Video door phones

	AMMA integrates home security, home surveillance and home automation into one system.

Current R&D projects aim to unite home security, surveillance and home automation applications.

Manufacturers of standalone home security devices and integrated systems in Taiwan are steadily moving closer to the industry's vision of an ideal digital home: one system for home security, home surveillance and home automation.

Taiwan, which is the base of about 40 to 60 home security product manufacturers, is armed with decades of manufacturing experience in security products and related fields. Taipei Hsien (Taipei County) in Northern Taiwan is the manufacturing base of about 70 percent of suppliers. Most are small and medium-sized companies that put a premium on R&D capability, and engage in product customization.

Everspring Industry Co., Climax Technology Co. Ltd, City Wall Enterprise Co. Ltd (Garrison), IR-Tec International Ltd and Scientech Electronics Co. Ltd lead the roster of active suppliers. These makers specialize in product development and integration, and the manufacture of intrusion alarm systems or motion detectors.

Some large-volume makers tend to focus on the domestic market, and are accessible only to foreign buyers through international purchasing offices or system integrators/solution providers.

The island offers various home security devices, including video door phones, intrusion alarm systems, motion detection sensors, gas/fire detectors and home security product/system accessories.

Integrated solutions are getting popular, pushing makers to enhance their capabilities for software/firmware design. Some 10 solution providers focus on system integration.

A good number of manufacturers began with a single product line and gradually ventured into other lines and integrated solutions. They have extensive experience in developing devices and solutions compatible with international brands. One of these companies is Hometek Electronics Co. Hometek manufactures video intercom and security systems, especially for complexes with door phone (indoor), door panel (outdoor), and entrance or concierge panels. It has system installations running in at least 200 buildings in Taiwan. The company began as a door phone maker, and aims to be a leading provider of building management systems, particularly of intercom/door phone systems.

Hometek is currently promoting its integrated home security solutions. Specifically designed for home use, its model HA-500 comprises four sets of stations, cameras, locks and eight video door phones. Another model, HA-2048, is also an integrated home surveillance system and door phone/intercom system designed for buildings with a single concierge station.

Production of home security devices are done in Taiwan or in mainland China. Most makers maintain production facilities on the island for better quality control, but some medium-sized companies, such as Anchor Security System Co. Ltd, also operate factories on the mainland. Anchor has an ISO-certified factory in Shenzhen and offers OEM/ODM services. It produces video door phones, CCTV surveillance systems, car rearview systems and vehicle safety vision systems. Its products follow major electronics regulations and standards, and are compliant with E-Mark (E-13), CE, FCC and RoHS.

Anchor offers simple and cost-effective solutions for consumers. Its easy-to-install AN-SN 8668 comes with a video door phone and camera, and an elegant housing design. The camera has a built-in IR LED that enables night vision. Embedded speakers and microphones provide an intercom between monitor and camera without the handsets. The model also boasts door-unlocking function, high resolution and low power consumption.

Beyond hardware devices, Taiwan suppliers also emphasize the importance of software and firmware designs. AMMAMSIC Technology Corp. (AMMA) positions itself as a provider of software/hardware combined solutions. The company specializes in software programs and offers various solutions for both small-scale installations and larger-scale constructions.

AMMA outsources hardware development to partner manufacturers. Its solutions can integrate home security (intrusion alarms, gas/fire detectors), home surveillance (cameras, DVRs) and home automation (lighting/air conditioning control, home theater control) in one system. The system has been successfully applied in luxury apartments and new real estate projects. AMMA has also introduced a series of mobile security and remote control systems. The Digital Surveillance System is a PC-based (IP-based), multi-channel video surveillance system. Its cameras, door phones and DVRs are scaleable. The model is available in several versions ranging from cost-effective systems with 20fps rate to leading-edge models with 480fps. Home automation and home safety functions are expandable.

AMMA's in-house software team can offer customized services, including alteration of user interfaces and addition of language support. For wireless transmission, the Digital Surveillance System uses Wi-Fi for communication between devices, and IR for command control. The main controller can be mounted on the wall. AMMA provides software programs that allow customers to use the system in mobile devices, such as PDAs or smart phones.

	Hometek introduces its integrated home security solution, HA-500, which comprises four sets of stations, cameras, locks and video door phones.

Taiwan suppliers are recognized for their product quality, excellent customer service and reasonable prices. Committed to improving system stability and cost efficiency, makers are working closely with domestic property development contractors to install their home security products in buildings, houses and other residential structures.

The domestic market has become a testing ground for suppliers' home system designs, allowing the latter to evaluate their products' performance and efficiency in real-life situations before launching them overseas. The newest models are incubated in local setups, while the older, mature models are shipped to foreign shores. By the time the new products hit the export markets, they are ready for more complex installations.

As a result, domestic users are the first to benefit from suppliers' most advanced and latest technologies and products. New buildings and construction sites usually showcase the latest releases on the home security front.

For instance, Farglory Realty Co. Ltd, one of the leading construction companies in Taiwan, has several real estate projects that promote 'self-contained' communities, which adopt the company's novel technologies. Farglory believes that demand for higher Internet bandwidth will be common among homeowners in the future, thus it is installing IPv6 and FTTH (Fiber-to-the-home) Internet infrastructures in its latest construction projects.

AMMA, on the other hand, has released a series of Wi-Fi home controllers, as part of its program to develop IP-based solutions for home security systems, according to Gary Lin, marketing and sales manager.

For these companies, the ultimate goal is to create a digital home that integrates home security and safety, home automation, home entertainment and other residential conveniences, all of which will be accessible via an Internet platform. Many home security companies are taking part in these projects and are closely monitoring market acceptance in hopes of seeing an industry boom soon. In fact, the next logical step for most of these home security device makers is to offer integrated solutions that combine home security, home safety and home automation in one package.

The only hindrance is people's perception that home security systems are luxuries reserved for the affluent few. While these systems are relatively expensive, growing demand for home security devices and related equipment and software should make them more affordable to the mass market in the future. “High price and lack of consensus are the two main obstacles that the industry needs to overcome,” said Lin of AMMA. He supports the efforts of contractors like Farglory to educate people about the intelligent home. All interviewed companies see a bright future for the home security industry. However,the road to success may prove long and arduous.

Standalone products form the bulk of exports. Home security products such as intrusion alarms and surveillance equipment are favored in Europe. Home automation devices, such as window sensors and lighting control sensors, are more popular in North America. Integrated solutions, which are quite new, are catching the attention of Asian neighbors such as mainland China and Japan as well as local buyers.

Taiwan mainly exports hardware devices especially for standalone products, because integrated solutions usually require intensive tuning, testing and verification.