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SIP based VoIP server for BioStation A2 & FaceStation 2

The BioStation A2 videophone feature is now available with the release of BioStar 2.3.
To use the videophone, you need a firmware version of 1.2 or later and a SIP-based VoIP server.
Please refer to the attached document regarding the setup and configuration of a SIP-based VoIP Server.

Officially only local Asterisk VoIP server is supported. We don't guarantee usability with other services currently.

The VoIP feature is also possible with FaceStation 2 which was introduced with BioStar 2.4.1.
sip_server_configuration_guide_for_a2.pdf

VoIP feature uses H.264 codec. Other codecs are not supported.
Video call is possible when the user calls from the device. You will need a SIP client that supports the feature.

If you're familiar with BioStation T2's videophone functionality, refer to the details below to understand the difference between BioStation T2 and BioStation A2 videophone.

With BioStation T2, you have three different options to use the videophone:

1) BioStar Videophone
This is a standalone software application made by Suprema and communicates with BioStation T2 through Suprema’s proprietary protocol. Even though you can’t use BioStation T2 with other 3rd party phones like SIP-based phones or analog phones, it’s a good option for small-sized companies just for simple communication and door control.

2) VoIP
You can also use BioStation T2 with a SIP-based VoIP server. This is a good option for mid and large-sized companies, because you can utilize the existing VoIP infrastructure. Even though SIP protocol supports video streaming, BioStation T2 does not support video streaming and only supports audio. The main difficulties for using VoIP is you have to install VoIP server if you do not have the existing VoIP infrastructure. One of the most popular SIP-based VoIP server is Asterisk server http://www.asterisk.org/.

3) Analog videophone
You can use Commax’s analog videophone with BioStation T2.  

With BioStation A2, you have only one option to use the Videophone:

1) VoIP
You can use BioStation A2 with a SIP-based VoIP server. Unlike BioStation T2, BioStation A2 supports video streaming as well. We have tested BioStation A2 with Asterisk Server and mobile and Windows SIP clients.

Refer to the image below to understand the different options for interphones: