Video Doorbell Questions

[ASC Admin]

We're in the process of rolling out a 3CX installation from Azure w/ a local SBC, and we'd like to install a few Fanvil video door phone devices at the entryways.

We're considering either the i31s or the i23s now that they're officially supported, and have some questions about the deployment.

If we configure the Fanvil units to dial a ring group, can we add both video capable and non-video enabled handsets to be able to receive the call? Will there be a conflict with audio/video codecs in such a case? We want the front desk phone to be video capable, but it would be handy if other stations could answer the door as well and hear the other end.

What is a relatively affordable handset that can display video? We're largely deploying Yealink t46s's, but they have no capability to process video codecs. We have no need for two way video, only the ability to display. I'm aware that the web interface could display video, but we'd like to make the process as simple as possible for the employees.

Will an SBC allow all potential video traffic to circumvent the need to send the video stream to/from the Azure instance and keep things local? (I imagine so)

In the event of an internet failure, the door ringers will cease their ability to ring the local handsets. Is there any sense in circumventing the 3CX environment entirely and research direct IP calling?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[cobaltit]

• No problem with devices in the ring group. The calls start as audio and will only elevate to video for devices that support video
• For phones that support video, just look at the higher end models of the supported phone list. Fanvil X7 or Yealink T5x
• 3CX doesn't support video so the SBC won't touch the video
• I'm confused because you outlined a scenario where the door phones wouldn't work and then asked if it made sense to try to figure out a work around. No one here knows your installation better than you so you are really the only one that can answer that question.

 

[ASC Admin]

My understanding was that the audio passes through the local SBC to transmit audio from one phone to another within the building. I'm trying to make sure that a door phone system will be able to transmit video to a video enabled phone while both are connected to 3CX through our local SBC.

I'm curious how other businesses deal with potential internet failures in regards to door ringers.

 

[Alphabetic]

Hi

We have deployed a Fanvil door system with Fanvil X6 (for video) and X5 for audio only. Both phones are able to unlock the door which is connected to the Fanvil door phone - I think it's an i18s or something like that. This install is local.

As for "what if the internet goes" - The person calling will have to do some good o'fashioned knocking. If you're worried about redundancy add in a wireless doorbell or something.

 

[ASC Admin]

Thanks for the suggestion. The Fanvil x6 is relatively affordable. We just snagged one to compliment our i31s door ringer. Were there any problems with auto provisioning? or need for custom templates to get video working?

 

[Alphabetic]

No auto provision worked fine for the phone. However, there were about 3 settings which I had to configure manually per phone that wanted video too which I could have done with a custom template but I didn’t want to go down that route. The settings that require changing don’t get overwritten with reprovisions. The settings are basically to say the phone is to use video too.

 

[cobaltit]

I'm curious how other businesses deal with potential internet failures in regards to door ringers.

Well it's a mixed bag. Most business that are using the cheaper end of door video stuff don't want to spend what it would cost for a more reliable scenario (aka redundant internet). If internet is not reliable, then maybe skip the SIP door phone and go with something like Ring. Otherwise it's put a note on the door with someone's cell phone when the internet goes out or prop the door open. Old fashioned solutions.

 

[ASC Admin]

I imagine 'ring' systems, being consumer driven, are completely dependent on their own cloud solution/smartphone app. The reason we shied away from those consumer grade devices is I assumed they would be streaming to some central server out there.

 

[cobaltit]

Sorry ring is a bad example. There are stand-alone products similar to ring that can do wireless from the door phone to a small video device. No internet/cloud required.