Blog

Welcome to the Active Online Blog!

Active Online is a business based on diversity. We operate in a number of niches (it keeps us sane!) including Intercom Systems, Access Control, CCTV Systems, Alarm Systems, SIP Telephony, etc.

We are a technical consultancy first, offering our advice and experience to ensure you are informed before you make your purchase. We support what we sell and assist with configuration and operation of your system as needed.

We sell and support various products and services as listed on our website with developments and observations posted here on our blog.

We hope you will find our content interesting and of value to you and look forward to your comments.

To find out more about Active Online please see our About Us page

Apartment / Unit / Residential Intercom, No Cables!

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference

At Active Online we have been working with intercom systems for many years and have recently taken the bold step to design and test an intercom system for apartment / unit complexes / residential using off the shelf parts to create a wireless intercom system bypassing cabling. The system uses the 4G mobile networks for connection to the internet (no voice or SMS) and connection to the NBN in the apartments / units / via Wi-Fi.

EnGenius Long Range Cordless Phone System

EnGenius Long Range Cordless Phones, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General

Designed for seamless integration into modern workplaces, EnGenius Cordless Phones boast exceptional range, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across expansive facilities. Say goodbye to dropped calls and static interference as you move freely throughout your workspace, confident in the reliability of your communication tools.

3G Network Closure Impact on Elevator Intercoms

General Announcements, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General

Elevator or Lift intercoms provide emergency communications in the event of a lift malfunction or local power fail. Getting stuck in an elevator is the stuff of nightmares! Ensuring your elevator comms is working is critical to ensure emergency crews are notified and avoid legal ramifications.

Elevator communications are installed under standard AS1735.19 and the recent switch off of 3G networks has necessitated an upgrade / review of your current lift communications system to ensure it functions and is compliant with the standard.

Choosing the right CCTV camera for your application.

CCTV, Technical Reference cctv, cctv cameras, cctv systems consulting, cctv systems design, design cctv

Upgrading an Apartment Intercom System without recabling

CCTV, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference 4G, apartment intercom, LTE

How to replace an Apartment Intercom System without upgrading or using the existing cables.

How to affordably repair or upgrade old intercom system

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General affordably, intercom, repair, system, upgrade

More reasons to become a member

General Announcements akuvox, best support

Active Online is a family business providing full support to our customers in an industry where the trend is reducing support and limited contact. Many of our competitors don’t take calls or answer emails but are quick to put you on the junk mail pipeline when they get your details. With us we take phone […]

Upgrading Telephone Systems without recabling (2-wire)

Analogue Telephone System Upgrade, Telecommunications General

The Fanvil 2-Wire enterprise office solution offers a cost-effective way to upgrade your analog communication system to an IP network by utilizing existing cables.

Help! I can’t access my security equipment after changing internet

CCTV, IP Video Intercom, iVSEC, Technical Reference

Why changing your router, modem, or internet provider affects your security equipment

Wireless Duress Alarm

Customer Showcase, Home Automation

Project: Duress Alarm System for Community Support Offices in QLD We were recently approached for a solution to provide a duress alarm system for multiple offices within a community support organisation. The organisation provides community support services and hold interviews within their offices spread over multiple locations within Queensland. Initially we proposed several solutions which […]

The “how to” DIY Intercom System for Home or Business

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference diy intercom system, IP video intercom system, upgrading intercom system

How to design and install (DIY) a new intercom system for your home or business. In this detailed article we explain what an access control Intercom System is, how it is installed, and the components needed (and optional) to install and operate your new DIY Intercom System. Active Online has been active in the DIY […]

2N Pricing Changes

2N, General Announcements, IP Video Intercom

2N Pricing Changes With the recent engagement of Axis Communications as the sales channel partner for 2N in Australia the sales model is now based around projects rather than single item sales. This is designed to ensure high quality 2N installations Australia wide. What this means for you (Active Online customers) is that sales will […]

The “how to” DIY Security Camera Systems (CCTV)

CCTV, Technical Reference cctv support, cctv systems consulting, cctv systems design, diy security camera system

How to design and install (DIY) a new security camera system for your home or business. In this detailed article we explain what CCTV is, how CCTV is installed, and the components needed (and optional) to install and operate your new DIY Security Camera System. Active Online has been active in the DIY security system […]

IVSEC Leads the Way in NDAA Compliance

CCTV, General Announcements, iVSEC

IVSEC Leads the Way in NDAA Compliance

Become a trade partner and expand your trade offerings to your customers

General Announcements, Trade Opportunity

Are you an electrician or data cabler looking to expand your business into CCTV, security, or access control?Are you concerned that these are highly technical and you don’t feel comfortable with digital technology or don’t have time to learn?At Active Online we work with trade partners to expand their product offerings to their customers. We […]

DIY Projects – CCTV, Intercom, Access Control

CCTV, General Announcements, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference

How to save money through DIY Security, CCTV, and Access Control projects with Active Online

DORI – Understanding DORI is one step in choosing CCTV cameras

CCTV

DORI Explained At Active Online we work with our customers to assist them in choosing the best cameras and CCTV systems for their project. One of the best methods for guaging how well a CCTV camera will perform in a particular location is DORI. DORI stands for Detect Observe Recognise Identify and defines the distance […]

Extending internet or IP across coax or 2-wire

CCTV, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General

Extending internet or IP across coax or 2-wire Do you have a project where you want to distribute internet or IP data to a location which doesn’t have access for Cat5/6 cable and WiFi won’t reach? Do you have some existing coaxial cable from a CCTV / Intercom system or maybe some multicore cable (2-wire, […]

