the CDV-70QT at 61,000 DA HT, both out of stock as of 06/11/2026.

Wired audio intercom (Videx)

The “3 + n” wiring of the Videx 8K series requires few conductors. Power and latch connection follow the kit’s diagram. There is no video: to get an image, a different system is needed.

Use cases and choice

The intercom suits :

• a multi‑unit building or shared offices where the visitor must be identified;
• a shop or office that controls public access;
• a site that already has IT and CCTV: an IP system can integrate according to the model (see Wi‑Fi or PoE wired camera for PoE logic).

The audio intercom suits :

• a small office or shop where voice is sufficient;
• a historic building where existing cable lacks enough conductors for video;
• a limited budget and few entries.

Hybrid: an IP plate and a smartphone app, plus the indoor monitor, provide remote response without changing architecture.

Criteria to check before choosing

1. The number of units: a multi‑button plate has one button per unit.
2. Existing cable: number of free conductors, gauge, condition and length to each unit.
3. Power: a mains outlet near each monitor, or a PoE port.
4. The latch or suction cup to control: see Electromagnetic lock or latch and our solution access control and time clock.
5. The need for stored images or smartphone response.
6. Planned expansions: added units, second entry.

Installation with AsloTech

For a 10‑unit building, the estimate depends on the number of buttons and monitors, cable lengths to run, existing cabling condition, and latch type. We do not publish a flat installation rate: the cost is quoted on a proposal. For an IP system, network design falls under our computer networking solutions; for cabling, see Network Cabling Price. A reliable installation ends with a test: call from each button, image and sound on every monitor, latch opening. AsloTech performs these acceptance tests during commissioning. To keep access usable during a power outage, plan for a UPS; see UPS: how to choose the power.

Frequently asked questions

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