Product Reviews

Motorola has designed the Homesight kit to provide complete home monitoring and security using modular wireless peripherals that start from £30 including VAT. Its Easy Start Kit gets you the USB wireless receiver, which can also play host to three wired cameras, a passive infrared (PIR) motion-sensor camera and a window/door sensor. You can buy extra cameras and sensors, a control keypad and a siren to complete your security package. If you're more interested in monitoring, there are temperature sensors, leak detection sensors and automated electrical switches as well.

The kit is tied together using Motorola's Homesight software. A quick-start wizard asks about wireless

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networks, so it can configure its own wireless protocol in a way that won't interfere. Next you must get it to discover your peripherals by pressing the detect button on them. All ours were detected correctly. You can rename each device to something more meaningful, such as 'lounge camera' rather than just camera, for instance.

You then need to configure the way the software works using the macro editor. It's quite easy to use and has drop-down menus. Select an event, such as a camera detecting motion, then choose one or more actions. The software gives you options just for the devices you have connected.

You can send notifications via email with video attachments, and MMS messages to mobile phones. However, the software only natively supports T-Mobile and O2; those on other networks need to look up the settings, which is a little tricky.

It can only be managed using the PC on which it is installed, which isn't much use if you plan to keep a server in a loft or cupboard. You can get round this by using Windows Remote Desktop.

Homesight is a bit expensive, and you need to be confident in building your security rules. Still, it could be cheaper than having a professional alarm fitted, and there's a wider range of sensors too.