Use TV and phone to communicate Access remotely from any cellphone

Brampton homeowners Dorothy and John Millard installed the TeleDoorBell system, and they're now enjoying peace of mind.

"We wanted something that was different from an alarm system," Dorothy explains. "I'm home a lot by myself. Now when the doorbell rings at night, I don't have to worry about whom I'm answering the door to."

That's because the TeleDoorBell — an audio-visual telephone intercom system — lets the Millards use their phone and TV to see and hear anyone at the front door, without having to go to the door to answer it.

With growing public concern over home security, builders are finding integrated video surveillance systems and security services are essential selling features for many new homes.

With break-ins and even home invasions on the increase, many homeowners have a heightened awareness for securing themselves from intruders.

Larry Lecce, president of Sunfield Homes, has included the TeleDoorBell system in a few custom-built homes.

"One home we built was for an older couple and it had a second-level living space where the kitchen and bedrooms are located," Lecce says. "But the front door of the house was on the first level. So instead of having them go downstairs every time the door rang, having the TeleDoorBell was a huge convenience. Now, all they had to do was pick up the phone or look at their television to see who it was."

"Our customers see it as key component of their home," says Tony Testani, general manager of Actron Security System, adding the front door is perhaps the most vulnerable point-of-entry for any house.

"Homeowners, for the most part, are unaware of its exposed risk," he explains.

"They spend thousands of dollars on a sophisticated security system but when someone rings the doorbell, the first thing a homeowner will do is open the door. They automatically think it's a friend or a neighbourhood kid. Now they've opened themselves up for an intruder to gain access, bypassing the security system."

It's an all-too-familiar scene. But with an audio-visual system, they can communicate with a visitor from any telephone in the house, without opening the door.

"The TeleDoorBell can also provide complete control for operating a wide variety of devices, including electronic door locks, garage doors and gated entrances," Testani adds.

"You can even call-forward your visitor's call to any location (an office or cellphone for example) and it allows the homeowner to talk to the visitor while they assume someone is at home."

"When we're away for the weekend, my husband forwards the TeleDoorBell calls to his cellphone," says Dorothy Millard. "Now our home is never left unattended. If someone rings our doorbell, they'll still get us on the line, and they'll think we're at home."

Many builders, like Lecce, offer the system as an upgrade option.

"We've offered this system as an extra feature in two developments — one in Georgetown and another in Mississauga," he says. "Since these are two-storey homes, the homeowners wanted the added convenience of opening the door from a remote location."

Testani acknowledges the idea of adding surveillance cameras and alarms is not new. "But (this) system provides a level of convenience and, most importantly, peace-of-mind homeowners have been looking for."

Source: Actron Security System, 19 Kenview Blvd., unit 31, Brampton; 416-410-7150 or 1-888-790-5800v or visit http://www.actronsecurity.com/