Alert 750e

This is a very nice security system with some really great possibilities. You can connect up to six cameras to the system and record the video to your computer hard drive for storage. The cameras themselves use micro-SD cards for offline storage as well, so you have options. You can view the live video from the cameras on your local computer with the Logitech Alert Commander software, via the internet on, or via the mobile client on your Android, Blackberry, or iPhone.

The base system comes with one camera, power supply, network adapter, and Logitech Alert Commander software. The review system came with an additional indoor camera (700i) in order to allow reviewers to set up a system with multiple input points.

INSTALLATION:

The installation is basically a no-brainer and the system didn’t take any time to set up. The cameras communicate via powerline ethernet which runs the data through your existing electrical outlets to your router. This setup allows you to install the cameras anywhere there is an electrical outlet without worrying about running cables through your house. The master system comes with the powerline-to-ethernet connector that you connect to your router, any additional cameras come with powerline adapters that communicate with the master.

NOTE: YOU MUST CONNECT THE ADAPTERS DIRECTLY TO A WALL OUTLET. THE ADAPTERS WILL NOT WORK IF PLUGGED INTO A SURGE SUPPRESSOR. The instructions tell you this, but I decided to test it and they were not kidding; it does not work.

I am awaiting information from Logitech about installing the powerline adapters in the attic in order to hide all wires. I will update the review when I find out if the adapters can be installed in that manner.

UPDATE: Logitech got back to me – the adapters CANNOT be installed in the attic.

SETUP:

The setup is pretty straight forward. You connect the cameras to the powerline adapters and connect the ethernet cable from the master powerline adapter to your modem. The Logitech Alert Commander software will find the cameras that you connect and you can then name them and they are ready to view.

Adding cameras is as simple as plugging the camera cable into the powerline adapter, plugging that adapter into the wall, and then using the software to discover the new camera. It is dead simple.

CAMERA FIRMWARE:

The camera firmware was out of date on the cameras I was sent. Luckily, it is extremely easy to update the firmware. Simply open the Logitech Alert Commander software, select “Settings,” select “General,” select “Updates,” and then click “Update Cameras.” You can also update your software from the same location.

SOFTWARE:

The Logitech Alert Commander software is fairly intuitive, but setting up recording to your computer is not automatic. You must define a path for the audio/video stream or it will not record at all. The path can be set by going to “Settings,” selecting “Storage,” then “Computer.” The “Video location” box will have information entered into it, but it will not work. You MUST define a path for the video by selecting “Browse” and setting up a file path.

NIGHT VISION:

The night vision seems to work very well. I tested the 750e in the dark and it was able to pick up pretty good detail. The image is not the best in the world, but it is a lot better than expected and the range is pretty good.

VIEWING VIA PHONE OR WEB:

This is a great feature and one that I will use often. You simply set up an account when you install the Logitech Alert Commander software on your computer and then use that login information on the phone or the web to view live video from the cameras. This works surprisingly well and I am quite impressed with it. There is also a premium version where you can use Web and Mobile Commander to view recorded video and control your system remotely. I have not looked into the cost of this, but it is a very good feature if you want to have complete remote control of the system.

BOTTOM LINE:

This is an excellent security system and it will work very well for pretty much anyone. The price is a bit higher than many other systems if you want to install multiple cameras, but it is certainly very high quality.