How to Choose Between Analog and IP Video Intercom Systems

When searching for building video intercoms, one of the first questions you need to ask yourself is if you want an analog system, or an IP system. Both have their own advantages, and it comes down to fitting your building’s needs best.

What is an Analog Video Intercom System?

An analog intercom uses multi-conductor wire, like a doorbell would use, to transmit audio and video between its stations. It’s common in residential, commercial, and educational buildings; providing simple and reliable communication. 

What is an IP Video Intercom System?

An IP intercom allows audio, video, and door control to operate over a building’s network, enabling flexible call routing, integration with access control, and centralized management. Aiphone’s IX | IXG Series IP Video Intercoms are commonly used in apartments, offices, and campuses where reliability and scalability are critical. 

Deciding Factors Between Analog and IP Video Intercoms 

Choosing between analog and IP intercoms can be daunting if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It’s important to think about your needs, and the needs of the people who will be using it on a day-to-day basis. There are many factors at play, including: 

Building Type & Size 

For multi-tenant buildings with high traffic flow, it’s often better to use IP systems to easily manage visitors. Analog systems can only secure up to four doors, but for small apartments they can be more efficient and keep costs lower. Consider how many entrance and answering stations you need, as well as any mobile app compatibility.  

Existing Infrastructure  

Whether or not your building is already wired for an intercom system is a large factor. Most new builds choose IP intercom systems, whereas older buildings can choose to retrofit analog or IP intercoms onto existing wiring.  

Budget & Quality 

Considering budget when choosing your intercom is important, and it’s also important to choose a high-quality system within your price range. A cheap intercom system may fail within a few years, whereas a more expensive, higher-quality system can cost more upfront but will last longer, saving money in the long run.

User Base 

Knowing who will be using your building’s intercom system is a major factor as well. If you have a new apartment building, and your tenants want high-tech amenities, an IP intercom is the best option. But if you have an office with only a few tenants, an analog system will fit better.  

Future Expansion 

Your building may also change over time, whether it’s through physical additions or technological upgrades. IP intercom systems can easily expand and integrate with other facets of security systems, as well as easy system expansion with mobile apps. 

When to Choose an Analog Video Intercom System 

Analog video intercoms are often used in buildings where reliability matters more than advanced features. They offer a time-tested and proven performance to video, audio, and door release, operating without an internet connection.

With Aiphone’s analog video intercom solutions, that simplicity is paired with commercial-grade hardware built for longevity and durability. For many organizations, this means getting the essential functionality they need without forcing into an IP system that adds complexity but little value, staying secure by being off the network, or avoiding frequent replacement and subscription fees often found in consumer doorbell cameras.

Example: Aiphone JP Series Video Intercom 

The Aiphone JP Series is a widely used analog video intercom designed for schools, storefronts, and small offices. The solution allows you to initiate two-way video communication with your visitors, monitor entrances, and customize call partitioning so that no calls will go unanswered.

Explore the JP Series

Example: Aiphone JO Series Video Intercom 

For small solutions like single-family homes, rental duplexes, or offices, the Aiphone JO Series brings technology and efficiency together. It can use physical tenant stations compatible with mobile apps for remote monitoring and access, easing your life and your tenants’.

Explore the JO Series

When IP Video Intercom System is the better fit 

IP video intercom systems are used in buildings where flexibility, integration, and long-term adaptability are important. They can be deployed in smaller properties with advanced integration needs, or scaled across larger sites with many entrances and answering stations. 

In commercial applications, IP video intercoms support call forwarding to phones and integrate with IP cameras using open standards such as SIP and ONVIF. This allows the intercom to operate as part of a unified security system rather than a standalone device. By integrated with other aspects of a security system like emergency products, VMS, or access control; IP video intercoms can become the cornerstone of a complete security solution.  

Large apartments, corporate campuses, and mixed-use buildings often benefit from IP intercoms because they can handle large amounts of traffic with different access methods, oversee many entrances with different station types, and can be remotely managed through the cloud. 

Example: IX | IXG Series IP Video Intercom 

Aiphone’s IX | IXG Series provides sleek and modern security without compromising any of the reliability for large buildings. Choose from a variety of door stations and tenant stations, integrate with other IP security products, and relax knowing your building is protected.

Explore the IX | IXG Series

Questions You Should Ask When Choosing Analog vs. IP:  

How many entrances and answering locations does the building have?  

Every external door, apartment unit, office, or storefront that you want to be secured by intercom should be taken into account. IP intercom systems can operate on larger scales than analog systems and are more easily expanded to include more stations with mobile apps.  While analog systems are better on smaller scales, they’re equally efficient for communication and security. 

Do you want the intercom system to integrate with other building systems? 

Access control, security cameras, or video management systems are options for integration with your intercom system. While analog systems can integrate with other aspects of physical security systems, there are more options with IP systems. Platforms like AiphoneCloud allow for easy management of integrations, especially those like AC Nio access control.  

Who Manages the Intercom System? 

Think about how often you want to update the system, whether it’s software or tenant permissions. Once an analog system is installed, updating or changing it in any way requires an authorized technician. IP systems, especially those managed in AiphoneCloud, can be maintained or changed by you, your property manager, or your technology team remotely at any time.  

What happens if the internet goes down? 

There are many reasons the internet could go out: weather, system damage, or maintenance. But that doesn’t mean your intercom system should go offline. The IXGW-TGW Cloud Gateway adaptor for the IX | IXG Series has a SIM card, which if activated provides a 4G LTE network. This network allows tenants to use phone calls to allow their guests entry; as well as serving as a primary or backup network connection for the intercom system. Even if there is an internet outage, the IX | IXG Series will still be able to communicate between physical stations. 

Best Alternative to ButterflyMX and Swiftlane 

Aiphone stands out as the best video intercom system for many reasons: 

Mixed-Use Building Applications 

Aiphone neatly combines residential and commercial applications into one IP video intercom system. With different entrance and answering station options, you’re able to configure your system however you need to ensure calls go where they need to go, and no users are left in the dust. 

Multiple Door Station Types  

Aiphone’s IX | IXG Series has a variety of door stations, ranging from large touch screens to compact single buttons. Our competitors only offer large touch screens, which not all entrances require. With Aiphone, you can have a large screen entrance panel like IXG-HIDA for the main entrance, while having single button door stations for internal access control. 

Physical Stations 

Physical tenant and guard stations avoid forcing users to download mobile apps to unlock their own front doors, as well as providing extra layers of security in case a mobile device is lost or stolen. 

In-Unit Communication 

These physical stations allow for in-unit, station-to-station communication. This is useful in commercial and residential settings: businesses can communicate between rooms in an office, and tenants can communicate with guard stations at the press of a button. 

Emergency Solutions 

The IX | IXG IP video intercom system uniquely offers emergency communication systems as a part of the series: blue light towers and call boxes. When placed in areas where communication may be inaccessible, like stairwells and parking garages, these solutions increase safety for tenants.  

Number One in the Industry 

Aiphone has been the best intercom manufacturer for over 75 years, providing unmatched reliability, quality, and engineering. Our product catalog provides more options than our competitors, including both IP and analog systems. 

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