At a time when crime is increasingly repulsing all efforts to curb it and homes are no longer safe havens, technology is stepping in to provide feasible security solutions. With electronic applications and apparatus that can be easily installed in houses, it is now becoming possible to thwart unsolicited presence and fortify your homes. While some still see dogs, guards and alarms as effective deterrents, companies like Zicom and Godrej are introducing hi-tech video door phones, control panels, closed circuit surveillance and other gadgets to make your home burglarproof. Here are some options worth a dekko.

Doors: Eye for an eye
If you want to see who rang the bell without opening the door, go for the video door phone. This system has a camera mounted outside next to the door and a small screen that is placed inside. When the doorbell rings, the screen lights up, showing the face of the person outside. The camera module comes with in-built lights, ensuring that it works in darkness outside. A speaker also allows you to talk to the person without having to open the door. The camera can also be used for surveillance: with a touch of a button you can see what’s happening outside. The video door phone manufactured by Godrej & Boyce has an advantage over that of Zicom’s. “Our version doesn’t use visible light. Instead, it uses infrared so that you get a clear picture even in extremely dark conditions,” says Manu Sehgal, head sales and service, Zicom.
Zicom Video Door Phone:Rs 7,990-Rs 17,495
l Godrej Video Door Phone: Rs 6,600-Rs 22,000

... contd.