Twice – By Joseph Palenchar
Provo, Utah — Vivint, the direct-to-consumer supplier of professionally installed security and home-automation systems, expanded its Sky smart-home system to include a doorbell camera.
When it detects motion or when someone rings the doorbell, the Wi-Fi-equipped Vivint Doorbell Camera sends a notification to a user’s smartphone, from which users can view a picture or choose to stream a live video. The doorbell camera also streams live HD video to the 7-inch touchscreen of the company’s on-wall Vivint SkyControl touchpanel.
Sent notifications can be customized so that users receive them only when motion is detected or only when the doorbell is pressed. Users can also set specific times to receive notifications.
At any time, users can retrieve video and audio clips on demand.
Because the doorbell comes with built-in omnidirectional microphone and speaker, a homeowner can use the control panel or smartphone to hold a two-way conversation with the person at the door. Vivint’s Cloud service also saves 30-second clips of each event for later on-demand viewing, and the clips can be shared from the smartphone.
Homeowners who identify visitors at their doorstep can disarm the security system, remotely unlock the front door, and open the garage door for a delivery drop-off.