The outdoor camera component of Logitech's Video Security System needs to be hard-wired, but there are other options - including a free one.

The outdoor camera component of Logitech's Video Security System needs to be hard-wired, but there are other options - including a free one.

Burglary. It costs insurance companies bazillions, breaks a whole lot of hearts and see's piles of irreplaceable stuff gone forever. Whilst a burglar alarm is a must-have and definitely deters some would-be burglars, the facts speak for themselves. Out of the 59,525 burglaries recorded by the Dept of Statistics in 2008, only 9,596 were reported as being solved.

If these stats sound grim, you can take some small comfort in the fact I've found several easy ways enhance your chances of catching a burglar in the act should they decide to pay your place a visit.

The secret to this miraculous feat lies in some extremely clever video surveillance technology which may help you and the old bill identify and capture any burglars.

Logitech Video Security System

The first clever bit of video monitoring gadgetry comes from Logitech who boast their video surveillance gear can be installed in less than 15 minutes from about $550 depending on configuration.

The secret sauce making this install claim possible is HomePlug technology, which lets the Logitech Video Security System transmit footage over your homes existing electrical wiring to a PC, saving you from the convoluted and painful chore of running cables to where you want to install cameras.

In practice, installing the Logitech Video Security cameras was almost as easy as promised. After installing the Command Centre software on a spare PC, I hooked up the USB receiver, plugging it into the mains.

Installing an indoor camera was as easy as mounting it and plugging it into a spare power socket. Getting an outdoor camera installed proved a little trickier as I had to get a friendly sparky to wire it in. This said, covering my entire home took a few painless hours and I was good to go.

The Logitech Video Security System software proved to be bit of a clever too. Rather than recording hour after hour of useless video footage, it intelligently detects motion within a pre-defined area, recording it directly to my PC's hard drive where it was able to be searched. The smarts didn't stop there either. Motion-activated SMS and email alerts can quickly alert you to security breaches when you're out and about.

Surveillance footage can also be remotely viewed via the internet or even a Windows Mobile powered cell phone. Up to five additional indoor or outdoor Logitech Security cameras are also able to be added, making the Logitech Video Security System easily expandable.