Difference between mechanical and digital doorbell chimes

Annie1960

Does anyone know what the difference is between a mechanical and digital doorbell chime?

Jonesya

I'm guessing the mechanical one has a real, metal chime that is struck to make the sound, while a digital one would use a speaker to play back a recording.

rach_k

A mechanical one has a striker that hits a metal bar to make the noise. A digital one has a speaker instead.

Crossposted, sorry!

Annie1960

Any thoughts on pros and cons of each type? Which one is better? Or are they both equally as good?

I'm having it hard-wired if that makes a difference.

Lorian

mechanical usualy go "ding dong"

Electronic can sound like Big Ben, play tunes etc. if you like that sort of thing.

Mechanical would generally be considered old-fashioned.

Electronic can have repeaters if required.

Don't over-pay - they are not really very expensive - check somewhere like screwfix.com for prices.

coffeehound

TLC are also good for doorbells

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Door_Bells_and_Chimes_Index/index.html

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Annie1960

Lorian wrote: »

mechanical usualy go "ding dong"

Electronic can sound like Big Ben, play tunes etc. if you like that sort of thing.

Mechanical would generally be considered old-fashioned.

Electronic can have repeaters if required.

Don't over-pay - they are not really very expensive - check somewhere like screwfix.com for prices.

I need one that is compatible with Ring Video Doorebell Pro, and it needs to be hard-wired. The Ring Video people have sent me a list of compatible chimes, but hardly any seem to be available in Britain.

coffeehound

Annie1960 wrote: »

I need one that is compatible with Ring Video Doorebell Pro, and it needs to be hard-wired. The Ring Video people have sent me a list of compatible chimes, but hardly any seem to be available in Britain.

There was a thread about this a few weeks back

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5637771

I had a quick look through their bumf (links in that thread) and it seems that the best way to fit one here in the UK is to buy the package where they supply a 24 volt transformer that is connected inside or near to your Consumer Unit (the main electricity fusebox) and that powers the doorbell camera system. You also get a separate plug-in electronic unit that is the doorbell ringer -- very much like the ordinary modern plug-in wireless doorbells.

Annie1960

coffeehound wrote: »

There was a thread about this a few weeks back

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5637771

I had a quick look through their bumf (links in that thread) and it seems that the best way to fit one here in the UK is to buy the package where they supply a 24 volt transformer that is connected inside or near to your Consumer Unit (the main electricity fusebox) and that powers the doorbell camera system. You also get a separate plug-in electronic unit that is the doorbell ringer -- very much like the ordinary modern plug-in wireless doorbells.

I have an electrician who has already done the first fix by installing the wire.

I now need to buy the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, but also need a chime to go with it. I don't like the wireless ones, and want a hard-wired one, but am finding it difficult to find one.

Ideally I would like to get one that can also be connected to the other doorbell on my side door (normal bell, without Ring Video).

I'm going around in circles and confusing myself in the process.

Owain_Moneysaver

If it's this list then the Byron D107 "Facet", D117 "Ding Dong, D422 "SURF KIT" are sold in the UK under the Friedland brand.


It appears the Ring supplies 16-24 volts and most British bells run on 8 volts, so they may ding a little harshly on a Ring power supply.

Any of these should work as should 182 and 792 here

coffeehound

deleted because it probably didn't help.