VTech Audio/Video Doorbell Answering System (IS7121-2)

The IS7121-2 contains two handsets, a base receiver, a charger for the second handset, a doorbell with a built-in video camera and microphone, alkaline batteries, an AC transformer for the camera, rechargeable batteries for the handsets, and mounting hardware.

Once the doorbell is pressed, the chime sounds on the doorbell unit and the camera takes a snapshot of whoever presses the button. A second or two later the handsets also chime and each one displays a snapshot of the caller. Once the view button on a handset is pressed (only one handset can answer the doorbell) you have the option of pressing the speak soft key to communicate with the caller while viewing a live video feed.

The handset is 7.5 inches long and has a rounded back and a glossy black faceplate with silver trim. There's a 1.1 by 1.4 inch color LCD screen at the top, two soft keys below the screen, five buttons in the middle (view, volume up/down, talk, off), and a number pad on the bottom with mute, speakerphone, and redial buttons. On the right side is a PTT (push to talk) button that also takes a snapshot while the handset is in video mode. The number pad offers blue LED backlighting.

As a video doorbell, the IS71721-2 didn't fare as well. No matter what time of day it was, the camera couldn't handle daylight very well and produced washed out video with colors that faded in and out during the transmission. The snapshot was certainly clear enough to identify who rang the bell, but not what you would consider high quality.