Retrofit solution for door opener and video intercom system

I am looking for an affordable retrofit solution for a video intercom system. Additionally, I would like to create a way to allow access to the house without a key. Ideally, it would of course be great if these could work together. Unfortunately, we somehow didn’t consider this during the house construction, so we only have a 4-wire doorbell cable at the front door, and even that is relatively low for a video intercom system. Possibly, a LAN cable, maybe with POE, could be laid from the house connection room to the other side of the front door without much effort.

I have read quite a bit already, but I am not really any wiser. Fingerprint would be my preferred option, but from what I have read, fingerprints on children under 10 years old are poor or unreadable. I do not want to have control via mobile phone as the only access method because my child does not have a phone yet. An active transponder sometimes causes malfunctions when stored in trouser or handbag - I don’t like that. A passive transponder/bracelet would be my favorite for the child. I don’t want a PIN code as the only access method. Neighborhood children are too curious when they are out with my child.

I have had a simple Visortech with PIN code and transponder at the side door to the garage for a few years. It works 99% of the time but occasionally has a glitch where I have to open the lock with a small Allen key and reset it by reinserting the batteries. For the only access to the house, something like that would be too risky for me.

The most flexible option I found is the Somfy door lock with an additional RFID reader and optional PIN. Ekey is probably also supported. Another advantage is that manual opening with a key is still possible. There are definitely much cheaper variants, but with significantly fewer capabilities.

Now the question arises as to how the door lock could be connected to a video intercom system. This concerns, on the one hand, a possible built-in fingerprint scanner (whether ekey or others) and, on the other hand, to what extent opening commands could be sent from the indoor station to the Somfy door lock. Unfortunately, I have not even read anywhere whether I can link the Somfy Video Door Intercom v500 iO with the door lock. The Somfy forum was apparently discontinued some time ago through the FAQ.

Does anyone have experience with these Somfy products or at least an idea of what I should pay attention to?

Hi,
4-wire bell cable would be enough for either video (from the 4-wire cable you can still make a 100 Mbit line) or an Ekey module. Both will be difficult. And then you’re still missing two wires for the actual intercom system.

Another question, do you even have a motor lock or something similar installed in the door?

We have Somfy ourselves, but only for roller shutters and venetian blinds. The problem is that everything runs through their server. In other words, if they get hacked, your door is open. For me, their locks would be a no-go. In my opinion, front door opening should in no way be accessible via the network.

Best regards,

Andreas

No motor lock has been installed yet. That was possibly intended for the Somfy retrofit lock.

I don’t use it myself, but perhaps the Doorbird 2-wire Ethernet PoE Converter would be interesting for the wiring. It’s said to work quite well.

We have Somfy ourselves, but only for roller shutters and venetian blinds. The problem is that everything runs through their servers. In other words, if they get hacked, your door is open. For me, their locks would be a no-go. In my opinion, front door opening should in no way be accessible via the net.

I didn’t get the impression that all of this has to go through their servers with these two products. However, I find overall quite little information about the two products. But you are right, it should definitely work independently of a cloud.

I don't have it in use myself, but maybe the Doorbird 2-wire Ethernet PoE converter would be interesting for the wiring. It is supposed to work quite well.

Thank you. Interesting product, which I will keep in mind. That might also open up solutions that I had previously ruled out.