Logitech Debuts Wireless Home-Security System

By John Laposky -- TWICE, 8/3/2010

Fremont, Calif. - Logitech introduced today an out-of-the-box wireless home-monitoring camera system on the Homeplug AV wireless-networking platform.

Two Logitech Alert master systems - one for indoors and one with night vision for outdoors - include one HD camera, monitoring and control software, and free remote viewing of live video through a browser on a secure site from any Internet-connected computer. It can also be viewed via free smartphone apps available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices.

Additional add-on cameras for both systems, sold in single-camera SKUs, also rolled out. The indoor and outdoors camera can be mixed and matched, with the system supporting up to six cameras.

The cameras feature motion-triggered alerts and recording with a built-in DVR. The system can be set to automatically record video only when motion is detected.

Logitech is touting the system's simplicity of setup, which entails loading the Logitech Alert software on a PC, connecting to the network and plugging the camera into any household electrical outlet. The HomePlug AV standard uses a home's existing electrical wiring and outlets to connect the cameras to the network.

The available cameras all capture 720p video and feature a 130-degree wide-angle lens. For outdoors, the Alert 750e (master) and 700e (add-on) models are IP55-certified, weatherproof outdoor cameras with HD night vision that can monitor in "complete darkness regardless of weather conditions," according to Logitech.

The cameras come with a 2GB MicroSD card for storage, eliminating the need for the PC to be always on, and Logitech said the card can hold up to a week of video based on the amount of motion-triggered recording in a typical home. The recorded video is automatically backed up to the user's PC the next time it connects to the network.

In addition, Logitech is offering an optional Alert Web and Mobile Commander premium service that lets a user watch recorded video remotely as well as manage the settings to send alerts from the Web or a smartphone.

Logitech said it plans to bring Logitech Alert to the TV later this year, by enabling Logitech Revue with Google TV customers to view any camera from any Google TV connected screen.

The video security market is characterized by expensive, hard-to-install and hard-to-use security systems, as well as poor-quality monitoring cameras," said Eric Kintz, VP/GM of Logitech's video business. "As part of our vision to bring HD video to anyone, anywhere, Logitech is thrilled to introduce a completely new video security solution to consumers and small businesses, which offers HD video quality and motion-triggered live viewing and recording at attractive price points." 

The Logitech Alert 750i master system and the Logitech Alert 750e outdoor master system have suggested retails of $299 and $349, respectively. The add-on Alert 700i and 700e outdoor cameras will be $229 and $279, respectively.

The premium Logitech Alert Web and Mobile Commander service will be available as a bundle with a seven-day free trial and a suggested retail of $79.99 per year.

All products are expected to be available in the U.S. this month.