Intelligent mobile video from Archerfish

So I've come across security video cameras that I've liked drooled over before, such as the Vue I wrote about back in March, but I have to say the Archerfish from Cernium Corporation seems to be the cool new kid on the block. Using so-called "homeland security technology," the home monitoring system somehow digitally "watches" the live stream of the video for you and is programmed to notify you only when important events happen. On top of the obvious, such as break-ins, these can include telling (and showing) you when the kids come home from school and when the delivery guy leaves an important package you've been waiting for on the doorstep.

You can get alerts about those events through your email or cell phone, and see the video online. Of course, the easiness of such advanced technology will set you back in the bank. A self-install kit, which contains a Smartbox, a screen called the "Smart Portal" that you use to manage the system, two cameras and cables, costs $1,699. Then, there's a monthly subscription fee of $24.99.