Logitech Digital Video Security System

Logitech’s Digital Video Security System is a suite of home or office surveillance products promising plug-and-play installation, as the cameras link up when plugged into the mains.

As a minimum, you need a £249 master pack comprising an indoor or outdoor camera and a Homeplug data-over-mains adapter that connects to your PC’s USB2 port. You can add up to five more cameras at a cost of £199 each, either indoor or outdoor.

All the cameras come with mounting brackets. The indoor model also comes with a sucker pad for attaching it to a window. It can face either way – so it can give an outside view as well.

The outdoor camera comes with a 4m cable; less sensible is the use of a sealed plug, which will have to be cut off if you need to pass the lead through a hole in a window frame. The data connection is not guaranteed: our host PC could not see a camera fitted in one electrically noisy room.

System setup via the Wilife Control Centre software is easy, provided you know your email server address. The system records only when it detects motion, which can trigger an email alert, or a text message if you use an email-to-SMS service. You can view all cameras live over the web.

Network drives are not supported. For off-site video storage you are encouraged to subscribe to Logitech’s platinum service. This also gives you scheduled monitoring, remote viewing of stored video, remote control, PC pop-up alerts, and digital pan tilt and zoom. These functions could be replicated in a subscription-free standalone system but, given no-brainer surveillance at relatively small cost, many subscribers won’t care.