Aiphone 4-CALL Video Door Station with Individual Directories - IX-DVF-4A

Aiphone IX-DVF-4A 4-Call Video Door Station

Overview

The Aiphone IX-DVF-4A is a 1.23 megapixel video door entry station purpose-built for multi-unit residential or commercial environments where separate call buttons and individual directories matter. It's SIP compliant, runs on standard PoE (5.28W draw via 802.3af) or 24V DC, and carries IP65/IK08 protection so it survives weather and casual impacts. The 1/3" CMOS sensor at 5 lux minimum illumination delivers usable entry-area footage in low dawn or dusk light without requiring separate IR illuminators. You're looking at a straightforward H.264 or motion JPEG stream over IPv4/IPv6 with standard VMS integration via ONVIF Profile S.

Key Features

• Four independent call buttons with labeling: Each button can be assigned a unique directory or tenant ID, eliminating confusion in multi-unit deployments. Simplifies visitor navigation compared to a single call point.
• 1.23 megapixel 1/3" CMOS sensor: Captures crisp entry-area detail for visitor identification. At this resolution and typical intercom mounting heights (6–8 feet), you'll get readable facial features at the door without burning excess storage on 24/7 recording.
• 5 lux minimum illumination: Operates in twilight conditions (covered porch, hallway entry at dawn) without requiring infrared, keeping the image true color for better facial recognition and identity confirmation.
• Selectable camera tilt angles (+15°, 0°, −8°): Three fixed positions let you aim the lens down at visitor eye level (−8°) or capture a wider entry vestibule (0° or +15°) — no mechanical pan/tilt servos to fail, just physical repositioning at install time.
• IP65 and IK08 ratings: IP65 means direct rainfall won't infiltrate; IK08 withstands 5-joule impact (like a pushed door or casual bumps). Skip this if you need full submersion (IP67) or extreme vandal resistance (IK10), but for covered doorways and light commercial entry areas, these ratings are sufficient.
• 5.28W power draw: Uses less than half the IEEE 802.3af budget (class 0, ~13W), so standard PoE switches won't be strained. Alternatively, wire the included 24V DC terminal if your site already has analog intercom DC supplies.
• H.264 and motion JPEG encoding: H.264 compresses video efficiently for streaming and recording; motion JPEG is stateless and integrates easily with older or simple VMS platforms. Choose encoding per your recording strategy—H.264 saves bandwidth on continuous streams, MJPEG is more forgiving on packet loss.
• SIP compliance with IPv4/IPv6: Integrates directly into VoIP phone systems or SIP-based intercom servers. Standard protocols (TCP/UDP, HTTP/HTTPS, RTSP, DHCP, NTP, DNS) mean compatibility with most commercial VMS platforms and PBX systems.
• Two contact output relays and two trigger inputs: Relay outputs can unlock a door or trigger an auxiliary alert; inputs detect external events (gate button, motion sensor) and send a signal back to the station. Extends the IX-DVF-4A into basic access control workflows.
• IEEE 802.1X port security: If your network requires 802.1X authentication, the station supports it—hardening the device against unauthorized network access in enterprise environments.
• Operating temperature range −40°F to +140°F: Handles both Canadian winters and hot desert climates. Most CMOS sensors degrade in extreme cold, but the spec confirms the IX-DVF-4A is rated for the extremes—verify mounting location doesn't concentrate heat or cold near the lens.

Integration & Compatibility

The IX-DVF-4A is ONVIF Profile S compliant, meaning it speaks the open standard video/audio protocol used by most NVRs, VMS platforms, and IP intercom servers. Standard Ethernet (Cat-5e/6) connects the unit to your network; audio codecs G.711 and G.722 provide clear two-way voice regardless of bandwidth constraints. SIP signaling routes calls to your phone system or intercom server—no proprietary Aiphone software required, though Aiphone's own control systems (if deployed) will also recognize the station natively. The G.711 and G.722 audio codecs are industry standard, so integrations with third-party SIP trunks or hosted VoIP providers are straightforward.

What's in the Box

Evidence does not provide exact package contents. Contact the manufacturer or your distributor for a detailed packing list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between H.264 and motion JPEG encoding on the IX-DVF-4A?

A: H.264 is a compressed, frame-based codec that requires less bandwidth and storage for continuous 24/7 recording—ideal if you're recording every frame. Motion JPEG sends each frame as a standalone JPEG image, uses more bandwidth but is simpler for systems that drop frames or integrate with basic HTTP clients. Both are supported; choose based on your recording and VMS architecture.