Introducing Shelly WiFi Automation

Home Automation, Technical Reference

Introducing Shelly WiFi Automation Who Is Shelly? Shelly is one of the fastest growing IoT brands in the world with devices, providing solutions for home and buildings smart automation. Inspired by our consumer’s dream to live calmly and happily, we create our devices with attention to the smallest details. This is possible thanks to a […]

Provision-ISR

CCTV, General Announcements cctv cameras, cctv systems consulting, cctv systems design, design cctv, isreal cctv, non china cctv, provision-isr

Provision-ISR Active Online are pleased to announce that we are now a supplier of Provision-ISR CCTV solutions. PROVISION-ISR is an Israeli multinational company founded in 2007 to meet the demands for high quality products in the medium segment of the CCTV market. Provision-ISR’s range of devices, encompasses different camera series, specifically designed to help the […]

WeR@Home Assistance

General Announcements Ambush Security, WeR@Home

WeR@Home is no longer supplied or supported actively in Australia.

2N Intercom – Free cloud calls

General Announcements, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference

2N Products Call for Free via the Cloud

Solution for long driveway and no cables

Customer Showcase, iVSEC

39m Driveway, no cables, intercom and cctv solutionJim from Tasmania contacted us looking for an intercom solution for his long driveway. He didn’t have cables to the gate for an IP intercom but did have power at the gate for a motorised gate. Potential for vandalism required a tough intercom. He also wanted to enhance […]

Security and Surveillance – Best Buys…or are they?

CCTV, General Announcements, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference best buys, best deals, best support

Security and Surveillance – Best Buys…or are they? There has never been a better time to find a deal on Security and Surveillance equipment. Competition driven by job insecurity from COVID and free cash stimulous has meant there are more online sellers than ever before, all competing for the same customers. Buy now pay later […]

System Builder – the quickest way to design your new system

CCTV, IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference

What is a System Builder? System builders are where we have packaged together various components to help you design a system all on one page without having to go to multiple products and add them to your shopping cart. An example is our Complete Residential and Business CCTV System Builder which allows you to design […]

Winwave Communications – Extended PoE Solution.

CCTV, Customer Showcase, Technical Reference cctv, customer showcase, ePoE

Why it is not just about price when buying intercom, CCTV, Alarm, or Access Control Systems

CCTV, Technical Reference access control consulting, access control support, alarm system support, cctv, cctv support, cctv systems consulting, cctv systems design, intercom support, intercom systems consulting, sales support, upgrade cctv

Connecting CCTV and Intercom without digging up the yard

CCTV, Technical Reference cctv, ePoE, poe, upgrade cctv

How to connect a gate intercom or external CCTV without excavation of the yard or driveway. As a society we are becoming more security conscious as we look to provide safety to our families and property. It is common for new homes to be built with intercom and cctv in mind with at least the […]

Extending CCTV with ePoE or extended Power over Ethernet

CCTV, Technical Reference cctv, ePoE, poe, upgrade cctv

Transmit data & power up to 800m over network cable with extended Power over Ethernet ( ePoE ) Wired camera surveillance systems tend to use either cat5/6 cable or coaxial cable to connect cameras to a recorder. Providing power to the remote camera may be via a external power connection (separate cable) or over the […]

How to affordably repair or upgrade old CCTV system?

CCTV, Technical Reference AHD, analogue cctv, HDCVI, HDTVI, upgrade cctv

CCTV System broken, unacceptable video quality, or need to upgrade old analogue CCTV system but can’t find an affordable solution? If you have an existing analogue CCTV system using coaxial cable and an old DVR and you are looking for an update or to extend or augment the system you don’t need to throw the […]

How do you value Technology Service and Support?

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General service, support?, technology, value

When shopping around we place value on price but how do we value technology service and support? We are all guilty of it: searching for the very best deal on technology online. It is like a game or competition sport where the end game is to WIN! We then bask in the warm afterglow of […]

SIP vs Non-SIP. What do we mean?

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General mean?, non-sip, what

Choosing an Intercom System for your Home

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General choosing, home, intercom, system, your

WiFi Door Bell to Smart Phone

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General bell, door, phone, smart, wifi

WiFi Doorbell to Smartphone As connectivity to the home improves via new internet connection technology and smart phones become ubiquitous it is a natural extension to connect to your home through your smart phone. A WiFi door bell that connects to your smart phone sounds easy and cost effective – Early adopters of technology have […]

Video Intercom – What is Pre-Video?

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General intercom, pre-video?, video, what

Multi-featured IP SIP Video Intercom

IP Video Intercom, Technical Reference, Telecommunications General intercom, multi-featured, video

5.0 84 reviews

Stuart Harris ★★★★★ in the last week
Great response times and service, highly recommended
San K ★★★★★ in the last week
Excellent user experience and seamless transition over to the new system, most credited to Steven's help and knowledge in the area. Highly recommended! … More Thanks Steve!
Phil Hayes ★★★★★ in the last week
I recently purchased a driveway intercom from Active Online. My customer experience from product selection, delivery to post sale support was outstanding, … More and I would have to say that Steve went above and beyond in every respect. It’s rare that we have the opportunity to deal with someone who is so knowledgeable, experienced and passionate about what they do and are committed to an excellent outcome for the customer. This is the second purchase I have made from Active Online, and I will most certainly be buying from Steve again in the future.