Corpus Christi
Caller-Times (Corpus Christi, TX)
Date: 10, March 2001
Video system has safety
in mind
Camera can operate in total darkness with a 12-foot sight range
[Image Caption:
The Video Entry System, from VOS Systems, permits video and audio
surveillance without visitors knowing they are being observed. The price
for the basic system is ($399.95).]
By Alan J. Heavens
 It's
3a.m., and you hear a noise near your front door. You climb out of bed,
head downstairs and look through the peephole. It's dark, and you're
afraid to turn on the front lights because the intruder will know where
you are.
Then
again, it could be neighbor's cat.
There's
a reasonable, priced way to be sure who is outside, and that's the Video
Entry System from VOS Systems, of Poway, Calif.
The
system comes in two parts. Once combines an intercom-doorbell with an
infrared television camera that mounts on front doors or exterior walls in
the same way as a standard doorbell.
To gain
entrance, visitors push a button and the chime sounds. The resident uses
the second component - a telephone monitoring system with a four-inch
black and white video screen, handset and speaker phone - to see and talk
with visitors.
The
system permits constant video and audio surveillance without visitors'
knowing they can be observed.
You can
add up to three monitoring stations. The units can sit on a desk or be
mounted on a wall.
The
camera can operate in total darkness. It has a sight range of up to 12
feet, with a 60-degree horizontal and 50-degree vertical view.
[Price:
$399.95]
VOS
also makes voice-activated and remote-controlled electronic switches and
dimmers.
The
IntelaVoice wall switch lets you control lights with "lights low," "lights
on" and "lights off" voice commands when you enter a dark room and can't
find the switch or have your hands full.
It
looks like a computer mouse. You plug the IntelaVoice into a standard
outlet and attach a lamp or small appliance up to 150 watts.
Price:
$29.95
The
remote-controlled light switch and dimmer uses an infrared signal to
adjust lights.
Four
remote channels can be set for each room, allowing users to control light
in every one.
The
dimmer has a capacity of 40 to 500 watts.
Price:
$39.95 |
