I enjoyed reviewing the Wi-Spi EX30 security camera from Brickhouse Security, it is missing one important feature – remote viewing from the internet. I think I may have found a better solution for those times when I would like to see what’s going on in my home while I’m at work. It’s the Avaak Vue personal video network. It is not a webcam, but a wireless network with remote live video streaming capabilities. It uses a wireless technology called FrameMesh, which consumes 99 percent less power than WiFi, and is the first camera system to run on batteries. The miniature cameras are completely wireless and wire-free making them easy to mount and move to any location. In addition, unlike most camera systems the Vue personal video network does not require any software installation. The system which includes 2 cameras and a network gateway will run you $299.00. Extra cameras are priced at $99.00.
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I’m interested in a review of this if we could get it. Personally I use Trendnet’s wireless security camera at home and Logitech’s wilife system at the office. Would love to see how this small one stands up to those.
@Jackie You’ll have to fight me for it 😉 I’d like to review this one too.
This system has two downsides for me. One, to observe via the web, you need to enroll in their server service which carries a monthly fee. Second, there’s no motion sensor, so you have to balance battery life with how often you want to have the cameras active.
@Dan I agree that the battery powered feature can be useless for someone wishing to use this product to create a surveillance system. I didn’t know their service also required a monthly fee. That’s a really con as well.
Just to clarify, the VueZone service fee is $20/annually, and the first year of service is included with the purchase of a Vue personal video network system. The reason for the service fee is to offset the cost on our end of server storage space, bandwidth requirements for streaming video, data center upkeep, etc. The benefit to the consumer, however, is the ability to view your video cameras from practically anywhere…there’s no client-side software to install. Just log into your account from a web browser and you’re good to go!
@John Ah, an annual fee of $20 isn’t too bad. I’d have to try the service though to really decide though… 🙂
I’ve evaluated a lot of home-office class cameras and I’ve been unhappy with all of them — each for a different reason. I’ve been only marginally satisfied with Panasonic wireless cameras. The Vue will be a definite winner in the market if the image quality is good, but only **AFTER** Avaak develops and includes motion detection in their offering. The $20 annual fee is a bargain by any measure, the small inconspicuous size is excellent, the wireless capability is perfect, and not needing to run power cords through the wall is FANTASTIC. Now add motion detection so I don’t need to wade through hours of unchanging video images to get to the one moment of motion.
The problem with “VueZone” and other similar companies, is that thier business model might not be viable. You buy their (inexpensive) equipment, forced to use their centralized (cloud) service, and one day the company (or service) is no longer around. You sit with a few pieces of suddently useless hardware at home.
I want a “gateway”, decent cameras, and ability to go DIRECTLY to my “physical” location – w/o having pass someone elses server (outside my IPS’s of course). I already have internet access, more computers than I care to think of, and want to control MY system on MY terms.
The annual service fee is not expensive, but companies like these pop up just to disappear later. We’ve seen it all over the tech sector (latest now is “cloud storage” for an annual fee).
Sorry John. Nothing directly against VueZone, but I am not sure the public is ready for these types of “subscribtion services” yet -since few companies have the finacial strength to survive some tough years.
Buy a Tel Spy security phone ( about$130 on line) and put your cell number in it. If an intruder enters your home the Tel Spy calls your cell and leaves the line open for 20 seconds so you can hear any sounds. Then log on to see who’s in your home. I think you can do all this from your IPod.