Nowadays, consumers’ attention to the visual smart lock remains high with the advances in video technology. As the upgrade version of Philips smart lock Alpha, which is the top-selling item, Alpha-VP adopts remote viewing, PIR human detection, high-definition indoor screen, and other intelligent technologies.
So, what exactly does the Philips Alpha-VP Visual Smart Lock be like? What kind of experience Alpha-VP will give to the consumers? Today, we will make an all-round evaluation of its shape, safety, convenience, stability, intelligence and other aspects.
Unboxing: Simple and sturdy package design
The overwrap of Alpha-VP continues the consistent style of Philips EasyKey: simple and generous, environmentally friendly and practical. The overwrap is made of flexible and strong kraft paper material, environmentally friendly and uneasy to break, which protects the products well.
From the overwrap, we can find the following information about Philips EasyKey, including the model, shape, trademark information, business address, service hotline, and so on. Moreover, there is an anti-counterfeiting coating on the side of the overwrap, the users can scratch the coating to check the product’s authenticity.
Open the package, we can see the drilling template, which helps the installation stuffs to locate the opening location quickly when installing EasyKey.
And then, the first layer is the user manual, warranty card, scouring pad, mortise, installation kit, 5000mAh lithium battery, emergency USB cable, CPU key tag, and mechanical key.
The second layer is the front and rear escutcheons of Alpha-VP, each of them wrapped the soft bags to prevent transmission damage to scatch the escutcheons. It is so considerate.
We can the whole shape when we take the front and rear escutcheons from the soft bags. They have two alternative colors obsidian black and copper red and adopt IML wire-drawing technology, which not only makes the escutcheons wear-resisting and durable but also improve the aesthetic sense and texture. Both the appearance and quality are on a high level.
Product: Thoughtful details, quality foremost
Philips Alpha-VP visual smart lock adopts light aluminum alloy as the material that resists corrosion and scratch. Its escutcheons use ergonomic integrated design, making people feel comfortable
There is a high-definition wide-angle camera and two infrared-fill light lamps on the top of the Alpha-VP front escutcheon.
Below the camera is the brand logo and the three colors of smile curve light, different colors of the light on behalf of the different lock status. The lock button and the Numeric keypad area are lower down. The keypad is designed to be hidden and will be displayed when it is activated.
The fingerprint recognition module and the PIR detection sensor are on the outdoor handle of Alpha-VP. The fingerprint recognition module adopts the semiconductor sensor which recognizes accurately, leading to fast unlocking upon one touch. The PIR detection sensor can relate to the camera to achieve abnormal situation recording and remote intelligent alarm functions.
The emergency mechanical key aperture and the Type-C emergency power supply aperture are at the bottom of the front escutcheon. That means the door lock has high compatibility and can match most of the power banks on the market.
There is a 4-inch-IPS high-definition screen on the top of the Alpha-VP rear escutcheon. Compare with the TFT screen, the IPS screen has a lower color difference, faster response speed, and is more power-saving. We can find in the picture that the indoor screen uses the integrated modular design, and connect to the smart lock through the independent port. Inside the screen is the lithium battery compartment. The battery capacity is 5000mAh.
There are “OPEN” and “CLOSE” buttons in the middle of the front escutcheon, respectively matching the unlock and lock functions. Below them is the mechanical quick-unlocking rotary knob, which can help to unlock quickly in case of an emergency, and is mutually independent of the electronic lock-picking section.
The lower down is the indoor unlock area. Different from the other indoor unlock methods, there are touch sensors and infrared sensors inside and outside the handle, and the lock can only be opened when the hand touches both of them at the same time. This method combines the unlock and child lock, fully considering the situation of children at home.
Details: multiple technologies, comfortable experience
The installation staff needs to cut the accessories according to the different door situations generally. Philips EasyKey provides free home installation with professional staff. So the users do not need to worry about the installation.
Each set of Philips EasyKey needs to be activated before use. After activating the products, you can enter the identity information, and connect to the internet with a mobile App through the door lock. The App can be uploaded to the mobile App store, it is called ”Philips EasyKey Plus”.
Alpha-VP has 7 unlocking methods including fingerprint, PIN code, temporary PIN code, mechanical keys, and dual recognition. Combine with semiconductor fingerprint sensor, unlocking upon touching the door, locking automatically upon closing the door.
Of course, if the door is unlocked leads to the abnormal latch bolt running status, the smart lock will sound the alarms and send the notifications to the mobile App.
Expect the above unlocking methods, the users can also set the dual recognition in the mobile App and send the temporary PIN code.
Alpha-VP also supports remote viewing and two-way radio. In the practical experience, you will find whatever active video checking or passive doorbell calling, Alpha-VP performs well both in video image transmission and the function. The front escutcheon of the door lock equips the 144° wide-angle door viewer with 1080p high-definition and two infrared fill lights. Even in dim light conditions can also get clear face information.
If the App and the doorbell calling are to solve the user’s worries about leaving home, then the coordination of the indoor screen and the door viewer is to provide more safety and convenience to the users.
The rear escutcheon of Alpha-VP equips a 4-inch IPS high-definition widescreen, when the users stay at home alone or inconvenient to open the door, the users can check the outdoor situation with the indoor screen. Every time people click the button below the screen will appear Philips logo. This kind of design can not only promote the brand value but also play a visual transition role, for the brand and users, it is a win-win situation.
Another function of the Alpha-VP indoor part is unlocking, including touch-tone, rotary knob, and induction type three kinds of unlocking methods.
We can find that the characteristics of these three kinds of unlocking methods are bright, the electrical button full of a sense of technology. The design of the double-click OPEN button to unlock can avoid the child from unlocking by mistakenly touching it. As an emergency quick unlock method, the emergency mechanical rotary knob can guarantee people unlock quickly in case of a power cut. Indoor induction type unlock has a fast response speed, leads to unlocking once the hand touches the door, and no more hurry to go out.
App: Intelligent protecting your home safety 24 hours a day
With the improvement of internet technology, the internet connection of the smart lock represents the general trend. The main carrier to achieve this method is App.
In the Philips EasyKey official App ”Philips EasyKey Plus”, users’ permission can be divided into three kinds: check the notifications, function management, and the security setting.
❶ Check the notifications
On the main page of the App, the users can check the lock status clearly, including electric quantity, internet, information( operations, visitors, alarms), and so on.
❷ Safety management
On the App setting, the users can set up multiple functions of the door lock, such as the verification method, wandering alarm, and intimidation alarm.
❸ Personalized setting
Every family has a different environment, so their using habits of the door lock will be different. So, the users can fine-tune the volume, display brightness, time, and more in the App.
In a word, the functions in Philips EasyKey’s app are practical, it can be used frequently in daily life.
Epilogue:
In a word, Philips Alpha-VP visual door lock sets intelligent door viewer, electronic doorbell, intelligent camera, and multiple functions in one. It not only supports remote viewing and two-auto radio to satisfy the “Mobile housekeeping” requirements of the consumers but also adopts abnormal situation detection recording, alarm notification, and other technologies to make the passive defense of traditional door locks has been upgraded to initiative security. Meanwhile, it also equips the HD screen, low-power infrared fill lights, full-auto mortise, C-grade cylinder, and other configurations, to give people a more convenient, safe, and comfortable experience with the smart lock.