Great views with the new Vue personal video network from Avaak

Video networks for your home can come in handy, especially if you have kids or an elderly parent you'd like to check in on from work. But I could never see myself (or most people, really) going through the hassle of wiring up one of those complicated systems. Then I met with the folks from Avaak about their new Vue personal video network and finally found a system I could see myself wrangling with. Not only are the small, 3-inch tall video cameras wireless and easy to move around (and frankly, cute as a button), but they're also perfect for the tech-challenged since they don't require you to so much as download software to access their wireless stream of video.

Basically, the peel-and-stick bases can go anywhere you want them to and the lithium-ion powered cameras magnetically attach. Video wirelessly streams to the company's server, which then sends it to a web site where you securely log into to see what's happening at home. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the picture - clear and vibrant.

You can also share access, either on a limited or complete basis, with other people so that, say, Grandma on the other side of the country can watch Susie play with the birthday present she was sent. And perhaps best of all you can store or save snapshots if you catch your husband doing a Risky Business dance while you're away.

Now the system isn't meant to be a nanny cam where you can look back on what happened while you were out (though you can store up to 2 gigabytes of video and set the cameras to record at a certain time). Instead it's more for checking in every so often and for sharing special moments with friends and family. It also seems to be a sound investment for second homes, letting you immediately check to see how your house fared after a bad storm.

Officially launched earlier this week, the company is taking orders now and will be shipping in the summertime. Two cameras and a year-long access to the site retails for $299, with annual subscriptions to the website costing $19.95 afterwards.