Video baby monitor?

[mart242]

I bought a baby monitor almost 4 years ago and it's a cheap one (well, 50$ from walmart at the time). You can always hear static (psssssssssssccccccchhhhhhhhhtttttttttt) and it's damn annoying. We've got another one on the way so I was browsing costco and saw a deal on babyvideo monitor.

Any thoughts on this one:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11239902&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|48022&N=4013957&Mo=41&No=13&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=48128&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
It's 50$ off.. so 100$ including shipping.

Or will simply I end up with a fuzzy image along with the static?

edit: ah crap, it's on costco.com, not costco.ca. Don't know how I ended up there. Iit's 125$CDN on costco.ca

[killoverme]

I bought a baby monitor almost 4 years ago and it's a cheap one (well, 50$ from walmart at the time). You can always hear static (psssssssssssccccccchhhhhhhhhtttttttttt) and it's damn annoying. We've got another one on the way so I was browsing costco and saw a deal on babyvideo monitor.

Any thoughts on this one:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11239902&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|48022&N=4013957&Mo=41&No=13&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=48128&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
It's 50$ off.. so 100$ including shipping.

Or will simply I end up with a fuzzy image along with the static?

edit: ah crap, it's on costco.com, not costco.ca. Don't know how I ended up there. Iit's 125$CDN on costco.ca

wait for teh Days of dell maybe they'll have another PC video monitor and just use that

[susan123]

For the static, try attaching something metal to the antenna. I have used a really long, clear plastic coated twist tie from one of the kids' toys. When that went missing, I now use one metal beater from my hand mixer. (Of course I keep it out of reach as the monitor is an attrative device, let alone with any "attachments.)

As for video monitors, I was always concerned about the fact they need some light to work. Studies have said that even tiny light could be harmful to health long term. Not that I listen to everything....but with that, and the cost of the video one, chose to stick with just the regular monitor.

[bubble.tea]

wouldn't it be hilarious if you could pick up stray signals on this model, as you can with the audio only versions...you know-the ones that you can drive by peoples homes, and randomly pick up conversations from ANY similar device :eek:.

[mart242]

wait for teh Days of dell maybe they'll have another PC video monitor and just use that

But I'd have to hook it up to a PC... which isn't really useful when I'm in the kitchen, garage, or outside!

For the static, try attaching something metal to the antenna.

As for video monitors, I was always concerned about the fact they need some light to work. Studies have said that even tiny light could be harmful to health long term.

My monitors don't have any external antennas.. and on the receiver, I need to turn it on / off about 10 times before it turns on properly and it sometimes turns off by itself so I'm definitely replacing it.

For the video monitors, they use infra red. That's the kind of light that's harmful to health long term? Aren't we all emitting infrared (ie: heat from our body) ?

[susan123]

I'm not an expert - and didn't have the $$ to buy a video monitor so just used the info just to talk myself out of it..... In any case, don't think it matters what kind of light - more along the lines of too much light - and they even cited nightlights as potential problems. But, everything has potential problems, including the sippy cups I use, so I certainly am one for viewing the info and then making my own decision.......

[rays101]

I have this monitor. The night vision works well. There is slight red glow to the infrared leds if you look at them directly but there is no visible light i.e. room is pitch black but the monitor will see clearly.

I think the main concern is interference for these monitors. I live in an apartment and so I am no more than 1 wall away from the baby's bedroom. There is slight but constant static but I'm not sure if it is from the distance or from other electronic items. I notice more static if I'm using a bluetooth headset.

The main negative is the sound. There is a lot of static noise which makes it difficult to use for sound. If you get this, you will probably need to get a separate sound monitor.

[mart242]

The main negative is the sound. There is a lot of static noise which makes it difficult to use for sound. If you get this, you will probably need to get a separate sound monitor.

Thanks a lot for the info... Sound is even more important than video (ie: so you don't need to watch the tiny screen all the time) so I'm doubting that I'll purchase it. It's' costco however so I might try it and return it if it sucks..

[kobe]

1st baby due in a month and I can't really foresee the video being all that helpful...but, I don't have much experience. Could someone explain a possible scenario in which video would be valuable? Or is it just for peace of mind?

[nelsonmp5]

I'll confirm Rays101. I've got it as well.
Video quality is surprisingly good for something of this nature. Sound quality sucks. When its too dark for visible light, it switches to IR mode.
And the amount of red glow is way less then the constant glow of city lights or even moonlight, for that matter. What's this concern about sleeping with too much light anyway? If your baby is sleeping, then I don't see an issue. If the light is keeping them awake, that's another issue altogether.

N

[volan]

I actually purchased that very same baby monitor from Costco but ended up returning it. The sound was very faint and the video had a lot of static. We ended up buying a Safety 1st video baby monitor from costco instead.

The Q-See that we bought operates on 2.4GHz, so it was prone to interference from wireless internet signals and also from the microwave.

The Safety 1st operates on 900MHz and is much larger than the Q-See. When the lights are off in the room the picture is not too sharp, but you can see what's going on and that's what counts.

We like that we can see the baby as opposed to just hearing him. There are cases where baby is quiet and you think he's asleep but actually he's moving his legs and arms and he's fully awake (sneaky little bugger). An audio monitor is really all you need, but the addition of video is a nice touch. We often keep the sound off and just look for movement to see if baby is awake or sleeping.

[mart242]

1st baby due in a month and I can't really foresee the video being all that helpful...but, I don't have much experience. Could someone explain a possible scenario in which video would be valuable? Or is it just for peace of mind?

The sound only one I had was crap so I thought that the video ones would be better but it doesn't look like it's the case. A potential benefit of video would be to see if everything is ok and let the baby cry a bit more before going.. instead of rushing like noob parents do!

[volan]

A potential benefit of video would be to see if everything is ok and let the baby cry a bit more before going.. instead of rushing like noob parents do!When the baby is a little older you can also see things like whether he's rolled onto his stomach and can't get onto his back, or perhaps it leg (or arm) is sticking out through the slats. When they get even older you can see whether they are climbing out of their cribs.

[spdztr]

When they get even older you can see whether they are climbing out of their cribs.
.. and when they get even older, you can see them climbing out the window!

[naveed3434]

I've got a bunch of old laptops and cheap web cams I don't use that often.

Does anyone have experience using a PC and a video monitor for a baby?

[sapravi]

We purchased the video monitor from summer infant .. it is really helpful in that you can watch ur baby all the time and dont have to go up to his crib when he makes sounds.. and during nights it switches to IR mode and the picture is pretty good.
But now we are beginning to think having the monitor all the time on him , is it harmful in any way ..
any one has any thoughts on this

I have this monitor. The night vision works well. There is slight red glow to the infrared leds if you look at them directly but there is no visible light i.e. room is pitch black but the monitor will see clearly.

I think the main concern is interference for these monitors. I live in an apartment and so I am no more than 1 wall away from the baby's bedroom. There is slight but constant static but I'm not sure if it is from the distance or from other electronic items. I notice more static if I'm using a bluetooth headset.

The main negative is the sound. There is a lot of static noise which makes it difficult to use for sound. If you get this, you will probably need to get a separate sound monitor.

[Mayoo]

If you got wireless internet then get a linksys wireless webcam .. and use laptop next to ur bed to see it ..

[ES_Revenge]

I'm sure x10.com will have everything you need and more ;)

[Mayoo]

I'm sure x10.com will have everything you need and more ;)

true but dont access that site from work or infront of ur kids .. lol