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The disadvantage of a system like this is that you'll need to leave your PC or laptop switched on for the monitoring software to work, and there's always the chance that Windows might crash or need restarting after an update, which may mean events aren't recorded. And while most packages allow you to view video remotely, it's often complex to set up and - in our experience - can prove unreliable.

An alternative to using a PC is to buy a dedicated DVR. These are set-top boxes much like a PVR, which record video from your CCTV cameras to an internal hard disk. Even basic models, which cost about £100 with an 80GB hard disk, are capable of motion detection. However, such models don't have networking functions, so can't alert you of an event or allow remote viewing like a PC-based DVR can.

Used as evidence?

It's all well and good to have a surveillance system, but there's little you can do remotely to stop

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a burglar from making off with your DVD player. Dialling 999 should be your first port of call, but will the police respond to your call informing them your webcam has spotted an intruder? A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police says a webcam is as good as any other eye witness. "It would be treated in the same way as any other report of suspicious activity," the spokesperson claims.

Even if the police don't arrive in time to cart off your intruder, there's a chance your images can lead to a prosecution. In 2005, software engineer Duncan Grisby set up a webcam with motion-detection software in his Cambridge flat. The software worked brilliantly, kicking in as soon as the burglar entered his flat, taking several highly detailed images (you can see the pictures at www.grisby.org/burglar.html). The tech-savvy thief became suspicious of the clicking sounds emanating from Mr Grisby's PC, however, and decided to make off with the computer.

Unfortunately for the thief, he was outwitted by Mr Grisby who'd set his PC to email the pictures to him. He forwarded the pictures to the Cambridgeshire Police Burglary Squad, which quickly identified the thief. Confronted with such overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for 11 months.

So not only did Mr Grisby get his PC and belongings back, but also the satisfaction of having collared a local thief. If that doesn't inspire you to splash out £20 on a webcam, nothing will.