Oct 9, 2009 6:43 pm US/Eastern
Tech Minute: Network Cams Let You Watch While Away
By BRIAN COOLEY, CNET Editor At Large
SAN FRANCISCO (CNET) ―
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Network cameras allow users to use a Web browser to view remote locations like a home or office.
CNET
While most everyone familiar with online multimedia know about Webcams, even more fun are their big brother gadgets: Network cameras.
A network camera is like a Webcam but it has its own internet connection. You can log into such a camera and look at it from any Web browser in your home, away from home, or even out and about while using a smartphone. Some network cameras can pan their view back and forth, tilt up and down, zoom in and out and even let you listen in on what is going on.
The most common uses for network cameras are keeping an eye on the baby sitter, checking what the kids are doing or keeping an eye on a vacation home. Whatever you want to keep an eye on from anywhere is possible, even watching your pets while the humans are away.
One of the coolest features in many network cameras is motion detection that can be set to text or e-mail you when something is moving. After getting an alert, you can then log on and check out the scene.
Network cameras are not as cheap as Webcams. Expect to spend $200 to $300 or a full-featured one.
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After setting up your network camera, make sure you turn on its password security so that not just anyone can see your camera from the Internet.
You also can put recording software on your PC to keep an archive of the video your camera has seen while you were away. Such features are great for giving the police something to work with if you ever have a burglarly - as long as the robbers don't steal that PC as well.
MORE: Brian Cooley @ CNET.com
Brian Cooley joined CNET in 1995 to launch CNET Radio. Today as Editor at large, he offers commentary about technology on television and radio from the CNET p.o.v. as well as contributing videos to CNET Car Tech and CNET TV.
(© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.)
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