Why is a Digital system most of the time the worst intercom to use? But only just sometimes the best!
Some Traditional Positives.
  • With a Traditional wired system with a single wire damaged can simply affect at times only 1 single unit. Commonly will still have 75% of the system working with only one function not working until repaired.
  • Able to accommodate other brands if the equipment/model/range is discontinued. For example if the brand goes out of business or changes models, we can use parts from other brands to have systems continue to work. Handsets, power supplies, Speech Amplifiers. Daily we service multiple brands with universal and compatible or even adapt parts to have systems as old as 50 years to continue to work. With a digital we have heard commonly systems that are as little as 3 months old have no serviceable parts and needing replacement, yes that was 90 days..... Then the entire system 100% needs to be replaced. You can understand we dont want the easy install with this option possible.
  • Fewer electronics so this makes it more reliable. Less electronics + Less parts to fail. Less to corrode, less to fail.
  • With a small fraction of the electronics than Digital systems have will make the traditional so many times more reliable. Traditional is without complex electronics. A Digital system needs complex electronics to enable 4 functions to operate on 2 wires, the traditional systems simply has one wire per function.
  • When you press unit 1 there is a wire from the entrance panel to unit one, and nowhere else.
  • Traditional Power supplies are more stable, and do not have computers that crash that happen with storms or electrical surges. Note. If a lightning strike is close enough nothing can survive regardless of brand / protection or filters.
  • Traditional Yes are harder to connect and this is why many electricians don't like them, but once installed are much cheaper for repairs and many times faster to service the system or make repairs. As a specialised intercom company we don't find the traditional a challenge like most. When you specialise it makes it much easier to install or replace systems.
  • One simple press button to call a unit, press the button 24 to call unit 24. Not multiply buttons like a digital, ie. 2 4 C or E or Bell. Traditional have a simple single wire behind this button that is run to unit 24. With a digital system this call button is modulated into data and transmitted to all handsets, to listen and decode the call to sound in a unit. We always default to a single button for all digital systems we installed unless the design prevents this.
  • Oils and cockroaches do less damage to the internal handsets.
Digital System Negatives
  • With a Digital a single wire knocks the system completely out with 0% working.
  • If the Bus-line runs to the entrance panel, and then needs to be run to the power supply mixer and then back to the entrance panel, most installers will run this within the same cable even though in the instructions it states do not run the bus-line within the same cable in two directions, otherwise it caused problems instantly or intermittently a year or two later.
  • Digital systems are often locked to the installer, then only the installer can service and holds the building ransom to inflated service costs to be able to fill the void of a cheaper installation / replacement quotation. Fewer wires but these wires need to the 100% perfect for connection.
  • The panels are complex and confusing with instructions often being larger than the panel itself. Dependent on the brand the buttons have different commands, etc., C = Call for one brand, but C = Clear for another. Green is call for one, and Red is call for another brand or even a BELL Icon. More below on this input.
  • A simple call requires Modulators and Demodulators to encode and transmit over a BUS line all very complex, with speech in + speech out + Call + door + power all on two small wires.
  • Entrance panels need to control the electric latch with moving relays that are acceptable to corrosion or solid state devices that cannot supply clean AC current if needed.
  • Many digital systems, access is needed to all units, when replacement parts are installed, for example, the entry panel is damaged, and all units need to be access to program. We need access to all units in the entire complex to be home to programme a main entrance panel. If you have 100 units, that all home for a whole day to program. The traditional you simply plug the new part in and walk away. Many companies increase their parts once installed.
  • If we install a digital system we commonly if the entrance panel area allows we with price to have a intercom entrance panels with the more simple one button per unit. There is one button that is pressed to call each unit; this is a simple operation we are able to quote for the digital keypad style if required. Even though always cheaper to install we do not recommend this type due to confusion, and many building have the instructions the same size or larger than the entrance panel itself to explain how to use. Even thought one button it still needs a bucket of electronics to work
Dependent on the brand you may need to press multiple buttons to call a single unit.For example to call units 1 & 10Our Unitcom systems press the 1 button for unit 1. Press the single 10 button for unit 10. Can't be simpler than this operation.Other systems include0+0+0+1+ (GREEN) for calling unit 10+0+1+0+ (GREEN) for calling unit 10OR1+C (CALL) but on other systems the C is CLEAR.OR< & > then ENTER after scrolling through numbers.ANDSome you press a Bell to call, others a C, others a E, others a Round red dot, others a picture of a phone, and the list goes on. They are complex and confusing to all ages.We do not install these systems for obvious reasons. Digital System PositivesSimple to install with only 2 wires to each handset.When the door button is pressed, a timed 8 second release time for access.If a old 1 + N system is installed then a rewire maybe not needed if only 2 wires to the power supply and three panels or more.If limited wires are installed, or with one brand that used 1 less wire than common systems can be installed.If a small panel area then a digital pad can be installed, even though most visitor are unable to understand the operation.