Comparison Philips Avent SCD501 vs Philips Avent SCD610

— Baby monitor. Classic baby monitors provide sound transmission from baby to parent (and sometimes vice versa, refer to "Features"). They may have a number of additional functions, such as a temperature and humidity sensor, but they do not have video function.

— Video baby monitor. Such devices can transmit to the parent unit not only sounds from the child's room, but also video from the camera installed in the baby unit. This expands your possibilities: for example, you can fully control the situation in the room without going into it once again — after all, even the quiet opening and closing of doors can disturb the baby, while the camera works completely silently.

— Additional camera. Cameras designed to complement existing radio or video baby monitors. In fact, they are surveillance cameras, supplemented by a communication system (usually digital, see "Communication standard") and special functions like a night light, music box, two-way talk, etc. The only thing before buying is to clarify the compatibility of the selected model with already available devices.

— Sensitivity adjustment. The ability to adjust the sensitivity of the microphone in the baby unit of the baby monitor. On the one hand, the parent needs to hear well what is happening with the child, on the other hand, a microphone set to the maximum can capture a huge amount of extra sounds, from the rustle of sheets to conversations outside the window. Adjustable microphone sensitivity provides an optimal balance between these extremes.

— Night lamp. Possibility to use the child's baby monitor unit as a night lamp. Often children (especially those who have grown up) are afraid to fall asleep in complete darkness, and the light of a night lamp is able to drive away the fear of the dark and at the same time is not so bright as to prevent falling asleep. In baby monitors, turning on, off and adjusting the brightness of the night light can be done remotely from the parent unit, and in models with video, the lamp can be useful as a backlight if the camera does not have a night mode (see "Night vision").

— Night vision. The ability to operate the camera on the baby unit of the baby monitor in night vision. This mode provides an unobstructed (but colorless) view of what is happening in the room, even in darkness where it is impossible to distinguish anything with the naked eye. Thus, you can see your baby on the baby monitor screen at any time, even at night,...when he/she is sleeping and any light in the room is undesirable.

— Parent unit searching. The parent unit is a portable device and, like all such devices, is prone to getting lost. The search function makes it easier to detect the loss: when you press a button on the baby unit (which is usually permanently fixed in one place and does not go anywhere), a command is sent to the parent unit, and an audible alarm is triggered, which marks the location of the device.

— Temperature sensor. Thanks to this function, you will be able to monitor not only the baby, but also the conditions in his/her room. The temperature sensor monitors the air temperature in the child's room and transmits data to the parent unit. Some models may provide an alarm for a critical increase/decrease in temperature.

— Humidity sensor. Another sensor that monitors room conditions. In this case, humidity, which is as important to young children (and especially newborns) as temperature. For more information, see “Temperature Sensor".

— iOS compatible. Ability to use iPhone as a parent unit. Actually, some models with this function may not even have a parent unit — its role is played by a smartphone with the appropriate application installed. The connection can be made in different ways. Note that often we are talking about all Apple products.

— Android compatible. The possibility of the child unit working with smartphones and other gadgets (e.g. tablets) running Android. In this application, the gadget with a special application installed on it plays the role of a parental unit. In addition, some models with this function may not be equipped with a separate parental unit at all and can be connected only to a portable device.

— Video recording. Ability to record video broadcast by the baby monitor camera to the parent unit. In this case, it is assumed that the device itself is equipped with everything necessary and does not require the use of additional equipment (TVs, recorders, etc.). Recording is usually done on memory cards, often with the option of direct transfer to a computer hard disk, for example. Recordings from the baby monitor camera can be used as material for an amateur movie about your baby, to clarify the circumstances and take action in case of an unpleasant accident in which the baby was injured, etc.

— Photography. The ability to use the parent unit's camera to take photos — for example, if you want to remember a funny moment that fell into the camera lens, or vice versa, to record the circumstances of an unpleasant incident to clarify them and take action. The command to take a picture is given from the parental unit.

— Connection of additional cameras. Ability to connect additional cameras to the video baby monitor. This increases the possibilities of the device. For example, the main camera can be mounted above the crib and the additional camera can be mounted under the ceiling to provide a view of the entire room, so you don't have to worry about your baby getting out of the crib and out of sight of the main camera. Another option is to add a camera with night vision (see above) if the main camera does not have it, etc. In baby monitors, this feature provides the ability to connect multiple baby units, so you can monitor (hear) events in different rooms from one parent unit.

— Wall mount. Possibility of mounting the baby unit of the baby monitor with a camera on the wall. This feature provides additional options for installing a baby unit — for example, it can be useful if you don't like the crib-mounted option for some reason.

The screen size on the parent unit of the baby monitor. The larger the screen, the more detailed the image it can provide and the more convenient it is to view. On the other hand, a large screen size increases the size of the parent unit itself, and it must be portable. As a consequence, their own screens are comparable to the displays of portable electronics and have a size of no more than a few inches, which in most cases is enough. If you need a larger screen, and portability is not critical, you should pay attention to models with the ability to connect to a TV (see below).

— Two-way talk. This function provides two-way communication: you can not only hear the baby, but you can also talk to him/her. For example, if the baby woke up late, the parent's voice may lull him/her back to sleep. In addition, two-way communication can come in handy when the baby grows up — a baby monitor with such an opportunity actually turns into a portable walkie-talkie that can be used in games or hiking.

