pwdiver, I also use a camera. I have a DVR based camera system which allows me to view in home or remotely via the internet. It's older and not compatible with smart phones, but then I'm not that fancy anyway, don't have a smart phone. But I could not imagine not having the ability to monitor the system. I can even see the little dot telling me whether it's currently running or not. I am familiar with X10 cameras but I recall having some trouble keeping them tuned in with wireless setup. Nowadays, DVR systems are quite affordable and easy to install. Plus you get the benefit of remote monitoring and recording. It's always running without designating a computer to run all the time to monitor the cameras with. With my greenhouse business, I like that I can look back at any point in the night and see when a problem may have occured (not that I can do anything about it. by the time I've looked back at the video I've already been out to find the problem and resolve it. But still, I can see when it happend). Some IP cameras can be useful too esp. if it has a built-in SD card slot.