Unlike the Myhome247 kit, Homecamera isn't a complete home security product. Instead, it uses your existing webcam to offer home monitoring on the cheap.

That's because if you already have a webcam the service is available without cost (but with some restrictions) or you can pay $15 (£8) a year for the upgraded service.

Even if you don't have a webcam, it's possible to pick one up for as little as £20, which is much easier to swallow than the hundreds of pounds a home-security kit would cost.

The downside is that, because it uses a conventional webcam, you need to have a computer switched on and connected to the internet whenever you want to use it (the more expensive systems don't require a computer). It can, of course, be used for other things such as keeping an eye on a baby's cot from another room.

Installation was just a case of creating a free account online, then downloading and running the software. It recognised our webcam and we were able to view pictures and video from the camera online. That means you could set it up from home, for instance, and keep an eye on things from work.

The software can detect motion and email you a picture or video, or send it by text message (which costs extra), or you can log in to the website at will. It can also record at certain times of the day. It wasn't without trouble – we had some hassle starting it up the next day, when it refused to recognise the webcam, but we fixed it by unplugging and re-plugging that, then restarting the software.

You can set up 'friends' on the website, whose cameras you can view and who can view yours, meaning you can even ask friends or family to check in for you. Picture and video quality depends on the webcam (although you can also change this in the Homecamera software, up to the maximum allowed by the camera), but we found it to be more than enough for home monitoring.

Homecamera is a clever idea that takes the hassle out of setting up a webcam as a security camera, but the fact that you need to leave a computer running at home limits its appeal.

Vista compatibility: Yes