Digital door viewer with and without an app: Inexpensive and quick to install from 22 euros Replacing the classic door viewer with a digital version with a camera is quick and easy. Smart models offer numerous useful functions. 06.09.2022 8:00 p.m. tech stage
Replacing the classic door viewer with a digital version with a camera can be done in just a few minutes. We show whether and when which digital door viewers are worthwhile.
Most apartment doors have a peephole so that you can see who is standing in front of the door. This offers a wide field of view with a fish-eye effect via a lens, with which apartment users can observe what is happening in front of the door from the inside. If you want to monitor your door better with a digital solution, you can also use smart doorbells (purchase advice) and surveillance cameras (topic page) or swap the entrance lighting for a courtyard light with an integrated surveillance camera (best list)out. However, these solutions are largely unsuitable for rented or owner-occupied apartments, as they are generally not approved by the community of owners due to structural changes to communal property. But there is a solution to the problem: digital door viewers. This allows tenants or apartment owners to replace the classic door viewer without violating the building regulations of the community of owners. If you want to use such a model, you should still get the consent of the other residents for data protection reasons.
How do digital door viewers work
A digital peephole uses a small camera instead of a lens to record what is happening in front of the door and transmit this information to a small screen located at the other end of the camera on the inside of the door. The monitor and camera are usually powered by rechargeable batteries or batteries. You will look in vain for a motion detector or WLAN connection with simple digital door viewers, but they are also available for little money.
Smart variants are significantly more expensive, but they also offer significantly more performance. High-resolution cameras and screens are standard here. In addition, they often integrate an intercom function and can be controlled via app thanks to WLAN. This allows you to communicate with a person at the door, such as a parcel carrier, even when you are out and about. This is convenient and a real advantage, especially for people with walking aids.
The digital version of the door viewer can often do much more. For example, a night vision function is integrated into most models, which allows you to see outside the door even in the dark.
In addition, smart door viewers not only allow videos to be recorded when motion is detected, but also to be saved. Most models use a microSD card as the storage medium, but this is usually not included in the scope of delivery.
Many of the cheap digital no-name door viewers also offer a bell function. The bell button is often located directly under the camera unit.
Installation of the digital door viewer
The installation of a digital door viewer is uncomplicated and involves little effort. First, the old analog model is dismantled. This ultimately consists of a fish-eye lens and a viewing tunnel, which is countered and fixed on the inside of the door.
A hole remains in the door. The lens with the cable and the tube come into this from the outside. Double-sided adhesive tape is used to secure the camera unit against accidental twisting during installation. After inserting and gluing the module, it’s time to assemble the monitor mount. This is screwed twice to the tube of the exterior camera from the inside of the door and also fixed with double-sided adhesive tape. Depending on the thickness of the door, different screws from the scope of delivery are used. If you use a very thin or very thick door, you have to be careful: Not all door viewers are suitable for all door thicknesses.
The last step is to plug in the camera cable on the back of the monitor and slide the screen into the bracket. In theory, the digital door viewer is now ready for use. If you use a model with a WLAN function, you must also install the manufacturer’s app on your smartphone or tablet in order to be able to use additional camera functions.
Practice
In our test models, the Wireless Peephole Video Doorbell and the Ezviz CP4 (test report) , the tube of the camera unit is slightly wider than in our old door viewer. In order to use it, the vision tunnel must first be enlarged. In our case we use a size 16 drill bit. A small size 13 drill bit was enough for the old analogue door viewer. This is easily possible with your own door. However, tenants should first discuss such an adjustment with the owners.
After installing the monitor of the Wireless Peephole Video Doorbell, we noticed that the integrated battery is empty. To charge it, we need a micro USB cable and a power source. It sounds easy, but it is only possible with the right equipment. If you don’t have a socket next to the door, you either have to disconnect the monitor from the camera and charge it in another room or use a power bank. We use a USB power bank and our own cable. The included cable is far too short for our purpose at just 30 centimeters.
After charging and switching on the monitor, the digital door viewer works straight away. To see what’s going on in front of the door, all you have to do is briefly press the button on the screen. The monitor starts up and shows a pleasingly sharp and properly resolved camera image – even in the dark. The problem is that the viewing angle of 135 degrees is too small – small children cannot be seen on the monitor at all. A low mounting is also not helpful here, since we would only see the chest or stomach of taller people. It is a pity that the monitor is not of any help for children or wheelchair users. Smart doorbells like the Ring series (topic overview) or the Eufy Video Doorbell Dual (test report)have a significantly larger FOV (Field of View, viewing angle) and capture everything that is happening in front of the door.
The integrated bell works. After pressing the button below the camera unit, the monitor comes on for about 30 seconds and plays a melody lasting several seconds. The ringtone is sufficiently loud for small apartments, but too quiet for larger apartments or houses. The solution is not a real replacement for the doorbell. At least if children come to visit. Because they don’t even reach the bell button.
