Aiphone IXG-MK IP Video Guard Station
Overview
The Aiphone IXG-MK is a wall-mounted IP video guard station built for multi-tenant residential and commercial buildings. It centralizes security screening at a single access point—typically a lobby, concierge desk, or security office—where staff can verify visitor identity before granting entry. The 7-inch touchscreen displays live 720p video from connected entrance stations, enabling clear facial recognition and secure two-way communication without requiring visitors to wait on intercom audio alone.
This unit integrates directly into the Aiphone IXG Series multi-tenant video intercom ecosystem, so it works alongside entrance stations and door stations already deployed in your building. No separate software platform or complex setup—it's purpose-built for the task of controlled access verification.
Key Features
- 1MP resolution (720p) via H.264 compression: Delivers enough detail to identify visitors clearly without consuming excessive bandwidth or storage. H.264 encoding is industry-standard and widely supported by NVRs and archival systems, meaning recorded calls integrate seamlessly into your existing security infrastructure.
- 7-inch touchscreen display: Large enough for staff to see visitor faces without squinting, but compact enough to fit discreetly on a desk or wall. Touch controls mean no fumbling with physical buttons during high-traffic periods.
- PoE (802.3af) power: Draws under 13W, so it runs from a single standard PoE switch port. No separate power adapter cluttering your install, and your existing PoE budget stays intact—critical if you're powering multiple intercoms and cameras on the same infrastructure.
- Two-way audio with VOX or handset mode: Staff can communicate hands-free (voice-activated) for quick verification, or switch to handset for private conversations. Flexibility matters when handling sensitive tenant requests or emergency access.
- Video call recording: Captures footage of every interaction, which serves both as a security log and a liability shield if disputes arise over entry authorization.
- Direct tenant call forwarding: Incoming calls route to specific units or tenant lines, reducing the guard station's workload and letting tenants make final approval decisions. Scales well as buildings grow.
- Single-touch door release: No need to navigate menus—authorized staff can unlock the main entrance with one button press, speeding up legitimate visitor flow.
- Wall and rack mounting: Flexible placement options mean you can position the unit where it best suits lobby traffic patterns and sightlines.
Integration & Compatibility
The IXG-MK pairs with the Aiphone IXG Series ecosystem. If your building already uses IXG entrance or door stations, this guard unit plugs into that same network. If you're planning a new installation, you'll specify all IXG components together as a single system, which simplifies training and reduces spare-parts inventory.
For buildings considering video surveillance architecture planning, the IXG-MK can feed recorded calls into a centralized NVR for long-term retention, creating an audit trail of all entry events. This is valuable for forensics and compliance in properties subject to security audits.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your building requires higher resolution for facial recognition at greater distances, or if you need the guard station to receive video from cameras beyond the IXG entrance ecosystem, consider a higher-resolution variant or a generic IP display device paired with a dedicated VMS. The IXG-MK is optimized for close-range visitor identification in controlled lobby environments, not wide-area monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the IXG-MK require a separate network video recorder (NVR) to record calls?
A: No. The IXG-MK has built-in recording capability. However, if you want long-term centralized archival of all intercom calls across your building, you can integrate it with an NVR on the same network.
Q: Can the IXG-MK be wall-mounted outdoors?
A: No. The IXG-MK is designed for indoor deployment (lobbies, security offices, reception areas). For outdoor entrance stations, use Aiphone IXG entrance units rated for weather exposure.
Q: What happens if the PoE connection drops?
A: The unit loses power and cannot function. There is no battery backup built in, so a UPS on your PoE switch or a separate PoE injector with backup power is recommended for mission-critical access control scenarios.
Q: Is the IXG-MK ONVIF compliant?
A: The IXG-MK is part of a closed Aiphone ecosystem. Verify ONVIF compatibility with Aiphone directly if you plan to integrate video streams into third-party VMS platforms.
Q: Can multiple staff members use the IXG-MK simultaneously from different locations?
A: The IXG-MK is a single-unit guard station. For multi-location access authorization, deploy multiple units or configure tenant-level call forwarding so different staff answer calls from their own phones/endpoints.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've specified the IXG-MK on several mid-rise residential projects, and it fills a specific niche well: a purpose-built guard station that doesn't require VMS licensing or complex networking knowledge. The touchscreen is responsive, and staff pick it up with minimal training. The 720p resolution over H.264 is adequate for the task—you're identifying visitors at arm's length, not reading license plates from across the street.
Technical Highlights:
- H.264 compression over PoE (802.3af): Sub-13W power draw means you can daisy-chain multiple IXG-MK units on a 60W PoE switch without worry. H.264 is widely supported, so recorded calls integrate into any mainstream NVR without transcoding overhead.
- Built-in call recording: No separate appliance required. Footage stores locally or streams to an NVR if your architecture includes one. This is a hidden advantage if your building is subject to access audits—every entry event is timestamped and archived.
- Touch interface + VOX audio: Two interaction modes reduce fumbling. During peak hours (move-in day, service visits), voice activation means staff stay focused on the screen rather than hunting for buttons.
Deployment Considerations:
- No battery backup: PoE power loss = guard station offline. If access control is truly critical (medical facilities, secure buildings), plan for a UPS on your PoE switch or a hardwired backup power supply.
- Closed ecosystem: The IXG-MK is built to work within the Aiphone IXG family. If you need to pull video streams into a third-party VMS or integrate with non-Aiphone entrance hardware, verify compatibility with Aiphone before committing to the unit. This isn't a generic IP display.
- Single station architecture: One unit per location. If your building requires 24/7 staffing across multiple security desks, you'll deploy multiple IXG-MK units and configure call routing accordingly.
Best fit: mid-rise to high-rise residential buildings with a staffed lobby or concierge desk, or office buildings with controlled main-entrance verification. Skip it if you need IP66-rated outdoor hardware or ultra-high-resolution facial recognition—use Aiphone's entrance stations for outdoor, and a generic IP monitor with a full VMS for long-distance identification.
