Take control with a mydlink-enabled camera

Network cameras are an easy, affordable way to keep tabs on your property while you’re away. But the cameras themselves are only one piece of a complete monitoring system. Without an easy way to view what those cameras are seeing, you run the risk of ignoring them — like having an elaborate alarm system you never turn on because it’s just too much trouble.

D-Link takes the hassle out of home monitoring with the free mydlink smartphone app. You can download the app to monitor your home from any iPhone, iPad, or Android device. No smartphone? No problem. Instead, use the mydlink Web portal to see camera views from any computer with a Web browser. Just visit mydlink.com and log in with your name and password, and you’ll see live video feeds for all your cameras, in real time. Curious about something happening in one of the video windows? Press a button to grab a snapshot for review later.

The app and Web portal work with any mydlink-enabled camera. For instance, the D-Link DCS-930L and DCS-932L (which adds night vision) are designed for extreme ease of use in a variety of situations, from looking in on your kids and their sitter while you’re away to watching over a vacation home or the family pet while you’re slogging through the work week. They’re easy to install and, since they’re so powerful and affordable, they make for a great alternative or addition to professional home security services.

Both models are wireless, so you don’t need to run cable through your walls or around your home to get them up and running. You can use the included stand to place the cameras on a shelf or table, or hang them from a wall or ceiling by tapping in a nail. Then just connect the camera to a power outlet and you’re ready to go.

Plug-and-play operation means you can start using the cameras immediately. The D-Link setup wizard lets you configure them without delving into arcane settings, and if your router supports WPS setup (it will say so in the manual), configuring the cameras is as simple as pressing a button.

The mydlink service gives you an easy way to check in, but if you want more control, you’ve got that option, too. Free software is included that lets you schedule recordings, monitor for movement, and archive video to your computer.

The DCS-930L and 932L mydlink-enabled cameras put sophisticated surveillance within the budget of any household or small office. In other words, they put you in control.