— Camera control. The ability to control the baby monitor camera (refer to "Product type") from the parent unit. This greatly expands the possibilities for monitoring the child's room: for example, if the child got up from the crib and is not in the camera's field of view, you can turn the lens and control what exactly the child is doing.

— VOX mode. A system that reduces the power consumption of the parent unit, and consequently its runtime without recharging the batteries. It can be realized in different ways. For example, the parent unit can be constantly in a kind of “sleep mode” (LEDs are not lit, the display does not show anything, etc.), until the child unit detects any significant sound or the touch mat is triggered (see below); in some models, this mode can be switched on and off manually. Another option is the special ECO mode, which reduces transmitter power and therefore power consumption; it can be activated when the distance betwee...n units is short and significant power is not required.

— Volume control. The ability to adjust the volume of the sound of the parent unit. For example, in a noisy kitchen, the volume can be set to maximum to ensure that you can hear the sound from the speaker, and in a quiet atmosphere, the volume can be lowered to keep relatively soft sounds out of the way.

— Activity light indication. Baby monitors with this function are equipped with a special indicator that gives a light signal if the microphone of the child unit picks up noise in the room. Many models have a gradation of signals: for example, if the child just turned in his/her sleep, one LED is activated, and if he/she started crying, the entire set lights up. Such an alarm usually plays a supporting role, complementing the main speaker of the parent unit; in addition, in such devices, the speaker can often be turned off altogether and the baby monitor can be used in silent mode, with only a light indication.

— Vibration mode. Indication of activity in the child's room (increase in noise level) by vibration of the parent unit, similar to a vibration signal in mobile phones. Similar to light, such an alarm serves as an addition to the main speaker and can be used both in parallel with it, and separately as a silent mode; at the same time, it is more convenient than the light one (see above) — the parent does not have to constantly look at the device, because even without seeing it, he/she will immediately know about the operation. On the other hand, the price of models with vibration is higher.

— Out of range indicator. A special alarm on the parent unit, warning of the loss of communication with the child's unit. Without communication, the baby monitor becomes useless, and even dangerous, because the silence of the parent unit creates a false confidence that all is well. The presence of an out of range indicator will help to avoid such situations. Such an indicator can be visual (light indicator, signal strength indicator) or sound.

— Card reader. A card reader allows the device to work with removable memory cards — usually SD or microSD; the specific format and subtype of compatible cards needs to be specified separately. However, this function provides various additional features anyway. Memory cards are intended for storing recorded videos and photos (refer to "Baby unit"), downloading melodies for a music box, software updates, etc.

— Headphone output. A connector (usually a standard mini-jack 3.5 mm) that connects headphones to the parent unit and can be used to hear all sounds through the headphones. This feature can be useful, for example, if it is necessary to maintain maximum silence and any excessive sounds in the location of the parent unit are not desirable at all, or in a noisy place where there is a risk of missing a signal.

— Low battery indicator. The indicator that shows when the batteries in the parent unit are low. Usually, it warns in advance of the need to change or charge batteries, which reduces the likelihood of an unexpected failure of the baby monitor at the most inopportune moment.

— Timer. A kind of analogue of an alarm clock: after a specified time, the parent unit gives a signal, and parent will not miss the right moment (for example, when it is time for the baby to get up).

— TV connection. This provides the ability to watch the baby unit's broadcast on a TV, because the own screen of the baby monitor, even in the largest models, is very small (refer to “Screen size” for details) and not even comparable to the most compact TVs. In addition, the connection to a TV makes it possible to record video even if the baby monitor itself does not have such function (see below for more information on recording).

Parent unit mounting type — with some exceptions, they are designed to be carried with you all the time.

— Neck strap. A strap that can be worn around the neck to carry the parent unit. This attachment is convenient because it does not depend on clothing (unlike a belt) and does not involve the hands (unlike a wristband).

— Wristband. A wrist mount, similar to a wristwatch. Its advantage is that the parent unit is in view most of the time, simply put — it is most often in front of the eyes. This is especially important if you use light indication. On the other hand, the dimensions of even compact parent units are considerably larger than a wristwatch, which may cause some inconvenience.

— Belt clip. Mounting on a belt is convenient in that it frees the hands. On the other hand, it puts forward certain requirements for clothing: it must have a place for attaching a clip and not be too light, otherwise the weighty parent unit will pull it off.

— On the wall. This feature is useful if you have to sit in one place for a long time — for example, work at a computer: you can fix the parent unit in the most visible place. In baby monitors, mounting exclusively on the wall is practically never found; this option is in addition to one of the three above, most often to a belt clip.

It should be not...ed that in fact, the convenience of mounting depends not only on the above features, but also on your personal preferences.

The maximum range of the baby monitor. Usually, the characteristics are indicated for perfect conditions, i.e. open area with no third-party interference; in fact, the range can be significantly less due to walls, other obstacles, as well as the impact of surrounding electrical appliances. A large range is not always optimal: for example, a city apartment is unlikely to need a range of more than 80-100 m. But the longer-range model is quite useful in the countryside, or if you plan to use the baby monitor in the future as a portable talk radio.

Approximate amount of time the baby monitor parent unit can operate without recharging or changing batteries. The value is rather conditional, because in fact, it depends on many parameters: the selected volume, sensitivity, the number of alarms, etc. As a result, the actual operating time may differ — usually downward relative to what is recorded in the characteristics.

Charging time for the parent unit's own battery from zero to 100% charge. The shorter the charging time, the shorter the breaks in work will be and, accordingly, the more convenient the baby monitor is to use.