Converting your home into a 'digital home' can be an expensive process. So while I've already got a Media Center PC and I've upgraded to DAB, 802.11n, and 200Mbps Powerline, the list still includes "buy an HD TV", "get Sky HD" and "re-install X-10 lighting."

Something else I've always wanted to try (but never got around to) is home monitoring - ie setting up a USB or network webcam to keep an eye on the house when I'm out.

There's growing interest in such systems. In a recent poll by IDC, half of the 1,500 people questioned expressed an interest in home monitoring, which can also encompass remote control of heating, air-conditioning and home appliances.

The downside is that many home monitoring services are expensive and designed for custom installations. But alongside the higher-end solutions such as iControl and uControl, there are simpler services aimed at the DIY digital home enthusiast.

Smile, you're on CCTV

The new Home Camera website is a good example. Currently in Beta, Home Camera streamlines the setup of a webcam and provides a platform for you to access the video feed over the web. You can connect multiple cameras and if a camera detects any motion, an alert can be pinged out immediately by email or SMS.

The service is currently free (it's still a little rough around the edges). Once fully launched, a year's subscription to Home Camera will cost $14.95.

The versatile Orb service also includes a handy webcam option. Register for a free Orb account and follow the prompts to set up a webcam. The OrbSecure function enables you to record video, view the video feed via any web-connected computer, and be alerted by email or SMS when the camera detects movement.

The disadvantage of the Home Camera and Orb options is that you need to leave a PC switched on. Hardly the most eco-friendly option. An alternative monitoring option is a dedicated network webcam. Linksys, for example, sells the WVC54GCA Wireless-G Internet Home Monitoring Camera that can sit on your network and broadcast a video stream to a private web address.

I'm currently road-testing the Orb solution with an old laptop and a cheap webcam. So far, it takes very good pictures of the cat.