(Credit: Crave UK)One Internet video camera that doesn't fall into any of these categories is the Y-cam. Not only is it flippin' gorgeous and built like a brick house, but it's also packed with features and extremely easy to set up--something rival camera manufacturers should note.
The Y-cam connects to networks via Ethernet--you'll have to supply your own cable, unfortunately--or via 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. It runs at a resolution at 640 x 480 pixels, so picture quality is YouTube-esque, but the frame rate stayed high in our tests, in the region of 25 frames per second.
Combine that reliability with the Y-cam's infrared mode, and you have yourself a product that's extremely versatile. We've been using it to keep an eye on our exotic car collection while we're at work--as soon as anyone gets near its field of vision, it begins recording. It'll even send e-mail alerts saying something's up, so you can view--and hear, thanks to the integrated mic--the live stream.
Two versions of the Y-cam are available. There's the all-singing, all-dancing Black version with built-in night vision (140 pounds, or about $276) and a slightly cheaper White version without night vision (100 pounds, or about $197).

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