Optimise the security of your home with a connected video door phone

Everything you need to know about connected video door phones to kit out your home

What is a connected videophone?

The Somfy connected video door phone, or connected video doorbell, is a piece of security equipment that allows you to find out who is at your door at any time and to grant them access to your property in a single click, no matter where you are (among many other features).

This 3-in-1 device is made up of:

• An outdoor unit: a small box to install outside your home on one of your gate pillars. It is equipped with a call button (doorbell), a wide-angle camera with night vision to provide clear images day and night, as well as a high quality built-in speaker and microphone to ensure seamless communication with your visitors
• An indoor monitor: this large colour screen is designed to install in your home, allowing you to receive video calls from your visitors (via the outdoor unit), control access to your home (open/close your gate), access your call history (with photos of visitors), choose your doorbell sound, and more. You can also use it to centralise up to 5 Somfy connected products/product groups to streamline your home automation system (connected door cameras, connected shutters, connected lighting, etc.).
• The free "Somfy Protect" mobile app: a practical tool to remotely control your connected videophone from your smartphone, as well as all your other connected Somfy Protect equipment (connected cameras, connected alarms, etc.). No matter where you are, you can control your devices as if you were at home.

Wired video entry phones vs wireless video entry phones

While wired connected videophones and wireless connected videophones can offer similar features, their reliance on batteries or electrical wiring is an important distinction to consider before you make a purchase.

When it comes to installation, wireless devices have the clear advantage, but it is balanced out by two major disadvantages: limited battery life and overall lifespan. If the battery runs out, your access system may be out of service until you recharge it – a panic-inducing scenario when you are thousands of miles from home – and the device will eventually have to be replaced altogether.

Not only are wired connected videophones more reliable, they also ensure optimal operation. We therefore only offer wired options at Somfy, backed by an additional 5-year warranty for total peace of mind. And if the thought of playing around with wires has you all tied up in knots, we've got you covered.

Installing a connected video door entry phone: professional installation or DIY

Our V®350 Connect and V®500 Connect connected videophone models are particularly easy-to-install, as the outdoor unit and indoor monitor are simply connected by two wires. This equipment works seamlessly with pre-existing wiring, especially if you already have a classic intercom.

Our intuitive control interfaces (indoor monitor + Somfy Protect mobile app) also ensure that your connected video door bell is incredibly easy to manage.

You can install your own Somfy connected videophone and, if necessary, our support services can help you get set up! The only thing you need is a modem, because your connected videophone requires a Wi-Fi connection to work with the Somfy Protect app.

Would you prefer to hire a professional installer? Our network of experts is at your disposal. Simply request a free quote via our website and we will put you in touch with a local professional.

Good to know: do you already have a standard Somfy videophone at home (V350, V500, V500 Pro io) and want to upgrade to a connected model? Simply install a connectivity module on the back of your indoor monitor to take advantage of all the home automation features, including remote control from your smartphone. You get to keep your current videophone and do your part to reduce waste!

How can a Somfy connected videophone help you strengthen your security system?

Screen your visitors before they reach your front door

Thanks to the call notifications with a photo of your visitor, as well as video calls, you can refuse access to any suspicious or unwanted guests, ensuring your safety and peace of mind. The message is clear: your property is safe.

Grant access to your chosen guests

Let people in whenever you like and wherever you are. For example, if you want your friends to come and water your garden while you're away, you don't need to worry about giving away your keys (and risking them getting lost).

Spot suspicious visitors at any time

Keep an eye on your home even if you are out and/or missed the call notification. The history page for your connected videophone – which can be accessed in real time from your Somfy Protect app – allows you to review all the calls for a given day, identify suspicious behaviour (like would-be burglars casing your home) thanks to the automatic video recording, and take the necessary action in a timely manner (e.g. notifying the police, saving the video evidence).

Simulate your presence when you are not at home

Your mission: to throw burglars off the scent and dissuade them from attempting to break into your home. Imagine you are out and about and get a call from your connected video doorbell on your smartphone. You can still answer as if you were at home, and, if you are not sure about your visitor, send them away with an excuse (for example, you are in the middle of a video meeting).

Protect yourself and your home from potential danger

If your video doorbell receives a suspicious call, you can close your connected shutters and connected garage door with just a few clicks on your indoor monitor, allowing you to instantly secure your home. Alternatively, you can also launch up to two previously created TaHoma® scenes from your Somfy Protect app (if you have a TaHoma® home automation hub). TaHoma® is Somfy's home automation solution to connect and centralise your house, increasing your comfort and simplifying your life on a daily basis.

Scare away intruders

If you are concerned about a suspicious visitor at night, you can turn on your outdoor connected lighting from your indoor monitor to let them know you are home. Do you also have a connected alarm and/or a connected video surveillance system in your home? If the potential intruder does not go away, you can activate your connected siren from the Somfy Protect app and then check the images from your connected outdoor cameras to make sure they got the message.

A connected videophone is a vital tool to protect yourself from unwanted visits and, more importantly, from burglars!

Did you know that 90% of burglaries are initiated after the burglar has called the victim's video doorbell or intercom to check that no one is home*? With a connected videophone, you can stack the odds in your favour! And enjoy total peace of mind as you go about your everyday life.

Picture the scene: a delivery person comes to drop off a parcel at your home while you are at the office. As soon as they ring your doorbell, you receive a notification on your smartphone. You can answer their call to tell them your delivery instructions, and even open your gate remotely so they can leave the parcel at your door. No more running to the post office to collect a missed delivery: your parcel is waiting for you at home, safe and sound .

And this is just one example of the benefits you can enjoy by connecting your smartphone to your Somfy videophone, which is among the top models on the market. 

Good to know: if you are a home automation aficionado and you have already opted for the TaHoma® switch home automation hub, you can centralise your entire connected ecosystem without switching from one app to another. You can launch up to two previously created scenes from the TaHoma® app directly from the Somfy Protect app. The perfect way to protect yourself and stay on top of your daily life.

* Source: Electronic Access Control Market in France, MSI Reports, November 2021