Q: Does the IX-DVF-4A require a separate power supply?

A: No. It draws 5.28W and operates via standard IEEE 802.3af PoE (class 0, up to 13W available), so any modern PoE switch will power it without an external supply. Alternatively, use a 24V DC supply (model PS-2420UL mentioned in specs) if your site has existing analog intercom DC infrastructure.

Q: Can the IX-DVF-4A integrate with a SIP phone system?

A: Yes. The unit is SIP compliant and supports IPv4/IPv6, TCP/UDP, and standard SIP signaling. It integrates with any standards-based VoIP PBX or SIP intercom server. Consult your system administrator to assign the device an extension and route incoming calls to the appropriate phone or intercom handset.

Q: What's the minimum light level the IX-DVF-4A needs?

A: 5 lux—roughly the light of a dimly lit hallway or covered entry at dusk. This allows the unit to capture true-color video without infrared, which is helpful for facial identification. In complete darkness, the camera will not produce useful images.

Q: Is the IX-DVF-4A weatherproof?

A: It carries an IP65 rating, which protects against direct rainfall and dust ingress. It is not submersible (that would be IP67 or higher). For covered outdoor entries (porches, alcoves, vestibules), IP65 is adequate. For exposed, high-impact locations, consider a higher IK rating (the unit is IK08, good for moderate bumps but not extreme vandalism).

Q: How do I connect the call buttons to different tenants or departments?

A: The IX-DVF-4A has four labeled call buttons. Each can be configured in your SIP or intercom server to route to a different extension, voicemail box, or alert destination. Configure this in your VoIP PBX or Aiphone management software—the physical buttons are just four discrete triggers sent over the network.

Marty Allison

The Aiphone IX-DVF-4A sits squarely in the multi-tenant entry-station slot—not a fancy IP camera, but a purpose-built intercom with video. The 1.23 megapixel sensor and 5 lux minimum illumination are honest specs: you'll get readable visitor faces in typical porch or hallway light, and the unit doesn't burden your PoE infrastructure at 5.28W. The real value is the four independent call buttons and SIP compliance; this is a low-friction way to hand off visitor calls to a modern VoIP system without ripping out the existing intercom frame.

Technical Highlights:

• 1.23 megapixel 1/3" CMOS at 5 lux: Enough resolution for visitor ID in residential or light commercial settings; 5 lux floor means true-color daytime-like footage in dim entries without IR artifacts, critical for facial recognition workflows.
• IEEE 802.3af PoE at 5.28W: Draws less than 40% of a standard PoE budget, leaving headroom on aging switches and eliminating the need for dedicated DC supplies in PoE-native networks.
• H.264 and motion JPEG dual encoding: H.264 for efficient recording; MJPEG for stateless streaming to simple clients. Switch between them without reboot—important if your VMS or recording engine has limits.
• Four labeled buttons with relay outputs: Each button can trigger a different SIP destination; the two contact relay outputs enable door unlock or auxiliary alerting. Keeps the call logic in your PBX, not hardwired.
• IP65 and IK08 protection: Survives covered-porch weathering and casual door bumps. Not vandal-proof (IK08 is 5 joules; true vandal glass is IK10), but adequate for apartment lobbies and commercial vestibules.

Deployment Considerations:

• The three fixed camera tilt angles (−8°, 0°, +15°) are physical mount adjustments only—no motorized PTZ. Set them at install and don't expect to remotely adjust framing. Measure door height and visitor approach angle before you order.
• SIP routing depends on your PBX configuration: if your phone system doesn't support multi-extension intercom stations, you'll need a separate SIP-to-analog gateway or controller. Test SIP registration before commissioning.
• At 1.23 megapixel, don't expect license-plate reads or distant facial ID—this is close-range entry confirmation only. If you need wider coverage (hallway + approach), pair this with a separate wide-angle IP camera on the same network.

The IX-DVF-4A is the right choice for retrofit multi-unit buildings transitioning from analog intercom to SIP—low power, standard protocols, and a familiar form factor. Skip it if you need a single high-res visitor camera with deep learning analytics; reach for a purpose-built access-control or video intercom platform. For straightforward call routing to a VoIP PBX, this device compresses setup and wiring friction.