How to Set Up an Affordable Home Monitoring System

A home monitoring system doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult to set up. With the right products, set up requires only a few pieces of equipment and few or no tools: just place a few cameras on a shelf or bookcase (or attach them to a wall or ceiling) and plug them into a power socket. Connect them to a home network, step through the setup wizard, and you’re ready to go.

The award winning Full HD Pan & Tilt Wi Fi Camera (DCS 8526LH) and the Full HD Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-8300LHV2) fit the bill. They’re discreet and easy to place on a shelf or hang from a wall or ceiling. They communicate using Wi-Fi, so they connect to a home computer network automatically, without the need to run cables throughout the house. The plug-and-play setup ensures fast fool-proof configuration and management via the mydlink app. Finally, they’re affordable, so you can cover a wide area without breaking the bank.

Networked cameras are different from webcams because they operate independently from a computer, so you can access a live stream of video and audio from each camera via the Internet or mobile connection (4 or even 5G), using a computer or smartphone. With your cameras mounted and positioned, it’s time to figure out how to send video streams from the cameras to the internet. That’s where your existing computer network comes in. A home network based on the latest WiFi 6 or 802.11ax standard is the best option for busy households with many smart devices, as the newest routers offer enhanced performance, capacity and range. If you need a new router to support your camera network, the D-Link DIR-X5460 AX5400 WiFi 6 Router is a solid choice, offering exceptional performance and range affordably.

How to monitor your home from anywhere, anytime

Keep an eye on what matters to you most with mydlink™ Cloud Services

Peace of mind in an instant 
If you want to make sure that the kids are OK when they come home from school, check that your dog isn’t tearing the house up or ensure your home is safe and sound while you’re on holiday, our simple guide to home monitoring and security is a great place to start. We’ll help you determine everything you need to view what’s happening at home… wherever you are.

Why home monitoring?
Our range of home monitoring solutions allows you to monitor and record your home via any Internet-connected computer, iPad®, iPhone®, or Android™ device, anytime and anywhere.

Our cameras enable you to check on your home with live video and audio streaming – perfect for keeping an eye on the kids when they get home from school, with 1 day retention included for free. Adding our mydlink™ DNR-4020-16P JustConnect 16 Channel PoE Video Recorder means you can both power and record multiple cameras, allowing cameras to be placed and power by the NVR allows more flexibility on placement

Or there is the option of adding mydlink™ DNR-4020-16P JustConnect 16 Channel PoE Video Recorder which means you can record multiple cameras for up to 6 weeks* – ideal for keeping an eye on your home when you are away on a longer break.

Getting started
For a simple, yet highly effective home monitoring system, you’ll need these components:

  • An Internet connection
  • A router
  • One or more network cameras
  • A PC, iPhone, Android Phone,
  • iPad or Android tablet
  • A mydlink™ account

If you want to set up comprehensive home security you can add a mydlink™ DNR-4020-16P JustConnect 16Channel PoE Video Recorder

Your Internet connection and router
A fast and reliable Internet connection ensures your mydlink™ camera is always connected and shows you real-time footage – so having the right router is essential. We’ve launched a range of routers which have been specifically designed for the demands of video. Both routers give the very best speed and coverage around your home.

The DIR X5460 AX5400 Wi Fi 6 Router, is the next-generation standard in Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi 6 has significant improvements on the previous 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. Now you can watch, game and browse at a faster and more efficient rate from every room in the house and with more devices than ever.

D-Link DIR-X5460 AX5400 WiFi 6 Router – The EXO AC3000 Smart Mesh Wi-Fi Router brings warp speed tri-band AC3000 Wi-Fi, voice-based smart home Wi-Fi control and radical Wi-Fi mesh technology to your smart home. Because you know you deserve more than just a Wi-Fi signal.

  • Luxuriate in lag-free, buffer-slaying video streaming and online gaming – Crazy-fast combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 400 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 866 Mbps (5 GHz) + 1733 Mbps (5 GHz)
  • Works with the Google Assistant and Alexa – Give your smart home Wi-Fi a new voice
  • Monitor your kids’ internet activity – Comprehensive parental controls
  • Advanced Wi-Fi Mesh – Turbocharge your whole home network with intelligent functionality
  • Easily handles everything you throw at it with high-power 880 MHz dual-core processor
  • Test Internet speed – See how your Router-to-ISP connection measures up
  • Free D-Link Wi-Fi app – Set up and manage your network from your smartphone

Viewing your camera with mydlink™ Cloud Services
The mydlink™ Cloud Services portal allows you to access your cameras from any computer, iPad, iPhone, Android Phone or Android tablet. mydlink™ Cloud Services are easy to install, simply insert the installation CD in the box, into your PC/notebook. Once the camera is set up, you’ll be prompted to create your mydlink™ Cloud Services account. mydlink™ Cloud Services will detect compatible cameras set up in your home, garage or any other indoor location, and quickly configure them onto a network, which means you can start viewing straight away.

Each mydlink™ Cloud Services-enabled camera can also be viewed via your personal account on www.mydlink.com/uk, giving you the complete freedom of remote monitoring – wherever you are in the world.

Choosing the right product for you
We have a wide range of products in the mydlink™ Cloud Services family that is suitable for monitoring or recording during the day and night. So whatever your situation, we can help you find the right combination of products that will really work for you.

Anxious new parents?
When you’re new to the parenting world, you have a tendency to want to check on your bundle of joy every 5 minutes. However, standing over your child can disturb their sleep. So the perfect solution to this is a camera that gives you the flexibility of being able to view the nursery wherever you are in the house.

A great option would be the D-Link DCS-8300LHV2 Full HD Wi-Fi Camera

Easy to set up – our mydlink service allows instant 24/7 access to video footage from your iPad, iPhone or Android device so you can check up on your child from any room in the house. This camera allows you to see up to 5 m at night with infrared night vision, so you can see your child sleeping soundly in low light – making it a perfect choice for day and night.

Worried about your home’s security?

Over the last year, some of your neighbours’ flats have been broken into and some expensive belongings were stolen. It’s not surprising that you feel anxious about leaving your home unattended. You’d something that allows you to keep a constant eye on your property and record any footage should you need to.

Full HD Pan & Tilt Wi Fi Camera DCS 8526LH

The DCS-8526LH will provide you with security that always follows the action. With built-in AI-based Person Detection you can find out exactly when a human is identified, for smarter home protection. The camera can automatically pan and tilt to track a moving subject, with 340° viewing angles, so you can monitor kids, elderly parents, or pets, even as they move around.

D-Link IP Cameras | Comms Express