D-Link DCS-2100G

Webcams are great for videoconferencing and catching up with friends over the internet, but if you want something a little more versatile, consider investing in an IP camera.

Hooking up directly to a router, an IP camera runs its own web server and will let you view footage over the internet without the need for a PC. Among a number of other uses, IP cameras are perfect as home security devices.

D-Link's DCS-2100G is an 802.11g IP camera and comes with all the kit required to hook it up to a router either wirelessly or wired, although if you're going to connect it directly to a PC you'll need a crossover Ethernet cable.

The lens focus can be adjusted, but only by hand (that is, not via the internet) and D-Link made the sensible decision to include a microphone in the casing.

Setup was reasonably simple, but the process of sorting out port forwarding on your firewall may be more of a struggle.

The web interface is clearly laid out and there is a good range of features, including the ability to set up a monitoring schedule. Motion detection sensitivity can be adjusted to prevent false alarms.

Video size reaches a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 at 30fps (frames per second). Although you won't get smooth video over the internet at this resolution, it does allow for decent-sized shots to be taken should the motion sensor be triggered.

During operation, we found the device generated far more heat than the Panasonic BL-C30, so we'd advise giving it plenty of breathing space.

The DCS-2100G is more expensive than we expected, but it's got some good features and is relatively easy to set up.