*Sponsored Presentation*
HomeCamera is a software download that works with virtually any PC, Windows 2000 and up, and lets you monitor your home via your webcam from anywhere in the world, for FREE.
You can easily turn your webcam into a monitoring device by downloading their home camera software, hooking up to 4 cameras - CCTV cameras also supported, and watch your office/business, your baby, pet, or just to make sure that nothing out of the ordinary is happening around you. Obviously it can also be used as a security device.
Access your camera from any computer, PDA or mobile phone that has an internet browser. Also because we are in a Web 2.0 era, you can even share your camera’s footage with people you give access to. For instance sharing your baby’s first steps with grandma who lives in another country. As is my case.
If you are using it as a security device, HomeCamera includes motion detection which can detect movement as it happens and automatically email you notifications and pictures.
They even let you store recorded videos and snap shots on their servers, check site for full conditions. So now while you are work and if you want to keep a watch on your home you can do so using their software. This would be a great tool for parents to have when their kids get home from school, or if they have pets to check on, or even as a general security feature.
Right now it is in a beta period, so the service is free. They do plan on charging as they move out of beta, though beta testers will receive special offers. Read more about home camera monitoring software.
Currently I work from home, so I don’t have any place to monitor. But I could sure have used this service to peek into my home as my boy grew up, those moments never come back. I would get numerous calls daily about how he did this and the actions he would be doing etc…I sure could have used this service then. I plan on traveling soon, I think I will use it then to give it a test run.
One thing though? Do the guys running the software have any way of seeing into our camera setups?
Home Camera asked for this review to be fair and impartial, and it has. I see a need for this kind of service, sign up for the beta now and start using it. Post a comment to let us know about your experience.
About the author
Hyder has been blogging for the past two years on this blog. He started Weborithm, his web company, in 2007 and along with designing blogs and websites also releases various web related products.
Varun on September 14th, 2007
1
Thanks for a balanced review.
To answer your question: No, we have no way of looking at your camera setups.
Regards,
- Varun.
Climb Kilimanjaro on September 15th, 2007
2
Looks cool. I can use it to watch my dog.
thewild1 on September 15th, 2007
3
i use a wireless linksys camera…you can put it anywhere and it i will connect to your internet.. then from wherever you are you can log on and see it. Link to camera
Varun on September 15th, 2007
4
thewild1: Since you’re using a linksys camera, you’re our best advertisement.
Seriously - you and I know just how painful it is to set up a wifi camera. The average user out there simply DOESN’T know how to set up NAT, port forwarding, dyndns, and manage all the shenangians required to setup one of these gadgets. I mean, I’ve talked to people involved in technology at MOBILE CARRIERS and when I say “you’ll need to NAT your router”, their eyes literally GLAZE over. 
The difference with HomeCamera is, none of this stuff is required. Just a user id, password, and a camera name. Hit connect and you’re done. By establishing the connection from the inside-out, NAT, DDNS, etc become yesterday’s news.
In all fairness, someone who’s very comfortable with technology won’t have a problem with the home networking aspects involved in wifi cameras - it’s the other 95% of Internet users we’re trying to address.
Cheers,
- V.