Thinking About Upgrading Your Intercom?

Intercom systems aren’t just “nice to have” anymore. With more deliveries, more foot traffic, and a higher need for accountability at the door, buildings need a reliable way to manage who’s coming in. The big question is whether you should stick with a basic audio intercom or upgrade to a modern video system.

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide what makes sense for your building.

What an Audio Intercom Does (and When It Still Works)

An audio-only intercom is simple. Someone presses the button, you speak with them, and you choose whether to unlock the door. These systems have been around for decades because they’re reliable, inexpensive, and easy to operate.

Audio systems still make sense for:

• Small offices
• Low-traffic retail stores
• Older buildings without network infrastructure
• Properties with low security risk
• Budget-controlled projects

Pros: low cost, minimal wiring, simple maintenance.
Cons: no visual verification, more room for unauthorized entry, and not ideal for after-hours.

What a Video Intercom Adds

A video intercom gives tenants or staff the ability to actually see who is at the door. In buildings with regular visitors, deliveries, contractors, or after-hours activity, this provides a measurable boost in security.

Video intercoms work well for:

• Condos and apartment buildings
• Daycares
• Cannabis stores
• Warehouses and storage areas
• Office buildings with courier traffic
• Any building with multiple tenants

What you gain:

• Visual verification before unlocking
• Better control over unauthorized entry
• Smoother experience for deliveries
• Mobile app options for remote answering
• Helpful for liability, record-keeping, and dispute resolution

The only real downside is the higher upfront cost and the need for stronger network infrastructure—which brings us to the section below.

Networking Requirements: What a Video Intercom Needs to Work Properly

Video intercoms are more demanding than audio systems, but the requirements are straightforward. Adding this clarity helps building owners understand the difference without overwhelming them.

1. Structured Cabling (Cat5e or Cat6)

Most modern video intercom systems run on:

• Cat5e (minimum)
• Cat6 (ideal for future expansion)

If the building already has structured cabling, installation is faster and cleaner.

2. Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Many modern systems use PoE, which allows one network cable to handle:

• Power
• Data
• Control signals

Common standards:

• PoE (802.3af)
• PoE+ (802.3at) for multi-unit panels or devices with higher power draw

This avoids the need for an electrical outlet at the door.

3. Bandwidth Requirements

Video doesn’t require a massive amount of internet, but it needs stability.

Typical requirements:

• 1–2 Mbps per call for clear HD video
• Higher bandwidth for cloud recording or multiple simultaneous streams

Important for:

• High-rise condos
• Multi-tenant buildings
• Any entrance with steady traffic

4. Strong Wi-Fi for Mobile Apps

If tenants want to answer from their phone:

• Common areas benefit from good Wi-Fi coverage
• Tenants need reliable Wi-Fi or data

This impacts user experience more than system performance.

5. Cloud Connectivity (Optional but Popular)

Cloud dashboards allow:

• Remote management
• User and access log monitoring
• Visitor tracking
• Automatic firmware updates

Recommended bandwidth for cloud panels:

• 5–10 Mbps upload dedicated to the device

6. If Proper Cabling Isn’t in Place

There are workarounds:

• Wireless units
• Cellular connectivity
• Retrofit kits that reuse existing wiring (depends on model)

Wired is always the most reliable, but alternatives exist when needed.

Security Comparison: Which Option Protects Your Building Better?

Here’s where video usually pulls ahead. With audio-only, someone can quietly mimic a delivery person or speak in a way that makes it hard to confirm who they are. Video solves that problem instantly.

Security-sensitive buildings—daycares, cannabis shops, multi-residential properties, and warehouses—often make video mandatory because visual verification drastically reduces unauthorized entry.

If you manage liability, tenants, or inventory, video is the safer choice.

Cost Comparison

Audio systems have a lower upfront cost and minimal maintenance.
Video systems cost more initially but reduce long-term issues, complaints, and risk.

Think of it like the difference between a basic lock and a modern access control system—you use it every day, so the quality matters.

User Experience: Tenants, Staff & Visitors

Everyone benefits from a video system:

• Tenants feel safer
• Staff make better decisions
• Visitors get a smoother experience

Video intercoms also pair well with:

• Access control
• Door operators
• Sliding doors
• Universal washrooms
• Touchless entry systems

If your building is already upgrading entrances, video is usually the natural next step.

When Audio-Only Makes More Sense

While video is becoming the new standard, audio is still useful for:

• Low-risk buildings
• Minimal visitor traffic
• Temporary or short-term installations
• Situations where wiring is impossible

If budget is tight and risk is low, audio works.

When Video Is the Clear Winner

Choose video if your building has:

• Frequent visitors
• Delivery traffic
• After-hours activity
• Sensitive operations
• A need for audit trails
• Multi-tenant security concerns

For most modern properties in the GTA, video is the smarter long-term choice.

Hybrid Options

Some buildings prefer to start small:

• Video at the main entrance
• Audio at secondary doors

This approach improves security without replacing everything at once.

Our Recommendation

If safety, convenience, and long-term reliability matter, a video intercom is the better choice. Audio has its place, but most modern buildings benefit from the added layer of protection that video offers.

If you want to know what fits your building best, we can take a quick look at your layout and wiring and give you a clear recommendation, no upsells, no pressure.