On the record, 'Nanny cams' abound

In one example, a working coffee maker doubles as a wireless camera.
By ABIGAIL LEICHMAN
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
HACKENSACK, N.J. -- If you're looking for a video recording device to keep a secretive eye on your child's caregiver, it may be hard to find.
Not that you can't buy many different types of "nanny cams." It's just that some of them are almost impossible to spot because they're cleverly hidden in real or bogus smoke detectors, clock radios, VCRs, books, PDAs, tissue boxes and stuffed animals.
Take the Svat Spy Eye Nanny Cam ($120 at rcliving.com). This innocent-looking stuffed bear has a color wireless camera and transmitter hidden inside, complete with night vision.
Or consider the Remington Teddy Bear Nanny Cam Video Security System ($60 at miacom.com), a wide-angle surveillance camera placed inside the nose of a panda on the base of a 17-inch nursery lamp. The camera's always on, even when the lamp is off. It comes with a 5-inch black-and-white monitor but may be hooked up to any VCR, TV, CCTV or DVR, and it can accommodate an additional camera.
Then there's the PalmVid wireless coffee maker hidden camera ($275, $80 more for color, at palmvid.com). This working coffee maker contains a camera plus wireless transmitter. Plug it in, connect the receiver to your VCR up to 700 feet away, and you're ready to record.
But if you don't want to spy on the sly, here are some out-in-the-open new products that offer parents peace of mind when they're away from home or just working in the basement office.
Put it anywhere
The portable MailboxCam wireless remote camera ($200 at wirelessimaging.com) has fasteners that allow you to move it and mount it anywhere: the swing set, deck post, doghouse, tree, basement stud etc. It lets you monitor doorways and driveways, and has a configurable encoder/decoder to keep others from fiddling with your settings.
The MailboxCam can be programmed to shut itself down after a predetermined amount of time. It operates for up to several months on three AA batteries but comes with an AC adapter and a battery clip to allow for continuous operation.
Wellness service
SafetyCare upgrades home security alarms with a range of safety, health and wellness services, including remote worldwide video monitoring via the Internet.
For $39.95 per month (safetycare.us), you can have your current alarm system converted and monitored.
On top of the nanny cam perk, the system provides members with immediate access to certified professionals for nonemergency health inquiries, health-crisis counseling, consultation, conflict resolution, problem solving and critical incident intervention -- which can come in handy for caregivers.
Check in from anywhere
The Motorola homesight wireless daytime camera ($130 at Motorola.com, Circuit City, Best Buy and Radio Shack) uses your broadband Internet connection to capture and transmit color still images and text alerts to your cell phone, PDA or e-mail; live video with sound to your home PC; or real-time color video clips and still images to your office PC.
You can program the camera to record at timed intervals or when motion is detected, so you can review color video clips with sound or still images when you return home. The camera is designed for use with the homesight Wireless Easy Start Kit ($299).
Motion detection
Napco's VCAM IP addressable Web cams can be placed anywhere in the home and accessed via broadband connection through a Web-enabled phone, PDA or PC.
Using a motion detector, the camera starts recording upon a programmable event "trip" such as a door opening or baby stirring. The camera can e-mail you a JPEG, or you can view live or archived video or snapshots on a dedicated, secure Web site (no software to load).
VCAM costs $259, which includes two years of service. Purchase it from a security dealer, and then register online at napcosecurity.com.