Home Security News

ActiveHome Pro Review

ActiveHome Pro is X10.com's software that allows you to start automating your home (i.e. turning on lights) without spending a lot of money.  Last week, Wired offered this short ActiveHome Pro Review, the end result of which is: "...for anyone looking to get started with home automation, ActiveHome Pro is worth a shot. The product is easy to set up, even for non-geeks, and the price is right: A starter kit with the software, interface and several modules, remote controls and sensors costs just $100."

ActiveHome - Home Automation Software and Controls is available direction from X10.

Active Home and Wireless Technology

I've mentioned X10's Active Home Professional software before in relation to home automation and home security, but I found an article that relates Active Home to up and coming wireless technologies that are competing for attention in the homeowners' market.  The writer, Rob Enderle, discusses current X10 technology, Z-Wave, Smarthome's Insteon, and tying it all in to make a fully computerized home.

The Insane World of Home Electronics: Home Automation

Turn Your PC into A Surveillance System

So, you have a wireless or USB camera that hooks up to your computer, but how do you turn your computer into a home surveillance system? Here are a few software products that might suit your needs:

Odyssey WatchDog Pro 4 Channel Software -- Works with x-10 and USB cameras to turn your PC into a video surveillance system without the need to add any hardware.

If you're looking for a more sophisticated, comprehensive PC video surveillance system Milestone Systems is well-known for its XProtect Professional software systems. The most basic comes with support for one camera offering a "state-of-the-art" IP video surveillance system that records directly to your computer's harddrive, therefore eliminating the need for a VCR system. You can buy software from Milestone that supports all the way up to 64 cameras per server (probably more than the average home owner needs).